Peachtree DAC-IT (ESS Sabre32 9022 based DAC) - Thoughts ???

[vasishta.sushant]

Just sold my HRT Streamer and looking forward to buy a decent DAC under 500USD (something that can stay with me for good )

Thinking of arcam rdac, CA DacMagic but this DAC-IT seems to be a totally different league.

There are no reviews available yet but the specs are just plane awesome. What do you guys suggest ? Worth spending 500USD (plus international shipping, plus customs).

I want it good and I want it big, under 25K. Suggest me if there are any other options out there.

 

[Bluu]

I know nothing about this DAC but I have a word of advice - please check the returns policy before purchasing. Since it is a blind buy, if the DAC does not suit your system, at least you should be able to ship it back.

Cheers!

PS - The specs look good and its a trustworthy company.

 

[vasishta.sushant]

If I buy, I wont be in a position to return it since it'll cost me a lot to sent it back, get another thing back and so on. Whatever I buy, it'll be one time buy.

Would you mind suggesting me something under my budget? I have my folks in the US who can bring back stuff.

 

[Bluu]

Well, it would be too easy to suggest something but I don't want to suggest something to you without having heard it myself and even then, I am no authority nor can I judge what will work for you.

Why don't you first exhaust all options which are available for demo in India and then approach the blind buy? Nothing can beat that.

If nothing else, check this out:

All The DACs Money Can Buy, Pt. 3

There are other such threads too

Also, please speak to guys here who have DACs in your range who may be able to guide you better.

Sorry, I'm not being of much help but I just don't want you to end up with something that doesn't work out.

 

[ravi_d]

CA DacMagic works well if you're using spdif (optical or co-axial) input. If using USB Arcam rdac works well.

I purchased the DacMagic blindly but its working great. I'm sure you will like Peachtree DAC-IT but wait for the reviews. It has very good specs/features but make sure its available with 230V PSU.

Also look for the Chinese DAC's like Yulong D100 which offer more value and features than what you get from big brands.

 

[borg]

is this available? it sasys soldout

 

[Kevian]

DaciT
ESS Sabre32 9022 DAC
USB accepts data up to 24/96KHz to handle high-resolution audio downloads.

Buffalo II Dac
ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9018) DAC chip
Direct DSD, I2S and S/PDIF inputs supporting up to 32-bit/192kHz

If you have high resolution LP rips, Buffalo would play it without any add-ons. But, DacIT might require Bel Canto link which is another expensive electronic piece.

But, let the Gurus step in to endorse it.

Good luck hunting DAC.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

@vasishta.sushant

Hi, As I can read from ur signature that soon u are gonna change ur speakers so I recommend u to buy the speakers first coz I don't know what speakers u will buy and what will be it's sound signature. I am not suggesting u any DAC now coz I can't give my suggestions until I come to know the sound signature of ur entire set-up especially speakers. If I suggested u DAC which has warm and laid-back sound signature and at later u buy any speakers with laid back and warm sound character so may be u don't like ur set-up.

So my recommendation for u is to buy ur new speakers first and may be u like that speakers with ur amp.

Thanks........
Abhi......

 

[spirovious]

The Buffalo II discussions-
Twisted Pear Buffalo Sabre DAC
H I F I D U I N O: The Buffalo II DAC: Best Bang-for-Buck
[Review] Fully balanced Buffalo II DAC with Tube-I-zator tube output. - Club Polk
Buffalo II - diyAudio

 

[Hassan Khani]

I am using Arcam Rdac. It is available for around 28K in India. I like the sound as well as the options it provides. Currently using with usb input (support async usb) with wireworld ultraviolet usb cable. Using HTPC as source (usb input) and at times use Onkyo DVD player 502, fed to the RDac via coaxial digital input. For me the sound was really good (smooth, clear and very good low end).

I have only used RDAC, haven't heard any other DAC.

 

[prasen_b]

Other options that can be bought from US or shipped there and are around $500 are
- Channel Islands Audio VDA 2 DAC
- Audio Sector premium NOS DAC

Both of the above however cannot beat the Buffalo -II DAC. But beware the Bufallo-II DAC requires soldering and some basic knowledge of electronics.

 

[borg]

how to order buffalo 2 , the site says outofstock

 

[grubyhalo]

You just need to keep checking their home page every day. Once they have sufficient modules assembled for a batch, they would put a notification there for the sale...

 

[vasishta.sushant]

Thanks for the inputs guys. The bufallo-II DAC sure seems interesting. But I guess the site mentioned only sells the PCBs and we'll have to find a good case to house the circuits. I can manage the soldering and everything but getting a pleasant looking outer case is something hard to find.

Since my total system would end up being quite expensive, I would like to pay attention to the aesthetics as well.

Still I am unsure about what thing to lay my money on. The DACmagic looks fine and I can get it locally for 19K with B&W but I dont think its as good as rDac and the DAC-IT. The DACmagic also has the advantage of gelling well with my current CA 550A amp.

Another point is that I'll primarily be using the USB signal path so that thing has to be considered as well.

 

[spirovious]

The bufallo-II DAC sure seems interesting.

Interesting review & comparisons-
My Buffalo DAC

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Thanks for the inputs guys. The bufallo-II DAC sure seems interesting. But I guess the site mentioned only sells the PCBs and we'll have to find a good case to house the circuits. I can manage the soldering and everything but getting a pleasant looking outer case is something hard to find.

Since my total system would end up being quite expensive, I would like to pay attention to the aesthetics as well.

Still I am unsure about what thing to lay my money on. The DACmagic looks fine and I can get it locally for 19K with B&W but I dont think its as good as rDac and the DAC-IT. The DACmagic also has the advantage of gelling well with my current CA 550A amp.

Another point is that I'll primarily be using the USB signal path so that thing has to be considered as well.

Well how can u say that DACMagic is not as gud as rDAC, Simply we cannot compare DACMagic to rDAC as both have different sound signature. DACMagic is neutral with very smooth sound and having a special treble special in the sense very very smooth with every possible detail whereas rDAC has it's presence more on the lower-end means bass. This is what I head read from many many users on some forums. Since rDAC is just slightly costly than DACMagic doesn't mean that it is better than DACMagic. If u think so, so plz do not think like this. It's ur overall system and most important u who need to decide what kinda sound signature u need in ur system.

Thanks....
Abhi....

 

[vasishta.sushant]

Interesting review & comparisons-
My Buffalo DAC

Thanks for that link Spiro. But they look like 2 years old. Things might have changed a lot in this time. What do you say ?

 

[vasishta.sushant]

Well how can u say that DACMagic is not as gud as rDAC, Simply we cannot compare DACMagic to rDAC as both have different sound signature. DACMagic is neutral with very smooth sound and having a special treble special in the sense very very smooth with every possible detail whereas rDAC has it's presence more on the lower-end means bass. This is what I head read from many many users on some forums. Since rDAC is just slightly costly than DACMagic doesn't mean that it is better than DACMagic. If u think so, so plz do not think like this. It's ur overall system and most important u who need to decide what kinda sound signature u need in ur system.

Thanks....
Abhi....

Abhi,

My system (leaving alone the DAC is nearly finalized). I'd just replace the Polks with Aviano 2s. Having said that, I know the DAC would heavily influence the sound signature.

My preference if you ask me would be more around being able to feel the harmonics, the backstage symphonies (can't put it in some other words). The vocals is what I am primarily looking at. Slight less bass and slightly less sparkly highs would be fine but the vocals is what I die for.

I am mostly into acoustic tracks. Some cover tracks and hindi music. The vocals play a major part in my kind of listening. I know you'd probably suggest me to go the Vinyl way but I hate spending money every time I want to listen to a new track. I can stretch once but not every month. Also I've all my collection on my PC so there is not other good way to boost the experience than getting a decent DAC.

 

[ravi_d]

The DACmagic looks fine and I can get it locally for 19K with B&W but I dont think its as good as rDac and the DAC-IT.
...

Another point is that I'll primarily be using the USB signal path so that thing has to be considered as well.

@vasishta.sushant
I don't think the 9k increase for the rDac (28k INR) over DacMagic (19k INR) would justify the improvement in performance. You won't be disappointed with DacMagic if using SPDIF inputs.

But DacMagic is designed to work well with SPDIF inputs. Don't expect good performance using USB over SPDIF if going for DacMagic.
On the other hand rDac is designed to work well with USB input.

Now a days almost every laptop comes with optical out. If USB is the only possible option then better consider some other DAC which works well for USB.

Well how can u say that DACMagic is not as gud as rDAC, Simply we cannot compare DACMagic to rDAC as both have different sound signature. DACMagic is neutral with very smooth sound and having a special treble special in the sense very very smooth with every possible detail whereas rDAC has it's presence more on the lower-end means bass. This is what I head read from many many users on some forums. Since rDAC is just slightly costly than DACMagic doesn't mean that it is better than DACMagic. If u think so, so plz do not think like this. It's ur overall system and most important u who need to decide what kinda sound signature u need in ur system.

Thanks....
Abhi....

Well said Abhi. Its true.

 

[ravi_d]

Thanks for that link Spiro. But they look like 2 years old. Things might have changed a lot in this time. What do you say ?

See the Bullalo DAC latest project gallery here.
Project Gallery - Twisted Pear Audio Support