Best USB DAC for 350$ or less,or "is there anything better than a pico" thread

[pearljam5000]

Hey guys,

i have done extensive reading both here and on "that other site"

and i more or less decided on buying a Pico because i read some glowing reviews from experienced and well respected members,but then i read some not so glowing reviews ,not a suprise since this happens with just about anything in audio.

plus it is really hard to keep up with all the new DAC's,so i was wondering if you could tell me that the Pico is still the best at it's price range or would you recommend i'll go for something else,all i care about is SQ and not features and connectivity etc.

thanks!

[nyc12]

I like the Musical Fidelity V-DAC a lot. A little on the warm side but a strong performer, and it fits into your price range well. Otherwise maybe try to find someone to DIY you a Gamma 2? A usb converter would also give you a broader array of DAC choices.

[K3cT]

If you want to play safe then go for the Pico.

But if you feel adventurous then there are other options. There is the Matrix mini DAC with 2x AD1955 chips which can do a balanced output, the Musiland Monitor 02US with its asynchronous 24/192 upsampling and last but not least, the venerable Cambridge DACMagic.

[pearljam5000]

Thanks for the help.

well i would rather not get anything Chinese because i don't want it to go dead on me in 3 months hehe,and i am really not adventurous unfortunately.

damn so many options! i was thinking of getting a 0404 usb or a 1212m or an asus stx,i don't mind if it's USB or a soundcard,it's really hard to choose.

i guess the best two options are the V-DAC and the Pico,did anyone compare the two?

[pearljam5000]

I'm looking for natural and detailed sound

[digger945]

devilsound labs - DAC - digital audio cable

On the Computeraudiophile cash list.

[K3cT]

That looks like a Bantam DAC but with a different implementation?

[pearljam5000]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys,i guess i'm gonna have to gamble here because it is impossible for me to audition any of the Dac's in this thread in my country

i still haven't decided,it's so hard to choose.

[blessingx]

Pico is a great choice, but for $350 there are many vintage options also in the $250-300 range and you could solve the USB to toslink/coax connection with the remaining $50/100. As long as space isn't a concern.

[digger945]

Just incase you may have missed it....

FS: Green Pico w/DAC - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

$400CAD, that's $375US, plus shipping. That's not too much more than your budget, and it's a very attractive green.

He/She's already dropped the price once. Wouldn't hurt to make him/her an offer if your interested.

[pearljam5000]

Can you please give an example for a vintage option,that you would recommend blessingx ?

digger945,thanks,i think i'll contact him and see if his price is not firm.

[shaizada]

The price on the PICO dac right now is at an all time low Go to headamp.com

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