Wanted - A List Of The Best DACs...

[musicbee]

Hi,

Would be great if anyone can compile a list of the best DACs or share their experiences/reviews.

I'm looking to build a music PC (well I already have the PC) and I'm zeroing in on ASUS Xonar Essence ST/STX or ESI Juli@ or Musical Fidelity V-DAC MKII.

Just want to know how improved/different is the V-DAC in comparison to the ASUS Xonar Essence ST/STX.

 

[doors666]

i suggest you enjoy your new pc and the sound card for some time before you start looking for an upgrade. essence has a pretty good inbuilt dac and it will take quite some effort to beat it nicely. if a dac is only slightly better, then whats the point in spending a lot of money on it

 

[musicbee]

i suggest you enjoy your new pc and the sound card for some time before you start looking for an upgrade. essence has a pretty good inbuilt dac and it will take quite some effort to beat it nicely. if a dac is only slightly better, then whats the point in spending a lot of money on it

Don't have the Asus yet... and my sister is coming next month from US... so I'm wondering if the MF VDAC (at Amazon prices) is a good deal.

 

[hydra]

I don't think the step up in sound quality between the Analogue outs of the ST/STX and the MF V-DAC II will the commensurate to the increase in price. I'm assuming about 9K for the ST/STx and 17K for the V-DAC II here. Also, I have not listened to the V-DAC II, but I have listened to the original V-DAC. My opinion is based on the assumption that the V-DAC II will sound slightly better than the original V-DAC.

I have no idea how things will fare between the analogue outs of the Juli@ and the ST/STX.

I'd suggest getting the Juli@ (about 8K, I think) for now and using the analogue outs. When/If you want to step up, I think (IMHO of course) you will need to get a DAC in the 25K plus range if you want appreciable difference for the money spent. At that point, you will have an excellent coaxial digital-out in the Juli@ ready to be mated with the coaxial-in of that DAC. IMHO USB inputs have a ways to go (in the under 50K range) before they begin to sound as good as digital coaxial input.

This is the strategy I followed when I planned my Music PC, and I think it worked out very well for me.

So I think the sensible thing to do (if you plan to upgrade later) is to get a Juli@ or an ST/STX now, and NOT a V-DAC II.

 

[Shivam]

NAD M51 Direct Digital DAC - Rs. 94500. (It has HDMI too)

 

[doors666]

pretty much any decent design based on the sabre 9018 chip. twisted pear has a diy kit too.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Thread title is misleading. I actually thought you have come out with a list of the best DACs.

 

[spirovious]

Old but useful threads-
All the DACs money can buy...
http://www.hifivision.com/cd-players/13494-best-dac-under-us-225-a.html
DAC Final

 

[musicbee]

Thread title is misleading. I actually thought you have come out with a list of the best DACs.

My apologies... but it seems I cannot change the title. Will try to have a mod change it.

 

[cha_indian]

+1 for Asus Xonar Essence ST/X

 

[matbhuvi]

I can't comment on other DACs except Xonar STX. The best part of STX is opamp rolling without voiding the warranty. You can change the sound signature for your preference.

 

[Shivam]

Another good DAC -

Musical Fidelity M1 DAC - Rs. 40,000.

 

[gvenu]

Acoustic Portrait 24/192 Async USB DAC... Excellent quality & connectivity (2XSPDIF, Optical & Async USB inputs. Balanced and RCA outputs).

Regards,
Venu

 

[gopib]

Acoustic Portrait 24/192 Async USB DAC... Excellent quality & connectivity (2XSPDIF, Optical & Async USB inputs. Balanced and RCA outputs).

Regards,
Venu

Could you indicate how this product is priced...

TIA