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A nice survey of sub $1k dacs by TAS.
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/best-dacs-under-1000/
Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone
Follow Ups:
The SMSL SU-1 DAC..... Goes for $79...... This thing could be a "unicorn" at the level of the Philips CDC935 CD changer.
I have one running on the computer rig and one on the headphone rig.....
Will live with these for a few weeks before I proclaim this as maybe the greatest giant-killer in DACs. (I've jumped the gun in the past.) But so far, it's a cheap DAC that to me does not sound like a cheap DAC.
Nice list. One feature I rarely see is an analog mic input. I have a couple of analog microphones that are quite good. I'd like to use my DAC both for desktop music and for virtual meetings. I want also to use a better microphone than the one on a laptop of camera. Yes, there are some good USB microphones (I have a couple), but I'd still like to be able to add my own analog microphones. I have two DACs that suit this need, a Schitt Modi and a Creative Soundblaster G6. The latter offers a pretty good headphone amp, line and optical outputs, and 32-bit 384K resolution. It sounds quite good (quite, detailed, good imaging). Still, if a higher end, more musical DAC had the features I want, perhaps I'd buy it.
How does a DAC accommodate an analog microphone? Wouldn't that be an ADC and not a DAC ?"but I'd still like to be able to add my own analog microphones. I have two DACs that suit this need, a Schitt Modi and a Creative Soundblaster G6"
How does the Schiit Modi accept an analog input from your microphone? I don't see any analog inputs on the Modi.
Technically even an USB microphone is analog. The mic internally has a built-in ADC to USB output. One of my favorite USB mics for my Zoom meetings is the Audio-Technica AT2020USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone [discontinued] but there are a few newer variations of that mic including one with analog XLR output for pro-audio applications. Check Amazon.
That said I've also had outstanding results with some cheap USB mics like the one linked below.
Edits: 12/03/23 12/03/23 12/03/23 12/03/23
I use a Logitech Yeti Blue. Has a great mode that attenuates noise behind the setup.
Gsquared
In my opinion there are many excellent USB Mics out there for Zoom meetings and podcasts w/o having to buy top quality professional Mics. And these USB Mics are often much better than the ones built into the laptop.The Audio Technica AT2020 USB mic that I bought in 2010 was about $90. It's very clear and crisp sounding perhaps lacking a slight bit in the low bass area but I believe this also helps with speech intelligibility. The bass roll-off is slight but noticeable when compared to my other Zoom Mic.
I also have a FiFine brand Mic which has a built-in preamp gain control. This allows me to crank up the Gain knob and sit a few feet back from the Mic and it's still loud enough for my Zoom calls. I think it was about $50.
I also have an optional taller desk stand for this one. My $50 FiFine USB Mic:
Edits: 12/05/23 12/05/23 12/05/23
I have a couple of pretty good USB microphones, include a Rode Mini USB and a Marantz Pod Pack 1. However, I have been using the mic input on my Schitt Hel (and its own ADC) with a vintage Sony electret microphone and a more recent AT condenser mic, so I hoped to see what other, good DACs were available with an ADC for an analog microphone.
As it happens, I installed a Creative Soundblaster G6 which offers 32bit/384khz resolution and have been giving it a try. In terms of detail and soundstage, it sounds quite good, and it has an analog microphone input.
Absolutely. You're right. The units I mentioned have ADCs. The Schitt is a Hel. Sorry.
They seem to be ignoring most of the chifi
Problem is, they are all over the map with different DAC categories from dirt cheap to almost $1000. I'd like to see a Top 10 list of $1000 DACs +/- maybe $200.Not a combo list of tiny USB plug-in DACs for headphones, battery powered portable DACs, DAC/Streamer combo, etc. Just $1000 DACs intended to live in your home audio rack.
The usual suspects in that range might include Gustard, Topping, Denafrips, SMSL, RME, Schiit, Geshelli, iFi, Cambridge, Musical Fidelity, ChiMan, etc. etc.
Edits: 12/01/23
That might be my first choice for build quality, features, etc.., in this price neighborhood. And I'm sure that it probably sounds just about as good as all of the others too.
The list is interesting but somewhat limited.
The only dac on the list that I have tried is the Cambridge Dacmagic 200m. I had some intermittent problems with the usb driver and my Windows 11 laptop. I would have tried to solve the problems but I tried an Smsl d300 and it sounded noticeably better.
I have also tried an Smsl Su9n, iFi Zen One Signature dac and a Geshelli Labs J2 AKM. I much preferred the Smsl d300 over all of them. The Smsl d300 uses a Rohm labs dac chip that is also used in expensive Luxman cd players. I have no idea what the Luxman players sound like. However, the d300 sounds detailed but refined and smooth.
Smsl has recently released the VMV D2R dac which also uses the same Rohm chip with a much beefier power supply and other enhancements. I have ordered one and am awaiting delivery.
That SMSL VMV D2R dac could be interesting but I've not heard of the Rohm chip nor have I ever heard of porcupine power supplies ;-) The SMSL VMV D2R appears to be only $40 more than my SMSL D400EX
I read the review of the D400EX from the link you posted and it seems like it is a serious contender for best sound at the $1K price point. The VMV D2R was on sale for $850 when I ordered it and the sale price was a motivating factor in getting it. I will report how it sounds after I try it out.
Definitely let us know what you think of the VMV D2R overall after you've had it for a while. Do you have another DAC you'll be comparing against?
I will mainly be comparing to the Smsl D300. The other dacs I have are old and the comparisons would not be relevant. Unfortunately, I do not have any other $1,000 dacs on hand which is what the VMV D2R should be compared against.
My initial impressions after unboxing it and briefly listening to it last night are that it is a much more substantial dac compared to the D300 in build quality and possibly in sound quality. It sounded a little smoother today so I think it needs some time to settle in.
The VMV D2R looks intriguing, but I can't find anything about the analog section.
Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone
Good press for Schiit, IfI, Topping and Audioquest:
Gsquared
My current SMSL D400EX DAC came out in early 2023 so it wouldn't have been on the radar as a 2022 top pick.
I had the Topping D90 that used the AKM chip and it was good but I haven't heard the newer D90SE with ESS chip.
I slightly prefer my SMSL D400EX over the original Topping D90. The SMSL D400EX is about $960 on Amazon and other vendor web sites.
SMSL D400EX DAC $960 USD :
That D400EX sure is a beauty. Looks better than some much more expensive equipment.
No SMSL DAC in the TAS top ten, sadly, no Geshelli Labs either...
"No SMSL DAC in the TAS top ten, sadly, no Geshelli Labs either... "I wouldn't put much faith in that "Top 10" list because it is not only very limited at each price point but it's all over the map with different categories of DAC. Some of those DACs are also streamers, others are tiny USB plug-ins intended for headphones, some are portable battery powered, etc. Looks like they wanted to cover a very broad range of DACs up to $1000 and not just dedicated DACs intended to be in your main audio rack.
I'd like to see a top 10 "best $1000 DAC" list. Limit it to say $1000 +/- $200.
Another great DAC in the $1000 range already mentioned by peppy m. is the RME ADI-2 DAC FS. They typically LIST at $1299 USD but can often be found on sale for about $200 less.
There are SEVERAL outstanding DACs in the $1000 range. Some sound a little different than the others so it mostly comes down to personal preference and not what is "the best".
Edits: 12/01/23
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