DAC Info that may be helpful

Blue_Max

can anyone recommend a DAC to improve my airport express to Naim Nait5i connection.

I have read quite a few threads saying basically the weak link in the airport express is it's onboard DAC (For £88 it's not all that suprising!)  Could anyone recommend an alternative?

I'd rather not spend a lot on this as the Airport Express is a second source to my Naim CD5 so not all that bothered about trying to achieve perfection from a digital source.

I've seen people taling about the old Cambridge DACMagics, are they the best things for me to be looking out for?

Thanks
Dan

KoThreads

amardillo: check out apogee.com,they do multi channel rackmount dacs.

CJROSS

M-Audio SuperDAC 2496 is an excellent DAC.  Made and marketed in the pro audio world, quality is high whilst the price is not hyped up as you often find products with a 'hi fi' tag.
No longer made but still crop up used. Check out the user group below for specs, reviews and answers to any questions that you may have.

CJROSS

Jeez, until I saw this thread I was bidding on flea bay for a CDP as an upgrade to a budget player I already have. Fortunately, I keep losing the bid war. Now I'm going to put my dosh on to a DAC.

So, my main question is - is it worth it? I've got a sony CDP XE570 (they dont make em anymore) as well as a Denon 1930 dvd player.

Do I use my denon dvd player as my cd transporter or should I stick to the sony cd player as a transporter?

The denon dvd player I think has optical out as well as coax out so I'm alright on that front. The sony cdp only has optical out.

2nd question - if my budget is 300 quid what would be the options out there for me?

FWIW, my amp is a pio 2016av receiver, the denon has dts and dd decoding.

TIA!

Joe Fernand

DACs are very versatile and can be used very effectively. But not always and with all sources.

See article 'DAC Basics - DACs and Transports" in the 'files' section at
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/M-Audio_SuperDAC_2496/files

By no means a guide to DACs, here is a recent link with few words as intrduction and some reviews
http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/article/mps/UAN/953/v/3/sp/364323526189560508326

Teago

of all the dacs i have ever tried the one i use now is the pink decapo 24bit i find it gives me the most detailed and easy listering sound i have heard in digital music apart from spending big time on a hibrid

matt303

Thanks CJROSS

I've read loads of threads over the last couple of years where you have mentioned DACS and last week decided to buy a Beresford.

After two days of running it in it is already improving on my NAD 521BBE, my OPPO 981HD and my old Sony CDPXB930E. And from what I have read it still has some way to go.

Brilliant versatillity and a great sounding little box.

Many thanks.

SheldonLavine

No worries dude, it is a very well thought of device in audiophile and VFM (£100) it shows a clean pair of heels to many £1000 CDPs I have heard. think anyone requiring more bass from a CDP or DVD should investigate one.

simmcn

Standard connections for DACs :

http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/CDE/SPDIF.GIF

Many DACs also now use the USB Computer interface too.

Stillium

Including the moodlab 'Dice' – see http://www.mood-lab.com/dice.htm

Joe