vulcanx
New member
Hey guys,
So I'm newb to the AV scene and would like some advice since you guys obviously have much more experience and exposure than I have.
I have a budget of around R2k for a DAC and don't want something that would be a horrible waste of money. But also am not an audiophile and just want "better" than what I have currently.
I'm currently looking for a USB DAC to run from my laptop (terrible integrated sound card at present). I have an old AMP that I can run RCA's into which I want to use (Yamaha). So I have eyeballed the following chips as being the ones I would want in this order: ES9018, AK4399, WD8741, ES9023 (not sure how decent that is).
Which have you used personally and would recommend?
Further I have seen the USB chips, only options in my eyes are the CM6631A or the XMOS. What is the actual difference between the 2? And what would the different circumstances be to run either?
I have seen some devices like a Audioengine D3 or DragonFly, but they only have a 3.5mm out, ideally I would like an analog (2RCA) out. Is there any difference in quality running out via the minijack (3.5mm) to a RCA splitter? I have one of these cables at present but don't think it would be as effective as a HRT MediaStreamer II lets say.
What are your guys thoughts on the HRT Mediastreamer II overall?
I don't mind namebrands at this stage, I just want the best bang for buck. Geco has linked me to this already http://www.ebay.com/itm/200952649385?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 and I think that's awesome value for money, that together with a case is around 140 Euro (shipping and import taxes excluded).
In another thread Waterhond linked me to some REALLY awesome DACs that come with a housing and everything. I was looking at the following models:
http://www.hifiwow.com/home/es9018-32bit-sabre32-reference-audio-dac-w-cm6631a-usb-input-181.html#/assembled-assembled/with_power_transformer-yes/with_usb_input-cm6631a_24bit_192khz
or
http://www.hifiwow.com/finished-dac-board-unit/pcm1794-2-parallel-wm8805-24bit-192khz-dacxmos-or-cm6631a-usb-card--198.html
PCM1794x2 seems attractive since that comes with everything done already. I have zero exposure to soldering or building stuff like this.
First off, has anyone successfully transacted with HifiWow.com? Who here has had bad experience with them?
Are there any other websites I can get decent stuff like this from?
Thanks a lot and sorry for the LONG first post, its tons of reading that is finally verbalized into a first post
So I'm newb to the AV scene and would like some advice since you guys obviously have much more experience and exposure than I have.
I have a budget of around R2k for a DAC and don't want something that would be a horrible waste of money. But also am not an audiophile and just want "better" than what I have currently.
I'm currently looking for a USB DAC to run from my laptop (terrible integrated sound card at present). I have an old AMP that I can run RCA's into which I want to use (Yamaha). So I have eyeballed the following chips as being the ones I would want in this order: ES9018, AK4399, WD8741, ES9023 (not sure how decent that is).
Which have you used personally and would recommend?
Further I have seen the USB chips, only options in my eyes are the CM6631A or the XMOS. What is the actual difference between the 2? And what would the different circumstances be to run either?
I have seen some devices like a Audioengine D3 or DragonFly, but they only have a 3.5mm out, ideally I would like an analog (2RCA) out. Is there any difference in quality running out via the minijack (3.5mm) to a RCA splitter? I have one of these cables at present but don't think it would be as effective as a HRT MediaStreamer II lets say.
What are your guys thoughts on the HRT Mediastreamer II overall?
I don't mind namebrands at this stage, I just want the best bang for buck. Geco has linked me to this already http://www.ebay.com/itm/200952649385?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 and I think that's awesome value for money, that together with a case is around 140 Euro (shipping and import taxes excluded).
In another thread Waterhond linked me to some REALLY awesome DACs that come with a housing and everything. I was looking at the following models:
http://www.hifiwow.com/home/es9018-32bit-sabre32-reference-audio-dac-w-cm6631a-usb-input-181.html#/assembled-assembled/with_power_transformer-yes/with_usb_input-cm6631a_24bit_192khz
or
http://www.hifiwow.com/finished-dac-board-unit/pcm1794-2-parallel-wm8805-24bit-192khz-dacxmos-or-cm6631a-usb-card--198.html
PCM1794x2 seems attractive since that comes with everything done already. I have zero exposure to soldering or building stuff like this.
First off, has anyone successfully transacted with HifiWow.com? Who here has had bad experience with them?
Are there any other websites I can get decent stuff like this from?
Thanks a lot and sorry for the LONG first post, its tons of reading that is finally verbalized into a first post
