Looking for a DAC for OTL Crack + HD650s

[sleyk]

Hi music lovers!
This is my first post ever on any audio site and I just built my first amp ever (Crack).
I am currently in the market for a good DAC to add to Crack>>>HD650s.
Preferably something to connect from my laptop via USB.

I've been looking around and am considering the Audioengine D1 or any budget DIY DAC.
https://www.head-fi.org/t/581815/review-audioengine-d1-24-96-usb-and-optical-dac-amp-for-laptops-and-computers-in-progress

My budget is about 250 for a DAC.  Thank suggestions will be helpful!
Thank you so much

 

[Noskipallwd]

Welcome, I am using a fairly cheap Chinese made tube Dac to hold me over until the Bottlehead Dac kit is ready, It is marketed under a few different names, Hilly, Grant Fidelity, and others. Cost less than 200 but sounds pretty good at 24/96. Many here really like the HRT Music Streamers, I think there are 3 models. I have heard the II+ model and if I did not already have a Dac I would probably invest in that one. Waiting for the Bottlehead kit, I hope it will be worth the wait. There are quite a few Bottleheads using the Audioengine products, hopefully someone will chime in!

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[Lar]

I use the Emotiva XDA - 1, there on for 249.00, altho they seem to be out of stock right now, for the money hard to beat.

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xda1

 

[HF9]

Since you'll only be using the DAC as a holding-place before the Bottlehead kit, there's not much sense spending hundreds of dollars on it. The GrubDAC (http://beezar.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=129) at Beezar runs $60 and should hold you over just fine.

 

[debk]

I use the Emotiva XDA - 1, there on for 249.00, altho they seem to be out of stock right now, for the money hard to beat.

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xda1

I too have been using the Emotiva DAC, and can recomend it.  Works well and will tide me over untill the the Bottlehead DAC comes out.

Debra

 

[sleyk]

Since you'll only be using the DAC as a holding-place before the Bottlehead kit, there's not much sense spending hundreds of dollars on it. The GrubDAC (http://beezar.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=129) at Beezar runs $60 and should hold you over just fine.

I didn't know Bottlehead was preparing a DAC kit!  Any idea how long it will be before it is released?
Also for the GrubDAC, where can I find the instructions for assembly?
Thanks for all the wonderful advice!

 

[Mr. Davis]

Right here~ grubDAC Overview

And here ~ GrubDAC Step-by-Step Build Guide

 

[dgb]

just a quick mention; the grubdac requires surface mounting soldering which can be a bit tricky for some (like me).

 

[intojazz]

check out Hi Face and HRT streamer

 

[earwaxxer]

Hi sleyk - I really like the network server approach of using the Squeezbox (Logitech). You can get the Logitech Touch for just under $300. It has a built in DAC, but its the network server that makes it unique. You can go wireless Wifi from your laptop or over ethernet cable. Great software. You dont have to deal with the USB issues. You can built on it later if you want to upgrade to an audiophile grade DAC.

Lots of options open to you now. There is also the Schitt DAC.

Eric

 

[RPMac]

I've been using Squeezebox classic with Burr-Brown chip for several years and waiting on the BH-DAC. I've wondered if an inexpensive tube DAC would be worth the added expense? Or maybe a tube buffer?

I assume that beings John uses Squeezebox, the BH-DAC will work well with it.

Doc, you mentioned in another thread that there may be some budget issues with the development of the DAC. Would it be beneficial if those of us that know we are going to buy, sent a deposit?

 

[intojazz]

A deposit up front, now that has to be tempting. Of course what would you do with all that cash? If it's a year before the BH DAC comes out you could be sitting on a tidy bundle....think of the possibilities! Only serious of course..

 

[Doc B]

I appreciate the offer, but we're on track at the moment. John needs some time to get the firmware written for the latest (and hopefully final) version and then we will be working on merging it with the tube output.

 

[jrebman]

I can easily recommend the HRT Streamers -- even the basic, non-plus version at $149.  The newest generation units are a nice step up from even the older ones (have the oval profile case instead of the trapezoid style.  Better op amps in the output,  for one thing.

I know it's out of your budget, but the Halide Designs DAC HD is a very sweet and musical dac for $550 -- and no worrying about usb and interconnect cables -- they're built in and of very high quality.  My current favorite under $1k dac (except for the Metrum Octave which is right around $1k, but needs a really good usb-spdif converter for best performance.

Also look at some of the units from AudioGD -- they too perform way above their price point.

HTH,

Jim

 

[sleyk]

I found that crutchfield is selling the Audioengine D1 DAC for $149.99 with a $20 coupon, so I am leaning toward the D1 at the moment.
Though the HRT streamer has good reviews, but in a heads up contest b/w the D1 and HRT Streamer; I prefer the D1. 
Similarly, I was considering a DIY DAC, but lack the general materials for SMD soldering.  Considering cost of the GrubDac at $60 + about $40 of SMD soldering, I'd rather just pay the extra $50 to get the the D1.
If anyone does have the D1 and HRT streamer, could they provide a head to head review of the D1 vs HRT streamer hooked up to their OTL crack?
Thank you all for your informative responses and whatever DAC I get, I will provide a through review

 

[jrebman]

Sounds like a good plan -- I've not heard the audioengine myself but it seems to be another solid budget performer.

Spend some extra on a solid usb cablee such as the wireworld Starlight or even the UltraViolet and you'll likely get even better performance.

Good luck,

Jim

 

[sleyk]

Sounds like a good plan -- I've not heard the audioengine myself but it seems to be another solid budget performer.

Spend some extra on a solid usb cablee such as the wireworld Starlight or even the UltraViolet and you'll likely get even better performance.

Good luck,

Jim

Any suggestions where to purchase either of those two cables?

 

[jrebman]

I usually buy mine from Galen Carol audio in Texas -- gcaudio.com  but the wireworldcables.com web site also has a dealer locator -- not sure if they sell direct or not, but gcaudio does discount them a bit and generally has free shipping.

HTH,

Jim

 

[sleyk]

I am still new to the headphone scene and wondering if my proposed set up will have any problems.
Computer >>> Audioengine D1 >>> OTL Crack >>> HD650
The D1 has a built in headphone amp.  Will that affect the performance of my OTL Crack at all?

 

[jrebman]

It shouldn't -- the headphone out on tthe D1 is separate from the op amp driven headphone out.  The thing you'll have to find out is whether the D1's RCA outs are volume controlled or fixed output -- I'm pretty sure they're fixed and the headphone output is the only one that responds to the volume control, but I'm not 100% on that.

In the case that the RCAs are also controled by the volume control, then you'll just have to play around with finding a level on the D1 that gives you the best control range, and lowest noise on the Crack.  Then just mark where that position is and set it there whenever you use the Crack.

-- Jim