Looking for a Solidly good inexpensive DAC

TVAD thanks for the compliment re easy flowing sound.

OP: you can email the gentleman behind nhdt directly and buy one. Thats how i did , got it in a few days.....

I dont know if id label this dac simply an upgrade for mid fi products. I think its subjectively "better" then that....but again its a flavor thing

I agree the Paradisea is a lovely Dac. Definitely worth a listen. The Audio Sector sounds similar just a tad more laid back or not as immediate. The Paradisea may have the edge in resolution the Audio Sector closer to analog sounding. I like both so YMMV.

I never had a problem buying the Paradiseas . I bought 4 of them through the manufacture. Two of the first USB versions and two plus versions. First one from ebay . The other three direct.

A friend tells me the TADAC is another terrific option. No USB port though. So the PC will need a Coax or Optical output to use it.

Good luck with the hunt. You have many to choose from.

That’s always my issue…. Too many choices. The answer only reveals itself once installed… usually. At least IF it’s an emphatic and resounding “NO! that definitely won’t do.”… it’s the Maybes that’ll kill ya… uh, well, me anyhow.

Tvad
Thanks for the heads up on the eBay listing.. your efforts are always ppreciated in my regard. Albeit my conservative side says more things than simple price & performance are important for or to, me.

Johnnyb53
Thanks much.

Anybody familiar with the Lavry DA10?

…yes. Or at least I’m getting familiar – er.

Gmood1
Thanks so much for the ongoing illumination of sonic diffs from the Sector unit vs. the Paradisea.

A friend tells me the TADAC is another terrific option. No USB port though. So the PC will need a Coax or Optical output to use it.

I’ve read as much as I can there too.

Good luck with the hunt. You have many to choose from.

… and it’s more wonderment than hunting at this juncture.

Still in all, I can’t divorce myself completely from trying to nail all my birds with just one gun.

Eliminate the need/desire for the USB thingy, and things get simpler. Especially with the noted ‘handshake’ & “drop out” issues apparently common via USB connected DACs. Consequently, if a non up sampling PCI card to the PC is added which comes with a digital out, and no USB DAC is required thereafter.

All I need then is a DAC which will do well in accommodating the clock thing for the box players, has the needed inputs, and has a quality sound…. Or one more to my tastes. Hopefully.

With a brandy spankity new OEM drive in my xa777 it’s screaming at me to try a later tech DAC.

I also think the main issue with the current mega changer and likely a forthcoming one are as well addressed via that self same de-jitterizing aspect of a “??? DAC”. Not to mention the far, far better conversion engine the “??? DAC” will have over stock.

Lest we get all into jitterbugging… I’m aware of the Monarchy DIP 24/96 creation. Which forces one to add a PC, and additional ICs., so the $175 +/- price isn’t all of it’s impact in the end. Adding those figures to the end product makes a 'one unit' concept a better alternative, I believe.

The Lavry DA-10 seems to be holding the cards but at squarely more than my envisioned $600 entry fee limit. The Apogee Mini with it’s outboard PS also is attractive… to some degree.

Those two, the Mini, and the 10 are atop my short list currently. Both only have XLR outs too, which is a minor issue, but a notable one.

If the BC DAC 3 weren't quite so much more money, the choice would be very easy.

SOTA = State of the art... Usually ten times the price.