NewAtOCing

Hey guys. I'm in the search for a quality DAC with no built in amp. They will be used with my Denon D2000's. Budget is $200 max. I was searching for the Denon DA-500 DAC but can't find it ANYWHERE. So if you have one, or know someone looking to sell on, lemme know. Thanks!

bobfig

hay just letting you know soloz2 would be the best person to ask. but i highly recommend you just going to www.head-fi.org and ask them there. they will give you a better responce.

also would you be willing to make a dac or do you just wana buy it?

__________________

.Sup

v-dac perhaps, not sure how much it costs in US

__________________

Downstairs: EMU0404 USB>balanced>KRK RP10s/5 & HD555

Upstairs: DacMagic>LD MKIV SE>HD600/Backup amp: Millet SS

Everywhere: Acer Aspire One>Beresford TC-7520>AKG K272 HD

NewAtOCing

Make? Maybe, I would def. have to practice soldering, but how would it compare to a purchased DAC?

bobfig

making one may be a little tedus and you have to be able to read electronic layouts. there are some that you can do for around $100 to a lot more. if you dont wana make on a compass is a "nice" one from what i here.

__________________

BobbyChicken

Check used in the Head-Fi classifieds source section. This one, for example, looks pretty good: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f43/fs...04-usb-431524/

NewAtOCing

Sorry, not what i'm looking for I don't think.

grip_racer

I bought my DAC on ebay for $70 shipped, including a power supply board and transformer. It is based on a CS4397/CS8416, and it also has an op-amp output stage, which can be easily bypassed for direct DAC out.

I simply put it in a cigar box, removed the 4 little capacitors that connect the DAC to the op-amp, and then soldered the output wires directly to the pins on the DAC chip. Voila, DAC direct with no amp. This works because the CS4397 is a voltage-out DAC. Current-out DACs cannot be run directly from the pins, as they require I/V conversion first.

Anyway, it's inexpensive and sounds INCREDIBLE. It's the same DAC in the $250 Zahlou, and in even more expensive name-brand designs. It beats more than half of the high-grade DAC kits on ebay, and is the cheapest. The only chips that beat it are the PCM1794/2, WM8741 and the TDA1541.

Here is the eBay link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/High-Grade-24bit...lenotsupported

You can contact me for any and all questions about it, and you can also get a good information about mods here: http://www.lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/...ampizator.html

__________________
Audio System:
Cigar Box CS4397 DAC (direct-out) ->
1. Dual-Mono Gainclone Amplifier -> Celestion F15 / Pinnacle AC400 / Advent AS2 / Bose 301 Series II (depending on the day )
2. 100w RMS Plate Amp, C/O @ 80hz -> Elemental Designs 9Kv.2 (vented, 23hz tuning)

NewAtOCing

I'm not too sure about all that, but I guess I'm not one to judge. Thanks for the suggestions, i'll keep it in mind.

soloz2

what inputs and outputs do you need? I can't think of too many quality commercial DACs at that price. If you increase your price to $300-400 you would have better luck, or maybe look for used.

For $200 you could probably make AMB's new DAC.

__________________
Please do not PM me general audio questions that should be asked on the open forum. I reserve the right to ignore your PM's.

Current Sound: SA tweaked Auzen X-Fi Prelude > SA Reference IC > Musical Paradise MP-301 6v6 tube amp> Tekton Designs 4.1 single driver loudspeakers

Feedback: Heatware Ebay