I need DAC help

I have the Schiit Bifrost DAC with the asynchronous USB-2 and the UBER analogue upgrade - comes in at around $600

They also have a balanced model called the Gungnir for around $850
See https://schiit.com/

I can only talk to the Bifrost, which excels when you add a good power cord like the Silver Resolution from Signal came and a good interconnect - again the Silver Resolution series from Signal Cable is a good choice.

I did audition DACs from Wadia, Chord and Mytek - all above $1300, but found the Bifrost to match or exceed their performance.

Granted, adding good cables to any DAC will upgrade it's performance, but the Bifrost has demonstrated that it can provide extremely good sound.

I have completed several tweaks to the interconnect and power cables I use and every time the Bifrost has improved significantly each time - it's a keeper :-)

Hope this helps

Rides2Work - $1000 for a DAC is a very nice budget. Of course there will be some who sniff dismissively at the paltry sum. Might want to save some of those $ for a decent USB cable. Good values are out there for DAC and cable.

I agree with Willie on the Schiit products. A Gungnir is where I went after the V-DAC.

Plenty of info and comparisons on the internet. See stuff by John Darko Digital Audio Review.

Good luck and have fun.

Ghosthouse - good call on the usb cable - I forgot about that

FWIW - I just had a friend try my 1 meter DH Labs USB priced at $70 - he's now selling his Kimber Silver USB 2 meter cable priced at $299 - we both agreed the DH Labs was more detailed and smoother.

DH Labs seem to make pretty darn good products for a reasonable price - My DH Labs Optical cable blew my Chord optical cable away.

What power cable are you using on the Gungnir - stock or third party?

regards...

Willie - I put a Pangea 14SE on it. I have a Shunyata Venom 3S I could try but haven't so far. Music Direct had the Shunyatas on sale a few weeks back. My USB is a 2M Kimber that I got some years ago. I needed a longer length so I just ordered a silver plated 3M Pangea (PCOCC w/4% Ag). Very inexpensive We'll see how that goes. Interested in your comments about the DH Labs USB. I'm thinking about a Coax from them. Hope this is of help to the OP. Cables: Power cord, USB, ICs (& Coax, maybe).

I hadn't even given any thought to USB cable. I thought digital signal cables either work or they don't. I think this audio hobby stuff is a disease and the treatments and prescriptions are very expensive...
Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure to incorporate that into my search. I wish there was a retailer close by that could or should I say would steer me. That's why I turn to the forum. This is a great place for advice.

Thanks to all!