sloper Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Goodaye all Got the best sound the PC will do with on board sound so the next step is external DAC. Very confused after searching online, for something. Also on a limited budget at this stage. So any thoughts or recomendations? Saw Dragonfly and JDS O dac regards Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sime Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Dragonfly Red. From what ive heard, hard to beat for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhakPak Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 If the criteria is DAC with a limited budget, you're probably better off sticking with the PC on-board sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerav Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 40 minutes ago, WhakPak said: you're probably better off sticking with the PC on-board sound. Nah, that really is terrible. I even had to a little Dragonfly Black on my PC for the workshop system, so much better. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Spyne~ Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Budget? Dragonfly Red, as mentioned, is a great budget option (<$300). Schiit Audio 'Modi Uber' and Modi Multibit' are similarly priced and also very good pieces of kit (less portable, though). Arcam irDAC, Chord Mojo (portable), Schiit Bifrost Multibit and @Gieseler Audio's Klein DAC would probably be your next step up ($700-$1000) for a noticeable improvement. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhakPak Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 1 hour ago, powerav said: Nah, that really is terrible... He said he's taken the PC sound as far as it can go. That is probably pretty good, as good as or better than what a budget DAC would bring to the party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 3 minutes ago, WhakPak said: He said he's taken the PC sound as far as it can go. That is probably pretty good, as good as or better than what a budget DAC would bring to the party. He's said he's 'got the best sound the pc will do with on board sound'. We don't even know if that involves a dedicated sound card, or only the on-board integrated motherboard sound. If it's the former, there are plenty of cheap dacs that best most decent sound cards IMHO (even the hifimediy ES9018K2M equipped USB dac at around $100 delivered is a cracker). If it's the latter, game over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloper Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 Goodaye all Have 2 cards Sound Blaster 5.1 VX and Creative ALC889 HD based one which is the one that sounds the best. Used to run Midi through anther SB that that died. After fidling with the Creative a few hours it sounds really good, but the question is can get better or would l expect better. The Midi has gone over to the backup machine cant remember but l thinks a older high end Sound blaster. regards Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) Thanks for the clarification! In my opinion, you can better those two sound cards with the right external dac. The affordable hifimediy that I mentioned earlier is a good thing for not a lot of dollars. This is the DAC I'm suggesting: http://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs/Sabre-9018-DAC A review here (needs translating via google): http://www.lydogbilde.no/test/hi-fi/hifime-sabre-9018-usb-dac Edited January 12, 2017 by pete_mac 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I had the Dragonfly red and this HRT Microstreamer the Dragonfly got sold after some weeks of listening and comparing to both excellent little DAC I still have it and enjoy it whenever I use it. Just my 2c worth 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 7 hours ago, BATMAQN said: I had the Dragonfly red and this HRT Microstreamer the Dragonfly got sold after some weeks of listening and comparing to both excellent little DAC I still have it and enjoy it whenever I use it. Just my 2c worth Nice - I've been impressed with the HRT USB DACs in the past! Great value for money IMHO. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm1111 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 12 hours ago, BATMAQN said: I had the Dragonfly red and this HRT Microstreamer the Dragonfly got sold after some weeks of listening and comparing to both excellent little DAC I still have it and enjoy it whenever I use it. Just my 2c worth I've had one of these for a few years and it never disappoints. Use it to listen at work, driving a pair of Audio Technica ATH-ESW9's, although I understand it can drive much more difficult cans than the AT's. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloper Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 Goodaye all After much time on the net l have settled for one of these as starters http://www.fiio.net/en/products/7 Posted for less than $50 Reviews and owner responses all seem to be positive for it. Later on it could end up on the garage system and some thing more up market if l am unhappy. l'll be using optical in Will let you know how it goes, The DS-920's should be making noise this weekend. Certanley starting to look the part. regards Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerav Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 36 minutes ago, sloper said: After much time on the net l have settled for one of these as starters http://www.fiio.net/en/products/7 I was going to suggest Fiio but was in fear of getting shot down (not expensive enough). I was more thinking the E10 or E17. My E10 I had was streaks better than a NAD 1050 that was 4 times the price. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 1 hour ago, sloper said: Goodaye all After much time on the net l have settled for one of these as starters http://www.fiio.net/en/products/7 Posted for less than $50 Reviews and owner responses all seem to be positive for it. Later on it could end up on the garage system and some thing more up market if l am unhappy. l'll be using optical in Will let you know how it goes, The DS-920's should be making noise this weekend. Certanley starting to look the part. regards Bruce My first DAC was one of these, a few years ago now, they work fine for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scumbag Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 I have to agree with comments about the AQ Dragonfly Red. I had one and it did nothing for me. This might fit the bill - https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/schiit-audio-modi-2-usb-asynchronous-dac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egres Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 On 13/01/2017 at 0:30 AM, BATMAQN said: I had the Dragonfly red and this HRT Microstreamer the Dragonfly got sold after some weeks of listening and comparing to both excellent little DAC I still have it and enjoy it whenever I use it. Just my 2c worth Mine died after 2 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 1 hour ago, Egres said: Mine died after 2 years That's a bit of a pity, have to wonder what the lifespan is of these smaller devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloper Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 Goodaye all Got the FiiO Taishan an hour ago, Wow, best $50 l ever spent on audio gear. Really lifted the detail in the recordings. The DS 920's have about 30hrs on them now and seem to have settled in. regards Bruce 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcclane Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I wouldn't compromise. get a desktop DAC with its own power supply. Preferably get one with balanced output (for speakers and for headphones) like a TEAC UD-301 or a Cambridge Audio DAC MAGIC or Audiolab M-DAC+ and then get a pair of active speakers (budget wise, Yamaha HS5 should be considered entry level). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 9, 2017 Volunteer Share Posted February 9, 2017 25 minutes ago, mcclane said: I wouldn't compromise. get a desktop DAC with its own power supply. Preferably get one with balanced output (for speakers and for headphones) like a TEAC UD-301 or a Cambridge Audio DAC MAGIC or Audiolab M-DAC+ and then get a pair of active speakers (budget wise, Yamaha HS5 should be considered entry level). ?? he's already bought something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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