Best usb DAC

[ayushbajaj29]

Hi guys!

I wanted to buy a decent usb dac to connect to my PC to listen nice (pure) music. My budget is from 5K - 12K.

I have done ample research and found these are the ones worth buying:
HRT Streamer II

Arcam rPac

Audioengine D1

NuForce uDAC2

Can you guys recommend me which one to buy among them or you have a better one then the above mentioned. Some description why you prefer it would really help me decide as well

Thanks!

 

[aashish351]

rPac seems to be the best option.... Has heaphone connectivity too.

 

[Audiodoc]

Audioengine ones are good. The ODAC is also a great option.

Audioengine D1 Premium 24-Bit DAC/Headphone Amp Review The Gadgeteer

JDS Labs - ODAC (ObjectiveDAC)

NwAvGuy: ODAC May Update

 

[ruenigma]

I'd suggest you skip the nuForce. From the rest, pick any all are competitive. Also consider the Audinst HUD MX2 its classy little DAC for the price.

 

[soulforged]

Audioengine ones are good. The ODAC is also a great option.

JDS Labs - ODAC (ObjectiveDAC)

NwAvGuy: ODAC May Update

Doc, even I'm eying the ODAC but I want a fully built one with RCA outs. Only Audio Poutine seems to be offering that. Can you suggest some others who offer the same?

 

[ashishkesarwani]

There is also a Wireless USB DAC from NAD, which is known as DAC1 and is really great at doing what its meant for with added flexibility in the form of using your laptop and keeping it wire free, and listening to music wirelessly.

 

[denom]

There is also a Wireless USB DAC from NAD, which is known as DAC1 and is really great at doing what its meant for with added flexibility in the form of using your laptop and keeping it wire free, and listening to music wirelessly.

Can you share the cost of it?

Thanks

 

[questzen]

Wireless components are more susceptible to 'noise' aren't they? Anecdotal evidence, a mixer from my Mom's kitchen.

 

[Hassan Khani]

I own rPAC and is a great DAC. It requires a powered USB port. Please be aware that rPAC does not work with Linux (since it is a Class I USB device and the linux kernel does not support it). This has been clearly mentioned in the ARCAM website (Also I tried in linux it gets recognized as a alsa sound device, but no sound, gives error when you try to play).

I have tested it in Win 7 Foobar using ASIO and WASAPI.

 

[sam9s]

Any idea how does

Amazon.com: FiiO E7 USB DAC and Portable Headphone Amplifier (Black): Electronics

fair ..??

 

[ashishkesarwani]

Can you share the cost of it?

Thanks

MRP of DAC 1 is 23.5K

 

[Audiodoc]

@sam 9. I have the E7 but the ODAC is better but the latter doest have a headphone amplifier.

@soulforged. JDS labs sells a completed ODAC for 150 dollars as compared to the pcb alone for 99 dollars. Why to spend 2800 rupees for a tiny box.

JDS Labs - Store - DACs

 

[ashishkesarwani]

Wireless components are more susceptible to 'noise' aren't they? Anecdotal evidence, a mixer from my Mom's kitchen.

There is no distortion as it runs on its own 2.4Ghz Band Wifi.

 

[hseplak]

Any idea how does

Amazon.com: FiiO E7 USB DAC and Portable Headphone Amplifier (Black): Electronics

fair ..??

Or for that matter fiio e10? I am surprised no one suggested both of these,recently got one e10, sounds really good.

 

[soulforged]

@soulforged. JDS labs sells a completed ODAC for 150 dollars as compared to the pcb alone for 99 dollars. Why to spend 2800 rupees for a tiny box.

JDS Labs - Store - DACs

...coz I can't solder two wires to save my life

 

[Audiodoc]

Send it to my address will box it and send it to you. You can send me a box of youe choice or purchase from element 14.

 

[saikatbiswas82]

Hi guys!

I wanted to buy a decent usb dac to connect to my PC to listen nice (pure) music. My budget is from 5K - 12K.

I have done ample research and found these are the ones worth buying:
HRT Streamer II

Arcam rPac

Audioengine D1

NuForce uDAC2

Can you guys recommend me which one to buy among them or you have a better one then the above mentioned. Some description why you prefer it would really help me decide as well

Thanks!

Have you checked m2Tech hiFace Two? Its available in india and will be shipped from Malaysia. It will cost you around 6K-7K. You can find contact personnel details here.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Doc, even I'm eying the ODAC but I want a fully built one with RCA outs. Only Audio Poutine seems to be offering that. Can you suggest some others who offer the same?

It is easy to get a 3.5mm-jack-plug to 2-RCA connectors cable. Theorists/engineers can say if this is likely to cause any degradation. I'd imagine that the contact area of the jack plug is less, but I don't recall any great theoretical enthusiasm for RCA, which I suspect is because it is. One of those accidental standards! Anyway, I am really not sure about this --- but making the conversion has never bothered me.

 

[vivek.saikia]

How about this guys?

AudioQuest Dragonfly Review : Affordable, Outstanding, Tiny DAC / Amp

 

[denom]

MRP of DAC 1 is 23.5K

In that case its way out of budget of the person who has started this thread as his budget is between 5-12k.

Would be interesting the compare the NAD with ones in the same price bracket though.