Which DAC Under $300

[MX117.MC7150]

Very pleased with my FiiO K13. A few $$ over your limit, but well worth it to my ears.

 

[Sliphorn]

I just received and hooked up a new SMSL PL-150 being used as a transport, and the new SMSL SU-2 DAC, both connected with an optical cable. I just started listening and so far I'm liking them both.

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Yesterday I received a new SU-2 to give the tubes in my FiiO Warmer DAC in my main system a break. I typically run my gear twelve or so hours a day. I’m into the second day and the SU-2 really sounds great. A hundred bucks! You can’t beat that for a DAC that is just a DAC with no bells and whistles which is exactly how I like it.

Both my FiiO Warmer and Geshelli J2 are the same way. All of these DAC’s have RCA and XLR outputs that work simultaneously, which I utilize to great effect. The Geshelli does have three fixed volume levels, high, medium, or low which is helpful if you connect directly to an amp that has a volume control. Setting the fixed volume to medium or low allows for greater and more accurate volume control of the amp. I use it that way in a secondary system.

Anyway, so far the little SU-2 is a fine piece of gear. Oh yeah, I’ve tried both coax and optical inputs and both are excellent. Recommended.
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[Lavane]

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Yesterday I received a new SU-2 to give the tubes in my FiiO Warmer DAC in my main system a break. I typically run my gear twelve or so hours a day. I’m into the second day and the SU-2 really sounds great. A hundred bucks! You can’t beat that for a DAC that is just a DAC with no bells and whistles which is exactly how I like it.

Both my FiiO Warmer and Geshelli J2 are the same way. All of these DAC’s have RCA and XLR outputs that work simultaneously, which I utilize to great effect. The Geshelli does have three fixed volume levels, high, medium, or low which is helpful if you connect directly to an amp that has a volume control. Setting the fixed volume to medium or low allows for greater and more accurate volume control of the amp. I use it that way in a secondary system.

Anyway, so far the little SU-2 is a fine piece of gear. Oh yeah, I’ve tried both coax and optical inputs and both are excellent. Recommended.
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They did omit the USB jack on the SU-2. It wasn't a deal breaker for me since I just wanted a straight forward DAC for my main system.
One review I read stated the difference between the even cheaper now SU-1 and SU-2 was that the previous version of the processor chip in the SU-1 had a bit of a warmer tone to it and it has a USB jack.
I'm still very happy with the SU-2. I see you have a ST-35 as well. I also have a slightly moddified VTA ST-70 and VTA M-125 PPP mono blocks in my main system. But the little ST-35 is my favorite. The EL84 type tubes are my favorite sounding power tube. I'm using Sovtek EL84M's in mine. They're just re-labeled Russian 6P14P-EV's. I'm using Reflektor 6P14P-K's in a heavily moddified Magnavox 9303 PP console amp, and a scratch build SE amp.
The ST-35 is an awesome little amp.

 

[OldJBL]

I bought a Fozi ZD3.

I use a ZD3 and got a good bump in overall sound quality from replacing the supplied power supply with a regulated, linear one. I use a budget friendly power supply I found on Amazon for $15 along with a plug adapter to allow it to fit in the ZD3's power port. The six watts this power supply outputs runs my ZD3 just fine and I have never had a single issue with it for the past fourteen months I have been using it. This might be the best return on sound quality for the money spent I have seen personally. Links to the PS and plug adapter are below.


Jameco Valuepro DDU120050F0981 AC-to-DC Regulated Linear Wall Adapter

COOLM DC Power Cord 5.5mm x 2.1mm Female to 5.5mm x 2.5mm Male DC Power Adapter Cable

 

[Sliphorn]

They did omit the USB jack on the SU-2. It wasn't a deal breaker for me since I just wanted a straight forward DAC for my main system.
One review I read stated the difference between the even cheaper now SU-1 and SU-2 was that the previous version of the processor chip in the SU-1 had a bit of a warmer tone to it and it has a USB jack.
I'm still very happy with the SU-2. I see you have a ST-35 as well. I also have a slightly moddified VTA ST-70 and VTA M-125 PPP mono blocks in my main system. But the little ST-35 is my favorite. The EL84 type tubes are my favorite sounding power tube. I'm using Sovtek EL84M's in mine. They're just re-labeled Russian 6P14P-EV's. I'm using Reflektor 6P14P-K's in a heavily moddified Magnavox 9303 PP console amp, and a scratch build SE amp.
The ST-35 is an awesome little amp.

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Yup, great amp! Yeah, I use some NOS 6P14P-EV too along with JJ gold pin 12DW7’s for the drivers. Great sounding rig.
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[Lavane]

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Yup, great amp! Yeah, I use some NOS 6P14P-EV too along with JJ gold pin 12DW7’s for the drivers. Great sounding rig.
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I use JJ signal tubes a lot. Recently I replaced the JJ 12DW7's with some NOS
GE 12DW7's. They were only a buck or to more than the JJ's. I really like them.
The JJ's sounded good though.

 

[Sliphorn]

I use JJ signal tubes a lot. Recently I replaced the JJ 12DW7's with some NOS
GE 12DW7's. They were only a buck or to more than the JJ's. I really like them.
The JJ's sounded good though.

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Yes, those NOS drivers are what Kenny Russell shipped with the amp. They were just fine until one of them started acting up. Oh well, life with tubes.
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[hrudulv]

FiiO BR15? This the K13 without headphone amp.

 

[Quadaptor!]

I'm wanting to buy a DAC and keep it under $300. I'd actually like to keep it at $200 or less but I'm willing to spend extra money if it's a nice upgrade.

I'll use it in between a CD player and a vintage stereo but later on when I get my music downloaded, I'd like to use it between a laptop and a vintage stereo.

Any thoughts about what the best bang for the buck is.

You sound just like me. I have an extensive CD collection burned onto my laptop and backed up on a SS hard drive. I just purchased a Schiit Modi 5 as based on a post I put up it sounds like the only difference between the Modi 5 and the Mimir is Forkbeard. And Forkbeard really doesn't turn my screws. It looks like you already made your decison but here's something else to consider when using a laptop. I inserted a SMSL PO100 PRO between my laptop and DAC, and it made a noticeable difference in sound quality. As I understand it, the SMSL, as a DDC, functions as a digital reclocker when used in this configuration. And it did make a big difference. One word of caution is that the digital coax output of the PO100 PRO is not very robust so I would not get in the habit of frequent plugging and unplugging of a cable. It will break. Even tough the SMSL also has fiber optic and I2S outputs, I would ancher it to something sturdy and not mess with it too much.

 

[mkane]

Same goes for any piece that uses pcb mounted inputs/outputs

 

[niws]

I suggest auditioning a SMSL D1 or D200. They both use a Rohm dac chip which will likely sound a little different than a Sabre or Akm chip.