Upgrading DAC or buy new phone - need advise

[mypasswordis]

Mo' money mo' problems

[forbigger]

Been searching quite exhaustively for the past few days and most of the used DAC that I found which have a good reputation and fits my budget comes in 110V......also the DAC's that I was recommended upon and based from my search is 110V. My dilemma is that I traveled back and forth from US to Asia pretty frequently hence my opportunity to buy used DAC and take it back with me.

The only DAC that fits my need but slightly out of budget (dont mind stretching bit more though - as always) is the Buffalo build by Rockhopper at HF but it's sold. It comes with USB, balanced and switchable voltage, build by a reputable builder and solid performer in DAC.....

Anyway, I'm in no rush finding it and thank you for all the inputs of everyone in the forum. That includes you Edipisk

[falkon]

It would have been a good buy. I certainly enjoyed it tremendously.

[forbigger]

Today in HK I have a chance to audition 3 most commonly available DAC. DacMagic, PS Audio Digital Link III and Stello DA100. I listened through home audio (RCA) so impression might be different to headphone. First is DacMagic and I quickly come to my conclusion that it is a mediocre DAC (whats new ?), sound bright, thin and metallic......although quite good resolution and instrument separation.

Come then PS Link and DA100, it is actually almost the same, excellent separation, warm, deep bass and good detail. But I finally decided to go with DA100 because I believe that it has more quality bass and this is my hearing, a tin ear hearing mind you. There is another DAC in store, Musical Fidelity X series but its beyond my budget so I dont bother trying it.

I have yet to try the USB implementation so I cannot comment but I certainly hope that this DAC is an improvement over my current Pico.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Today in HK I have a chance to audition 3 most commonly available DAC. DacMagic, PS Audio Digital Link III and Stello DA100. I listened through home audio (RCA) so impression might be different to headphone. First is DacMagic and I quickly come to my conclusion that it is a mediocre DAC (whats new ?), sound bright, thin and metallic......although quite good resolution and instrument separation.

Come then PS Link and DA100, it is actually almost the same, excellent separation, warm, deep bass and good detail. But I finally decided to go with DA100 because I believe that it has more quality bass and this is my hearing, a tin ear hearing mind you. There is another DAC in store, Musical Fidelity X series but its beyond my budget so I dont bother trying it.

I have yet to try the USB implementation so I cannot comment but I certainly hope that this DAC is an improvement over my current Pico.

I also thought the PS Audio and Stello sounded very similar when testing both with my Woo GES and O2 Mk1, if the PS Audio is set for 96 Khz up-sampling. Set for 192 Khz I thought the PS Audio was a little brighter and more spacious, and a better match for the Woo/O2 which could sound dark at times with my Apogee mini-DAC. I think both are nice DACs, and USB works well with both thanks to their up-sampling. Stello will let you turn off up-sampling, and USB didn't sound quite as good to me when it is off, but it wasn't bad either.