Feedback on PC USB DAC's

[Snarii]

Hi Dan
I've ripped most of my CD collection into flac, and yes the nano treats them like anything else with higher bandwidth.
Attached file : grab of audirvana

I am thinking of getting one of those. I am curious, does it perform well as a DAC for non hi-res audio? 99% of my music collection is not DSD/hi-res, i.e. it's just ripped CD's (lossless APE), but I'd like to have the option of getting into more DSD in the future. Why would I buy the standard iDAC if the iDSD does the same job and more?
Dan

 

[i luvmusic 2]

IMO for $300 you can get a better DAC like the TEAC-UD-H01(MSRP $500-650) it's discotinued but you can still find them brandnew for $250-300.

 

[hardisondan]

IMO for $300 you can get a better DAC like the TEAC-UD-H01(MSRP $500-650) it's discotinued but you can still find them brandnew for $250-300.

I haven't heard either, but what seems appealing about the ifi iDSD is that it seems to be getting rave reviews and it plays DSD files. There are not many DACs on the market that play DSD in that price range.
And something that bugs me (I don't know why) is that you don't seem to be able to get a USB DAC that  doesn't include a headphone amp. When you already have a great headphone amp (like I hope to soon when I get my Crack working ;-) I'd rather my DAC budget went to making a better DAC... know what I mean?

 

[Atraf]

I'm the proud & happy owner of an iFi iDSD nano. For less than $200, it plays anything, PCM, DXD, DSD up to 6.2MHz. With its battery, it's portable with my iPhone (Onkyo HF Player) for low impedance headphones, and it pairs beautyfully with the crack and the mac (Audirvana). Absolutely no regret since the new firmware enabled USB3.0 controllers (all latests machines).
A review in french http://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/info/Hi-Fi-Guide/Bancs-d-essai/iFi-Audio-iDSD-Nano-Qobuzissime175549

Have your tried your Nano with the hd650 ? is it able to drive 300 Ohms headphones as well as 40 Ohm IEM's?

 

[Snarii]

Have your tried your Nano with the hd650 ? is it able to drive 300 Ohms headphones as well as 40 Ohm IEM's?

Oh yes, it works with the HD650 but considering the 300ohm impedance, the nano amp will obviously not go as far as the Crack : the bandwidth is reduced, the 650 remains veiled. But to be honest, I need to tell that my Crack is now far from stock and its modifications and tube choices widely enhance the HD650 response. For other lower impedances, I have not quality headphone to tell, but reviews seem to consider the nano amp as excellent.

 

[Atraf]

Thanks for your reply, I am considering the Nano but I don't know what to do,
if I take the nano it will be 90% stationary dac with the crack and 10% portable with IEM, I hope its not a waste of money to buy something that is an all a rounder (portable/dac/amp) instead of just dac for my budget (300$) .. o_0

 

[Snarii]

Thanks for your reply, I am considering the Nano but I don't know what to do,
if I take the nano it will be 90% stationary dac with the crack and 10% portable with IEM, I hope its not a waste of money to buy something that is an all a rounder (portable/dac/amp) instead of just dac for my budget (300$) .. o_0

Another advantage of being mobile is the autonomous power (when powered before plugging it) bypassing the USB external power and its possible pollution. And its price remains less than 2/3 of your budget.