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Advice on sub $400 DAC (preferably with BT)

So I’m looking for a external DAC to incorporate into my system in order to obtain digital inputs for streaming (both Hi-Res and Sonos) and TV connection via optical. Having built-in Bluetooth would be very nice as well. The Topping D50s at $250 seems like the obvious choice based on the research I’ve done. Having BT 5.0 built-in is awesome and pretty uncommon for this price range or really in general. The D70 with BT is really nice but at $550 it’s more than I want to spend at this time. Are there any other options I should consider at the under $400 range or is the D50s gonna be hard to beat at that price?  Thanks very much. 
indyvw
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,182 posts
 
AUDIOQUEST BEETLE DAC

i have it hooked up between my TV and integrated amp in my secondary 2.1 HT system

The big draw with the AudioQuest Beetle is its asynchronous Bluetooth ( bypasses the crap in the iPhones et al )

FWIW .... consider to invest in two cables to really elevate thIs DAC’s audio performance.
(1) a high quality glass optical cable ( eg WIREWORLD, DH LABS...) from the toslink optical-out from your TV to the optical-in on the AQ BEETLE, ... a step up in your audio from your TV.
(2) a good quality 3.5mm to L-R RCA ICs to connect the AQ BEETLE DAC to your amp. (I have the WIREWORLD here too);

REVIEWS

https://www.themasterswitch.com/review-audioquest-beetle
https://darko.audio/2017/12/with-the-beetle-audioquests-199-dac-goes-home-and-away

Highly recommended .
usery
131 posts
 
ivw said:

"Having built-in Bluetooth would be very nice ... "

Why BT?  Do you have a LAN with wifi?
erik_squires
15,977 posts
 
The Topping line is  Audio Science Review's darling. Nothing wrong with them, and not that interesting either.
grinnell
1,077 posts
 
Find a used Micromega MyDac  around $130  has good reviews  nice sound using it with my macbook for streaming radio and itunes
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