Good Day,
for my attic, I am assembling a very affordable system, but I need a very affordable (under 500$) DAC (not a preamp, a streamer, a renderer, etc, just a DAC) for that system.
the DAC should do USB, Spdif and Toslink and have a lot of “timbre/harmonics (not sure how to translate that)”
Is there only Schiit Modi5, that could do this job? or you have other suggestion?
thanks for helping
Schiit told me their Modius e (which I own and like very much) is better sounding than the Modi 5…it has been discontinued but Schiit is selling them as close outs and B stock..under $250
Do you have a preference for DAC architecture? Are you happy to go with something using Delta Sigma chip technology AKM / ESS etc. Or would you prefer something R2R Ladder DAC based? If looking for reviews both Old Guy Hi-Fi and Passion for Sound cover this market segments with products like the Schiit as well as from manufacturers such as FiiO, Topping, SMSL. FiiO K13 for example is highly rated. If you are in the US Geschelli Labs make some great modular DACs with swappable op-amps for later upgrades
My sincere suggestion: look for a used (as it has been discontinued by the manufacturer) NAD M51. I bought one for 500 dollars two years or so ago and have been gob-smacked at its sound. Not at all thin or harsh, smooth in the best way, still plenty of detail and dynamics but very musical. Lots of inputs and outputs.
There is currently one on ebay.
I was not impressed by ess dac, I tend to avoid them. For everything with OP amp I’ve tried to avoid them.
I had a: topping; ifi; bluesoud; eversolo; wimp; cambridge that were not satisfying so I discarded them.
I had: Fiio r7 & k13 r2r; jds lab atom. They were OK they did an honest job but no ouppfh!
I had a stellar gain cell, the Inside dac is ok+. I only keep it for the analog section (I wish I could afford just analog preamp)
I ate Pre-amplifier dac, Not a fan of streamer
I am searching for just a dac (J.A.D. Device)
I miss my sugden sda1; teac/esoteric d500 & d700, Those are a lot of timbre And a very natural sound. but I sold them thinking that they were the problem when I purchase a new amplifier
I probably forget some I add but it gave you an Idea what I’m looking
then your price point maybe a challenge as you have tired and eliminated many of the popular options at that price. If you were wiling to spend a bit more you could look at options from Laiv (the uDAC) which I have and love on my desktop system, or moving into the Denafrips Enyo 15th or the Holo Audio Cyan2?
laiv, suddenly they look like “soupe du jour” Last week there were five for sale on Canuck Audio Mart!
I will investigate the others, thanks
ps M51, Very interesting but I don’t understand why there’s so many HDMI and no i2s… Anyway thanks
oh well
I was searching for spdif cable
And I found out that I still have JDS lab first generation atom DAC
It was in my thunderstorm power surge hifi system back up so I could have music when there’s no power on the grid
So far it sound good not the best but they’re feeling in there
It will be my survival DAC for now! Until I search and read info on the subject
At least I will be able to stream something! During this transit
Atom (version 1 was 79$), for now best sounding DAC, I have!
Original Schiit Modius used AKM chip …
AKM more warm side? please explain?
I would have a look at the reviews - a lot of hype around the DAC - the likes of John Darko preferred the K13 (I believe) Passion for Sound was a bit kinder in their review (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksTgGKzCfOc)
Google is your friend. This is what its AI had to say (in part) to the question “do AKM DAC chipsets have a sonic signature”
Yes, AKM (Asahi Kasei Microdevices) DAC chipsets are widely recognized by audiophiles for having a distinct, consistent sonic signature often described as “velvety,” warm, and natural. Compared to the more analytical or clinical sound of ESS Sabre chips, AKM is prized for a smoother, more analog-like, and musical presentation that excels in vocal and instrumental performances.
I2S via HDMI is a very rare thing and I think requires licensing from Sony, which probably explains its rarety. The HDMI input/output works really well for me in use with my AppleTV for video streaming and use of the audio through the audio/visual system. In any case it’s the sound that is the star. . . a surprisingly great sounding unit.
AKM chips are generally considered warmer than ESS. Schiit changed to ESS after the fire at the AKM plant a few years ago