DAC Info that may be helpful

Gboardman1959

2.1 but the sound when I use all the speakers is much better

dogfonos

Interesting and astonishingly thorough review of three DAC's from dirt cheap to many folk's reference, the Benchmark DAC2. Takes a couple of hours of concentrated reading to take this all in (well it did for me) and the findings confirm what many of us already suspect:

Anything Above $2 Buys More Features, Not Better Quality - What Does It Take To Turn The PC Into A Hi-Fi Audio Platform?

pwiles1968

LOL how old is this thread, My system has changed so much I now run

Gen 1 Apple TV loaded with ATVFlash utilising a 1TB HDD full of Lossless (ALAC) Audio, this feeds my Audiolab 8200CDQ via SPDiff I don't actually use the CD I just use the DAC Preamp to feed my BelCanto Evo II via balanced connections this drives my B&W 805s. For me as advised 10 years ago going to a pure stereo system was a revelation over the AV setup, i could not do it earlier due to complications.

The Audiolab line of DACs from 8200 on is something else and well worth a look if you are after a stand alone DAC for music duties.

kenfoxy

I bought an Audiolab 8200 to replace an ancient CD63. Pleased with the result with a lot more information coming through. I had kept my VDAC1 and decided to connect it to the Audiolab to see what would happen. Wow, my system now plays music with emotion. My conclusion is that the VDAC1 is a better DAC than any of the options on the Audiolab. My advice to anyone is not to go the integrated route but go for the best CD separates you can afford.
Make sure that the power supply for the DAC is a good one. The VDAC1 came with a really cheap Walmart thing

stephen8095

I am really amazed by that , i was going to switch out my old arcam for an Audiolab 8200 cd but based on your  findings that may not be necessary . How did you connect your audiolab to the VDAC? Do you get any issues with the Audiolab not reading CD's ? I heard this happens a bit more with Audiolab than other transport.

kenfoxy

I have had no problems with the Audiolab.

I connected my Audiolab to the VDAC through a Fisual Super Pearl optical cable.

The VDAC1 is not made now but Music Fidelity have other offerings I have never heard.

Personally, I would try your Arcam with a few DACs first. You may get a big surprise. For the record, I use a Tacama mains conditioner with 6 sockets, Atlas Equator interconnects to the amp from the DAC and a Merlin power lead to the Audiolab. The age old advice prevails though. Go to a good hi fi shop which sells a selection of quality DACs etc and have a good listen.

AwesomeDawson

Can anyone recommend a mini toslink cable to connect my Mac mini to my arcam Airdac? Currently using a cheap and cheerful Fisual from amazon

saarnold

Recently brought the Panasonic BDT700 BD player - PQ is outstanding, but my dealer told me to check out the sound quality for CD"s as my Micromega ( Customised about 10 years ago ) stop working.
The Panasonic sounded better than expected so instead of buying a new CD player i splashed out on a Arcam irDAC which has taken the sound into a new league - no need now to upgrade the CD player!
Very happy with both purchases
saarnold

LittleGreyCat

Can I respectfully request an update on this paragraph?

Recent DACs offer PC-USB input so you can use the DAC to process the output from your PC.
PCs can also offer optical and co-ax digital connections.
What is the current pecking order for digital connection methods?

my naim is

If it works then don't bother upgrading.  Despite the hype you may read elsewhere, digital cables are pretty much the same.  They either work or they don't.  Expensive cable give you a better built product (useful if you are unplugging stuff all the time) and of course the bling factor.