recommended usb dacs

[Ang]

I'm looking to simplify the audio chain and get rid of my Emu soundcard + citypulse 7.2 dac (available from the same HK dealer as the Zhaolu, but a definite step above it) in favor of a USB dac.

My first thought for diy dac would be peter daniels, but I don't believe he has a USB version of his NOS dac. Scott Nixon has some designs - any other alternatives?

I haven't heard them both - but supposedly the citypulse (my current dac) beat the paradisea in a shootout - so I'm looking for something on that level of performance without spending more than a couple hundred. Thanks!

[Tubehead]

Hi Ang,
Have you considered the USB to SP/DIF converter from said HK dealer?

Another very good DAC is the NOS TDA1543 DAC from Doede Douma, checkout www.dddac.de.
I have heard it, I like it a lot. Tent clock and all.
Its also modular, so you can have your USB to I2S module and then DAC module

[aud1out]

Yes he does.

[Ang]

I don't see any info on audiosector.com.... link?

[s_volkovoy]

I recently made rather cheep but good sounding USB DAC, to see photo go here: music from PC

Attention, it is designed for european voltage(230V), and in USA transformer is required.

[aud1out]

Contact him.

[FastEddy]

IMOP: The FireWire connected DACs generally are superior to USB = bigger bandwidth, up to 24bit 192k (sometimes higher). If you intend to "keep up" with whats' available from the likes of EMI, Apple (both of 'em) and the (IMOP) dramatically better DVD-Audio disc speciality publishers, the IEEE1394 FireWire interface is the only way ...

If you insist on USB, check this out: http://industrialcomponent.com/maudio/us99130.html

If you want a decent FireWire DAC, check this out: http://industrialcomponent.com/firew...udiofire2.html

If you want real cheap USB, check this out:

[nicoch58]

I have the simple usb1543+tent clock dac from dddac.de

the usb work fine and I love the sound ,the basic version only 49€

[nicoch58]

PS
you have the i2s out from usb chip(pcm2707) you can use for others dac , wm8740-pcm1794......

[planet10]

Originally posted by FastEddy
If you want a decent FireWire DAC, check this out: http://industrialcomponent.com/firew...udiofire2.html

If you want real cheap USB, check this out: [/B]

Is that Echo just a slimmed down version of the 4-2 you bought (on the recommendation of you buying it alone, i had pushed that one to the top of my list -- not directly available in Canada thou)

This one appeals because it still has the necessary functionaily (stereo in/out at up to 24/192) at half the price -- oops, looks like it only does 24/96 -- i assume that is why you went a model higher?)

My interest in a decent Firewire ADC/DAC has dramatically increased after fixing my Pismo yesterday and scooping up a fully decked out 800 MHz G4 iBook for next to nothing.

And more on the cheap one -- not something i am interested in, but might well be a good thing to be on the shelf at the puter shop.

dave