DAC Recommendations?

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Offline Horatio

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Reply #15 on: February 17, 2016, 03:17:46 AM
Here are two options I have had a lot of success with:

1) Schitt Bifrost - sounds great and no complaints - this is my main DAC and is hooked up to my BeePre & Paramounts.

2) Apple Airport Express - for those on a tighter budget who happen to be Apple users here is a wild card option I have also had a lot of success with. A modern Airport Express (hockey puck style) will allow for both DAC and remote TosLink output. In fact this is the DAC I use with my Stereomour. I took the gamble after reading this review http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/airport-express-audio-quality-2014.htm and do not regret it one bit!




Offline drewh1

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Reply #16 on: February 17, 2016, 12:58:45 PM
I love Oslo. Travelled there on business regularly to work with tandberg. Sailed in the faerdern years ago

J-River on Custom built Music Server in Silverstone Case
Ayre QB-9 USB DAC
Kaiju
Stereoumour
Diy Cotton wrapped wire interconnects and speaker cab!es
Green Mountain Audio EOS HDx speakers
Crack with Beyerdynamic T1
Shunyata Diamond Back Power Cable
DIY Sub with Seas L26Roy Driver


Offline Strikkflypilot

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Reply #17 on: February 18, 2016, 05:40:47 PM
Nice. Off topic, I have an old Tandberg, 2075 mk2 to repair for my dad when I get around to it...

Home system:
Sources: Ibasso DX90, Google Chromecast Audio optical out
DAC: Schiit Gumby
Amp: Bottlehead Mainline
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7463.0
Phones: HD800S

Office:
Sources: Iphone/ Ipod
DAC: Dragonfly Red+Jtrbug
Amp: Crack/Speedball heavily modded
Phones: HD580,HD600 grilles


Offline amritdesai

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Reply #18 on: March 04, 2016, 07:21:53 AM
I've had for a couple of years the Peachtree DacIT and the Musical Fidelity Vdac II both with aftermarket, external power supplies. They are very similar performance wise although the DacIT has a sweetness to it, very musical whereas the Vdac is precise but neutral. The DacIT sounds great with my apple TV/toshlink but the Vdac with it's superior USB interface outperforms hooked up to my macbook pro/amarra. I like the simplicity of the design with Vdac II but it is kind of annoying having cables coming from both ends.

Overall, I think I actually prefer the Peachtree DacIT sound over the Vdac II.

*Just ordered a bifrost multibit  :P

Zu Audio soul Mk II, w radian 475
Zu Mission Cables
Stereomour II, JJ 2a3 40
Clearaudio Concept Wood Ortofon Black
Eros Phono Pre
Schiit Bifrost DAC
Synergistic Research Black Fuses


Offline Strikkflypilot

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Reply #19 on: March 12, 2016, 10:34:21 AM
Just pulled the trigger on a Gungnir Multibit.
Selling my PSX cd player to make room on the shelf:) (Avoids the questions:) )

Home system:
Sources: Ibasso DX90, Google Chromecast Audio optical out
DAC: Schiit Gumby
Amp: Bottlehead Mainline
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7463.0
Phones: HD800S

Office:
Sources: Iphone/ Ipod
DAC: Dragonfly Red+Jtrbug
Amp: Crack/Speedball heavily modded
Phones: HD580,HD600 grilles


Offline denti alligator

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Reply #20 on: March 12, 2016, 11:16:28 AM
It's way out of my budget, but I'm eyeing the Bryston BDA-3, which can take DSD from HDMI, which is HUGE: the capability of playing SACD through an external DAC.

- Sam

Rega P3-24 (w/AT 150MLX) w/Groovetracer upgrades / Eros II / FLAC >J.River >DSD256 >Gustard X20 / Moreplay > Stereomour II / Klipsch Forte II w/Crites upgrades / C4S S.E.X. 2.0 +Nickel MQ Iron / Speedball Crack / Sennheiser HD600 w/Cardas cable


Offline Strikkflypilot

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Reply #21 on: March 12, 2016, 12:12:55 PM
I can only say from what Ive read, that it seems good.
Havent heard it though...

