Need Help with New DAC

Get the Bel Canto 1.1 used for around $750, or pay $1350 for the new model 2.0. The 1.1 sounds GREAT! I am not the only one who thinks so. Another option is a California Audio Labs Sigma 24/96 or Alpha 24/96. These have tubes and even without the 24/96 upgrade sound great also. Of course, I decided to do without a separate DAC at all and instead listen to my EMC-1 and CAL Icon Mk II naked. Sound is fabulous. Conclusion: separate-box DACs are not always necessary, listen to your player for awhile and see if you think anything is missing.

If you are not averse to the idea of having a $300 DAC, I'd suggest a modified DI/O. There is much information available on Audigon forums and over yonder at AudioAsylum digital forum. It should reward you well to do little bit of research on DI/O before coming to a decision.....unless you are the type of people who like to show off the staggering price tag or the shiny faceplate of your audio gear, that is. ;)

Check out the Birdland Odeon l\Lite - sells for 1k new. It has a volume control also so no preamp if you want direct - there is also a higher model that sells for 1400 new.

There's a Classe' DAC1 w/HDCD listed right now for 1K. I really like the one I bought recently. Its a significant upgrade from the highly regarded DAC in my CAL CL-10. Of course, you also have to budget for good digital cable.

I do not think you can get a ML, Theta GenV or MSB Gold for less than $1k used. The Theta GenVa is the best dac I have personally ever heard but it's expensive. I have owned the Bel Canto 1, Cal Sigma II and some others. The Bel Canto 1 is not bad if you do not want to tweak much, but I slightly preferred the sound of an older Micromega to it. Same for the Cal Sigma. I also have an unmodified Art DI/O, which I paid $130 for plus another $40 or so for power supply upgrade, line attenuators and connectors. After an extended break in (almost 3 months) and leaving the tube in it, I have to say that it comes closer to the Bel Canto, Cal Sigma or Micromega than you would think, given it low price. There are mods available that cost around another $225 or so and supposedly elevate its performance even more. The only negatives I have found with the DI/O are that it sprays out some RFI (I have to turn it off to listen to the tuner)and its soundstaging is spacious but a little vague. If your just starting out with dacs, I can't think of a better way to start than the DI/O.