So many DACs, which to choose

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jump to Latest
S

silvercans

Member
Joined 2005
#1
I know everyone has an opinion and preference regarding a DAC, the thing is, after doing my research my head is spining. Not to mention, some of the threads have 1000+ posts 😱. That said, I see a lot of chinese dacs on ebay and various other dac kits. Can anyone give a recommendation on what one they would go with if they had say $500 max (including the cost modifications if it needed it). I might use USB, but mainly coax.

Thx
 
#9
Hi Martin,

There is no build thread, it's not a kit. Both of those are different versions of the same unit. All you need is a power trafo and case. It's relatively easy to mod if you're careful not to lift any traces. If you get one and need help go to the (Experience With This DIY DAC) thread.
 
#10
Grabbed one of the "MUSE" USB dac/head amps,. PCM1793 based. Compared to my NAD 520, it is different. Mid and lower HF detail, but seemed to bring the noise up with it, somehow without changing the overall balance. The imaging is far more realistic. I intent to build a more robust power sup[ply for it, external and seperate the digital from analog. Wish I had a schematic.

I noticed the complete units to be cheaper than the stuffed boards. The "mini-hi-fi SPDIF+optical " at 50 bucks is the same card as some sold for 80. Also 1793 based.

The CS8416 board I see has old NE5532 op amps on it. Not a big deal to fix if one were so inclined. I very much was tempted due to the separated power supplieds I too am contemplating a transformer output DAC. This may be a good card to start with.
 
#13
I suggest the Poppulse PCM1796 DAC, with the PCM1796 🙂

Also I'd suggest the HA-INFO NG94, with the PCM1794.

Finally, the Zhaolu D3.5, with dual differential PCM1738's.

All three being I-out DAC chips.


Then change opamps with the best available (see my thread), and you're all set for a happy life 🙂


I think upsampling changes the sonic character, not sonic quality (once I had a expensive DAC, based on the CS4396, that had it).
 
#14
Hello Andrea, hello guys!

Your DAC suggestions are all ready build units. But I'm looking for a kit, because I would like to use my own case and further more, tweaks would be far more easy with a DAC in kit form.

But all in all I'm VERY sceptical with all the gear made in China... I've read so many things about leaking caps, failing transformers, bad sounding old op-amps, dirty and unnessesary conversation from usb to spdif and then back from spdif to i2s and so on. And honestly, I'm finding it somehow strange to buy such a kit, and then change the transformer to a better one of a famous brand, change different caps for better ones, change rectifier diodes to shottky diodes, change existing op-amps to better ones, and and and... And in the end, what did I bought for around 150usd? Just a pcb with a circuit diagram on it, which even isn't well thought out...

What do you guys think about products from Twisted Pear, e.g. the COD DAC with the PCM1794A? Thanks to the modular design, one can build a very much customized unit with the opportunity to add additional modules later if necessary. Well made pcb's, good but not exotic parts, but most important, design and layout seem to be well tested and proven to be quite good. But unfortunately, I never had the chance to listen until now.

Thanks!
Martin
 
Last edited:
#15
IMO, Twisted Pear Audio = disgustingly overpriced stuff. If that's the alternative... welcome China.


My two Chinese DACs are well made and perform very well. For a cheap but quality solution... consider the latest version of Poppulse's "Super Pro 707". It's quite enjoyable even stock (comes with a rather untypical LT1364CS8 opamp), but change the opamp (with two of the better singles around) and, more important, change the two output caps with some film caps... and it becomes exactly as good as the good $200 DACs. Myself, I've gone a few steps further (without revolutions...which I don't believe in) and I'm really very happy with it...
 
#16
You have to get over the China thing, damn near everything is made in China these days.

The fact is, everything is going micro miniature. Good luck soldering some of it by hand. If you stick with the DIP sized stuff you are limited to old technology which might appeal to you, but I've tried it and IMVHO it is sadly lacking.
 
#17
As said before, the sound is what matters the most (and of course reliability of parts in long-term sight).

