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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
herbreichert's avatar
herbreichert
34 posts
 
I personally recommend buying the best Schiit you can afford. Or better yet: loose the USA-made requirement and buy the Denafrips Ares II and be VERY happy with the sound. I like it much more than the Yggdrasil or Benchmark.

But that is just me. 

herb
anton99
54 posts
 
Neko Audio D100 Mk II. I think it's on sale for $1000 (normally $1500). Has coax and optical. Sounds great with my Belles Aria integrated. A "warmer" sound profile. It may not be the most stylish box, but it's a very nice piece.

And the guy who makes them, Wesley Miaw, is very friendly and helpful.

https://www.nekoaudio.com/specials.php

orchardaudio's avatar
orchardaudio
126 posts
 
Hi. Orchard Audio makes a very high performance DAC within your budget. Let me know if you have any questions.

All my products are made in Succasunna, NJ.


Ag insider logo xs@2x
tonykay
1,301 posts
 
Used Benchmark DAC

tump350
84 posts
 
Hi Stebut,
I am just getting into digital audio and have a Schiit BiFrost Multibit Automomy DAC with Unison USB in Black that I purchased from Schiit directly on August 31, 2020, for $699.00 + tax & shipping, that I am not using since I purchased a Bel Canto 2.7 DAC/PreAmp to feed my Bel Canto 500S.
The BiFrost sounded fantastic with my Adcom GFP 815 and GFA 5400.  It is also designed, made and sold in Republic of California, currently a part of the USA.  But, since I don't need two systems, if you want to buy the BiFrost for $550 let me know, mmcoupeylaw@verizon.net.  About 40 hours on the Bifrost.
Marc 
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