Digital and First Watt/Pass Labs

Jump to Latest
#21
andynor said:
I have some flexibility. But around 400 dollars including chassis and PSU is in the ball park. What do you think is a resonable budget for a DAC that does my pre and amp some justice?

Thanks to everyone, checking out the Soekris and FET link.
Click to expand...

This is the best bloody dac/roon device for this type of money by a long margin.
I personally own this and it is bloody awesome for the money.
Sounds better than any ESS Sabre DAC I have heard.

https://www.amazon.com/Elac-DS-S101...r_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=elac+ds-s101-g&sr=8-1


If you're happy spending more than $1000, then you have many many options.
Chord Qutest
Denafrips
Brooklyn Mytek
and many others


Unless you're prepared to spend $2000 or more then just get the Elac ds-s101-g linked above while you still can.
 
Last edited:
#22
Since we aren't afraid of out of production devices, I'll mention my choice: logitech squeezebox devices. Plugin support via users, open source is outstanding. You can integrate airplay and chromecast audio devices into the system. I have a couple of Duets and Touch(es). You can also use android devices or computers as players.
 
#23
I finally bit the bullet and bought a Topping D50s DAC. It does everything you could ask for, except MQA final unfolding.

Its got 7 filter modes. With the filter mode set to Mode 3, the sound is visceral.

I've tried COAX from Marantz CD5004, Bluetooth from Laptop and Bluetooth from Redmi Note 7 Pro. Bluetooth on the phone is set to LDAC.

What I am hearing exceeds audio nirvana I have been chasing for more than three decades.

Yet to try USB and Toslink. Looking forward to playing DSD tracks in higher sampling rates and greater bit depth. I strongly recommend those who have their FirstWatt gear but want to upgrade on Source, to try my way, atleast for a start. Improvements can be made further as you go along with better software like JRiver, Roon and others.
 
#25
Check Twisted Pear Audio...

I built their DAC, the Buffalo SE 3, which uses the ES9018 chip and the Mercury board analog section. It is fantastic! And versatile. Added a JL Sounds USB card
and use it as a regular dac from my CD transport or thru the USB option from my Mac Mini/Audirvana. They now have the ES 9038 chip, which supposedly is a better upgraded version.

I built both the BA-3 and Wayne"s line stages and I pair these with either an FW F4 or a Pass labs XA-25. It really sounds very analog and musical.
 
#27
I am cheap only when I need to be. Which most often is on the peak of other investments. Such as these days. But 20 bucks, is on the cheap end even for the broke. So how does 20 bucks of DAC sound?

I am allergic to digitis, and am used to quite expensive DAC gear. But, the expensive gear was - in my case - gang***** by Krell IMD, so did not help. I therefore turn to Pass. BA-3 up for biasing tonight.

On the other hand: a lot of good sound and entertainment for little money, is temptive. And when the advice comes from papa, it must surely be checked out.
 
#33
mcgillroy said:
Got very good results with a Raspberry PI3b and the AroioDAC RPi-HAT by Abacus Audio. Like banderson546 I am using Volumio for streaming, mostly from from a harddrive via Minimserver and sometimes iTunes.

Abacus is a German no-nonsense brand and compared to the HifiBerry and the Allo DACs I had before this one sounds more relaxed while giving excellent detail to my ears.

The analog and digital sections of the Arioio can be powered independently and separately from the Raspberry. Haven't tried that yet but word is that it does sound better. I'd love to build a linear PSU for that if a fitting design can be found.
Click to expand...

Nice, but to US is 58.99 (euros) shipping, total not outrageous, but not paying same for shipping (almost) as the unit....maybe if no other choice, but there are plenty. Too bad, that one was interesting.

Russellc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom