A buddy is looking to buy one of these for himself and I was wondering if there were any other units that cover the same features any better. The DAC1 is a DAC, preamp, headphone amp, and has a remote control. He would be replacing a larger preamp and likes the smaller form factor of the DAC1 all-in-one. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Apogee Mini-DAC? No remote? Firewire is an option.

Musical Fidelity X-Can V8p? Again, no remote (this time, I'm sure). Comes with USB, though, but no Toslink.

Headroom something? The one that comes with the speakers?

Peachtree something?

Lavry DA11

Peachtree something might make some sense although I have zero experience with their headphone amp output. Only HR offers something close to all the features -- Desktop Amp with dac -- but it is not remote controlled and I am done with HR given its Tyll-free status.

EDIT: I suggested the DA11 as an option because I think it sounds better but it has no preamp capability.

Peachtree something might make some sense although I have zero experience with their headphone amp output. Only HR offers something close to all the features -- Desktop Amp with dac -- but it is not remote controlled and I am done with HR given its Tyll-free status.

EDIT: I suggested the DA11 as an option because I think it sounds better but it has no preamp capability.

Oh interesting, I thought it had a digital attenuator like the DA10

I'm sure it does, but it has no analog inputs.

DA-11 is not a preamp in the sense it doesn't have other inputs which it can choose and control volume from. However it has a volume control and regulates output voltage in 56 steps for the line output and headphone output too.

The Grace Design M903 looks like it covers all the mentioned features, plus it has 24/96 async USB.

The Grace looks very good, and the only odd bit is the fact that the balanced input -- a plus over the DAC1 -- is XLR, while the balanced output is TRS given its pro usage. Great suggestion!

I like the Peachtree Nova but have only heard it as a speaker amp. I've never tried the headphone out.

I like the Peachtree Nova but have only heard it as a speaker amp. I've never tried the headphone out.

x2

It is a sexy unit. Maybe ask Tyler (Sherwood) or Todd about the 1/4th out?

Although significantly more expensive the RWA Isabella with all the bells and whistles meets the criteria.

Metric Halo LIO 8

Peachtree something might make some sense although I have zero experience with their headphone amp output. Only HR offers something close to all the features -- Desktop Amp with dac -- but it is not remote controlled and I am done with HR given its Tyll-free status.

EDIT: I suggested the DA11 as an option because I think it sounds better but it has no preamp capability.

bold words: WTF does this mean? i don't know the story.

i've owned my DAC1 for a few years now, and while i prefer my y2 for sonics, i think the DAC1 is an excellent performer and offers a lot for very little $$$ when partnered with sympathetic gears (read: warm/dark/juicy).

edit: forget it, big brain fart re: Tyll

Long story short...They fucked over Tyll, and now everyone is jumping ship. Look for full implosion before long.

I haven't seen Tyll writing that they "Fucked" him over. That being said HR just ain't the same without him, so I'm pretty much done with them as well.

the owner doesn't choose to step down for no reason...

ok, so i guess i was mistaken then - i thought it was a more amiable separation.

Yikes: love the first paragraph of your sig. so true. i can't wait for the day that we see a non-Corporatist holding the high office. also, the EU is getting totally fucked by Ireland - the one's who give corporate tax shelters at a paltry 12.5%. the Celtic Tiger is beyond dead.

Ireland likes to fuck.

are you coming on to me?

No silly, Dinny is the straight Fitz(patrick), I'm the gay one.

i think i just got blindsided.

Sometimes that's the only way us gay guys can get some.