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DAC's Made in the USA

I am shopping for my very first dac and the sheer number of product available is bewildering.Unlike many members, I have never owned an outboard dac for a 2 channel system, my budget is extremely limited and my technical knowledge of the product is low.
Further I am committed to purchase a dac made in the USA, or at least a friendly democratic country. 
You can see by my equipment list that I have nothing of any great quality or renown and much of this inventory is likely to be sold to partially pay for the dac. 
I am 80 years old, wear hearing aids and I am pretty satisfied with the sounds I presently hear and really wonder if I can enhance the sound quality of my CD collection (Jazz, blues and classical). 
Would appreciate it if I can get some real help, i.e., people who have actually used their recommendation/not read about it.  Also please remember my spending limitation, more is impossible.
Many thanks 

New (not used)
Made in the USA 
Ideally less than $1500 
Headphone jack is not necessary
Two channel analog output 
Optical and digital coaxial input 

Accuphase E-202, 
Adcom GFA 555, 
McCormack TLC-1, 
Pioneer SA-9500II,
McIntosh MA-6100
Sony DVP S9000ES (DVD, CD, SACD),ADS 910,Klipsch Forte II
stebut
noodlyarm
103 posts
 
If you are going to be in the Seattle area, I highly recommend Olson’s Hi-Fi in Lynnwood.   All the goodies, great ears, and no hype or sales pressure.   Ben Olson and his staff knows their stuff and they a good people with whom to do business.

Full disclosure, I am just a satisfied customer...

rajugsw
214 posts
 
Made in USA PS Audio DirectStream DAC Sr., A Sony UBP-X1000ES, and the China only HDMI Video to I2S Audio only Adapters and you will have a world class Digital playback system of SACD's, DSD files, and hi res/red book PCM.
msamardzic
3 posts
 
I would warmly recommend you Exogal’s Comet DAC. You can find a used one in your price range (even with the extra power supply) and I have heard it sound better than dacs 4-5 times its price. From the makers of Wadia gear, it is an incredible group of people who are behind it. From Eagan, MN. Good luck, sir.
tk21
238 posts
 
I've never used/heard Mytek products but you might want to consider the Mytek Liberty DAC at $995.  If it's like some of their other products it is designed in the USA but manufactured in Poland.

https://mytekdigital.com/storeus/catalog/product/view/id/287/s/liberty-dac/category/44/
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 
The requirement "Made in the U.S.A." seems intended to avoid benefiting a country whose policies are disapproved of by the OP. It's a good ethical principle. Now, it should apply not only to the overall unit but to all the parts inside, right?

If so, then the comment above seems like the last bridge to cross for 100% U.S.A.:

Except that the little resistors and transistors, etc, are from off shore.
Checking on that might involve looking here:
https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/top-suppliers/top-resistor-suppliers-manufacturers/#us-based

Or, perhaps, just inquiring with the manufacturer. My guess is that most will say that at least some parts are from objectionable countries, because competing at a price-point requires it.
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