Topic: Looking for DAC.. value for money

[horsedevil03]

Kindly help best value for money DAC.. many thanks
Source: Laptop and MP3 player

[horsedevil03]

sorry i am new i with setting up sound system. i hope someone can recommend and where I can also buy it.

many thanks!

[DTNS]

consider any of these 3:

1. MUSILAND 01
2. AudioQuest Dragonfly
3. iFi iDSD nano

all of these 3 DAC's cost below 10k. 

[sovrain]

Dami sa MP, gaya nito http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,205136.0.html

[dimfer]

I've read good impressions abou Gustard X20U

Info here

[rascal101]

Many high end DACs are using ESS9018 Sabre D/A chip. For roughly Php 7k you can buy a Meizu MX4pro cellphone which uses this D/A chip.

http://item.jd.com/1279804.html

Right now many things are on sale in China due to the upcoming Chinese New Year.

[rascal101]

Personally I would avoid DACs using Delta Sigma D/A IC topology and focus on R2R ladder type D/A IC.

DACs performance depend highly on the D/A IC being used.

[horsedevil03]

thank you all for your reply. you are all kind and helpful
big help.
for any added information; kindly send.
i am learning a lot.

[rascal101]

Some discussion on R2R ladder D/A ICs vs Sigma Delta D/A ICs.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-general-forum/were-r2r-ladder-dacs-really-good-22423/

[horsedevil03]

consider any of these 3:

1. MUSILAND 01
2. AudioQuest Dragonfly
3. iFi iDSD nano

all of these 3 DAC's cost below 10k. 

how about the Audioengine D1 24-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter --- can you recommend this? how does it perform against the 3 above recommendations?

[mykel18]

How will you connect your mp3 player to the DAC?

[horsedevil03]

How will you connect your mp3 player to the DAC?

OTG cable possible?

[horsedevil03]

OTG cable possible?

please aslo advise best connection possible for sound quality.
both for laptop and mp3 player as source.

thanks

[rascal101]

The Audioengine D1 is available in taobao selling for around RMB 1k. It is using AK4396 which is a sigma delta based DAC.

Personally, I would prefer segmented DACs which is an older architecture. Below DACs < RMB 1k.

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.180.6I0Ez5&id=40801758833&ns=1&abbucket=13#detail

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.46.6I0Ez5&id=14309006421&ns=1&abbucket=13#detail

Thinking of getting one.

[mykel18]

OTG cable possible?

Yes possible. Check first the recommended DAC if it supports android.

[horsedevil03]

The Audioengine D1 is available in taobao selling for around RMB 1k. It is using AK4396 which is a sigma delta based DAC.

Personally, I would prefer segmented DACs which is an older architecture. Below DACs < RMB 1k.

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.180.6I0Ez5&id=40801758833&ns=1&abbucket=13#detail

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.46.6I0Ez5&id=14309006421&ns=1&abbucket=13#detail

Thinking of getting one.

do you have experience buying from taobao?
is it safe?
cannot read chinese so hard to understand.

[Tsnad]

do you have experience buying from taobao?
is it safe?
cannot read chinese so hard to understand.

Sir try mo aliexpress dami choice at english language.

[Nelson de Leon]

how about the Audioengine D1 24-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter --- can you recommend this? how does it perform against the 3 above recommendations?

My take, on an entry & mid-level basis, madalas synergy with the system. Minsan may mga DAC na ang ganda sa solid state pero hindi maganda sa tube amps and vice versa.

[horsedevil03]

My take, on an entry & mid-level basis, madalas synergy with the system. Minsan may mga DAC na ang ganda sa solid state pero hindi maganda sa tube amps and vice versa.

can you recommend DAC for solid state amp. (Denon PMA 757) vintage na...

[Arulco]

Per my experience, I can swear by the HRT Musicstreamer II or III. They're pretty old-school by today's standards but these are my endgame USB DACs in terms of sound quality satisfaction.

The II sounds warmer and version III is more detailed. Both have a full-bodied analogue-like sound signature I really love.

