Looking for my first DAC

The Gungnir is well over the OP's stated budget.

The thing with Schiit is, marketing, advertising and customer service all cost serious money that then HAS TO be added to the cost of each unit they sell.  They can charge much less than competitors because of this.  Although being that they are made in the US, costs of production would be more expensive than China.

As an aside, China has now stopped all canola shipments from Canada(my country) because their main cell phone manufacturer CEO was arrested in Canada and is being held for the USA for breaking laws WRT business with Iran.  China has started leaning on smaller countries like Australia, Canada, etc, and of course the US.  I'm starting to rethink buying China made goods when I can.  Everyone has to make their own choice on this.

Anyway, I've owned the Modi, Bifrost and now Gungnir, all in the multibit design.  They are excellent dacs at their price points.  I would suggest that the Gungnir's detail retrieval may be glossed over by inferior budget gear that can't reproduce it.  

I had the Bifrost for about 2 years, and I could have stayed there, but upgraded the preamp and speakers and thought I'd try it out.  The multibits do need to stay on for best performance.

The ifi micro BL should be in that price range. I haven't tried it but ifi products are usually liked by people who try them. I have the nano and think that sounds good for its price.

https://ifi-audio.com/products/micro-idsd-bl/

Chord Mojo is also often mentioned.

Hi 213runnin,
you are right that I don’t want to go over $1000. For my first DAC, but there is a Gungnir Multibit on eBay for $900 that I have an eye on, but are you saying it’s quality is subpar? Or am I misunderstanding you? 

Thanks.

JD

@curiousjim,

If all you require is a starter DAC with small buy in, you might want to check out the Burosn Audio Swing:https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/burson2/

I haven't heard it for myself, but the reviewers conclusion was that with some additional peripheral gear, it would still come in under $1000 and competed fairly with his $5000 Aurender A10.

All the best,
Nonoise

Hi 213runnin,

you are right that I don’t want to go over $1000. For my first DAC, but there is a Gungnir Multibit on eBay for $900 that I have an eye on, but are you saying it’s...


Curious Jim, I’m saying the detail retrieval of this he Gungnir is excellent and better than the Bimby.  But to get the whole benefit of it the rest of your system needs to be better than entry level.  I’m not familiar with the gear you listed.