Low Cost DACs

Thanks for the input.I am currently streaming via an OPPO BDP Blu-ray/Streamer.I have a Pandora account and unfortunately with the OPPO you can not save or play specific albums or individual songs, only can save different genre "stations." To save albums/songs to a playlist you need a computer. (go figure) So this is why I want to get better sound via the laptop. and yes, $500.00 is more than I want to spend on this. I'm looking at a ceiling of $200.00.

I was thinking about the "Dragon Fly" line. Only a 1/8 out kind of turns me off.

Thanks yyz.The microRendu looks like something I would/should want! I checked out their website and this is a cool piece of audiophile equipment. I need to give this some thought. As I stated, I mostly use the OPPO and Vinyl at this point. But the upgrade bug has caught me once again. Just spent over $2k on a new camera so this may have to wait a couple of months!

I've pretty much made up my mind to go with the Schiit. Only question, is the Modi "Multibit" $100.00 better than the Modi 3?Yes, agree a USB input is all I would need at this point.

The only problem I have with Tidal is the $20.00 per month fee. Call me "cheap" but that seems a bit high. I did try it for free for a while and agree, it’s a better option than Pandora in terms of music quality..

I like the prospect of "analog sounding." Always preferable to Digital Sound in my opion. I've read that the SMSL Sandskri improves greatly in terms of "more punch in the bass, improved dynamics and cleaner sound overall" when using the external power source as opposed to USB via a computer. Makes sense.

Has anyone any experience or thoughts on with the SMSL Sanskrit 10th DAC?Looks interesting especially with DSD support & Remote.

I appreciate & respect anyone who takes the time to research audio components to the point of comparing graphs of actual signals, harmonics, etc..Despite my hearing not being what it was before many Rock concerts & loud motorcycles, I still rely on what I hear out of my speakers. No doubt, you could show me why one component is "way" better than the next. And I would believe you. But still, my ears are the ultimate judge and I trust them the most. Certainly this has resulted in much trial & error and more than one component for sale here or on eBay. My point; sometime it's easy to be unduly influenced by the latest stats or any "expert" review on the ultimate audio magazine.

WOW! Wish I had read this an hour ago as I just ordered the Modi 3. Guess I could change the order still but perhaps they will allow me to upgrade within a short time.I went back & forth all week-end and figured as this is my first external DAC I might as well start here and upgrade as needed.Pandora isn't bad but my biggest complaint is there's no regulation of volume between different songs. For the most part they sound good but one song may be louder than the next! frustrating to say the least. I guess at $10.00 per month what should I expect, but still!I'll look into Qobuz. I've been aware of them but haven't paid too much attention. May end up with TIDAL if I get off the 'cheap" wagon!Thanks for the well wishes!

I've always liked Analysis Plus cables, not all that expensive but very good build quality. Signal Cable too.

P.S.I also ordered a 5V i iFi AUDIO Low Noise AC/DC Power Supply to go with the Schiit.

So as I stated I did order the Schiit Modi 3. Looking forward to hearing a huge difference.My next question is how are you all connecting your DACs to your laptop, Tablet, or Smart Phone? I guess obviously USB to USB is about all that is available, but are you using high cost USB cables from The Cable Company or just general cables from Staples? How much difference do you think this makes? I've played with cables over the years and yes, some cables do make some difference. But spending more than a couple of hundred dollars on interconnects is, to me, a bit ridiculous!

Yes, have signed up for 1 month free Qobuz. Checking it out tonight!Thanks.

Do you use the Nano LE just for DSD or PCM audio as well?

To be honest, I had a pair of MIT "Terminator" speaker cables which were good. but am now running AudioQuest spooled 14 AWG "Zip" cables and never been happier. I'm sure their USB cables are very good!

So Modi 3 arrived today. Attempted to hook up with old Windows 7 laptop. Would not install even though there was software for Win 7, Drivers included. I kept getting error message "Please Connect The Cemedia USB20 Device." ?? Tried Cemida drivers, etc, no dice!
After much trial & tribulation, and many attempts at installing various drivers, I finally got the "Gen 2" version of Modi 2 to install.So it plays but I've got to say; IT DON"T SOUND NO BETTER THAN BEFORE!
USB to Modi, RCAs to amp.
VERY Disappointed! Maybe with Gen 3 drivers would sound better but don't see how to install.Guess I'll sleep on it and see what's what over the week end.

So upon further review, swapping out RCA cables & perhaps the unit burned in a little, I have to say that yes this laptop does sound better with this DAC. Soundstage is 'wider' and a little deeper. Doesn't match my OPPO or vinyl but it obviously enhances Laptop audio.Just heard from Alexander at Schiit Audio. Seems I misunderstood Gen 3 download for drivers for Modi 3. They are not. He said plugging in the USB power should get it to work. I am using an external power supply but it's funny that it did not work BEFORE I ran Gen 2 software. Go figure!.

Thanks Rego.I did all of what you suggested and Schiit was visible in Devise Manager 'cept there was a yellow exclamation point shown with Modi 3. So this told me it sees it but there's a driver missing!At any rate, the thing would not play UNTIL I downloaded Gen 2 & Installed this program. Go figure!!Yes, Schiit is set to 24/192 in properties.So as long as Modi 3  is connected to Laptop via USB DATA port it is powered I'm wondering why I spent $50.00 for iFi Low Noise DC power supply?? Isn't this redundant power input?But it plays.

Thanks Rego.I did all of what you suggested and Schiit was visible in Devise Manager 'cept there was a yellow exclamation point shown with Modi 3. So this told me it sees the Modi but there's a driver missing! At any rate, the thing would not play UNTIL I downloaded Gen 2 & Installed this program. Go figure! Yes, Schiit is set to 24/192 in properties.

So as long as Modi 3 is connected to Laptop via USB DATA port it is powered I'm wondering why I spent $50.00 for iFi Low Noise DC power supply?? Isn't this redundant power input? But it plays.

So let me ask you all this:I have the opportunity to purchase a 2019 Catalina Mac Book Pro 8th Gen i5 Lap Top at a good price.Do you think this would help overall sound quality or, as it's still going through the Modi3 DAC, it won't make much difference?Thanks.

So let me ask you all this: I have the opportunity to purchase a 2019 Catalina Mac Book Pro 8th Gen i5 Lap Top at a good price. Do you think this would help overall sound quality or, as it's still going through the Modi3 DAC, it won't make much difference? Thanks.

Tempting but a ship date of mid February. Wonder why.

That's interesting. What are you playing it through? Amp wise?

ghulamr, Thanks for the post. Yes, sometime we complicate things more than necessary. Not sure why I hadn't thought of that!??! Guess I wanted to play with something new!As for cables; yes I've ordered a Tos Link cable to attach Schiit to back of OPPO. (Redundant?) Unfortunately I had sold my only Tos Link some time ago. I'm sure it will not enhance the quality of sound but then I'm experimenting, I guess. After morning coffee I'm going to try what you suggested and I'll let you know. Thanks.

Hi 213runnin,Yes I agree that the Modi does benefit from breaking in. It does sound better than when new. However, I do find it a bit "bright" still after about 10-15 hours. Perhaps this will be reduced by some more time playing. Hope so! Currently I have it directly connected to my tube amp via RCA cables. I had sold my last Tos Link cable so I've ordered and am awaiting delivery of a new cable today. I intend to attach it to the optical in on my Oppo SACD player. I'll post again on how this sounds!

Will keep in mind the hours on the unit.I had Marrow Ma 2 Speaker & Interconnect cables. I didn't really care for them even after 200 - 300 hours of use. Of course I wasn't using them with the Modi 3 DAC.
Interconnects now are Signal Cable Copper.

Amp is PrimaLuna Prologue, Speakers are Wharfedale Linton (new version). I sold a pair of Tekton Design Lore floor standers to purchase the Lintons. Much better sound stage and sound okay for the money.

I've got to do something different with this laptop. This old HP Win7 just ain't cutting it. Keeps freezing when HD gets hot. I reformatted it the other day but Hard Drive is toast.

I’m sure you can find something you like at the $99 level.

I'm sure you're right, "213runnin," that there might be another DAC in that price range more to my liking.This, right now seems a bit "tinny." It may break in some and different cables might help. I'll play with it and hope it gets better. It's not bad considering it's certainly better than the direct connection I had before the DAC. So in that respect I can't complain.

Now that's interesting turnbowm. I'll gives that a shot and post my thoughts!Thanks.

So I don't know about the weights although I agree that the unit should sit firm on the table, but it does appear to "break in" after about 50+ hours. Sounds less "brittle' and a bit fuller. I think maybe at some point I'll play with cables as they certainly effect overall output. For $100.00 with nothing other than my OPPO to compare, I'd say it's a decent deal.

Currently mu Modi3 is direct RCA connected to PrimaLuna Integrate. It's sounds okay but I'm wondering is a different Lap Top to Modi3 cable might help. using the stock cable. .