Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Western NY.
    Posts
    792

    Good cheap dac................................

    Hi Sharks
    I'm in the market for a good dac and I don't want to spend more than $500. This will be used strictly in a headphone system.

    I've already researched a few and they are:

    Micromega MyDac $369.00
    Musical Fidelity v90 $299.95
    Schiit Bifrost $349.00 or 419.00 for the uber analog
    Cambridge audio dacmagic 100 $299.00

    USB connectivity is not important.

    All four have gotten stellar reviews with the Micromega being named The Absolute Sound budget component of the year.

    The only nitpick I have with the Micromega is the case is made from plastic. Robert Harley says this is not a concern.

    If anyone has any other suggestions, or comments on the ones I've listed I would greatly appreciate it
    Bob

    Heroes don't wear capes, they wear dogtags.

  2. #2
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    Bob - the Schiit BiFrost I think would be your best bet. It really sounds MUCH better than its price point.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    644

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    I've owned both the schiit and the micromega. The schiit does sound excellent and the build quality is unbelievable for the money, however....like the sound of the micromega more. The micromega looks and feels kinda cheap and plastic-y, especially compared to the schiit, but the sound quality is exceptional. Unless you prefer a warm rich tubey sounding DAC, I'd recommend the micromega.
    System 1: Matrix Element M -> Sugden A21se -> Klipsch Cornwall 3.

    System 2: Matrix Element X -> Exposure 3510 -> Heco Direkt.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Tempe, AZ
    Posts
    71

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    Quote Originally Posted by Toobs View Post

    Micromega MyDac $369.00

    USB connectivity is not important.

    The only nitpick I have with the Micromega is the case is made from plastic. Robert Harley says this is not a concern.
    If anyone has any other suggestions, or comments on the ones I've listed I would greatly appreciate it
    I certainly don't have the experience (or the high end gear) as most of the members here, but I've had the Micromega in my listening system for about two years. I believe that it is NOT the weakest link in my system and has performed flawlessly.

    This may not matter to you, but the best feature it has, to me, is the ability to switch between 3 digital inputs. I have it connected to the laptop (USB), disc player (coax), and TV (optical). I can leave the integrated set to one input and all I have to do is turn it on, select the input on the MyDac and hit Play on my selected device. I like stupid simple.

    The plastic case doesn't bother me too much except that the piece is so light. With four heavy cables connected to the back it feels as if the tail is wagging the dog, but their weight does seem to anchor it a little.

    Dwight

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Ormond Beach, Plantation Bay CC
    Posts
    5,172

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    Don't forget ifi Audio micro | iFi Audio

    Not bad sounding dacs for under $500
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  6. #6

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    Bob...you may want to consider this Marantz Headphone amp/DAC: Marantz HD-DAC1 DAC/Headphone Amp at Music Direct

    It's got Coax/Optical/USB inputs. One idea is you can sell your Burson headphone amp and still have money left over to buy this Marantz headphone amp/DAC. You can use the cd3t into it and if down the road you want to use a PC/server/streaming source, it's USB input will accommodate that and the USB will also support up to 2X DSD.

    Just a thought. If you want to stick with your amp and spend under $500 on stand-alone DAC as your original question, I think you have covered most of the DACs that have coax/optical and AES/EBU connections
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
    Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, Dynavector 20X2-L, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

  7. #7
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    East Bay, California
    Posts
    14

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    Check out this review of the Musical Paradise MP-D1
    Musical Paradise MP-D1 DAC. The world?s best DAC under $1,000? | Wall Of Sound

    Also a used MHDT Paradisea would come in under budget
    Craig

    JMR Twin Sigs or Klipsch RP600m, Allo DigiOne, Schiit Modi Multibit

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    N. California
    Posts
    4

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    I've had both the Micromega and V90 in my system and would favor the V90.

  9. #9

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    Quote Originally Posted by Mortsnets View Post
    Check out this review of the Musical Paradise MP-D1
    Musical Paradise MP-D1 DAC. The world?s best DAC under $1,000? | Wall Of Sound
    I second the vote for the Musical Paradise DAC

    AudioReview.ca - Musical Paradise MP-D1 DAC

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    USA , NYC
    Posts
    496

    Re: Good cheap dac................................

    Quote Originally Posted by Toobs View Post
    Hi Sharks
    I'm in the market for a good dac and I don't want to spend more than $500. This will be used strictly in a headphone system.

    I've already researched a few and they are:

    Micromega MyDac $369.00
    Musical Fidelity v90 $299.95
    Schiit Bifrost $349.00 or 419.00 for the uber analog
    Cambridge audio dacmagic 100 $299.00

    USB connectivity is not important.

    All four have gotten stellar reviews with the Micromega being named The Absolute Sound budget component of the year.

    The only nitpick I have with the Micromega is the case is made from plastic. Robert Harley says this is not a concern.

    If anyone has any other suggestions, or comments on the ones I've listed I would greatly appreciate it

    Buy a a ifi dsd micro. Not nano micro. It's really good DSd. It has a pretty good amp and a whole bunch of SW,s that tailor sound to. Your liking. It's porible but can be used as desk top. It works with many devices , iPhones , androids and cpu,s. It's pcm is good too but the sweet spot is DSd for me. It's cheap but works well. al

AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.

AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.

The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.

At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.

We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!

Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com

Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.

Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team

Good cheap dac................................

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •