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DAC Recommendation $500 Budget

post #1 of 120
3/22/12 at 9:41pm
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I currently have the AKG K702 connected to a Burson Audio HA 160 headphone amplifier. The source to the HA 160 amp is my Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card via RCA. I like the sound of my setup except that I do hear static interference from other components within my PC every now and again. In other to minimize the noise due to interference I would like to get a separate DAC unit to replace my sound card. I have a budget of $500.00 to get a dedicated DAC. Right now I have been look at the Schiit Bifrost and I have read some good reviews about it. What other DACs would you guys recommend that's within my budget?
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post #2 of 120
3/23/12 at 4:52am
Personally I would just wait for NwAvGuy to finish his O2 Dac/Amp. If that's not your style I would just get a Fiio dac for something affordable.
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post #3 of 120
3/24/12 at 11:14am
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Schiit bifrost definitely. They are working on some new models but they will be above your price point
The bifrost is an excellent choice.
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post #4 of 120
3/24/12 at 11:16am
Cambridge Audio Dac Magic
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post #5 of 120
3/25/12 at 9:26am
There's a new revision of the Dac Magic and another one with out the headphone amp built in for less coming soon. Also, personally, I'd get the Bifrost.
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post #6 of 120
3/27/12 at 10:13am
What about the Matrix Mini-i DAC? OR you can sell your HA-160 and get the 160Ds or the 160D. Both have a dac.
Edited by musicPC - 3/27/12 at 10:17am
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post #7 of 120
3/27/12 at 6:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sigfreik View Post

I currently have the AKG K702 connected to a Burson Audio HA 160 headphone amplifier. The source to the HA 160 amp is my Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card via RCA. I like the sound of my setup except that I do hear static interference from other components within my PC every now and again. In other to minimize the noise due to interference I would like to get a separate DAC unit to replace my sound card. I have a budget of $500.00 to get a dedicated DAC. Right now I have been look at the Schiit Bifrost and I have read some good reviews about it. What other DACs would you guys recommend that's within my budget?

Mmm so you have some static from your STX. It seems I'll keep my HRT Streamer II+ for a long time, then, cause I wanted to test an STX wink.gif It makes wonders not to have the DAC inside the computer, as I had those same damn static problems when I had a Forte.

Now that everything is out I'm happy biggrin.gifbiggrin.gifbiggrin.gif
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post #8 of 120
4/5/12 at 10:49am
HRT Music Streamer. There are a variety of models, all well under your budget, but I've seen measurements of a lot of DACs and this is among the very best out there. You literally will never need another DAC, I have a II and am incredibly pleased with it. I've had a number of other DACs, FiiO E7/E9 combo which was also very nice and, a NuForce one which was awful (channel imbalance and background noise) and finally a Peachtree Decco2 which has a DAC in it, that was also pretty nice but way too big for my desk.
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post #9 of 120
4/5/12 at 12:40pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Remonster View Post

NuForce one which was awful (channel imbalance and background noise)

I can confirm this. I had a NuForce uDAC2 and after about 6 months the channel imbalance became unbearable. It was nice up until it failed. I would stay away until they can prove to be more reliable.

The IBasso D7 is an excellent portable amp/DAC ($180 and very portable). But, for a $500 budget I would still go with a Schiit Bifrost.
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post #10 of 120
4/5/12 at 9:55pm
Old thread but I'd go for the DACMagic. Real measurements don't lie. Combine it with say an Fiio E9 or O2 amp for headphone output and you got a great combo.
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