Suggest DAC : Budget 15 K

[sankyindia]

Hi All.
I am in search of DAC and budget is 15K.
Please suggest DAC satisfying following
1. Sound should be VFM (for the sum paid)
2. Multiple inputs. So I should be able to use my stereo for both TV and Computer Audio (Due to space constraints, I have to setup such system, though I am aware one should separate HT and Stereo)

After some searching, i found out that AUDIOENGINE D1 seems to be good choice...It cost 14 K and has two inputs (Optical and USB). Can anyone suggest some other ? or any feedback on this ?

Regards
Sanket.

 

[Kittu]

If you can find a pre-owned cambridge audio dacmagic , go for it. Other brands you can consider like Beresford Caiman and Musical fidelity Vdac II.

 

[keith_correa]

Schiit Bifrost
Grant Fidelity TubeDAC

 

[srinisundar]

Emotiva DAC with balanced output too

 

[jai1611]

Behringer SRC2496. Ugly and only has balanced outputs but sounds good.

 

[koushik]

I would suggest you a Schiit Bifrost. A non-usb version $349. Try to get a used one. Wonderful DAC for the price..

 

[hydra]

There's an Emotiva XDA-1 that's come up for sale on the forum today here: http://www.hifivision.com/sale-owner/32878-emotiva-xda-1-dac.html

17K. Very close to your budget.

 

[Kittu]

+1 to the above suggestion.

 

[audiodelic]

Many dac's but read up the review and decide the type of sound signature you prefer/matching with your system and then decide based on that.

 

[spirovious]

Beresford was good,we compared it in Pune meet.

 

[hemantwaghe]

Looking used? I have valab nos dac for sale.

 

[corElement]

Schiit Bifrost
Grant Fidelity TubeDAC

Tubemagic is supposed to be similar to tubeDAC

But where does one even get these?

 

[nav135]

There was a caiman DAC put for sale.plz check if its still available.

cheers
NAveen N

 

[sankyindia]

all. thanks for your suggestions.. apologies but I am not actually confortable buying pre-owned stuff specially if discounting is not substantial compared to new piece

regarding Bitfrost its not having USB for 349$ version so ruled out.

Any reviews on Maverick Audio Tubemagic D2 ? How does it compare with Caiman ? It will cost around 20K which will be more by 5K.

Regarding DAC signature...I will mostly listen to Hindi music that too from 60,70s and The Beatles...so not sure which one will be better and that brings a fundamental question to me which is "Is not a DAC supposed to be neutral ? I mean it should actually not have any signature of its own right ?

So as of now the choice seems to be (purely from reviews)
1. MA tubemagic D2
2. Audioengine D1
3. Nuforce VDAC2
4. FIIO E10
5. Caiman

Please comment.
Sanket.

 

[corElement]

I think you can safely go with the tubemagic dac for your genres.

 

[denom]

Maverick Audio D2 with GE Tube Upgrade, eyes closed

 

[sumitabhg]

You can consider Schiit audio Modi which they have released just a month back.

 

[avinandan012]

Can anyone tell how is this one

Maveric Audio tube_magic_d1
??

 

[askii2]

Beresford Caiman is the best in this price range.

 

[mpw]

the audinst is avbl for 9k at Pristine Note, Shop audio, headphones, amplifier, DAC, hifi, mp3, audiophile products online store India

ruenigma on this forum has used i before ( i think )

mpw