Mar2013 - $400 - desktop DAC+amp - pls recommend

[anm]

Hi,
Question - which dac+amp would u recommend in $500 budget, for desktop/ office use? I am thinking of using an old appletv as a source, so I can either use dac+powered speakers, or dac/amp combo with passive speakers.

USB is not important but good to have. Optical is required.

There are few options from nuforce, like nuforce dia. It has a ~20wpc stereo amp, but no headphone amp - surprise.

Just a DAC can also be looked at, but then I would need to have a powered speaker and that would limit the choices. If I take that path, maybe a good dac+headphone amp combo will make sense. Need a high powered headphone amp though to drive my yamaha headphones. Again, not a must, as I have a great headphone amp - but I can't have entire desk dedicated to audio gadgets. So maybe I will move headphone amp for home listening.

Marantz NA7004 is another good option for DAC+streamer. Has a headphone out but no idea how it sounds.


Context:
As stated in another thread, I am looking for a desktop system. One option is bose companion 5, which is pretty straight forward, great looking, decent sound quality, includes a sub, and therefore very reasonably priced at INR 25k.

Only issue with that is that I need it hooked to my comp via usb. I don't like that idea as I like to walk around the office carrying my laptop with me. I would rather have something that plays independently from my computer.

So I am exploring options of a dedicated source, that can play from a local attached hdd. Maybe from network as well. Old silver appletv is what I have in mind, and already have it. Marantz NA7004 has recently reduced its price so that is another good option, and it also has a good dac included.

So if I use the appletv, I would need a dac with optical input, that can significantly better appletv's own analog out.
Then I would either need powered speakers, or passive speakers + dac + amp.
To cut on the number of devices, while having options of replacing speakers I would prefer a dac/ stereo amp combo.
Else DAC/ headphone amp that can drive some serious cans would be my next choice.
Last would be just a stand alone dac.

 

[anm]

This looks good as a headphone amp+dac - Icon HDP

has analog input, usb and optical inputs - won't work as a speaker amp though.

 

[anm]

this satisfies the basic need of an optical dac - W4S uDAC (uDAC) - DACs - DAC 2, ESS Sabre DAC, High Definition Amplifiers, Asynchronous, Sonos modificaitons, Stereo Pre Amp

 

[anm]

this is even better at $500 - dac+headphone amp, portable as well as extra juice power supply - portable if you need it!!
edit: but damn it, no optical or coax. I thought I would settle for this one

W4S uDAC-HD (uDAC-HD) - DACs - DAC 2, ESS Sabre DAC, High Definition Amplifiers, Asynchronous, Sonos modificaitons, Stereo Pre Amp

 

[anm]

schiit bifrost for desktop, dac only - BIFROST Schiit Bifrost Upgradable 32 bit 24/192 DAC [] - $349.00 : Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

 

[anm]

emotiva - headamp+dac but too big for office desk XDA-2 USB DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp | Emotiva Audio Corporation | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multi

 

[anm]

this is very good as well for passive speakers - Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: NuForce DDA-100, High-End Audiophile-Grade Sound Quality Digital Integrated Amplifier for Computer and Home Audio (Black)

but, there is no line out, no headphone amp. Just a direct digital amp.

 

[anm]

this one has almost everything featurewise - need to research more - Product: A-H01 | TEAC

 

[denom]

Anant,

I think this suits your requirements well. I know its iver your budget, but I feel its well worth it. Keep you happy in the long term. Go for it I say

TEAC AI-501DA INTEGRATED AMP at Music Direct

Pair a set of Speakers like the Cambridge Audio S30 or so & your set.

 

[anm]

thanks denom. Reviews are not that great when it comes to SQ. Going back to the basics, I need one terrific DAC with optical input. I am just trying to maximize what can I get.

So, along with headphones, I also want speakers. So I thought, maybe passive speakers with an amp - like nuforce DDA 100.

 

[anm]

so in the same budget, something like this has come up (sold out already it seems, but may be available if I look hard) - Marantz NA7004 Network audio player/USB DAC at Crutchfield.com

This also has an optical input, is a streamer, and has a headphone jack. Waiting for srisaikat's review of the headphone quality. Since this is huge for office desk, if I get this, then I will have to get rid of my already big headphone amp.

 

[denom]

thanks denom. Reviews are not that great when it comes to SQ. Going back to the basics, I need one terrific DAC with optical input. I am just trying to maximize what can I get.

So, along with headphones, I also want speakers. So I thought, maybe passive speakers with an amp - like nuforce DDA 100.

Well you have to take reviews with a pinch of salt, after all its ultimately your ears that will be the best judge. What if something review wise is good but is bad by your ears???

The definition of a 'terrific' DAC itself is a paradox as what is terrific by your beliefs may differ with some body else.

Food for thought eh???

 

[anm]

so what is a good recommended dac that has optical in, and how can I hook its output to both my headphone amp and speaker system. Passive speaker+amp or actives - will decide later.

It is getting very confusing. Guys come to my rescue or else ....... I will buy bose!

 

[panditji]

Anant, the NuForce DDA-100 or the Wadia 151 would be my choices....Wyred 4 Sound also make very good products so any of their offerings would also be recommended....
If you know people coming from the US, either of the above 3 choices would be great...

 

[anm]

thanks Panditji. Yeah wadia looks like a great device. Any links to a great deal? I read in another thread that it was available for 500 usd. If you have the link pls share. A friend is coming in next week.
Edit - there is a small issue here - there is no line out, and no headphone amp. I would need a line out for my headphone listening. Same is the issue with DDA 100 though

 

[panditji]

Then I guess the Wyred 4 Sound would be ideal for you...

 

[anm]

how about bifrost schiit?
wyred4sound - http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/618197 - just need to figure out how to split the line output - will it be an issue if both are connected to different amps at the same time, even if the other is off? I have noticed reduced level in a slightly similar use case.

 

[panditji]

I think the Bifrost is just a DAC...the other models are the headphone amps as well...

 

[anm]

the wyred4sound optical dac is also just a dac. there are two models - the one with headphone jack has only usb in.

 

[anm]

last night, I brought back my first hifi purchase back from where it was lying. I was thinking of selling it off as it did not fit my hometheater system.
This is lyrita pre which I got changed a lot over period of time. I got lampucera dac inside it (thanks Viren) and got a headphone out (again, thanks Viren).

Connected my nuforce udac to usb of laptop, took coax out from it and fed to lyrita pre - now I was enjoying dac+tube amplification on my hd 650. Sound was VERY good. Do I really need anything else?

Only issue with lyrita is - it is big for a desktop, and has tubes that will heat up a bit inside the office. Also, it may not be able to drive orthos to very loud levels.

But it will definitely act as a dac+pre - tape out to EHHA head amp, and line out to whatever speaker system I will choose for my desk.
But it may look a little too "loud" on the office desk - ppl will get curious