DAC for entry level system


Hello,
I have an entry level system.
Speakers: Vienna acoustics Bach.
Plinius 8100 integrated amp.
Arcam CD72 player.
Logitech squeesbox touch.
I would like to buy a DAC to my system(prefer used to get more for the money), but I don’t know what price level of DAC will get me much better result compare to the internal DAC that I have now in the Arcam and the Logitec. Will(example of price groups) $179 HRT music steamer II will do it? Or $379 Musical fidelity V-DAC MKII, or $649 Simaudio 100D, or $995 Rega dac.
Thanks.
bedel
The problem for me has been to find a quality DAC that has 2 coaxial SPDIF inputs. I don't like using Toslink optical. As 'quality' is budget dependent, and given that you have a nice system , what are you willing to spend on a DAC? Are you willing to buy used?
Thank you all for you responds.
Mesch, I want to spend around $500(need to buy digital cable and power cord). Yes, I'm willing to buy used unit.
The Rega does have 2 coaxial inputs but would put you over bugets $50-130.

Another Dac that people suggested for me when I was the looking at the same price point used was the Parasound Z Dac. It has good reivews and you can buy new for $500.00 and try it out in house for 30 days through audio advisors.

I ended up going over my $500 budget by $70 getting the rega + shipping. A lot of the used DAC that were priced between $800-$1200 are still above your price used. So you end up having to strech a little or look into buying new $500 DACS.

aLot of good reviews for MDBT Havana (tube) but they don't seem to come up for sale as often.
If you would like to have a very musical dac that is inexpensive and fun to use, I would recomend the Jolida tube dac. It is about 500.00 new and comes with 2 12ax7 tubes. It is well constructed and uses premium parts ( such as Clarity caps). Tube rolling is easy and it has USB, coax, and optical inputs. It is so very musical. I use mine off of my Apple TV (mostly the radio channels) and my XM/Sirious tuner ( before I got rid of it).
It is a very good quality unit.... Very open in sound, good bass and huge soundstage.

My 0.0263 cents
Tubeears
FYI: I am using the new Mullard re-issue at the moment with fantastic results. The Tung- Sols are great as well.
Honestly, if all you're trying to do is do better than the DAC in the Touch, that isn't going to be very hard to do. As I mentioned, I'm running a very modest XDA-1 DAC and it is a clear improvement over the internal DAC of the Touch.

There are lots of DACs out there and many of them sound good, albeit different.

What I'd do is pick up a used PS Audio DL III. It's a nice DAC and goes for around $400, used.

I'd also like to make a comment about equipment with tubes. If you decide to go with tubes, be prepared because it is a bottomless pitt. I'm just dipping my toes in the tube pool and am finding that good tubes start at about $100 a pair and go UP from there.