DAC for $500 or less??

[BmWr75]

Hello AK,

I'm looking for a DAC to run the optical out from an Airport Express to a tube preamp. Playing WAV files from a PC based server via iTunes. My budget is $500. Have seen decent reviews of the Pacific Valve Lite DAC AH. Are there any other DACS in this price range that you would recommend for consideration?

http://www.pacificvalve.us/LTDACAH2.html

Thanks,
BmWr75

[meggy]

There's always the Number Cruncher, if you can find one. Or used Adcom GDA 600's can be found for under $200.

[cableguy]

There's always the Number Cruncher, if you can find one. Or used Adcom GDA 600's can be found for under $200.
Those two came to my mind as well....
Plus the one you linked to may be a good one as well, the price is certainly right....500 will easily land you what you're looking for....



Bill

[winters860]

My little Entech has only one coax and one S/PDIF connector and the switch is awkwardly on the back. The LITE DAC-AH ($200) shares this defeciency and I would exclude it in the running for that reason. Either might work for you.

I've looked at the Musiland MD-10 ($300) and Beresford TC-7150 ($150) because they offer a variety of inputs and front-panel switching. The cheapest LITE tube DAC, the DAC-72 ($450) comes in on budget as well. I'd love to hear feedback on any of those models.

[Tedrick]

California Audio Labs Sigma II tube DAC comes in under your price point on the used market, and has both coax and optical inputs with a front-panel switch to select between the two. And it sounds pretty darn nice, too.

[thedelihaus]

PS Audio Superlink, EAD DSP 1000, Entech Number Cruncher 205.2 (nicer than the 203.2), Adcom GDA 600, Musical Fidelity X series, Parasound D/AC 1000, 1100, ect..., MSB Link...


I've owned 5 out of the 7, have kept 4 of them, aiming for three. All were excellent and $300 or below.

[thedelihaus]

ps- I've heard of complaints of hum from some of the California Audio models, as well as the Audio alchemy brand, though I do like Audio Alchemy's kit.

I've shied away from California Audio kit, but this may be unfounded and should be considered with a grain of salt at the most.

The Entech is a great product- but if you go for one, try for the 205.2. It's worth the little extra. The power supply needs to be isolated though, or be prepared for a hum in your system. I speak from experience. Isolate it (just slightly) and it's cured.

[Tedrick]

ps- I've heard of complaints of hum from some of the California Audio models...

I've shied away from California Audio kit, but this may be unfounded and should be considered with a grain of salt at the most.
I've never heard this, but can't say that I've read everything that's been written about CAL gear either. I've run a Sigma II, fed by a CAL Delta transport, with 3 different pre-amps and it has always been dead quiet.

[thedelihaus]

I've never heard this, but can't say that I've read everything that's been written about CAL gear either. I've run a Sigma II, fed by a CAL Delta transport, with 3 different pre-amps and it has always been dead quiet.

It could very easily be a short run of them, maybe a specific model, I dunno. Heck, I'm pretty sensitive to electronic hum- heard it from the Entech if the power supply got too close to anything, can hear it with the Adcom I have.

Anyhow, Cal Audio looks like nice gear and I wouldn't discount it- worth a look and listen, but just in case, watch, or listen for any hum.:thmbsp:

[geespot]

MSB Link III is/was on sale for $249 brand new.

I had the DAC AH, broke, too expensive to fix. Nothing spectacular.

CAL Audio, broke, nobody fixes these things, Nice sound when it worked.

[philcib]

A used Lucid DA9624. Optical and Coax SPDIF, and AES/EBU with a
big honkin' meter on the front and phones jack.

[Mister Pig]

Hello AK,

I'm looking for a DAC to run the optical out from an Airport Express to a tube preamp. Playing WAV files from a PC based server via iTunes. My budget is $500. Have seen decent reviews of the Pacific Valve Lite DAC AH. Are there any other DACS in this price range that you would recommend for consideration?

http://www.pacificvalve.us/LTDACAH2.html

Thanks,
BmWr75

From my experience, look into the Audiosmile modified Behringer 2496 DAC. It aint nothing to look at, but after the mods, its a fantastic sounding unit. Comes within 90% of the performance I get from my 2.5K Audio Magic Kukama DAC. I understand Simon, who owns Audiosmile has had an education in commercial recording, and has the skills to put together an intellingent mod package. I believe the Behringer will cost under 500 with mods in place. Shipping will add a bit, but still should be in the ballpark. I also undertand that Simon can mod a local unit(hes in England) and ship it to you. Worth investigating. If you want an in depth explanation of what I heard, find the review in the Affordable Audio archive.

Regards
Mister Pig

[Savjac]

I have the Lite Audio Dac 60, I think Pacific Valve still carries them. I am stone in love with this unit. I put some IE gold pin tubes in it and it literally brings my Cds to life like no other. Highly recommended.

This is my personal experience tho so use judgment.

[yuman]

If your willing to increase your budget to $600.00 the modified lite 60 is a world beater. I replaced the stock tubes with 2 bugle boy 6dj8's and it took it to a level that would have cost me double the price. Pacific valve does run specials from time to time...check it out.

[BmWr75]

Yuman and Savjac,

I am already using a tube preamp and a hybrid tube/SS amplifier. Will a tube DAC be advantageous over a Solid State design in my system? If yes, how so?

Thanks, BmWr75

[bricktop]

If you don't ming building a box, the stuff from twisted pear looks pretty cool. They are supposed to have a board that uses the currently best DAC available shortly here: http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/news.aspx

but even the Wolfson WM8740 is a great DAC in the Opus kit. http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/opus/opus.aspx

no affiliation and all that...