Need DAC Recommendations

mtl777 · 21st August 2009, 08:56 PM

Hey guys, I need your help. I'm looking for a DAC that is either...

(1) Already very good even without mods; or,
(2) Good and has great modding potential; or,
(3) A combination of (1) and (2).

Bang-for-the-buck is a primary consideration, so nothing over $500 please (unless it's really very good and does not require modding then I can go up to $700). I've heard of DACs from Beresford and Twisted Pear. What do you think of those?

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

mtl777 · 24th August 2009, 06:59 AM

Bump!

Is the Twisted Pear Buffalo32s the best DIY DAC for the money currently? I'm thinking of buying either that or the Beresford TC-7520. I like the Beresford for being complete and ready to use, but how does it sound compared to the Buffalo32s? If you were to buy for modding, which one would you buy? Also, how do these units (if modded) compare sonically with a high end DAC such as Lavry DA10?

Thanks!

planet10 · 24th August 2009, 07:14 AM

This new one is vert good value for the dollar ... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70947

dave

mtl777 · 24th August 2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet10

This new one is vert good value for the dollar ... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70947

dave

Thanks, that's awesome!

The specs for this says "(2) sets of RCA Outputs tailored to your taste - one with transistor and one with single 6N3 (5670) vacuum tube". Does it mean you have the option to hear the output with or without the tube?

I wonder how its sound compares with the Buffalo32s or the Beresford TC-7520?

Hearinspace · 24th August 2009, 11:51 PM

In my books , the DDDAC is still one of the best sounding DACs around. (Click the DDDAC1543 MK2 tab at the top of the web page to get to the pages for the latest version) I've had mine for a few years now and it still gets visitors feelin' it! (My neighbours lean against my door to listen when they wait for the elevator!) None of that stupid up-sampling stuff - it's a very straightforward and simple 'brute force' approach that just sounds great. Upgrades all over the place. You can start with one DAC tower board and slowly add as you like. Two is a big difference over one and then doesn't really change that much from there until you get to five - which was Doede's recommended max. There are a few different interface possibilities - and power supply options are also about as many as you can imagine. As you can tell, I really like it .

ttan98 · 24th August 2009, 11:56 PM

Try this website:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/

They compare many DACs under the sun you may find the one you need.

planet10 · 25th August 2009, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtl777

Thanks, that's awesome!

The specs for this says "(2) sets of RCA Outputs tailored to your taste - one with transistor and one with single 6N3 (5670) vacuum tube". Does it mean you have the option to hear the output with or without the tube?

Yes. A big R-core trafo in it as well... always nice to have the heavy stuff in place already when it comes to tweaking

dave

agent.5 · 25th August 2009, 02:44 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290339718170

Dave · 25th August 2009, 03:05 AM

My Design may be of interest to you,

DAC PCBs for sale

mtl777 · 25th August 2009, 06:18 AM

Thank you so much, guys!

So many choices, all very good! Now my life has become more complicated and I have a lot of reading to do.

21st August 2009, 08:56 PM	#1
mtl777 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007	Need DAC Recommendations Hey guys, I need your help. I'm looking for a DAC that is either... (1) Already very good even without mods; or, (2) Good and has great modding potential; or, (3) A combination of (1) and (2). Bang-for-the-buck is a primary consideration, so nothing over $500 please (unless it's really very good and does not require modding then I can go up to $700). I've heard of DACs from Beresford and Twisted Pear. What do you think of those? Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

24th August 2009, 07:14 AM	#3
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 3	This new one is vert good value for the dollar ... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70947 dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi

25th August 2009, 03:05 AM	#9
Dave diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: New Zealand	My Design may be of interest to you, DAC PCBs for sale __________________ DIY DAC, 24/192 inputs, fully balanced http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...hreadid=122078

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24th August 2009, 06:59 AM	#2
mtl777 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007	Bump! Is the Twisted Pear Buffalo32s the best DIY DAC for the money currently? I'm thinking of buying either that or the Beresford TC-7520. I like the Beresford for being complete and ready to use, but how does it sound compared to the Buffalo32s? If you were to buy for modding, which one would you buy? Also, how do these units (if modded) compare sonically with a high end DAC such as Lavry DA10? Thanks!

24th August 2009, 11:51 PM	#5
Hearinspace diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	In my books , the DDDAC is still one of the best sounding DACs around. (Click the DDDAC1543 MK2 tab at the top of the web page to get to the pages for the latest version) I've had mine for a few years now and it still gets visitors feelin' it! (My neighbours lean against my door to listen when they wait for the elevator!) None of that stupid up-sampling stuff - it's a very straightforward and simple 'brute force' approach that just sounds great. Upgrades all over the place. You can start with one DAC tower board and slowly add as you like. Two is a big difference over one and then doesn't really change that much from there until you get to five - which was Doede's recommended max. There are a few different interface possibilities - and power supply options are also about as many as you can imagine. As you can tell, I really like it .

24th August 2009, 11:56 PM	#6
ttan98 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Melb	Try this website: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/ They compare many DACs under the sun you may find the one you need.

25th August 2009, 02:44 AM	#8
agent.5 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA	http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290339718170

25th August 2009, 06:18 AM	#10
mtl777 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007	Thank you so much, guys! So many choices, all very good! Now my life has become more complicated and I have a lot of reading to do.

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