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Looking for a Solidly good inexpensive DAC


this notion likely gets beaten to death, BUT

I'm thinking about a DAC for use with some mid fi components, and my PC so as to incorporate some greater ease and variety.

Because my system is all holow state, I am also figuring it needs to be SS. Yes? No?

A good sounding overachiever that won't break the bank will likely do fine. something in the $300 - $600 range. Give or take a bit... no pun intended.

Any experience or thoughts or any slam dunk DAC ideas would be appreciated tremendously.

Thanks.

blindjim
Post removed 
kartracer
37 posts
 
Blindjim, can you clue us in on what the forthcoming DAC is? I'm also looking at adding a DAC into my mix (Music Hall CD 25.2 with Underwood Level 1 mods, Bel Canto Pre2P, McCormack DNA-225, VSA VR-4SR Mark II.) I've read the online reviews of the Lavry, esp. in comparison to the Benchmark. Another that has caught my eye with favorable reviews is the PSAudio Digital Link III.

The good thing is both of these manufacturers offer in home trials. The bad thing is these units seem to get better with some break in time, thus shrinking the in home trial time. Looking forward to your further opinions.

MikeB.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Kartracer

sorry, but no. I'm superstitious.
jeffkad
211 posts
 
Obviously you are already trying some dacs, but I will throw in my vote for apogee minidac. I have two, and they compared favorably and could not be displaced by benchmark or BC dac2 (not dac3, which is twice the price).
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Jeffkad
Thanks much.

The things which put me off giving it a go was it's power supply, some uncertainty about which way to wire it for SE operation, and from what I was told by some users of it's 'mid to rear of hall' presentation. The latter, more so than the others, truth be told.

Their support people I spoke with are friendly and readily accessible. it can be had for a reasonable price too. I might yet try it unless this next unit just floats my boat more so than this DA 10 has done so far.
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