Nenso Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Hello, need some suggestions for a DAC to use with PC. I realize there are a wide plethora of options listed in the forum, but would like some help narrowing the list down to budget. Currently using the Pico DAC/amp for everything, but was wondering if there is a better option, specifically for desktop use with USB. I've been contemplating upgrading to powered speakers, and STAX, so it's probably time for a source upgrade as well. What options do I got? Edited January 7, 2014 by Nenso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikongod Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Have you considered the Pico DAC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenso Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Have you considered the Pico DAC? Yep, but I already got a Pico; feels very redundant. I was hoping there are good dedicated DACs out there that are as good, or better than the Pico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudeWolf Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Having owned (and really liked) the Pico DAC I very much feel that there is only so far one can get with USB powered DACs. Try out Schiit's Bifrost with upgraded modules. I'll throw some more ideas in - Resonessence Labs Concero and Stello DA-100 (if you can find either of these used). Edited January 7, 2014 by RudeWolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I recommend the pico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 What seems redundant is your presence here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenso Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Having owned (and really liked) the Pico DAC I very much feel that there is only so far one can get with USB powered DACs. Try out Schiit's Bifrost with upgraded modules. I'll throw some more ideas in - Resonessence Labs Concero and Stello DA-100 (if you can find either of these used).Thanks for the suggestions. I am okay with DACs that don't use USB power, I was just mentioning it as a way of connectivity, what are some better options for connectors? Grawk, Voltron, it's nice to see you too. (: Edited January 7, 2014 by Nenso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Used Benchmark Pico DAC (which is not just the DAC part of a DAC/Amp...or is it?) HRT MusicStreamer II+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 ok, if you don't like the pico dac selection, then apogee symphony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 McIntosh D100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crappyjones123 Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 Emotiva dac was very nice. I like my ps audio dl3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 Also check out Nuforce's offerings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonardo Drummond Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 Emotiva dac was very nice. I like my ps audio dl3. Great value for money, but if you mean the XDA-1 he needs to stay away from USB. It truly sucks on that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkam Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 Schiit Bifrost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 Yeah, Nenso, bite shitfrost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nopants Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 You might enjoy the flexibility of getting a USB-SPDIF solution and fishing around for some older DACs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crappyjones123 Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 Great value for money, but if you mean the XDA-1 he needs to stay away from USB. It truly sucks on that one. Hmm sounded fine to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphsci Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 ^^^ Totally agree with this. Not sure what Leonardo is smoking ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonardo Drummond Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) XDA-1, really?? I was never a big believer in that sort of thing, but I had the XDA-1 for a few months and had the chance to compare it to the Abrahamsen V6.0 and Electrocompaniet ECD-1. I first heard it through USB and thought there was a huge gap between it and the other DACs. It sounded muffled, with a slightly overpowering bass and lack of definition in the mids during A-B comparisons. Then I switched to Toslink and coaxial (through a HiFace) and the gap shrunk considerable. It became much closer to the other DACs. Still not in the same league, but a lot closer nonetheless. It was quite surprising since to me the difference was far from subtle, and I'm quite skeptical when it comes to that sort of thing. I couldn't hear a difference between the V6.0 and ECD-1 for example, and thought that the difference between these and the original DacMagic wasn't incredibly big. Edited January 11, 2014 by Leonardo Drummond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Sneis Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 I am pretty happy with my Parasound ZDac. It has a unique sound of its own so it's not going to be the last word in "neutrality" or whatever but it sounds great, has tons of features for a DAC in the price range, isn't massive, and even has a HP out if you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphsci Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) Did you rule out the source USB output? How many XDA-1s did you listen too to come to the conclusion that it is an XDA-1 problem and not a problem with your XDA-1? How did you rule out a cable issue? I'm sure your post would have been lauded on Head-Fi but you simply do not walk into Head-Case with that kind of shit. Edited January 11, 2014 by morphsci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonardo Drummond Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) Well, the USB sources were the same that I used for the other DACs, a MacMini and a MacBook Pro. I ruled out a cable issue because I tried two, an Acoustic Zen MC2 and also a BlueJeans one. I figured it wasn't a problem with my particular XDA-1 because it worked flawlessly with all the other inputs and the USB was working, just not up to par with the other inputs in terms of sonic performance. And I've read quite a few reports of DACs with poor USB implementation – never really believed that it would be particularly noticeable, until I heard what sounded like it with the XDA-1s. In any case, I was just sharing my experience with it. Edited January 11, 2014 by Leonardo Drummond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiWire Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 (edited) I like the looks (and value) of the uber analog Schiit Bifrost as well. If I ever decide to play my schiity audio files on my stereo or a headphone amplifier (stack of schiit), that would be the way to go. I hope they incorporate the Loki circuitry into the Bifrost and Gungnir if DSD demand becomes sustainable. Edited January 12, 2014 by HiWire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 Anyone have the cheapie Shiit DAC for sale / trade / demo etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absorbine_Sr Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 Schiit Bifrost This. I got mine a couple of days ago and it is replacing an XDA-1. The Bifrost is by far better to my ears. And it always bugged me that the XDA-1 could not do hi-res via USB. I went with USB and Uber Analog on the Schiit and so far I love it. Audirvana with hi-res out to the Bifrost sounds very, very good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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