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Which dac with this system?

Hello everyone,

Getting back into the hobby and trying to create a minimalist system that is convenient, low cost, and of course sound great. I have decided to use the Quad 12L , eliminates the need of an amp, as my speakers and the Squeezebox touch as my source. What I need now are recommendations for a DAC that has coaxial balanced output, digital in, and is around the 300 - 500 dollar range.

Any recommendations?
daimbert
daimbert OP
56 posts
 
Do you think the M-audio Audiophile, which I own, would work? It does have coaxial input and a output level controller. I mean its not great but could hold me until I can purchase something good no?
arni
313 posts
 
Not sure $300-500 will get you where you need to go with this. In the light of Mapman's comments, you might want to consider a tube preamp and use the analog output of the Touch. The only DAC with volume control and balanced out at this price range I know of is the Pacific Valve Matrix mini. I have no idea how it sounds, or if it would be an improvement over the Touch analog stage.
afranta
180 posts
 
I've read good things about the Emotiva XDA-1. It's got balanced outputs, volume control, and a remote. I've also read positive reports on the Matrix Mini. The M-Audio doesn't have balanced outputs, but I imagine that it would be fine. For a bit more than what you're looking to spend, though, you could get a used Benchmark DAC1.
daimbert OP
56 posts
 
What if I do not need balanced outputs? Would that open the possibilities more? The only real reason I wanted balanced outputs was because the quads 12l active accept them and some say balanced sound better than unbalanced outputs.

What can I get now?
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