I need a USB DAC

[FluffyNuggets]

So sadly I have to get rid of my Asus Xonar Essence ST sound card because it was blocking my PCIe slot for the second graphics card I just bought.

I'm looking for a DAC that's comparable or Better then the ST's DAC. I need it to have RCA connections for stereo speakers and headphone jack for my Seenheiser HD 598's. don't really need a amp since the headphones don't need it and my speakers are powered.

Any suggestions? I've looked at Fiio's but I've heard they don't sound as good as the ST.

Thanks!

[Volbet]

Asus Xonar Essence One is a great DAC.

[Cheesebaron]

Aune X1 or Audinst HUD MX-1/MX-2 would be a great choice here, they both have a pretty decent DAC and both have pre-out for speakers and what not.

[FluffyNuggets]

The Xonar one is out of my price range. I'm looking for something in the $100 range

[Cheesebaron]

At that price range a NuForece UDAC2 could be a good choice. However at that price point you will not be side grading or upgrading. You will be downgrading in terms of performance.

[FluffyNuggets]

What about $150? Should I buy a Xonar STX instead?

[h264]

At that price range a NuForece UDAC2 could be a good choice. However at that price point you will not be side grading or upgrading. You will be downgrading in terms of performance.

 

I would take a pass on the UDAC2:

 

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/nuforce-udac-2-drama.html

 

Try a FiiO E10 instead.  $80 and it'll drive just about anything

[t0wer]

fiio e7 + e9 combo is what I'd go with.

[Cheesebaron]

I would take a pass on the UDAC2:

 

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/nuforce-udac-2-drama.html

 

Try a FiiO E10 instead.  $80 and it'll drive just about anything

 

Well he seemed kind of reluctant to get the FiiO  :D

[h264]

Well he seemed kind of reluctant to get the FiiO  :D

 

Well, we tried.

[ShearMe]

I would take a pass on the UDAC2:

 

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/nuforce-udac-2-drama.html

 

A few years ago I almost bought a UDAC.... suddenly glad I was poor.  :lol:

 

 

What about $150? Should I buy a Xonar STX instead?

 

Why don't you sell the ST and add that money to your budget?

[AllTernative]

The E10 looks nice but I read that it snips the beginning of sounds away... so thats pretty bad.

Anyone have any experience with that?

[zhick]

The E10 looks nice but I read that it snips the beginning of sounds away... so thats pretty bad.

Anyone have any experience with that?

I've got an E10 and never noticed anything like that. But:

 

I need it to have RCA connections for stereo speakers

The E10 only has a 3.5mm line-out jack, so you'd have to use adapters.

[FluffyNuggets]

A few years ago I almost bought a UDAC.... suddenly glad I was poor. :lol:

Why don't you sell the ST and add that money to your budget?

I plan on it but who knows how much I'd get. I wish I could trade it for the STX but who knows if that would ever happen.

[FluffyNuggets]

I've got an E10 and never noticed anything like that. But:

The E10 only has a 3.5mm line-out jack, so you'd have to use adapters.

I was thinking of the E17 but I don't know. I heard the amp is the same as the ST but I don't know about the quality of the DAC. I want something good Thats a lot better then on board audio, not slightly better.