Home system:
Sources: Ibasso DX90, Google Chromecast Audio optical out
DAC: Schiit Gumby
Amp: Bottlehead Mainline
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7463.0
Phones: HD800S

Office:
Sources: Iphone/ Ipod
DAC: Dragonfly Red+Jtrbug
Amp: Crack/Speedball heavily modded
Phones: HD580,HD600 grilles


Offline amritdesai

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Reply #22 on: March 31, 2016, 09:53:08 AM
Curious what you think of the multibit. Seriously impressed so far - the level of realism is unreal :)

Zu Audio soul Mk II, w radian 475
Zu Mission Cables
Stereomour II, JJ 2a3 40
Clearaudio Concept Wood Ortofon Black
Eros Phono Pre
Schiit Bifrost DAC
Synergistic Research Black Fuses


Offline Strikkflypilot

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Reply #23 on: March 31, 2016, 11:35:11 AM
I received the Gumby by Fedex courier on the 21. It's been on ever since.
Just right now, sat and listened to the Tannhauser Ouverture, recovering from severe goosebumps.
I think it is something else. Like the reviewers say, not harsh, but beautifully, naturally detailed and resolved. Also impressed with how well it makes standard CD Quality files sound.
This is a permanent setup, that's for sure. It is also sleek and easy on the eyes, so it has my wife's seal of approval:)

Home system:
Sources: Ibasso DX90, Google Chromecast Audio optical out
DAC: Schiit Gumby
Amp: Bottlehead Mainline
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7463.0
Phones: HD800S

Office:
Sources: Iphone/ Ipod
DAC: Dragonfly Red+Jtrbug
Amp: Crack/Speedball heavily modded
Phones: HD580,HD600 grilles


Offline Rhok

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Reply #24 on: March 31, 2016, 05:02:41 PM
I was kind of on the fence of a DAC not meaning that much, especially nowadays with the technology in general being lower cost.

I recently purchased a Bifrost Multibit for "peace of mind" that my DAC wasn't bottle-necking anything (Modi 2).

I purchased it expecting practically nothing.. boy was I wrong.. it affected more than I ever anticipated and definitely look my listening experience up several notches.. I didn't even need to focus or think about it's changes, they weren't subtle.

I don't know how much better it gets, but I now know that there will be a "TOTL" DAC in my chain one day.

TL:DR the Bifrost Multibit seems to be great value, and I would recommend it.



Offline denti alligator

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Reply #25 on: April 02, 2016, 08:09:36 AM
I've now got my eye on the Gustard X20, which reviews have besting even Schiit's flagship. Plus it does DSD over PCM.

- Sam

Rega P3-24 (w/AT 150MLX) w/Groovetracer upgrades / Eros II / FLAC >J.River >DSD256 >Gustard X20 / Moreplay > Stereomour II / Klipsch Forte II w/Crites upgrades / C4S S.E.X. 2.0 +Nickel MQ Iron / Speedball Crack / Sennheiser HD600 w/Cardas cable


Online Tom-s

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Reply #26 on: April 03, 2016, 01:35:04 AM
That Gustard X20 looks great. On amazon it's only 725€. That's only +25€ over the price of a Schiit Biforst Multibit here in EU.

Follow-up on this. The sound of the X20 is really good. A clear step-up from my Modi2U (what a surprise :P), adds depth to the sound. Unfortunately i can't compare it to anything else. Since this is my second DAC. Big bonus are the suggested mods. I'll start modding it asap :D.
« Last Edit: May 05, 2016, 02:19:46 AM by Tom-s »



Offline debk

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Reply #27 on: March 12, 2022, 03:39:41 PM
Being a Bottlehead, ("Tubes & I can build it better" syndrome!),  and preferring NOS DAC's,  I bought a DAC2.1 from AudioNote kits.  AD1865 chip and 6299 output.  It has been a wonderful addition to the kit!!  (Headphones are still on a modified Teradak NOS).

Cheers,
Geary

I upgraded my ANK DAC 2.1 with the 5687 Output board and output transformers.  Wow nice upgrade really took the sound upma notch, very natural and enjoyable to listen to.

Debra K

Eros 2Phono amp
BeePre2, Psvane ACME 300b
Kaiju, Linlai Elite  300b
Monamour 2a3 amps various tubes
Sota Sapphire, Pete Riggle Woody Tonearm, Kiseki Purpleheart Cartridge
Rega P6 Ania Pro cartridge
Roon Nucleus
MHDT Labs Orchid DAC
Jager speakers