DACs

[say it as it is]

Ok am completely confused regards DACs or streaming in general.
I have decided I want a seperate dac as it looks like streaming devices the choice is limitless.
So question here is do I spend more than I can afford on a new modern dac or do older used ones make good sense?
I had always fancied a Rega dac or the later DAC-R or the little Cyrus DACX .

Searching about some have suggested that diy parts for a fraction of the price now sound better then established names like those above.

I get the concept that streaming is a little different in that the source is not the limiting factor it's the dac its uses with that gives the output at the amp

 

[Purité Audio]

Just choose one that has the features you require, for example the first Rega didn’t have a USB input, so you would need a separate usb s/pdif converter.
Keith

 

[deebster]

I have the Rega DAC and it has USB input, though the DAC-R is apparently an improvement in implementation of it.

Very happy with mine, which is fed optical via a cheapo Behringer 2002 thingamy that does USB to optical conversion from a Mac mini.

Some of the cheap Chinese DACs like Topping and Behringer get good reviews. My Behringer is a DAC too and is pretty good but not as good as the Rega. It seems the difference in quality from budget to high end has narrowed somewhat, so before blowing a stack I'd suggest starting lower down, and if you take advantage of the classifieds here you can try something out and move it on the same way later.

 

[say it as it is]

Cheers just as I progress up the amp I don't want to lose the benefits of a good source

 

[vinylslug]

Do you have a budget in mind? There are some very lovely older DACs available second hand and not that expensive (relatively.) Older DACs often have a limited resolution, so it you have a lot of Hi-Res files then that might be a consideration. My lovely Chord DAC64 for example, is limited to 24/96, so I have to down-sample any 24/192 files or I'll just hear white noise. I only have two such files, so not a big deal for me. Aside from that though, I think older DACs is an area of hi-fi where there are still some bargains to be had.

 

[say it as it is]

tbh am happy to keep my cds so it will whatever I stream from amazon music or similar

 

[Matty297]

I use a Clamshell Rega IO Dac. Can’t see me changing it any time soon but it only has a Digital Coaxial input!

 

[deebster]

Ah, makes sense now. Didn't know of that one.