Howdy all,

I just received an email from a friend. He wants a recommendation for a DAC to use with his Slim Devices Squeezebox. His desired price is <$1000 and didn't say if buying used was ok. Let's assume that a used DAC is ok with him. He mentioned the DAC-1 as a possibility. Lastly, he mostly listens to classic rock.

I'm not a DAC guy and am hoping that you guys can give me some recommendations to pass on to him. Please note that this isn't for headphone listening. He has a system based on vintage Macintosh amps. I think that his speakers are Proacs, but can't remember for sure.

Thanks in advance for your help.

-ken

Apogee Mini-DAC

Benchmark DAC-1

Bel Canto DAC2

Musical Fidelity X-DACv3 + X-PSUv3 -- I also see a couple a3.24's, those are good

Upgraded MSB (the Gold + P1000 one looks good)

Also, if he can stretch the budget a bit, Electrocompaniet ECD-1 can be had for $1100 - $1200 on occasions at Audiogon.

I like the Lavry DA10, but it might require XLR-RCA cable.

I think it's possible the DAC will be limited by the Squeezebox's digital output. Maybe a less expensive DAC will do the job.

Mhdt Lab Paradisea

Channel Islands Audio

CEC DA53

April Music Stello

LITE DAC-39

North Star M192 is around $1200 for a demo unit from Perotta Consulting. A clear step above the Benchmark and Lavry.

And I've heard it in a hella nice speaker system and it didn't disappoint any of the people listening.

North Star M192 is around $1200 for a demo unit from Perotta Consulting. A clear step above the Benchmark and Lavry.

I was quoted a much higher price for one when I asked about it back in October when I was looking for a new source - basically the reason I ended up with 840C instead of M192.

I am playing around with the apogee duet I picked up today and so far I love it's headphone out and sound overall. I have to pick up some special cables tomorrow from Guitar Center to use it with my amp to give it a real test, the breakout cable uses 1/4 outs powered monitors.

This dac would only be useable from a mac computer as it is powered from the firewire input of the mac but so far sweet for $500

I am playing around with the apogee duet I picked up today and so far I love it's headphone out and sound overall. I have to pick up some special cables tomorrow from Guitar Center to use it with my amp to give it a real test, the breakout cable uses 1/4 outs powered monitors.

This dac would only be useable from a mac computer as it is powered from the firewire input of the mac but so far sweet for $500

Awesome, I really want to try one of those.

I got it more for it's ADCs then it's DAC but it sounds good a bit sterile out of the box but it pumps the 701s ok.

I am going to run it up against the wavelength for kicks later in the week

Thanks all for your replies. Things have turned a bit. My friend has a friend at Logitech that can get him a Transporter for $1K. It looks like he'll take that route. I think that's smart. He can always get a better DAC later.

the Transporter should be pretty damn nice.

the transporter was ok when I had it, a bit thin sounding to me, the output stage is probably where they failed the dacs they used are supposed to be great.

the transporter was ok when I had it, a bit thin sounding to me....

Yep. That's how I heard it, but you guys just thought I was being cranky again.

Yep. That's how I heard it, but you guys just thought I was being cranky again.

hey don't be cranky about being cranky

hey don't be cranky about being cranky

You have to be cranky sometimes to get to keep your disciplinarian job around here

someone needs to send their TiP to modwright to get some tubes put up in dere.

I'm waiting for an APL modded Transporter.

I'm waiting for an APL modded Transporter.

dan puts three tubes in his tip. apl would have to put four (or more) to surpass it.