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What DAC to get?

I am currently running Audioquest’s Dragonfly Cobalt DAC and I do enjoy the single ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip’s quality. However, soon I want to upgrade to a standalone DAC. There are just so many and so many features that I can’t decide.

I would prefer to keep the cables I am running so that I won’t have to buy any other cable except a USB and a power cable. That alone has made the search a bit more difficult and I might have to eventually cave and get balanced cables if I want a high quality DAC.

At present I need to go out via USB to the DAC.  Then exit the DAC via 3.5 Stereo pin. It is possible to reverse this and go out RCA to 3.5 Stereo pin to the speaker.

I am not interested in portability. It can be a shelf unit. I want high resolving circuitry and of course a fantastic DAC chip or chips.

At present I am looking at the Schiit line of DACs. Some have recommended the Chord Hugo (II?).

If you had a system that is very sensitive and wanted to push it even further, what have you used?
128x128guakus
soix
9,941 posts
 
Then exit the DAC via 3.5 Stereo pin. It is possible to reverse this and go out RCA to 3.5 Stereo pin to the speaker.
I don’t get it.  What’s the rest of the equipment in your system?

knotscott's avatar
knotscott
1,065 posts
 
My only DAC experience has been with a lower end Topping E30, and it's been surprisingly good.  Tough to beat for $150
guakus's avatar
guakus OP
352 posts
 
@chorus   

$2K

@soix

I am going out of my Acer Helios 300 Predator Laptop into an Audioquest FMJ Jitterbug and the Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt.  Then going out via 3.5 Stereo Pin using Synergistic Research Foundation cable into Audioengine A2+ via RCA. Then via Synergistic Foundation from the A2+ to the Audioengine S8 subwoofer via RCA to RCA.

It would be convenient for me if the DAC I get has the capacity to output from 3.5 Stereo Pin, but won't be the big problem if it doesn't.  I could take the RCA-to-RCA cable running the subwoofer and use it to go out of the DAC and into the speakers, then go RCA out of the speaker and into the subwoofer via 3.5 Stereo Pin.
guakus's avatar
guakus OP
352 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara


So far, that Gustard X26 Pro looks like a good front runner :).  Having two ES9038PROs, one for each channel, is basically like having two Cobalts. :)

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,638 posts
 
PC source and 3.5 mm cable.
Like doing it through a shower curtain.
Psycho.
Just need a sharper knife.

Since there are a multitude of good DACs available, it is nigh on impossible to recommend what features and SQ is best for YOUR ears and setup. Good luck fielding suggestions that work for others.
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