So, since some of you seem to have experiences with different DAC chips and OP-amps, perhaps you can give me some advice which DAC-OPA-combination I should go for.

I try to choose my words carefully here, because description of sound in a foreign language is quite difficult.

What I DON'T like:
- bright, thin, over-analytical, sound with harsh, piercing highs and artifical mids (the oh-so-common digital, ultra-clear sound, which has absolutely nothing to do with music...)
- a very forward, right-in-your-face sound, which makes some older recordings unlistenable and fatiguing
- fat, overblown bass without control and definition

WHAT I like (and what I'm so desperately looking for...):
- refinement in the whole presentation
- a certain "weight" to the tones and instruments
- a relaxed performance, with the ability to be fast and speedy if needed
- a detailed, yet not analytical sound, with the focus on listenability
- "body" of voices and instruments (close related to the "weight"-thing above)
- wide and deep soundstage, but not artificial, only if the recordings provide such a soundstage
- naturalness, in the sense, that you get the idea that there is REALLY a band playing in your room
- focus on the MUSIC ITSELF, not on details

You see, something like this: "Oh, it's just amazing! On the recording xy you can hear the snare drum from the far left of the speakers so clearly.." or: "There where details all over, you can hear things on your recordings which you never heard before!" - I find things like this do only lead to analytical listening sessions. I want the exact opposite: I want to relax to the music, I want to get involved with the presentation, with the inner soul of the artists. Well, and all this stuff...

Ok, I know, "and all this a few $?" you might ask...
Perhaps I want the ultimate music machine, and this would cost me about $3k at least. But all I would like to know is the DIRECTION in which I should go.

Thank you all very much!
martin
 
#20
martinbls said:
As said before, the sound is what matters the most (and of course reliability of parts in long-term sight).

So, since some of you seem to have experiences with different DAC chips and OP-amps, perhaps you can give me some advice which DAC-OPA-combination I should go for.

I try to choose my words carefully here, because description of sound in a foreign language is quite difficult.

What I DON'T like:
- bright, thin, over-analytical, sound with harsh, piercing highs and artifical mids (the oh-so-common digital, ultra-clear sound, which has absolutely nothing to do with music...)
- a very forward, right-in-your-face sound, which makes some older recordings unlistenable and fatiguing
- fat, overblown bass without control and definition

WHAT I like (and what I'm so desperately looking for...):
- refinement in the whole presentation
- a certain "weight" to the tones and instruments
- a relaxed performance, with the ability to be fast and speedy if needed
- a detailed, yet not analytical sound, with the focus on listenability
- "body" of voices and instruments (close related to the "weight"-thing above)
- wide and deep soundstage, but not artificial, only if the recordings provide such a soundstage
- naturalness, in the sense, that you get the idea that there is REALLY a band playing in your room
- focus on the MUSIC ITSELF, not on details

You see, something like this: "Oh, it's just amazing! On the recording xy you can hear the snare drum from the far left of the speakers so clearly.." or: "There where details all over, you can hear things on your recordings which you never heard before!" - I find things like this do only lead to analytical listening sessions. I want the exact opposite: I want to relax to the music, I want to get involved with the presentation, with the inner soul of the artists. Well, and all this stuff...

Ok, I know, "and all this a few $?" you might ask...
Perhaps I want the ultimate music machine, and this would cost me about $3k at least. But all I would like to know is the DIRECTION in which I should go.

Thank you all very much!
martin
Click to expand...
I know what you mean... I like the same things.


Try a DAC with the CS4398, and put a pair of OPA1611 in its output stage. I love mine...

You could get a Musiland SVDAC05, which isn't expensive, and has two sockets for single opamps. Then fit two Browndogs with OPA1611. Possibly, also change the output caps (there's one electrolytic in the signal path per channel) with a good film cap.

You should get the type of sound you like (since it's what I like too), staying under $200. Worldwide Chinese Headphone Amplifier Dealer is a place where they sell many interesting DACs.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom