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Best USB DAC under $1000

My modded Music Hall just got trounced by a Cambridge 840C. The only thing that's keeping me from buying a cambridge is space. I'd like to use the digital out from my Denon DVD or from my PC into the DAC. It must have COAX, USB & Toslink inputs.
It appears the new Cambridge DAC has different processors? The Music Hall looks good but probably not as good. The Cayin gets good reviews too. The top of my list right now is the PSAudio iii. Any thoughts or other suggestions?
I'm looking for very even full response, neutral sounding but not dry. Thanks for the help.
elevick
tom92602
65 posts
 
Jax2:

The AppleTV only has Toslink for Digital out and the
MacMini has both USB and Toslink. Neither have coax SPDIF.

So it looks like Toslink and USB are my only choices.
Do you have any impressions comparing Toslink vs USB
connections?
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Toslink is a SPDIF interface. In the case of the Paradisea I was using Toslink as the basis of comparing between the USB connection to the computer (I did also try a coaxial connection). I preferred the coaxial and the toslink connection in that order, over the USB interface.
synthfreek's avatar
synthfreek
627 posts
 
Why have you ruled out using Firewire and checking out something like an Apogee Duet? Hell, if you have the space for a MOTU 896HD it'll both record and output 24/192. My needledrops sound amazing.
tom92602
65 posts
 
Thanks for the explanation Jax2.. I'll be on the
watch for a used Havana DAC.
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