Best DAC under $200

[Guest]

I want a new dac. Tips.

[spwath]

Try that shiit one

[AMICLG]

Fiio E10 (~$75) if you can find one also I wouldn't touch Schiit with a 10 foot stick.

[JAKEBAB]

Fiio E10 (~$75) if you can find one also I wouldn't touch Schiit with a 10 foot stick.

why wouldnt u touch schiit?

[Thebman712]

why wouldnt u touch schiit?

is it not obvious, it is schiit

[warpig]

I own aforementioned Schiit, and highly recommend it. The Odac will provide you with identical sound as well as a more versatile standard 3.5mm as opposed to the Schiit's RCA at the expense of a greater price point and arguably inferior aesthetics.

 

What amp do you intend to be using your dac with? 

[Yummychickenblue]

Why not that Mayflower 02?

[Kev]

Buy what ever you want. Dacs sound so good these days, spending hundreds of dollars on one is a waste of money IMO.

 

EDIT: Unless you are spending thousands of dollars. Then go wild.

[Benjamin G]

Try that shiit one

It's schiit actually

[TheGrapeEscape]

Why not that Mayflower 02?

 

Because that would be an amp.

 

I second the ODAC suggestion though, but as someone else mentioned earlier; aren't you going to want a amp to go with that?

[BoredErica]

I think the highest performing DAC under $200 is the Odac. It will win measurement wise but I think most people will find that a cheap $100 or sub $100 DAC sounds just as good to our ears even though the Odac measured objectively better (down to whether our hears can hear a difference). Objective is still a great piece of technology, hell even I own one. I don't get the hate on Schiit. Their entry level offerings are good contenders for the price.

 

As <removed> noted, the O2 is the amp, the Odac is the dac. And you can get both in one box as a combo.

Edited August 10, 2020 by SansVarnic

[EmoRarity]

Depends what you're running. Speakers and most headphones don't need any help. 

[Avratz]

Schiit Modi, ODAC, can't go wrong.

 

I run a Schiit Modi/Vali stack and love it.

[creatip123]

What headphone/headset are you using? Some headphones/sets aren't detailed enough to distinguish sounds from 1 DAC to the others. In that case, just go with whatever DAC you like/eyeing.

[Yummychickenblue]

I think the highest performing DAC under $200 is the Odac. It will win measurement wise but I think most people will find that a cheap $100 or sub $100 DAC sounds just as good to our ears even though the Odac measured objectively better (down to whether our hears can hear a difference). Objective is still a great piece of technology, hell even I own one. I don't get the hate on Schiit. Their entry level offerings are good contenders for the price.

 

As Orangetimer noted, the O2 is the amp, the Odac is the dac. And you can get both in one box as a combo.

IsnT the Objetive 02 a Combe amp/dac in one convenient package?

[TheGrapeEscape]

IsnT the Objetive 02 a Combe amp/dac in one convenient package?

 

Nah, I think you might be thinking of this https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/mayflower-custom-products/desktop-objective2-with-odac/

 

You might be confusing the two because the housing for the O2 was designed to fit the ODAC if a combo was needed. Otherwise the O2 (with and without an ODAC) have an almost identical look.

[Yummychickenblue]

Nah, I think you might be thinking of this https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/mayflower-custom-products/desktop-objective2-with-odac/

 

Yes that one.

 

 

dar price tag dough.

[TheGrapeEscape]

Yes that one.

 

 

dar price tag dough.

 

Oh, yeah about that. I linked to the modded version... the regular version should more reasonable than that 

[BoredErica]

Yes that one.

 

 

dar price tag dough.

There's a $240 version that has almost the same exact stuff. Just a 3.5mm jack instead of quarter inch, lacks aluminum volume knob (which I dig aesthetically), possibly power connection is on front. Not a big difference for cheaper.

 

 

I totally want an Objective combo with two quarter inch connections and a physical button to toggle between first or second jack. Then you can put the jacks on the back since I don't need to switch cables all the time with two jacks. Save clutter in front, save tons of hassle and time from switching. I'd totally pay an extra $100 for that alone. Tyler says the enclosure is just too small for that. Well make a larger one! And I'll pay accordingly.

 

/Offtopicsorry

[creatip123]

There's a $240 version that has almost the same exact stuff. Just a 3.5mm jack instead of quarter inch, lacks aluminum volume knob (which I dig aesthetically), possibly power connection is on front. Not a big difference for cheaper.

