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DAC for my Apple / Airport express...suggestions

Hello all,
I have been using my Apple airport express alot more since my CD player (AMC CD6) started having issues into my Sansui (AU717) just with an RCA cable and I was interested in getting a DAC to use to see how it sounds.
I have never used a DAC so I am new to this.

I dont want to spend alot of cash...400 or so.

The DAC will need a toslink input since that is what the AE has as an output.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

thanks
-chris
ssdestroyer
jylee
306 posts
 
I used Musical Fidelity A3.24 DAC with Airport in the previous system with great result. Musical Fidelity has auto sensing input, so you can connect both Airport and CD player at the same time without having to manually switch the inputs. You just need to turn off the one you are not using.
ssdestroyer OP
3 posts
 
thanks for the suggestions...so many to choose from.
cheers
-c
wdrazek
100 posts
 
Cheer up, maybe you just stumped everyone :-)

You can probably search this forum and get ideas. The DAC's I see get mentioned are the Theta Chroma (used under $400), and the Monarchy (available for $400 or so used). New options include the Scott Nixon designs (but check to make sure they take toslink) the Ack! Dac's (also check for toslink) and a few others like the Paradisea which pops up often on Ebay. There is another called the Lite DAC that's under $200. Unfortunately, I have no personal experience with any of these.

My last DAC was an Audio Alchemy 3.0 that I sold for $2-300. They don't come up often but they are great DAC's. Hope this helps.
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