DAC suggestions or solutions

[Stryder5]

One advantage of buying the Topping new from Amazon is you can return it if you aren't impressed.

The Xiang Sheng that Grant recommends is excellent [although I do prefer the Topping a little] but there have been reliability issues with them. I have had 2 partially fail and other folks have had problems.

I've had the Jolida as well, it was 'OK' but I can't say it was much more than that, imo. Much more transparency is to be had.

But as Jeff says, it all depends what sort of sound you are after.

I agree with Jerry about the Topping, if you buy it and don't like it return it.

Nothing to loose, and you get to hear it in your own system.

I still have my Jolida FX Glass DAC MkI and find it very good. Tube rolling has been fun, Tung Sol in my system sounded a bit dull, Siemens, Telefunken, Harma 7025 Cryo, Sovtek Long Plates tried, but by far the best were some NOS 80's Chinese military valves, still in place.

Gary

[Colin2040]

Appreciate the input hadn’t thought about little dot at all so will have a look into them. I did think about the Xs DAC but I really don’t need volume or headphone jack but it’s still on the list.

Colin

[struth]

Appreciate the input hadn’t thought about little dot at all so will have a look into them. I did think about the Xs DAC but I really don’t need volume or headphone jack but it’s still on the list.

Colin

vol is only for the headphone really, although it can be put into the circuit to become a pre if you wish quite easily. sound is better with it out of circuit tho.
Sound with its original chinese valve isnt nearly as good as a decent nos one, WE ones from the USA are the best but not cheap.

[JohnG]

There is such a broad interest in DAC's, and the affordability and Choices is vast.
It would be great if sometime during 2019, a Bake Off/ Comparison event was put on.
I would happily take on the journey to actively support the day, as well as
enter a DAC.

[goraman]

Appreciate the input hadn’t thought about little dot at all so will have a look into them. I did think about the Xs DAC but I really don’t need volume or headphone jack but it’s still on the list.

Colin

You are looking at the little dot dac 2 with headphone amp , look at the Dac 1 . https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/little_dot_e.html

[goraman]

I agree with Jerry about the Topping, if you buy it and don't like it return it.

Nothing to loose, and you get to hear it in your own system.

I still have my Jolida FX Glass DAC MkI and find it very good. Tube rolling has been fun, Tung Sol in my system sounded a bit dull, Siemens, Telefunken, Harma 7025 Cryo, Sovtek Long Plates tried, but by far the best were some NOS 80's Chinese military valves, still in place.

Gary

Can you expand on the Chinese military valves maybe even a picture if possible. I would love to try a pair if I can find them.

[Stryder5]

Can you expand on the Chinese military valves maybe even a picture if possible. I would love to try a pair if I can find them.

I will take photo tomorrow, and find the spec. if I can, they were bought from Watford Valves in UK, but I don't see them there any more, they may have been a one time offer.

The Harma 7025 Cryo were good too.

Hope I can help.

Gary

[goraman]

Thank you Gary,
I did find a big difference between the stock re issue tung sols and the re issue tung sol golds I got from upscale audio.
I got there platinum grade they are carefully matched and hand selected after burn in for sonics.
The upgrade version of that tube sounds similar but just has more bloom in the top end, it is more pleasant to listen to.

I would have to agree with this evaluation to a degree of Tungsols and how they are different, but for example the Genulex GL B59 is midrange forward, the TS Gold is just slightly recessed making vocals not so much in your face.

[goraman]

worth a look, http://www.promitheusaudio.com/tubedac.html

[Hypnotist]

Try one of Stans SEG Dacs I updated mine and now its burnt in its a brilliant dac for the money