Schiit Audio (or other) DAC Recommendations

@mceljo You can read the technical aspects on their website and Jason’s Headroom thread (warning, it’s very long). My take on it is that they have worked out a mathematical way to re-construct the original waveforms from the 44.kHz sampling (e.g.) that seems to be better than the delta-sigma DACs do and is like R2R, but all done on chip. They then implement it with some computationally powerful chips, that only they use for music.

Functionally, I had a BiFrost with two different DACs, prior to the MultiBit upgrade, and while it was nice, I didn’t really listen to it much. About 2 seconds after the MB upgrade, I recognized this was very different and sounded like the analog side of my system and like music. I listen to all digital now, as on balance, analog (at my price range) and digital are essentially equal with different pros and cons.

Take a look at some of my old posts, where I have talked about MultiBit more.

I have 3 low-ish cost DACs that are very good.

- AudioMirror Tubadour III SE ($1500 - $2800)
- Benchmark DAC3B ($1600, Stereophile A+)
- Gustard X26 Pro ($1500)

The Gustard is the one I use the most but the other 2 are used in certain situations. All 3 are very good. If I had to choose only 1 the Gustard is the one I would get. It is in between the DAC3B and the tube based AudioMirror in sonics. 

@yyzsantabarbara - "low-ish cost" doesn't compute with four figures in my world though I recognize what a high end DAC can cost.  I paid $1,600 or less used for both of my current amplifiers and felt guilty spending that much.

@mceijo If those prices do not compute for you another DAC in the 3 figure range that is pretty good is the Matrix Audio Mini-3 Pro. I bought mine new for $750 but it may have gone up in price a bit more. It is ROON READY with built-in streaming. A good DAC. My buddy is taking it off my hands for a headphone system but I thought it was about 80% as good as the DACs I  mentioned above.

There are of course a lot of other Chinese made DACs that measure great and are around $500. Topping being an example.

Another vote here for Schiit MB DAC’s
I have the Yggdrasil in my main  system and the Modi MB in my office system.