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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
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.
big_greg
6,623 posts
 
"I've never used/heard Mytek"

Then why would you recommend it? I had a Mytek Liberty. It didn't stay in my system very long, very digital sounding.

I picked up a Schiit Bifrost 2 recently and have been impressed for its price. Well under budget for the OP.


yyzsantabarbara
4,816 posts
 
I think you should consider buying used since a DAC is something that really does not wear out that much.

A used Benchmark DAC2 would be the same as the DAC3. I have owned both and even Benchmark says that are essentially the same conically (I agree).

mtdining's avatar
mtdining
131 posts
 
If you want the best sounding DAC, near your price, get an Ayre Codex. It is the only boy thing they have made in China, but then, it is thousands cheaper than their better gear, and worlds better than Schiit (any flavor)!
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