Is this for direct PC connection?
A second-hand HRT dac is a good bet. I'm about to try the hifimediy Sabre USB DAC in my PC setup, as it represents great value at around $50 delivered.
Is this for direct PC connection?
A second-hand HRT dac is a good bet. I'm about to try the hifimediy Sabre USB DAC in my PC setup, as it represents great value at around $50 delivered.
I've never seen a used HRT. Who would want to sell theirs?
I just bought one off of BT a few weeks ago, so they do come up occasionally. I really like it. Plug and play in Ubuntu. Sold my DacMagic because I have a single source system.I've never seen a used HRT. Who would want to sell theirs?
I got the Hifimediy Sabre USB DAC with ES9023 and Tenor TE7022 just before Christmas for $52, shipped from China. I bought it on that auction site. It took three weeks to get here, but I have to say it's the best DAC I've owned, period. I've never owned expensive DACs, but I like to think I have owned some decent ones: VALAB NOS and Maverick D2, for example. I am very pleased with the music it makes, after living with it for the last week, playing FLAC files via my Vortexbox.
I gave my Maverick D2 to a friend earlier this year, and borrowed it back from him recently. Straight up comparisons convince me that the Sabre DAC is superior. As usual, YMMV, but I am so impressed, I felt I ought to share. It is tiny and looks like crap (but nice and solid crap!), and it's obviously aimed at headphone owners to use with their laptops, but it's the real deal, as far as I'm concerned. USB input only, and mini-headphone jack output, so I use a stereo RCA male-to-3.5mm headphone adapter.
Just in case anybody else is using a Vortexbox, this DAC is recognized without any problem. Here is the ALSA info when I open the config interface:
ALSA device list
0 [DAC ]: USB-Audio - HiFimeDIY DAC
HiFimeDIY Audio HiFimeDIY DAC at usb-0000:00:12.0-5, full speed
The FiiO D3 punched enormously above its price range and its replacement in their lineup has slightly better noise floor and separation specs at the same <$30 price. You won't believe what these DACs can do until you've tried them.
Yeah, the Hifimediy is pretty decent, especially at the modest price. I'm running one on my PC rig. One of these days I will take it outside and try it on my main system.
I had no idea anything that cheap could make that kind of a change!
Highly recommended!!
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-.../B005PWPUW6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357068312
Yes, I just got a FiiO D3 DAC and tied the Optical output of my Airport Express through it. I run most songs in iTunes in Apple Lossless mode for the added fidelity. Anyway, I got the TOSlink adapter from Monoprice in the mail yesterday and took a few moments last night after dinner to put it online instead of the simple analog mini-phone plug to L & R phono connectors cable I've used all along. We sat there gob smacked for an hour last night playing songs from iTunes and awed by the clarity, definition and improved soundstage in a system we are both VERY familiar with From AJA and old Grateful Dead live tracks through Boston and Little River Band, Penguin Cafe orchestra and U2 -
Heck, Even Dark Star had a depth I've never heard before!
I had no idea anything that cheap could make that kind of a change!
Highly recommended!!
+1 for the Modi! Best 100 bucks I have spent on my audio listening enjoyment. Really a big improvement over my internal pc sound card.The Schiit Modi is just short of $100. It outputs RCA, but that can easily be converted with a cheap cable if you need 3.5mm.
yeah, sorry, from PC to receiver. So i need USB or to come out of the headphone jack.
Try Douk Audio's new XMOS USB DAC that can decode DSD. Under $80 for sure is the best value I recently invested in.