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Thread: WTD: DAC - cheap with neutral warm sound

  1. #1
    Join Date: Mar 2009

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 625
    I'm Ian.

    Default WTD: DAC - cheap with neutral warm sound

    Experimenting with DACs, looking for some thing that is is neutral or leaning towards warm rather than bright - sound wise.

    Price needs to be keen, ie easy to sell on, because I am experimenting rather looking for long term keeps right now.

    prefer something with coax, optical and usb 192/24

  2. #2
    Join Date: May 2018

    Location: Woking

    Posts: 803
    I'm Chris.

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    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Topping-Dec...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

    Lots of respect for this here.

    I've had a few . . . Neutral for sure.

    If you don't like it you can just send back within a month. Does DSD too . . .
    System 1: - Amp - Musical Paradise MP-701 mk2 - Neurochrome 686
    - Source: Audio Technica LP-5 - Custom 6V6 stage - Novafidelity X30 - Soekris 1421 (LPSU) - Custom TDA1541 C3G DAC -
    - Speakers: Martin Logan Prodigy's - Subs: - REL T3's -

    System 2 - Amp: Musical Paradise MP 303/Custom 300B SET - Custom 6SL7 Pre -
    - Source: Pioneer N-30K - SONCOZ SGD1 -
    - Speakers: Loth X BS1's - Sub: REL T3 -

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jul 2012

    Location: Wimborne

    Posts: 704
    I'm Alex.

    Default

    I have a NOS DAC, co axial only though....

  4. #4
    Join Date: Mar 2009

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 625
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Thanks Chris, that is most useful, I had thought about trying one of these but only looked on the bay and prices werent too keen.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

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    I would say try the Topping D50, it has 7 filter settings so you can fine tune it to your preference.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Mar 2009

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 625
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Quick Internet search shows d50 at under £200 which looked good but last used one only fetched £100 on Ebay. Big hit, don't like sending back just because I don't like it, some people say the d50 is bright sounding.

    Anything else available?, offers?, tube outputs?

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Notts

    Posts: 2,743
    I'm Geoff.

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    I have recently bought an Ifi Zen DAC. It only has USB, but this is not a problem for me as it is intended as a headphone amp with my pc. I like it very much, particularly when playing DSD and MQA files. It is a touch on the warm side of neutral but not enough to draw attention to the fact. i am using the balanced output with my Hifiman 400i headphones and I can strongly recommend it. It can be used with a balanced amp as well, but requires a 4.4mm to xlr adaptor.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Sep 2017

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 156
    I'm Martin.

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    Hi Ian, I have an arcam irdac.
    I think it satisfies your usb bit depth requirements ?

    mart.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jul 2012

    Location: Wimborne

    Posts: 704
    I'm Alex.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by alcarmichael View Post
    I have a NOS DAC, co axial only though....
    It’s cheap!

  10. #10
    Join Date: Mar 2009

    Location: Nottingham

    Posts: 625
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by alcarmichael View Post
    It’s cheap!
    not at all sure it is of interest, but out of curiosity - what make/model is it?

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