USB DAC Upgrade

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › USB DAC Upgrade

t0ny

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#175604 5-Jul-2015 23:00

Iam looking at upgrading my current usb DAC which is a FiiO E17. I was thinking of either the OPPO-HA1 or the Audiolab M-DAC. The M-DAC probably the first choice as it is much cheaper than the OPPO. Any recommendations between the two or are there other better options? The amount of USB DAC's on the market has got me confused and i dont want to keep upgrading them :)

Will be driving NAD HP50 and Shure SRH 1840.

networkn

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#1337515 5-Jul-2015 23:34

I think a few people have spoken very well of the Geekout 450 USB DAC

Sorry Assumed you wanted a mobile one. Obviously this isn't in the same class as the M-Dac

Dunnersfella

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#1337677 6-Jul-2015 10:34

The M-Dac is a nice unit, very well reviewed and highly flexible (it works as a digital pre-amp if required, just add a power amp)...
The USB resolution isn't quite as others though... but having said that, if your speakers won't reach the HD standards, you probably needn't worry.
I haven't listened to the Oppo, but its rep. is very good already.
Tough choice, price would have to come into it, surely.

t0ny

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#1337710 6-Jul-2015 11:08

Dont think i can hear above 20Khz so iam not worried about the USB capping out at 24/96. Would be handy if someone has listened of both and is able to give their opinion.

siyuan

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#1337775 6-Jul-2015 12:28

The Element from JDS Labs looks promising, but I won't know for sure until some reviews come out.

networkn

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#1337776 6-Jul-2015 12:29

I'd consider heading to Head-Fi if you want to find people who have actually listened to more than one of these at a time, obviously being a specialist head-fi forum, the number of people there with similar interests will increase the likelihood.

t0ny

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#1338373 7-Jul-2015 11:24

Too difficult to decide without trying them out. I am going to wait till the next headphone meet where i can try them out before breaking the piggy bank.