Question for all Crack/S.E.X. owners, what DAC are you using?

[mcandmar]

I'm really just looking for ideas here so i'm curious to hear what source everyone is using.

Also interested to hear from Vinyl junkies too..

Cheers,

Mark

[Loquah]

I was using an Audio-gd NFB-5.2 (now for sale if anyone's interested) which was great due to it's variable line-out.

I've now moved to a Matrix X-Sabre which is a musical implementation of the (in)famous ES9018 chip - often cold and analytically presented, but super detailed and musical in the X-Sabre setup - a perfect compliment to the Crack and S.E.X. It has actually brought the performance of the 2 amps closer together I think because the extra detail improves the Crack's sound.

[corndog71]

I use a Musical Fidelity V-DAC MkII for digital and Cambridge Audio 640P for vinyl.  Eventually I want to build a Bottlehead Reduction.

[Mike B]

I use a Xiang Sheng DAC 01A.  Very nice, has vacuum tube output.  Cheap too -

[galyons]

My main LP playing equipment ... 

Me too!  It was such a pain until I got this handy accessory!

Otherwise...Computer => SqueezeBox => Channel Islands DAC => Crack

Cheers,
Geary

[mcandmar]

Bump for more options..

I'm finding it very hard to find a direction to go looking for a DAC.   My only reference is an ODAC which i bought because it was clearly a no brainer for the cost, and i really cannot fault it.  I just want something that is neutral to output a line level signal with no bells or whistles or frills whatsoever.  Finding something, and justifying something more expensive than the ODAC is proving very difficult. Unfortunately i don't have the option of listening to any other equipment to hear the difference in higher end DAC's. Or maybe that is a blessing in disguise..

I should probably just buy another ODAC, stuff it inside the S.E.X amp and call it a day.

[kgoss]

I don't think I would stuff any DAC inside the sex amp. There could be noise problems that would handicap the DAC and the S.E.X. amp. You might want to do what I am doing - waiting patiently on the Bottlehead DAC.

[Mr. Davis]

I use a DIY Buffalo III DAC.

[Lar]

My main LP playing equipment ... 

Me too!  It was such a pain until I got this handy accessory!

Otherwise...Computer => SqueezeBox => Channel Islands DAC => Crack

Cheers,
Geary

What is the cost of that accessory?   
Computer - SqueezeBox - Emotiva XDA-1 - Crack.

[Yoder]

Owning two Cracks w/Speedball I use two different DACs with each system. For my System I, I first run my digital audio into a DIP Combo (http://www.monarchyaudio.com/DIP_Combo_Main_frame.htm) word clock and then into a Monarchy Audio NM-24 tube DAC http://www.monarchyaudio.com/NM24_Main_Frame.htm. The NM-24 is a lot of bang for the buck and is very easy to mod (mine was modded by the Monarchy.) I actually got both and a couple of SM-70 MK II mono blocks, and some other gear for building the Monarchy site. CC, the owner, is now a one man operation and just does the work as a retirement hobby. Anyone in the Bay area should look him up. He is a very gracious human being, and has more gear/components in his huge warehouse than he knows what to do with. I am sure he could supply any DIYer with any component that he/she needed. I always make it a point to spend a day or two with him when I visit SFO.

For my other system, it will become my BH system once I test the Foreplay III and the two Paramount's, I use a highly modded E-Mu 0404. I swapped out most of the caps and put better OP amps in it. There are a couple of things I still want to do with it, but for the money (even when purchased new) it is a decent DAC  with USB, TOSLink and SPDIF capabilities. There are a couple now on eBay for as low as $50.

I use Amarra Symphony on both systems. A Macmini (Lion) drives one, and a MBP (Lion) the other.

[mcandmar]

I use a DIY Buffalo III DAC.

Now that looks interesting, like a Lego kit for grown ups.  Definitely going to do more research into this one..

[ALL212]

Computer - Squeezebox - Lite DAC modified by Pacific Valve (2x 6DJ8's) - Crack.

[Oberst Oswald]

Stello DA-100

[Bill Chase]

I use a Mytek 192.

[Tubejack]

PSA PWD II