Really Budget DAC recommendations?

[chrism]

I am after a "no frills" DAC for my TV setup. I have a optical out from a Technica Smartbox and also a Lepai LP2020A+ chip amp. The sound from the Smartbox DAC into the chipamp is quite good but the treble is a little fuzzy!

Is there anything under £50.00 worth looking at that would inprove on the internal DAC in the Smartbox?

Regards

Chris

[bobbasrah]

I am after a "no frills" DAC for my TV setup. I have a optical out from a Technica Smartbox and also a Lepai LP2020A+ chip amp. The sound from the Smartbox DAC into the chipamp is quite good but the treble is a little fuzzy!

Is there anything under £50.00 worth looking at that would inprove on the internal DAC in the Smartbox?

Regards

Chris

Fancy breaking out the soldering iron and burn ointment?
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/186245-dac-2496-ak4393-dac-kit-cs8416-ak4393-5532-a.html
One of the lads here was going for a boxed version but no news since. Ali did a tube job on it via Nick and seemed "chuffed". Seems to be quite well exploitable for a basement price and with a lot of peeps tinkering with it as you will see on the thread...

[Ali Tait]

As Rob says, these are very good for the money-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-2496-AK4396-CS8416-DAC-Transformer-case-/110712416420?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c6f968a4

A little over your budget, but worth every penny IMHO. The AK4396 is a very good chip and is used in some pricey kit, including the Logitech Transporter.

[Ali Tait]

Forgot to say, yes, you could buy the dac board for 20 quid or so, but once you've bought the trannies and a box to put it in, it would end up costing you more than the finished version.

[bobbasrah]

PLUS, on top of what Ali has said, as you can read on the thread, it can be re-configured/fitted in a variety of ways ranging from replacement PSUs through to parts upgrade to tube output as Ali had done, to god only knows where you want to take it, all sorts of variations. There is not a lot else floating around in that price range and quality with so much versatility and experimentation ongoing to squeeze the best out of it IMHO. I would have a go myself, but do not currently have the same issues to resolve....
Bob

PS - Forgot to add that was why I asked about the soldering iron, if you consider upgrades etc. Either way you will not have to deal with the microscopic device soldering, which is a bugger with poor eyesight and a raging hangover....

[Ali Tait]

Yep, agreed, the components on the board can be upgraded for relatively little. Just awaiting the arrival of a pair of O'netics output trannies for the dac..

[dave2010]

Re the board - it seems that if you go all out for quality, then costs can go into £00s.

You can try putting "DAC" into eBay. Not sure what'll turn up, but here's one- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAC-IN-THE-BOX-DIGITALTO-ANALOGUE-CONVERTER-CD-PLAYERS-AUDIO-ALCHEMY-/110783655897?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_CDPlayerSeparates&hash=item19cb386fd9#ht_548wt_922

You'll probably find some Muse DACs from China too in your price range under £50.

Don't know if any of these things could be any good.

[Ali Tait]

Yes, it can get expensive, I've spent about 500 quid on mine so far, with more to come. The standard boxed one is very good for the cash though.

[chrism]

Thanks everyone.

Quite happy to build one up as long as we are not talking invisible bits! Also the budget of under £50.00 is quite relevant or I may as well take another top dac (Bushie when available) from Stan.

Les at Avondale has some cracking Avel Lindberg transformers that he will sell me for a great price. They will do 17.5v and 1A.

Regards

Chris

[dave2010]

Don't know if these are any good, for the money - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neet%C2%AE-DAC-Digital-Analogue-Converter/dp/B0038M3ID8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322866215&sr=1-3-fkmr0

I've had other stuff by this manufacturer - I think an HDMI switch - and it's good. At least it's under £50.

[brian2957]

Hi Chris have a look at the Hot Audio range . Their little 'Dac Destroyer ' really does sound excellent for the money. It's a USB DAC but you should be
able to buy a cheap converter , or have a look at the others in the range.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAC-DESTROYER-HAND-SOLDERED-USB-DAC-w-LINE-HEAD-OUT-/280781612749?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415fe366cd

Brian

[monkfish]

Hi
Maplins have one for under 50 squids, 24 bit, very small and basic. Not tested it unfortunately.
Regards
Jim

[chrism]

Thanks again everyone. Some really great ideas to consider - I like the kit DACS especially (something to do over the winter).

Anyone tried one of those cheap Muse DACs on ebay (about £35.00)?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HI-FI-Mini-DAC-TDA1543-DIR9001-NOS-DAC-Incl-power-/160544198649

Regards

Chris

[StanleyB]

If you don't find what you are after, I can let you have one of my back up stock TC-7510. It is brand new in its plastic wrapping. I would find suitable postal packaging for it of course. Let me know if you need a PSU as well or if you intend to fit your own psu. £60 OK with postage included?