Looking for a new DAC... but wait!

[DTB300]

For a good price to performance DAC, the Channel Islands Audio DAC, the VDA-2 with additional Power Supply (PS highly recommended) is a great product to look at. $500-$600 for DAC and PS if not mistaken, but check out their website for acutal price.

Jeff Z just had the upgrade done on his VDA-2 from CIA (free upgrade) and really likes this DAC with his Rotel CD Player. If interested ask Jeff Z about it. CIA is a great company to deal with as Dusty provides a very good product and excellent customer support.

Dan

[IWalker]

Sounds like a good plan, but I'd say if flexibility is important to you, you're not achieving that by going with the cary. That isn't to say that the cary dac isn't first rate...cause it may be, but you lose the ability to play around with a $500 componenent by tying it into a $2500 one.

I'm sure both the player and DAC are first rate, though (coming from Cary) so it doesn't seem like a huge risk in terms of quality...just flexibility.

The MHDT Paradisea is a great little $500 tubed output DAC that I just got recently, and am very happy with. Has somewhat of a cult following. Worth looking into if you go the seperate DAC route.

[Spike]

Here are a few options worth considering:
If you can find one on A'Gon, I'd get a first-rate CD player (as you've mentioned you're not interested in SACD) with digital input, Mark Levinson No 39 CD Processor or the SimAudio Moon Eclipse. I know these are older players but they are still head-and-shoulder above lots of other current players on the market. A friend of mine got the Levinson No 39 about a year ago and he like it much better than the Krell or BAT (VK-CD5i) despite the "evil op-amp" of the Levinson vs class A output of the Krell or tubed output of the BAT! Go figure. Needless to say, he sold the Krell KPS-30i and the BAT. Heck, the Krell KPS 30/20i (top-loaders) are solid performers as well, but you'll have to listen to them and find out whether you like the forward presentation of the Krells.
For DACs, I'd look at the

1. Stello DA200 MkII which has been favorably compared to the lofty Zanden DAC! Also, Stello does have the CDA-320 which is a one-box CD player with digital input for convenience.
2. Monarchy Audio M24 DAC although you won't be using the linestage portion.
3. Pacific Valve modded Lite DAC62 tubed output stage. Some says that the Monarchy M24 is a rebaded Lite DAC-62 but I cannot verify the claim. The layout and the DAC boards certainly look similar between these two DACs though. If you don't need the linestage portion, you might save $$$$ going with the DAC62 (if you're convinced that they are the same).

Hell, if you believe this review of the Transporter, you should just get the Transporter and be done with it!

So, that's my short list of things to look at, assuming that you've already looked up other well-known brands on the web.

Happy reading and have fun with your auditions...

Spike

[Jeff Zaret]

Dan is correct, I do have the Channel Islands DAV VDA-2 with the latest mod and it is amazing especially for the price. I would put it up against others costing at least twice as much..

I am confused on why you feel you need a DAC or what you are trying to achieve?

Jeff

[Beat_Dominator]

Being 24 I'll try to guess his idea for a DAC.....

He has a Squeezbox, so I know he listens to music from a PC, he has a PS3 and/or an Xbox360.... both would have the option of a digital out. So I'm guessing he wants to get the most use he can out of his beautiful Summits and use these "alternative" sources through an external DAC which would provide the best possible quality out of them!

[Jeff Zaret]

The Channel Islands DAC has an input for digital and RCA connections.

[Craig]

Craig / Joey, To answer both of you, relative the above, the 303/300 does not have digital imputs as Craig stated but his volume control statement is wrong, it does not have volume control.

Twitch - The Cary 303/300 does have volume control. Their website also confirms that. http://www.caryaudio.com/products/cl...CD303-300.html

[ralflar]

Here is another vote for the VDA-2/VAC-1 ($600 + $150). It oversamples yet uses a low order anti-alias filter. This avoids both the typical brick wall filter approach of oversampling designs as well as the analog filter stages required by non-os designs. For me, it will be either this combo or a Transporter.

[twich54]

Twitch - The Cary 303/300 does have volume control. Their website also confirms that. http://www.caryaudio.com/products/cl...CD303-300.html

You know Craig, I see that in the web link, but trust me, no where in the manual does it cover anything about volume control ???? There is nothing on the front panel, there though volume buttons on the remote that I assumed were for 'pre-amps' since it is of a universal style. I will check it out tomorrow and report back !!

[Jeff Zaret]

Dan is correct, I do have the Channel Islands DAV VDA-2 with the latest mod and it is amazing especially for the price. I would put it up against others costing at least twice as much..

I am confused on why you feel you need a DAC or what you are trying to achieve?

Jeff

OK I am tired but it has an optical and a coax input and RCA outs. It sample the optical at 96k and the coax and 192k.

[ralflar]

It can also be wired for balanced connections via an expensive add-on cable.

[jjqiv]

Looking for a new DAC guys and I have been very interested in the PS Audio Digital Link III since I can get it for 30% off. They say it's warm, and I like that. But no good reviews are out for it. If you guys have any other DACs that you want me to look at, let me know.

However, in addition to the DAC search, I found that certain CDP have digital inputs which allow for use as a DAC! This would definitely kill 2 birdies with 1 stone! I have been looking at several Cary pieces... namely the 306/200 non-SACD one, since I have no plans of SACD and it's cheaper on the 'gon ($2200 vs $3800).

OR the Cary 303/300, which is a very interesting player, being that it's both tubes and SS!

Now, with regards to the 303/300, can I use both outputs (tubes/ss) when using it solely as a DAC for the Squeezebox? Dave... help me! I know you have the 303/300!!

Joey

The Scott Nixon Tube DAC's have some big fan's and the come with a small price.

[IWalker]

The Scott Nixon Tube DAC's have some big fan's and the come with a small price.

Why do you need big fans on a DAC!?!?

[Zero]

Another vote on the Nixon DAC. A friend of mine currently runs Nixon's latest DAC. While only a handful of others have heard the thing, supposedly its a true beast. I've used the Nixon Tube Dac+ in the past - great piece.

The downside? It may not have that flare you're looking for. ala: no shiney aluminum brushed chassis backed with an exotic design.

[twich54]

Twitch - The Cary 303/300 does have volume control. Their website also confirms that. http://www.caryaudio.com/products/cl...CD303-300.html

Craig, Well you are CORRECT the analog volume controls on the remote do actually atenuate the volume !! I guess it shows how much I use / pay attention to the remote !!

FWIW, nowhere in the manual is it mentioned though...... with the exception of a colored paper insert which states, "the remote handset provides comprehensive remote control of the analog volume control"