2. digital
  3. 162523-153789

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
beetlemania
834 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)!

I am one million percent certain the Ayre Codex is made in the same Boulder, CO shop as all their other gear. Ayre has always tried to source everything from the USA. 
lukaske
307 posts
 
Playback (the best!!) like, Mark Levinson to! Pass Labs! CAT-audio, Nat-audio (tube-amps). I prefer tubes.
overrated:MacIntosh

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano
2,656 posts
 
Before you spring for Schiit, try the Benchmark DAC3B. I had the Schiit Gungnir Multibit for many years, and with my equipment , the Benchmark blows it away in every way. YMMV. It’s  only a few hundred dollars more, but certainly worth it.
And, you can try it out for 60 days with Music Direct and no restocking fee, compared to Schiit’s meager 15 day tryout with a restocking fee.
cmc2234
23 posts
 
Good to see Schiit getting overwhelmingly positive responses!  
I certainly wouldn't put any stock in someone claiming their DAC "blows away" schiit dacs.
I have a Yggy paired with a Freya pre and it's a superb combination.  
If you go with Schiit, be sure it's a Multibit.  I also have a little Modi multibit and it's a very capable unit.
Go with Schiit.  Great products, 5 year warranty, all  completely upgradable, modular design.

cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
@lukaske Perhaps you posted to the wrong thread? Pass Labs doesn't make a dac...
More to discover