What would you buy Sub $350 Firewire/USB DAC

From your description of the kind of sound you like, and judging by your preference for the MF B1 and the KEFs, I'm sure you would like the Apogee very much. However you would either have to luck onto a used one already equipped with a USB card (Apogee have discontinued the card) or get a FireWire card for your PC, and then a Mini-DAC with FireWire. That would be well over your budget.

Your tastes are well-defined. Can you get a listen to any of these units? I owned a couple of earlier-model Cambridge DACMagics a while ago and I thought the version 1 was not good while the version 2 was good value. The new DACMagic may be very good, but listening is obviously what will tell you. Alternatively, try to get a 30-day return option if you can't listen before you buy. Failing these, you may need to be prepared to buy and then sell on any units that don't meet expectations.

If you're going to try to choose by user reviews and comments, search the archives here and also try Audio Asylum (the Digital-General and Digital-PC Audio forums ) and Head-Fi. And since you like your Musical Fidelity amp, you might want to add the new V-DAC to your list... ;o)

Wish I could tell you a killer in your price range...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/search.php

http://www.audioasylum.com/index.html

For pure goofiness, go with the Blue Circle "Thingy" and save a lot of money.

If you want to stick with something built in the US by a fellow Northern Ohioan, buy a used Ultra Fi iRoc. Another nice thing about the iRoc is tha Larry Moore still lives in Ohio (Cincinnati) and service or upgrades would never be an issue. He also typically allows trade-ins toward his newer product. Plus, you can call Larry up on the phone most any time and get product engineering details or other information about his products.

Enjoy,

TIC

http://whathifi.com/Review/Musical-Fidelity-V-DAC/ offered a positive review but indicated that the latest Cambridge Audio DACMagic offered better value.

Of course, I would love to have an A/B comparison.

My computer does have a firewire output, but it appears that the Apogee mini-dac runs about $1000. Do you think it possible to find one used in my price range?

Two things:

1) I know that I am asking for a lot for a little
2) I really appreciate everyone's input; since I can't listen to all of these options, it is great to have opinions from those who have had the opportunity to listen to some of these items.

Thanks again to all,

--Patrick

Given that Mr. Moore lives within driving distance from me, that is quite attractive.

A little searching makes me think that his products even at a used price might fall well outside my price range. I'll keep an eye open just in case!!!

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to drop him a line either...

Best,

--Patrick

Considering the dozens of choices that is a bit of a "short list". ;)

I've considered several possibilites as well over the last year or two. So what did I end up with? A pro rather than consumer audio piece in the Focusrite Saffire Le which connects the computer via firewire. I also have a NOS tube DAC in the Paradisea+ (non-USB version).

www.focusrite.com/products/saffire/saffire_le/