Best Single Ended USB DAC under 1000?

[Jeepster]

Just wanted to see what people think is good in this price range. I am thinking about the DA100 as it will accept new sources in the future.

[diebenkorn]

What do I like? What do I like to listen to? What are my personal prefernces as far as sound is concerned?

[Jeepster]

Shoot

[n_maher]

Do you have a Mac?

[Jeepster]

Sorry, no Mac. It would be USB or Optical.

[Jeepster]

Well, I was considering the 740C but I dont need a transport and would like to have USB. Dac1 w/usb is over my price range. I want something smooth and musical, another reason im shying away from the Dac1. I like all kinds of music except country and opera. Classic rock and Jazz mostly.

[Fungi]

Also consider adding $150 or so into your budget for a USB -> toslink/coaxial transport like the Blue Circle Thingee or something and then getting a DAC without USB. Or some sort of PCI interface with digital out.

[Dusty Chalk]

Also consider the Apogee Mini-DAC w/USB option

[Asr]

HeadAmp Pico w/ DAC

Most other <$1K DAC units will be relative side-grades from the Pico. You'd need to spend far more than $1K to seriously better the Pico.

[Jeepster]

Perpetual Tech p-1a/p-3a/monolith is too big for my desk and as far as the Pico, I dont really need a portable and would rather have more inputs for expansion later on.

[jinp6301]

I havent seen a USB dac take more then one usb input

or did you mean coax and optical

[blessingx]

I assume he/she means coax/opt. Out of curiousity with all the sharing (file/library) options you have with computers why would someone need multiple USB inputs?

[Upstateguy]

Also consider adding $150 or so into your budget for a USB -> toslink/coaxial transport like the Blue Circle Thingee or something and then getting a DAC without USB. Or some sort of PCI interface with digital out.

same chip as Thingee and Trends UD10

There is the possibility that the Trends might sound better than the Thingee using its optional external PS.

As far as the Thingee goes, I'm not sure it does anything more than the $50 usb converter from DIY.... except that DIY mentions that you should power the chip separately and not from the usb connection if you want it to sound good and the Thingee is USB powered.

[naamanf]

If you can get in on the feeding frenzy and have the ability or find someone to build it for you, I think the TP Buffalo would fit the bill nicely. Plus it could also be made balanced so you wouldn't have to upgrade in the future.

[Jeepster]

Buffalo looks very interesting but it is sold out. I wonder if I could just live with optical and go for the 740C. Looks like the DA100 Signature is going for 850 shipped on audiogon, NIB. How about something like a Monica?

[Fing]

I can recommend a MHDT Havana, if NOS DACs, no opamp and tube (coupled?) output appeals to you.

I use it via USB from my PC without much issue, though I do plan on trying it out with coax at some point.

The things that attracted me to this DAC were the positive reviews, the build quality, the price and good impression from owning the cheaper Paradisea+.

The Havana is a solid step up and good value imo.

[F1GTR]

How long have you owned the Havana Fing? Did you order it new or purchase it used?

[Fing]

How long have you owned the Havana Fing? Did you order it new or purchase it used?

Had it about 3 weeks now - bought it new on Ebay from MHDT labs.

[Jeepster]

Why not get the Signature for 875 delivered, AudiogoN ForSale: Stello DA 100 Signature instead of a standard DA100 for 780 shipped, :: Headphone/Preamp & USB-DAC :: HiFi500 :: [email protected] ::

I rather have two sets of outputs anyway, one for headphones and one for speakers.

[Iron_Dreamer]

HeadAmp Pico w/ DAC

Most other <$1K DAC units will be relative side-grades from the Pico. You'd need to spend far more than $1K to seriously better the Pico.

Heavily seconded, from someone who's been through more than enough ~$1k DAC's!

[Jeepster]

Pico will sound better than the DA100 Signature? Reason I ask is because I rather have all the extra inputs and outputs and don't really have a use for a portable. I have DVD player I want to use as a transport as well as the computer.

[Iron_Dreamer]

Pico will sound better than the DA100 Signature? Reason I ask is because I rather have all the extra inputs and outputs and don't really have a use for a portable. I have DVD player I want to use as a transport as well as the computer.

Not necessarily better, more likely just different. The Pico is a bargain for the quality of the DAC, assuming you don't need more I/O options than it has.

[Jeepster]

Thanks Dreamer

[krrm]

The Pico is fantastic, but let me add that the Pico may need an additional amp for some headphones. It has not enough power for the Beyer DT 880, but it takes well care of DT 770.

[Icarium]

There's gonna be an rca out dac only pico for 349 out sometime in the near future. It will be difficult to compete with that under 1000 without looking at vintage dacs. There are things that do though they are at the ~1000 price range and not anywhere near the 349 price ;p