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Which DAC for computer based system?

I have recently gone to a digital music server using a G4 laptop, a 500 GB hard drive and a Waveterminal U24. I have ripped all of my cd's to the hard drive and I just figured out that I can get lots of great radio through my computer as well. I can now sell my changer and tuner if I want. I am thinking about putting my money towards a really good DAC since my computer is turning out to be the heart of my system. I can't believe I didn't do this sooner! I am rediscovering my music collection and listening to stuff I haven't listened to for years. It would not surpise me if we begin to see a lot of USB DAC's on the market very soon. What DAC's would you recommend I audition or seek out (I can probably spend upwards of 2K)? Thank you
pardales
artizen65's avatar
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artizen65
272 posts
 
I am feeding my Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista using the SPDIF out of a Roku Soundbridge and couldn't be happier.
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the_kid
465 posts
 
I am using an Electrocompaniet ECD-1 with my computer audio and with a separate transport for more reference listening with great results. My good friend is also using a Bel Canto DAC-1 with great results too.

I would warn you about the Benchmark. It is a very nice DAC but can come across as analytical and fatiguing with computer music and sometimes just in general. But then again, everyone has their own preference.

Good Luck!

Chris
dmitrydr
221 posts
 
Apologize for off-topic...

What topology did you implement?

In simple words - assuming your laptop is somewhere close to your listening position:
- you either put DAC close to you and run long interconnects to the amp;
- or you run long SPDIF to the DAC located atop your amps;
- or you run long USB to U24 sitting atop of the DAC and amp?
pardales OP
652 posts
 
Computer sits atop my stereo rack. No interconnects are longer than 1M. I currently have no remote capabilities with this configuration but could if I wanted, without too much difficulty.
chug
4 posts
 
I have a Roku Soundbridge M1000 w/SPDIF going to a Musical Fidelity A3.24 DAC and A3 integrated amp. The Roku Soundbridge is connected to my PC via wired Ethernet, but you can go Wi-Fi. My speakers are Magnepan MMGs. Happy with the setup. In addition, I am also streaming WMAs and mp3s with Yahoo! Music Unlimited. The DAC doesn't do much for mp3s, but the WMAs sound just as good as CDs. Y!MU lets you stream or download the file onto your PC.
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