Looking into a DAC

mikje · 8th October 2009, 02:02 PM

I run a Dell Inspiron as my source. If I have a budget of $300 or less, would it be best to go with a PCMCIA sound card or a DAC? I'm really only interested in 2 channel, so soundcards that run 5.1 or 7.1 seem like they would be money spent in the wrong place. I've looked at DACs, but it seems they are all out of my price range. The system I plan on using this DAC/sound card for is a re-capped Packard Bell tube amp and the speakers are the 3CR-ti Parts Experss DIY project. I'm not opposed to DIY for a DAC. I've seen a lot of affordable Chinese DIY DACs on eBay, but don't know anything about their quality.
Any help or direction will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

Bill Fuss · 8th October 2009, 02:39 PM

I have the Chinese CS4398 upsampling USB board, along with dozens of other forum members. For $100 bucks it is an outstanding buy and it is very mod friendly. Add a couple output trafos and you are close to dacs costing at least $1500, probably more.
There is a long thread about it on this forum that is still very active.

Best, Bill

8th October 2009, 02:02 PM	#1
mikje Soakin' up the Sound! diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bismarck, ND	Looking into a DAC I run a Dell Inspiron as my source. If I have a budget of $300 or less, would it be best to go with a PCMCIA sound card or a DAC? I'm really only interested in 2 channel, so soundcards that run 5.1 or 7.1 seem like they would be money spent in the wrong place. I've looked at DACs, but it seems they are all out of my price range. The system I plan on using this DAC/sound card for is a re-capped Packard Bell tube amp and the speakers are the 3CR-ti Parts Experss DIY project. I'm not opposed to DIY for a DAC. I've seen a lot of affordable Chinese DIY DACs on eBay, but don't know anything about their quality. Any help or direction will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike __________________ Marantz PM8003 amp, HRT Music Streamer II DAC, Squeezebox Touch, JBL L40 Speakers (recapped)

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8th October 2009, 02:39 PM	#2
Bill Fuss RIP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Florida	I have the Chinese CS4398 upsampling USB board, along with dozens of other forum members. For $100 bucks it is an outstanding buy and it is very mod friendly. Add a couple output trafos and you are close to dacs costing at least $1500, probably more. There is a long thread about it on this forum that is still very active. Best, Bill

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