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Best DAC under $500- need some advice

wizargoz

wizargoz

Super Member
Well, I've had a short windfall and am looking to buy a new DAC. $400 is comfortable for me, willing to max at $500. I currently have a GF Dac-09, and some wonderful GE 5 Star tubes from the 60's. It does sound great on my system- but the cash is there to spend.

I've looked at the GF Dac-11- but I will have to find some better tubes again (doesn't take the same tubes as the Dac-09, dang it!). And I've spent the last 6 hours Googling for something newer- or better- in my price range. Audiogon, CL and eBay are a wash.

So I ask you , my brothers, what is the best $400-$500 DAC out there that you have personally bought and used? My gear is listed in my signature.

I'd prefer a tubed USB DAC- but I am open to anything.

Thanks. :tresbon:
 
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BTW- I have heard good things about the Valab Dac and leaned that way. But I am hesitant to order from China.
 
I don't own a DAC but if I were looking in your price range I would give serious consideration to the Schiit Bifrost.
 
If you could swing $600 you could probably pick up a Benchmark DAC1 (non USB though). If you could live w/o USB that's the one I would go with. I've had owned the DAC1 USB on two different occasions and wouldn't hesitate to get one if my budget was under $2K. The MHDT Havana is also about $600 and although I haven't heard it, a lot of people seem to love it. It has a tubed output stage and USB; might be right in your wheelhouse.
 
If youi can squeeze $100 more, I think you would like the Simaudio 100D. I love the way mine sounds with my SBT.
 
The audio-gd NFB2.2 is one heck of a DAC for $500, but you need to factor in shipping costs on top of that. The NFB17.2 and NFB3.2 are cheaper and damn close in performance.

I also like the Schiit Bifrost.
 
pete_mac said:
The audio-gd NFB2.2 is one heck of a DAC for $500, but you need to factor in shipping costs on top of that. The NFB17.2 and NFB3.2 are cheaper and damn close in performance.

I also like the Schiit Bifrost.
Click to expand...

schiit! I love mine, spdif powered, $350.:banana:
 
wizargoz said:
BTW- I have heard good things about the Valab Dac and leaned that way. But I am hesitant to order from China.
Click to expand...

Have you considered a converter? It may open up your options so that you don't have to include a USB DAC. Even included in your budget, it would still allow you to buy something like the Bifrost Schiit. I may be wrong, but I think for USB you must pay extra for them to add a USB option. So why not have the converter which gives you more DAC options?

Personally, I am a NOS DAC kind of guy. However, I don't recommend them if you are looking to go the way of hi res files. If you want to have a solid 16 bit chain, they are wonderful and a nice step towards analog/tubey sound.

Pacific Valve, an American company, sell the converters which are made in China, but they will guarantee them for you. Just a thought...
 
I've been going back and reading threads on DACs. Came across this one. Has anyone used the Peachtree Audio DAC-it? Seems to have gotten good reviews and is under $500.

Maybe this question should be a separate thread, but if my CDs are already ripped to mp3, I would think a DAC would help playback, but is it worth it with mp3s?
 
tromba said:
I've been going back and reading threads on DACs. Came across this one. Has anyone used the Peachtree Audio DAC-it? Seems to have gotten good reviews and is under $500.

Maybe this question should be a separate thread, but if my CDs are already ripped to mp3, I would think a DAC would help playback, but is it worth it with mp3s?
Click to expand...

If your mp3s are v0 vbr lame encoded or 320 cbr lame encoded, sure. Lower bit rates it's probably not worth it.
 
Dr Tone said:
If your mp3s are v0 vbr lame encoded
Click to expand...
I've always used Exact Audio Copy, and they are vbr lame encoded. Not sure what the V0 means....

And while the DAC will make them sound better, will I be thinking "Sounds better if I pull the CD off the shelf" (although CDs are currently in my office, and listening room is home)
 
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