DAC's with volume controls that I know of:
Emotiva XDA-1
YBA Design WD202
Benchmark DAC1 PRE
Tact 2.2 XP (more than a DAC w/VC)
Bel Canto 3.5
Bel Canto 2.5
Peachtree Audio Nova & iNova
Peachtree Audio Decco & iDecco
Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC
Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 and DAC-1
Burson HA-160 & 160D
Hope this helps. |
Sandstone, you mention "Several very good DACs with sufficient..." that can substitute for preamps. Can you list a few of those out or point me to thread that does.
(my personal budget would be Less than $750 but I don't want to totaly hijack this thread ;)
Jeff |
Thanks Michael. That's good to know.
John |
John, lack of a USB port generally isn't much of a problem. There are plenty of USB to S/PDIF converters out there. I use the Hagerman HagUsb (or something like that) in my office system, which uses the Mambo. I also have a Squeezebox in the office that connects via coax digital input, but the computer connects USB --> Hagerman adapter --> Toslink connection. That way I can listen to either the Squeezebox or directly from the computer, my choice.
The USB to S/PDIF adapters are inexpensive and, at least in my experience, work great. I can't tell the difference between hooking my Mac's mini-Toslink port to the Toslink input of the Mambo vs USB to Toslink. In fact, it makes a better connection as the connector is never falling out like it did with the mini-Toslink port.
Michael |
Thanks everybody! Some suggestions I'd not thought of.
I like the suggestion of powered monitors, but I have the speakers I'll likely use.
Sadly, the Music Hall Mambo does not do USB, because one came up today at a nice price, and I'd have grabbed it.
John |
Tact M2150 or S2150 ... true bargains on the used market. There is also a newer, smaller veriosn of the Tact but I am not sure of the model #
Jeff |
Several very good DACs have sufficient gain and quality of volume control, along with impedance profiles to interface with amplifiers directly, precluding the need for a preamp. If you don't need extra source connectivity, consider a good amplifier and DAC combination. The Bel Cantos you mention are a good example. They become very cost-efficient when you eliminate the pre-amp.
|
Hi John,
and I'd add the Naim UnitiQute.....30 watts, but can do wonders with the right speakers...
good luck, and stay out of trouble... |
This question comes up periodically, so you might check the archives for other answers.
I'll add the Music Hall Mambo to the list of integrateds with the DAC.
Michael |
ModWright has an integrated coming out with a USB DAC option as well. |
I have the Bryston B100 with dac in my office setup with my macbook pro. Really hard to beat the sound. Lots of power
Matt |
If you're only using digital sources, the Emotiva XDA-1 looks interesting on paper. Not digital volume control, digitally controlled volume. And it has blue lights ;)
http://emotiva.com/xda1.shtm |
I've heard the Peachtrees several times, including in high end audio demos. One such was an iPod Nano into the Peachtree, using the pre-outs to bi-amp some Maggies. Sound was fabulous and it showed off just how good both the DAC and line stage are in the Peachtree. For your purposes the bult-in power stage would be plenty as well. Plus some of the current models can dock an iPod for a direct digital feed to their built-in DAC. Have you considered the idea of some powered speakers (e.g., AudioEngine A5) and the Benchmark DAC-1 PRE? |
Bel Canto C5i is absolutely great. It puts out 120w of clean power into 4 ohms, so I think that should work. I have seen a couple go on here for $1600 used, it's really a great piece of gear. |
The newer version of the Musical Fidelity A1 integrated has a built-in USB DAC and a phone section. It is a relatively low power class-A amp, but it was fine in my similarly sized room with several different speakers. |
