WTD: Balanced Chinese DAC for £200

[thommy]

Something with balanced outputs, no pedigree, in a bland aluminium box to pair with some active studio monitors. AKM chip or Sabre if it's well implemented. Ideally has a USB input and maybe even a volume knob.

[Mr.Ian]

Bit left wing and no pot, but how about a topping e30 with an Alice or sbs broadcast se to balanced convertor? Just throwing an idea into the
mix

[Barry]

I would suggest the SMSL DO100 DAC at around £150.

You don't say what your source(s) will be, but unless it is Bluetooth or an Apple Mac PC, you shouldn't have any problem.

[thommy]

I would suggest the SMSL DO100 DAC at around £150.

You don't say what your source(s) will be, but unless it is Bluetooth or an Apple Mac PC, you shouldn't have any problem.

It would be the macbook pro in my office.

[thommy]

Bit left wing and no pot, but how about a topping e30 with an Alice or sbs broadcast se to balanced convertor? Just throwing an idea into the
mix

Nice thinking, but I have an E30 ii now and use it with a phono to XLR cable, am looking for something with differential output from the chip that is properly wired to the back panel.

Gustard X2x series, Topping D90, MDAC, Soncoz D1, that sort of arrangement. There must be others older/cheaper kicking around.