Looking for a DAC at around 20k

[har297]

Hi All....

Currently using humble hifimediydac from a long time...it is serving well given the price and package.

the only input i will be using is a USB. After lot of searching , comparing, come across below items which may be of interest.

1. Topping D50 - Rated to be one of the best in it's price bracket.
2. SMSL M8.
3. DIY with a Soekris dam1021.

I am not a fan of Modi dac's...so Modi is left out

So if there are any alternatives, i would be interested to know..

Thanks
Harsha

 

[Moimanuh]

Hi All....

Currently using humble hifimediydac from a long time...it is serving well given the price and package.

the only input i will be using is a USB. After lot of searching , comparing, come across below items which may be of interest.

1. Topping D50 - Rated to be one of the best in it's price bracket.
2. SMSL M8.
3. DIY with a Soekris dam1021.

I am not a fan of Modi dac's...so Modi is left out

So if there are any alternatives, i would be interested to know..

Thanks
Harsha

ifi ones available for 12k onwards, i have one bought from headphonezone. sound quality is good but i dont recommend headphonezone as i received a defective one and their return policy is not so convenient. i was looking for topping, smsl but due to lack of warranty i didnt get them.

 

[Kumar442244]

Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 100.

Good VFM DAC

 

[dheerajin]

Hi All....

Currently using humble hifimediydac from a long time...it is serving well given the price and package.

the only input i will be using is a USB. After lot of searching , comparing, come across below items which may be of interest.

1. Topping D50 - Rated to be one of the best in it's price bracket.
2. SMSL M8.
3. DIY with a Soekris dam1021.

I am not a fan of Modi dac's...so Modi is left out

So if there are any alternatives, i would be interested to know..

Thanks
Harsha

What is your source...try changing that before DAC..that will convert into much bigger thing

 

[har297]

What is your source...try changing that before DAC..that will convert into much bigger thing

Source is a Intel NUC running Daphile

 

[har297]

Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 100.

Good VFM DAC

Yes, i have listened to this DAC, and it sounds good..

 

[oyster]

Guy comes for advice and this turns into.a sale thread. Please post your offerings when OP creates a wanted thread
Having said that Smsl M8 is an ok choice if it can be had for under 10k. Its a rough sounding lofi dac but I've heard worse for the price.
For significant gains Soekris is a good choice but it cant be had for 20k. Even a used decent soekris build would command 30k+

 

[raghupb]

Guy comes for advice and this turns into.a sale thread. Please post your offerings when OP creates a wanted thread
Having said that Smsl M8 is an ok choice if it can be had for under 10k. Its a rough sounding lofi dac but I've heard worse for the price.
For significant gains Soekris is a good choice but it cant be had for 20k. Even a used decent soekris build would command 30k+

Advice can turn into opportunities on the forum.
If the OP doesn't mind and fundamental forum rules aren't bent it should be fine.
Cheers,
Raghu

 

[jai1611]

For significant gains Soekris is a good choice but it cant be had for 20k. Even a used decent soekris build would command 30k+

Agree with this. The Soekris needs an overbuilt power supply, which is expensive. Simply buying the board and plugging in a transformer is nowhere near enough. Also, the USB adapter will add to cost.

You may be better off buying an older, used DAC and adding a USB adapter. Whether this solution works well for you or not would depend on what resolution you are targeting. In particular, this option would not work well for DSD

 

[jaiwant_alex]

I have a budget setup (Rpi-Dac-Norge amp & speakers) and used the Sonodyne DAC1 for sometime with fairly good results at that price (14k). I dont beleive the DAC 1 is available now (website doesnt list it anymore), maybe you could try and see if you can get a used one