List of DACs Under $450 - Page 3

amb · 1st May 2010, 10:29 PM

AMB γ1 has CS8416 and WM8501 or WM8759, but γ2 has SRC4192 and WM8741, WM8742 or WM8740.

DaveCan · 2nd May 2010, 09:46 AM

The new Decware ZDAC-1 for the under a grand category.
Audiophile Tube Amps and Tube Gear from DECWARE

machine_head_69 · 25th August 2010, 07:59 PM

Beresford TC-7520 DAC - Headphone Amplifier - Preamp

$279, good reviews.

RichLund · 26th August 2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveCan

The new Decware ZDAC-1 for the under a grand category.
Audiophile Tube Amps and Tube Gear from DECWARE

I'm sorry Dave but this Decware DAC is a complete rip off. look at this thread page, post #2906:

Experience with this DIY DAC ?

The DAC that Decware uses is this chinese DAC from ebay:

Gigawork 24/192 Up-sampling DAC DA CONVERTER w/ USB kit on eBay (end time 26-Aug-10 09:00:30 BST)

Shocking really. Just buy the ebay kit and save hundreds of dollars. The ebay DAC is actually very good.

carolyny476 · 31st August 2010, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutter

Thread link for the grubDAC (disclaimer, it is my design):

The GrubDAC - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Thread link for the BantamDAC:
Comments for my PCM2702 DAC layout? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Such a very amazing link!
Thanks you for the post.

dangus · 07:33 AM

Dolby Digital A/V receivers are officially obsolete thanks to HDMI. I've seen a couple under $50 at thrift shops and pawnbrokers. Some have preamp outs.

Dolby Digital add-on processors like the Technics SH-AC300 and 500D. While there were similar boxes from other brands, I believe the Technics SH-AC500D sold in much higher numbers because it was the only processor under $1000 to do DTS as well as DD. And it made a perfectly usable standalone processor when combined with separate power amps.

There were or are some DD processors made for autosound and as add-ons to computer speakers. Not common, and overpriced on eBay, but you may stumble upon one locally. I picked up two car DD/DTS processors for $25 each on a clearance table at a car stereo shop.

And, finally, digital recorders like Minidisc, DCC, DAT or CDR should have digital inputs and therefore could function as DACs.

cruijt · 31st January 2011, 03:59 PM

NOS Mini DAC

dangus · 12:35 AM

The Behringer SRC2496 can be bought new for under $250, not $450.

And USB devices should include the ADSTech "Instant Music" which used the same chip as the Behringer UCA202 but achieved better performance (according to someone's RMAA loopback test). ADC, DAC, Toslink in and out
http://www.adstechnologies.com/index...products_id=10

Netdewt · 9th January 2012, 09:32 PM

Sorry I haven't kept up with this. I'll look through some posts when I get a chance.

I moved the list to a Google Spreadsheet. If you'd like to collaborate, message me. There are still holes. I especially need help with cost estimates for DIY DACs.

I also added lots of expensive DACs for some technical comparison.

List of DACs "Under $450"

dtaylo3 · 11th January 2012, 11:28 PM

Nice list. DACs have gotten so cheap I am contemplating just buying one vs DIY. Just finished a Hypex amplifier. My old preamp is broken. So I am mainlining an old Sony ES CD player into the Hypex as the Sony has a adjustable,via remote, variable output.
I am thinking about the Matrix-mini or the Emotiva, as I would like to have balanced out and also, for the short term, a volume control. Tho I think the digital volume controls are crappy due to lost bits.

31st August 2010, 07:18 AM	#26
dangus diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Island	Dolby Digital A/V receivers are officially obsolete thanks to HDMI. I've seen a couple under $50 at thrift shops and pawnbrokers. Some have preamp outs. Dolby Digital add-on processors like the Technics SH-AC300 and 500D. While there were similar boxes from other brands, I believe the Technics SH-AC500D sold in much higher numbers because it was the only processor under $1000 to do DTS as well as DD. And it made a perfectly usable standalone processor when combined with separate power amps. There were or are some DD processors made for autosound and as add-ons to computer speakers. Not common, and overpriced on eBay, but you may stumble upon one locally. I picked up two car DD/DTS processors for $25 each on a clearance table at a car stereo shop. And, finally, digital recorders like Minidisc, DCC, DAT or CDR should have digital inputs and therefore could function as DACs. Last edited by dangus; 31st August 2010 at 07:33 AM.

4th February 2011, 12:26 AM	#28
dangus diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Island	The Behringer SRC2496 can be bought new for under $250, not $450. And USB devices should include the ADSTech "Instant Music" which used the same chip as the Behringer UCA202 but achieved better performance (according to someone's RMAA loopback test). ADC, DAC, Toslink in and out http://www.adstechnologies.com/index...products_id=10 Last edited by dangus; 4th February 2011 at 12:35 AM.

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1st May 2010, 10:29 PM	#21
amb diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sunnyvale, CA.	AMB γ1 has CS8416 and WM8501 or WM8759, but γ2 has SRC4192 and WM8741, WM8742 or WM8740.

2nd May 2010, 09:46 AM	#22
DaveCan diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Moncton NB	The new Decware ZDAC-1 for the under a grand category. Audiophile Tube Amps and Tube Gear from DECWARE

25th August 2010, 07:59 PM	#23
machine_head_69 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2009	Beresford TC-7520 DAC - Headphone Amplifier - Preamp $279, good reviews.

31st January 2011, 03:59 PM	#27
cruijt diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Amsterdam	NOS Mini DAC

9th January 2012, 09:32 PM	#29
Netdewt diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010	Sorry I haven't kept up with this. I'll look through some posts when I get a chance. I moved the list to a Google Spreadsheet. If you'd like to collaborate, message me. There are still holes. I especially need help with cost estimates for DIY DACs. I also added lots of expensive DACs for some technical comparison. List of DACs "Under $450"

11th January 2012, 11:28 PM	#30
dtaylo3 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: coloradao usa	Nice list. DACs have gotten so cheap I am contemplating just buying one vs DIY. Just finished a Hypex amplifier. My old preamp is broken. So I am mainlining an old Sony ES CD player into the Hypex as the Sony has a adjustable,via remote, variable output. I am thinking about the Matrix-mini or the Emotiva, as I would like to have balanced out and also, for the short term, a volume control. Tho I think the digital volume controls are crappy due to lost bits.