2. digital
  3. 1240838781

budget DACs

I am going to add a wadia itrans and need a good budget dac for it since my digital player does not have a digi in. Ideally it would be small and run cool since I don’t have any space on the rack for it and it is going to sit on the floor next to my rack. I am thinking about the mf v-dac ($300 new) or the bel canto dac2 (~$500+ used). Anybody listen to both and have any thoughts to share? Are there other dacs in the <$500 category used I should be looking at MDHT, etc? Thanks for your input.
wrtickle
ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
I bought Paradisea+ (USB version) to use with my NAD C541i, but they did not match well. Certain CD transports (those with low impedance?) may not work well with Paradisea.
I may let my Paradisea+ go some time soon.
dgaylin
255 posts
 
Anybody familiar with the Beresford? It's attractive to me because of the volume control.
cruz123
586 posts
 
Channel Islands Audio makes a small footprint DAC in your price range. I haven't heard it, but have owned other CIAudio gear that was well built and a good value.

http://www.ciaudio.com/
headshrinker2
110 posts
 
Another vote for Cambridge Audio DacMagic. I've been very pleased with mine.
More to discover