DAC recommendation for an entry level system

Mjmch2003, I've run Pandora, Spotify and MOG from all of my devices that support the services. Unless I'm mistaken, the highest bit rate that Spotify does is 256kps (if that high). As far as I know, MOG has the highest quality stream at 320kps for much of its content.

I don't know how else to answer your question. I may have missed what you are after.

The capabilities of the Emotiva DAC far exceed those needed by any streaming service. Just for reference, I've fed 24 bit, 192khz files through the Emotiva from my NAS, through the Touch, without problems. The DAC's performance with streaming services isn't really an issue.

I am using an older version of this, it sounds surprisingly good. The only thing well known that I've compared it to is a Wadia 121.... My Dac was richer, more organic with similar detail and sound stage.... But, what I have has an inferior USB decoder and I am using an Audio GD USB to Spdif. This is a very good value.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valab-ES9018-Sabre-Asynchronous-32bit-192K-USB-DAC-with-XLR-Balanced-Output-/251299941940?pt=US_CD_Players_Recorders&hash=item3a82a4ce34

Thanks, Tony. I noticed that Spotify sounds better when I run it from my ipod through a Pure (transport) than if I run it off my Squeezebox. Same coax cable, etc. Have no idea why...

Mjmch2003,

I don't doubt that at all. The Squeezebox is great as a sum of its parts, but it isn't the greatest at actually playing music. I've been tweaking my Squeezebox Touch for a while now and have been able to attain a higher degree of detail, wider sound stage and better bass.

A lot of the improvement in the Touch's sound quality has come from modifications that disable the wireless and the screen. If you have a Touch and are interested, look into Soundcheck's Squeezebox Toolbox (TT 3.0) and a third party app called "Enhanced Digital Out." Each has its own effect on the character of the music coming out of the Touch.

Micromega MyDAC: Asynchronous USB/Toslink/Coax 24-bit/192 Khz DAC for just $369. Check out the reviews linked from the "Reviews" tab. TAS was ecstatic about this unit.