USB DAC Recommendations for home office PCs

S

Steve

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I have several computers in my home office on two desks.

I am looking for a couple of USB Dacs to feed into a common pre-amp.

Looking for the best DACs for

1. Under $1,000-$500.
2. Under $5,000

Ideally DSD capable.

The cheaper DAC needs a combined 5m length from desk to pre-amp which will have to be run from a wall receptacle and under the floor to the other side of the room.

I have some older gear that I will be recommissioning for an office system. It may progress to an upgrade with a new integrated amplifier down the road. Possibly speakers too but for now a mint pair of Dali Royal Scepters will do a nice job for the space.

Solution recommendations please! :D
 
For over $1K the Hugo Chord would be tops on my list for a small portable usb DAC. If you don't need a headphone amp then go for its baby brother. For under $1K, an IFI. IF you want something very small that sounds good, try an AudioQuest Dragon Fly. It is the size of a thumb drive and sounds great for what it is. The Drangon Fly does not do DSD. Another to consider is the Benchmark

Teac makes some nice DAC's unde $1K, Marantz woud be another
 
iFi on short list for DAC 2. Considering a portable battery only DAC for the second DAC to compliment Surface Pro 3 , iPads etc. anyone tried the Oppo HA-2?

Would consider a headphone DAC as the main office DAC. Eg. Oppo HA-1, McIntosh MHA-100.
 
Any Mytek Manhattan DAC owners here? Could be a stretch for the primary DAC choice for use in the office.
 
Addicted to Audio is a good dealer. DAC and headphone heaven. Certainly the dealer to go to here in Melbourne.
 
iFi Audio have some impressive product specs. Tech is moving quickly....

Both the Nano and Micro iDSD are very affordable. Cheap to try.

micro ? iDSD
 
I am ashamed to say I have both. Lol

My pal has the nano on long term loan...
 
Norman....iFi must be quite OK then for an office and mobile system.

I think I will buy both DACs also! This is an easy way into digital for me.

Will probably purchase the USB power splitter, Gemini cable for the iDSD. This could be powered by one of the HDPlex Linear PSUs I have on hand.

Also the USB purifier for the Nano too.

I wonder how the accessories compare to the other USB regenerators out there?

Have you tried any of their other products Norman?
 
Decided to order the following iFi for a cheap start into digital for an office system.

1. iFi iDSD Nano + Mercury USB cable + iPurifier
2. IFi iDSD Micro + iUSB Micro + Gemini Cable + iTube Micro + iRack
3. Another iPurifer for McIntosh MCD1100 and WW Platinum USB.
 
Hey Steve,

Congrats on acquiring the gear! I'm running a similar setup on my desktop. Hopefully you like the new iFi kit. :)
 
Steve said:
Norman....iFi must be quite OK then for an office and mobile system.

I think I will buy both DACs also! This is an easy way into digital for me.

Will probably purchase the USB power splitter, Gemini cable for the iDSD. This could be powered by one of the HDPlex Linear PSUs I have on hand.

Also the USB purifier for the Nano too.

I wonder how the accessories compare to the other USB regenerators out there?

Have you tried any of their other products Norman?
Click to expand...
Yes, I have a lot of them…Gemini/Mercury/iusb, the 2 Dacs and iPurifier. I also have an Aubisque fiter and the Regen. The Regen is a must have..with Corning Cable for the version 1, but I hear that the current version does not need the Corning (and may actually be worse with the Corning)…I will see in a month when I get the upgrade.

GET THE REGEN…nuff said…Thank me later.

IDSD Dac has a bypass on the BB1793 chip for DSD, so it avoids unnecessary processing.
 
Steve said:
iFi on short list for DAC 2. Considering a portable battery only DAC for the second DAC to compliment Surface Pro 3 , iPads etc. anyone tried the Oppo HA-2?

Would consider a headphone DAC as the main office DAC. Eg. Oppo HA-1, McIntosh MHA-100.
Click to expand...

I love my Oppo ha2. Sounds great easy to use and wonderful form factor. With my westone or beyers or akg it rocks. Dsd sounds great
 
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