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Dac options with Chromecast Audio SUB $500

I am enjoying the 30 day trial of Tidal HiFi...currently the only DAC I have is the Chromecast. It does a decent job, holds its own but it has its limits.

 I currently do heavy listening to vinyl only. VPI Scout 1.1. 

Looking to use the Chromecast as the streamer with Tidal and then into a DAC. I am looking at a few sub $500 dacs. 

Looking into the:
Parasound Zdac. 1st or 2nd version seems fine.
Musical Fidelity V90 Dac (sterophile recommended class A)
Schitt Bifrost
Jolida FX Glass

Anyone with any of these units or perhaps have compared them to each other?

System: modded Jolida 502a, Cardas cables, Merlin TSM-MMM Speakers

db
photodusty
sboje
38 posts
 
Just as an interesting datapoint for you, I run a CCA optical into a Schiit Yggy. It sounds great, and the "buy better gear" light has never illuminated, so the CCA clock must be decent enough.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Jolida as a DAC/source is actually very nice for the money.  It is not the highest resolution device, but the sound is very natural and it does have excellent response for a tube device.  Recommend you get some Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 tubes if you choose the Jolida.  Also, throw in a very fast/strong fuse like a Synergistic SR20 or a Furutech and a high-current power cord.  These are things that will make the Jolida excellent.

I know Eric loves to recommend the Zdac for the money.  I have not heard it.  Could be good as a pre-driver for your Jolida integrated.

Musical Fidelity V90 DAC has a wall-wart power supply so I would avoid that unless you got an upgraded linear power supply module.

Schitt audio has had a lot of good comments, but I have no idea how it sounds in relation to other conventional DACs.  I might choose the Shitt over the Zdac, based on how I see their approach to circuit design.

chrshanl37
830 posts
 
Check out Musical Paradise as well.

mesch
3,394 posts
 
I recently purchased a used Schiit Bitfrost with uber output stage for $220. It did not have the USB board however has optical and coax input. I can recommend the Bitfrost. They often come up for sale used here on AG. The USB version would likely be easier to resell if you found you wanted a different DAC.  As with auxinput, I like to stay away from the wall-wort power supplies.
mph50
1 posts
 
Hi there,recently purchased a Arcam rDAC (used) to use with Chromecast audio,so much better sounding ,more detail,more musical less closed in sounding.
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