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USB DAC question for neutral setup. Please help.

Hi

I have PC based stereo setup and i mostly use Flac/WAV files. My setup is fairly neutral, rather lacking on energy/excitement.

I am looking a good USB DAC in $600 price range, used or new, that can help improve the overall system and also impart some energy to it.

My top choices are Concero ($400used), Concero HD ($600used), Centrance Dacmini ($500 used), AMI Musik DDH-1($500 new).

These are the main ones, i am open to suggestions for others within this price too.

Audition is not an option so i need some help in deciding what to do?

Needs to go along with the setup and improve it also impart some energy.

Regards
adurlabhji
zmanastronomy's avatar
zmanastronomy
738 posts
 
I would highly recommend the Schiit Bifrost DAC. Very good sound for around $500. Be sure to get the Gen2 USB and the Uber analog out. Stunning for the money.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I've got the Bifrost and can tell you that running it with FLAC files is very noticeable (in a great way). However, I recently spent some time with a Chord Hugo and was amazed. There was a Chord Qute HD on here not long ago that is the same dac without the headphone side for $799. Well worth the money.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
How do you know that the problem isn't with one of your other components? You might want to list your system.
adurlabhji OP
8 posts
 
Hi

Thanks for the response. Will look into bifrost.
Chord is out of budget at the moment.

Only other viable options at the moment
seem to be the two concero models. Anyone uses them?

Regarding the system, I run PC(Source) - EMU Pro Audio DAC - DIY Class A solid state amp - Blumenhofer FS5 speakers. All cabling is WSS. I dont think i can change anything else in the system as i dont have the budget for it.

Thanks
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
The Chord Qute HD is an earlier Chord generation than the Chord Hugo. It is a good DAC, but not in the same league as Hugo. The HD was replaced by the EX. There is a new Chord 2Qute which is the Qute box but with the Hugo electronics, but it is just starting to ship. It is $1,800.
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