 

 

I totally want an Objective combo with two quarter inch connections and a physical button to toggle between first or second jack. Then you can put the jacks on the back since I don't need to switch cables all the time with two jacks. Save clutter in front, save tons of hassle and time from switching. I'd totally pay an extra $100 for that alone. Tyler says the enclosure is just too small for that. Well make a larger one! And I'll pay accordingly.

 

/Offtopicsorry

 

Might be too much trouble for them. From manufacturer's aspect, a new design of enclosure means a new set of molding. If they custom made their own molding from an enclosure manufacturer, a different design would mean they have to pay for the making of the new mold (which is quite a lot). If they order their enclosure from the ready-made options, most probably they place their order in bulk, so ordering in a small quantity might be a problem as well. 

 

Here's an idea: order a DIY package, with your custom-spec PCB printed. You can then assemble it, and make the enclosure yourself. I'm thinking all wood might be nice, although woods might be fire-hazardous though...

 

That's what I'd do, except if I have $100 to spare, I'd just pay an electronic servicing guy to assemble and probably make the enclosure for me, because I'm not good at soldering delicate stuffs

[BoredErica]

Might be more trouble for them. From manufacturer's aspect, a new design of enclosure means a new set of molding. If they custom made their own molding from an enclosure manufacturer, a different design would mean they have to pay for the making of the new mold (which is quite a lot). If they order their enclosure from the ready-made options, most probably they place their order in bulk, so ordering in a small quantity might be a problem as well. 

 

Here's an idea: order a DIY package, with your custom-spec PCB printed. You can then assemble it, and make the enclosure yourself. I'm thinking all wood might be nice, although woods might be fire-hazardous though...

I know it's troublesome to implement my wish but, but, but I WANT! 

I don't know about assembling it, I have zero experience with that. 

[creatip123]

I know it's troublesome to implement my wish but, but, but I WANT! 

I don't know about assembling it, I have zero experience with that. 

 

Quoted after my edit

 

Edit: That's what I'd do, except if I have $100 to spare, I'd just pay an electronic servicing guy to assemble and probably make the enclosure for me, because I'm not good at soldering delicate stuffs

[BoredErica]

Quoted after my edit

 

Edit: That's what I'd do, except if I have $100 to spare, I'd just pay an electronic servicing guy to assemble and probably make the enclosure for me, because I'm not good at soldering delicate stuffs

Lol, happens all the time to me. I often post and then edit the post as I re-read the post multiple times.

 

I'm surprised I've never seen anybody else suggest this feature apart from me. Sometimes headphones are not going to cut it when I'm up and about, or just don't feel like using them. Looking straight down at the desk (like when I'm writing on a piece of paper) with the low clamping force of the HD800s, it kindda feels like the headphones will fall off (but they never do, but my ears shift in position inside the earcups). And then for serious gaming sessions I use my headphones, or for serious music listening I go to my headphones. That's why I didn't sell my speakers when I got my more expensive headphones, because I feel they each have their place. And every time I want to switch I have to pull out the plug and insert the other one. While the quarter inch jacks and connectors are more durable (or so I heard), I don't want to kill it by switching all the time every day for the next few years. A simple switch cutting down on clutter would be baws.

[creatip123]

Lol, happens all the time to me. I often post and then edit the post as I re-read the post multiple times.

 

I'm surprised I've never seen anybody else suggest this feature apart from me. Sometimes headphones are not going to cut it when I'm up and about, or just don't feel like using them. Looking straight down at the desk (like when I'm writing on a piece of paper) with the low clamping force of the HD800s, it kindda feels like the headphones will fall off (but they never do, but my ears shift in position inside the earcups). And then for serious gaming sessions I use my headphones, or for serious music listening I go to my headphones. That's why I didn't sell my speakers when I got my more expensive headphones, because I feel they each have their place. And every time I want to switch I have to pull out the plug and insert the other one. While the quarter inch jacks and connectors are more durable (or so I heard), I don't want to kill it by switching all the time every day for the next few years. A simple switch cutting down on clutter would be baws.

 

That's easy, you'll just need a/b switch like this: http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-SES-IPOD-AB-Stereo-MP3-Player/dp/B005TE7GP4/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1401437505&sr=8-18 but the 1/4" version, which I was unable to find any. You could use 1/4" to 3,5mm adapters, or build one yourself.

[BoredErica]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

 

Interesting.