DIY USB DAC Recommendations?

[glitches]

Hello - I'm looking for a DIY Dac kit that will end up something like a Schiit Bifrost. I haven't been able to find any kits that come as complete as Bottlehead, only circuit boards from eBay. Can anyone here point me in the right direction for a beginner? Thanks!

[Natural Sound]

What is your budget? At $349 the Schiit Bitfrost is a real bargain. You could always just buy one and start playing music.

There really aren't a whole lot of DAC kits out there that are "complete" as you say. You usually have to fabricate something to make it a finished product. Many DAC chips are surface mount so soldering them onto a board can be challenging.

You may want to have a look at the ODAC from JDS Labs. They get lots of praises from the budget Audiophile guys. You can buy the board for $99 or get one in a case ready to go for $149 to $169 (RCA jack model.)

https://www.jdslabs.com/products/39/odac-objectivedac/
https://www.jdslabs.com/products/46/standalone-odac/

But for the ultimate DAC, if you budget will allow look no further than the Bottlehead DAC. Its not a kit but sounds glorious!
http://bottlehead.com/product/bottlehead-dac/

Let us know what you wind up with.

[RayP]

As one of the budget guys who is listening to an ODAC right now, I would say go for it. Like most gear it takes some time to burn in but it works very well for the price.

ray

[glitches]

@NaturalSound - The Bitfrost starts at $349 and I think I'm required to get the USB Upgrade ($150) because I don't know how else I'm supposed to get audio from my MacBook Pro to the device. Again, I'm very new at all this so maybe there is a way to get the audio there without the USB upgrade? That being said, the cost of the the Bitfrost is at $449. Regarding my budget, I'm able to shell out about another $100 or so if it's going to make a big difference. Any recommendations?

The Bottlehead DAC looks sexy as hell but it's a little out of my budget for this project and has been out of stock. Do you know when they plan on producing more DACs or did they stop because they are making a newer one?


EDIT: Just discovered that I don't need the USB upgrade since the Mac audio port has optical audio. Either way, the budget is still the same since I'll use that for the Bitfrost Uber upgrade unless anyone here recommends something different.

[ZacharyP]

http://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/lite-audio-dac-phono-stage-mm-mc-c-41/lite-dac60-hifi-audio-dac-decoder-vaccum-tube-output-black-p-1186

*double check Its a reputable site, but iirc they were legit last time I checked.

True R2R DAC with true buffer stage and HIGHLY diy friendly
https://www.head-fi.org/t/740362/lite-dac60-pcm1704-r2r-tubed-dac-mod-project

The only other legit DIY options are Soekris' R2R board, or an eBay Chinese DAC kit that you have to hot rod and typically they don't have directions, but the seller should be able to provide a scgeanatc,

[Tubejack]

http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/buffalose.aspx