DAC's that do 88.2 and 176.4 ??

[WOStantonCS100]

Are there many of these out there? Which one would you recommend?

I would like to change up my digital front end. After living with the Marantz VC-6001 for a couple of years, I can honestly say the only thing I like about it is that it upsamples to either of these frequencies. In every other aspect... ...the firmware (and omissions from such) drives me nuts. At this point, I would settle for a cheap (and far less annoying) single DVD player with standalone DAC to play my CD's.

[jantheman]

No mention of budget so heres my 2 favourites. Priced at about 1350 and 550 respectively.
Both play the res you asked for on Toslink and Coax...NOT USB.

Moon 300D
http://www.simaudio.com/moon300D.htm
I liked it so much, I bought one.....

Moon 100D
http://www.simaudio.com/moon100D.htm

[jandl100]

I'd recommend the M2Tech "Young" DAC - available from Keith at Purite Audio.

I bought one after an extended dem period - it really is a fine sounding DAC. Not laidback or warm, so if that's your sort of sound I'd give it a miss. But if you like high rez and precision I'd recommend it, especially if you go with one of the several PSU upgrades that are available - I use a Li Ion rechargeable battery pack (also from Purite) which takes the sound to the next level of sophistication, although I do have another (mains powered) PSU on order.

I've only ever used mine in 44/48KHz mode though, as I don't have a hi-rez source at the moment. I believe the Young goes up to 384KHz.

[WOStantonCS100]

Thanks guys!! I'm looking into both of those, now...

[jandl100]

I'd recommend the M2Tech "Young" DAC - .... - it really is a fine sounding DAC. Not laidback or warm, so if that's your sort of sound I'd give it a miss. But if you like high rez and precision I'd recommend it.

Interesting - I've just had a visit from a fellow forum member who brought his Audiolab 8200 cdp with him - so we did a direct comparison with the Young DAC.

Compared to the Audiolab the Young is a bit on the warm side! ... although I suspect the Audiolab is the one that is a bit thin and forward.
Actually, the Audiolab is impressive, and just a direct comparison with the Young rather shows it up, giving a rather fuller and more musically expressive performance.

If you've heard the Audiolab maybe that comparison will help?

[alfie2902]

I'd recommend the M2Tech "Young" DAC too. Here's the spec's http://www.m2tech.biz/young.asp

I've had mine a month or two now & it's still impressing me! I would say it's slightly on the warm side of neutral, but that's slightly! It's detailed & lightening fast & so musical, & not at all over analytical like I find the Weiss! Sounds better than some very big money CDP's to my ears!!! Should be on your demo shortlist IMHO!

[Yoga]

Rega DAC

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/DAC.htm

Great DAC!

[WOStantonCS100]

Strange. The Rega doesn't look like it does 176.4; but, will do 88.2 and 192?? Did I see that right? The Young DAC, on the other hand, has kind of a cool retro looking thing going on with the display. It reminds me of those nixie tube clocks, in a way.

[Krisbee]

The Rega doesn't look like it does 176.4

Seen elsewhere on the web:

The good news is that all Rega Dacs dispatched from May 2011 onwards have an update to accomodate 176.4khz and, where appropriate, the update can be by done by Rega HQ or their designated overseas distributor.

[nat8808]

Studio based dacs or those from studio DAC manufacturers should do 88.2 and 176.4.

You could probably pick up an older dCS for not too bad a price, £1300? A complete guess by the way, pricewise.

I would have thought all the DAC chips modern dacs use are capable, it is only down to what the receiver does and many designs upsample without the user having a say in it..

Would a DIY Buffalo DAC play at these rates?

[nat8808]

Apogee ones do those frequencies for example.. Including slightly older models like the Mini-Dac - About £600 new, so should be available for a lot less secondhand.

[Yoga]

Screenshot from Rega DAC manual...

Edit: Uploading it made it tiny :¬)

See here - page 3:

http://www.rega.co.uk/downloads/Dac%20manual.pdf

[Tim]

Rega DAC
Have you got one of these Ross?

[Yoga]

Have you got one of these Ross?

No mate, although I've been very tempted by them. Still waiting for Burson 160D arrive in UK :¬)

[Tim]

No mate, although I've been very tempted by them. Still waiting for Burson 160D arrive in UK :¬)
http://www.itemaudio.co.uk/burson_ha_160d.html

;)

[alfie2902]

Before buying the "Young" Dac & while having it at home on a longish trial, Keith@Purite who had loaned me the "Young" encouraged me to try it against a few others & buy whichever I prefered!

I tried several Dac's loaned from friends & a couple of shops & even took the "Young" into one dealers to compare against the Dac he wanted to sell me!

The difference between most of the Dac's wasn't massive, but was there. I was impressed by the Arcam dac, more so the Rega Dac & the Naim Dac but prefered the "Young" to them all.

Get a listen to a few I would say! Keith is great to deal with though if your budget stretches to the "Young".

[Yoga]

http://www.itemaudio.co.uk/burson_ha_160d.html

;)

Found it for £200 cheaper! No stock atm though.