[horsedevil03]

Per my experience, I can swear by the HRT Musicstreamer II or III. They're pretty old-school by today's standards but these are my endgame USB DACs in terms of sound quality satisfaction.

The II sounds warmer and version III is more detailed. Both have a full-bodied analogue-like sound signature I really love.

You have idea how much and where to buy?

[Nelson de Leon]

can you recommend DAC for solid state amp. (Denon PMA 757) vintage na...

Sir distro kami ng Musiland so I would recommend Musiland 01. Hehe!

[horsedevil03]

Sir distro kami ng Musiland so I would recommend Musiland 01. Hehe!

May i ask how much and which model for my application.  Many thanks po sir.

[rascal101]

Per my experience with Taobao, it is quite safe. Never had a bad experience. I let my friend here in Zhuhai buy for me then I just pay when the item arrives. Or if I have time, will go to Shenzhen and buy at Huaqiang Bei.

For old school amplifiers I suggest old school CD players or DACs. I am also using old school amplifiers and I use mostly old school CDP or DACs based on old school architecture - R2R ladder, segmented DAC etc. Most of the CDP I bought at the Pier or from Surplus stores.

Have tried newer type architecture DAC - eg 1bit, Sigma Delta etc but I am forced to do extensive modification - change Op amp, change output capacitors, etc just to be able to get the sound I like. I I am using the SMSL SD-1955 DAC I bought at Huaqiang Bei and I had to change the op-amp to get the sound I like. Although right off the box it already sounded quite good.

[horsedevil03]

Per my experience with Taobao, it is quite safe. Never had a bad experience. I let my friend here in Zhuhai buy for me then I just pay when the item arrives. Or if I have time, will go to Shenzhen and buy at Huaqiang Bei.

For old school amplifiers I suggest old school CD players or DACs. I am also using old school amplifiers and I use mostly old school CDP or DACs based on old school architecture - R2R ladder, segmented DAC etc. Most of the CDP I bought at the Pier or from Surplus stores.

Have tried newer type architecture DAC - eg 1bit, Sigma Delta etc but I am forced to do extensive modification - change Op amp, change output capacitors, etc just to be able to get the sound I like. I I am using the SMSL SD-1955 DAC I bought at Huaqiang Bei and I had to change the op-amp to get the sound I like. Although right off the box it already sounded quite good.

Thank you for your reply.
How to know if DAC is segmented,  r2r lasder architecture,  etc. Does every DAC state it on their specifications? Like the recommended Musiland p1 above and HRT musuicstreamer 3, what kind of DAC are those?

Thank you so much Sir.

[Nelson de Leon]

May i ask how much and which model for my application.  Many thanks po sir.

We only have 2 models to choose from. The 01 and the 03. Try the 01 sir. it has a neutral to warmish sound if you prefer that.

[rascal101]

I look at the specs of the D/A chip used by the DAC. Normally it is shown or written in the first 3 pages of the datasheet what architecture the D/A uses. You can also check the block diagram as it also indicates the architecture.

I do not know much about the Musiland Monitor 01 DAC. Am only familiar with the Musiland Monitor 01 USD USB to SPDIF as I own one.

For R2R ladder, you can search in the internet which DACs uses PCM63 or PCM1704.

My experience with CDPs with R2R ladder is that they sound very analog.

[horsedevil03]

I look at the specs of the D/A chip used by the DAC. Normally it is shown or written in the first 3 pages of the datasheet what architecture the D/A uses. You can also check the block diagram as it also indicates the architecture.

I do not know much about the Musiland Monitor 01 DAC. Am only familiar with the Musiland Monitor 01 USD USB to SPDIF as I own one.

For R2R ladder, you can search in the internet which DACs uses PCM63 or PCM1704.

My experience with CDPs with R2R ladder is that they sound very analog.

Thank you so much.

[abbey]

We only have 2 models to choose from. The 01 and the 03. Try the 01 sir. it has a neutral to warmish sound if you prefer that.

Sir, Is there a available unit to audition?

[Nelson de Leon]

Sir, Is there a available unit to audition?

Yes sir. Taga saan kayo?