I require a DAC

HimeshP · 23rd December 2010, 02:55 PM

Surely this is where the true mad scientists and experts chill... so Its only correct if I ask my question here!

I am a newbie and have joined the DIY audio forum to get to the bottom of my query regarding DACs

My current set up is as follows:
AudioLab 8000 CDE --> LD MKIII --> HD650

I wanted an external DAC to bypass the audiolab CDP DAC.

At the back of the audiolab cdp there is only an SPDIF and the standard analogue out.

I have read much about this audiolab MDAC by John Westlake but i'm not sure when it is coming out in the UK.

Please can somebody advice me on what DACs there are out there on this 'underground scene'. The commercial brands like Arcam rDAC etc i beiieve are so overpriced and after hearing one the other day it sounded way to digital for my liking - i just found it to be a mini amplifier and not much more.

Can anybody recommend a nice DAC that will produce an analogue sound or if there are any other Westlake products I am not aware of?

Sorry about the basic questions

Thanks

H

HimeshP · 27th December 2010, 05:34 PM

Surely somebody can help me?

Thanks

H

aparatusonitus · 27th December 2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HimeshP

Can anybody recommend a nice DAC that will produce an analogue sound or if there are any other Westlake products I am not aware of?

If you want to stick with John Westlake products (like me

), get an 2nd hand Cambridge Audio Isomagic S700 dac.

VictoriaGuy · 27th December 2010, 06:53 PM

Himesh-
I don't understand your desire for an 'analog-sounding' DAC.
Perhaps that's partly the reason (Xmas holiday being the other) for the lack of comments here. ???
I'm happy with the cheap DACs I use. (Gigawork, ZeroDAC).
Generally, if I want to 'warm up' the sound, I put a nice-distorting tube amp into the chain.

John

HimeshP · 29th December 2010, 01:05 AM

Hi there John,

I have read from a recent audiolab thread with John that the new Audiolab DAC which may or may not come out soon has a very "analogue" sound. So i was just intrigued by that. And after testing the rDAC the sound was a bit too clinical for me if that makes sense.

I already have a tube amp - Little Dot MK IVSE... which i use predominantly as a Headphone amp as well as a preamp for my system.

The CA ISO700 looks great - but should i be concerned about the fact that the technology is approx 10 years old? These days i imagine that technology moves fast especially with DACs...

Also.. anybody got any more suggestions about which DACs to buy?

Thoughts anyone.. thanks

aparatusonitus · 29th December 2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HimeshP

The CA ISO700 looks great - but should i be concerned about the fact that the technology is approx 10 years old? These days i imagine that technology moves fast especially with DACs...

If you want an "analog" sounding dac, S700 is the way to go, it does have that "analog" sound ,which you are seeking, in spades ...and don't be concerned about 10 years old technology in S700, you will find best sounding HDCD filter (PMD100) and best sounding Philips bitstream 20-bit dac (SAA7350) in it, as well clock-lock output to eventually synchronise cd player/transport to dac (read very low jitter).

Bill Fuss · 30th December 2010, 11:54 AM

I use an I2S connected Chinese upsampling dac board with Jensen OP trafos in my old NOS CDM-4 player. IMHO, you can't get any closer to analog for Redbook playback.

23rd December 2010, 02:55 PM	#1
HimeshP diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: UK	I require a DAC Surely this is where the true mad scientists and experts chill... so Its only correct if I ask my question here! I am a newbie and have joined the DIY audio forum to get to the bottom of my query regarding DACs My current set up is as follows: AudioLab 8000 CDE --> LD MKIII --> HD650 I wanted an external DAC to bypass the audiolab CDP DAC. At the back of the audiolab cdp there is only an SPDIF and the standard analogue out. I have read much about this audiolab MDAC by John Westlake but i'm not sure when it is coming out in the UK. Please can somebody advice me on what DACs there are out there on this 'underground scene'. The commercial brands like Arcam rDAC etc i beiieve are so overpriced and after hearing one the other day it sounded way to digital for my liking - i just found it to be a mini amplifier and not much more. Can anybody recommend a nice DAC that will produce an analogue sound or if there are any other Westlake products I am not aware of? Sorry about the basic questions Thanks H

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do BPA require protection???	Leolabs	Chip Amps	1	2nd April 2007 04:05 AM
Does this DAC require the volume control?	Destroyer OS.	Parts	4	29th March 2006 06:15 AM
Require Instrument Samples	neutral	Music	3	8th November 2005 09:13 PM
Would this require degaussing?	ewan	Everything Else	4	5th December 2003 10:59 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

27th December 2010, 05:34 PM	#2
HimeshP diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: UK	Surely somebody can help me? Thanks H

27th December 2010, 06:53 PM	#4
VictoriaGuy diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC	Himesh- I don't understand your desire for an 'analog-sounding' DAC. Perhaps that's partly the reason (Xmas holiday being the other) for the lack of comments here. ??? I'm happy with the cheap DACs I use. (Gigawork, ZeroDAC). Generally, if I want to 'warm up' the sound, I put a nice-distorting tube amp into the chain. John

29th December 2010, 01:05 AM	#5
HimeshP diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: UK	Hi there John, I have read from a recent audiolab thread with John that the new Audiolab DAC which may or may not come out soon has a very "analogue" sound. So i was just intrigued by that. And after testing the rDAC the sound was a bit too clinical for me if that makes sense. I already have a tube amp - Little Dot MK IVSE... which i use predominantly as a Headphone amp as well as a preamp for my system. The CA ISO700 looks great - but should i be concerned about the fact that the technology is approx 10 years old? These days i imagine that technology moves fast especially with DACs... Also.. anybody got any more suggestions about which DACs to buy? Thoughts anyone.. thanks

30th December 2010, 11:54 AM	#7
Bill Fuss RIP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Florida	I use an I2S connected Chinese upsampling dac board with Jensen OP trafos in my old NOS CDM-4 player. IMHO, you can't get any closer to analog for Redbook playback.