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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 7, 2020 6:31:56 GMT -5
For a computer-room system - MUST have remote volume control - Currently looking at the Emotiva Stealth DC-1 (used) at about $250 or the refurbished Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt at about the same price. I've heard Schiit DACs and not liked them. Other recommendations?
What I like about the Stealth DC-1:
extra pair of analog inputs
balanced outputs
What I like about the Dragonfly:
No external power supply needed
No additional space needed for a box
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs 
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 5,033
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Post by cawgijoe on Nov 7, 2020 8:43:05 GMT -5
I have the Dragonfly Red and highly recommend it. I’m sure the Cobalt is better. Small. Easily drives hard to drive headphones. No need for external power supply.
I do have a Schiit dac that I like also, but again it’s personal preference.
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Post by brubacca on Nov 7, 2020 8:50:16 GMT -5
I have been reading a lot about Topping these days. They seem to be really liked for inexpensive Dacs.
D10s is $100 and only uses USB in. It has spdif out so I can also be used as a ISB/SPDIF converter. .
They have several models at various price points. The plus is regular RCA cables.
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Post by geebo on Nov 7, 2020 9:08:13 GMT -5
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Post by vcautokid on Nov 7, 2020 11:38:52 GMT -5
SMSL is in there too.
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Post by audiobill on Nov 7, 2020 12:57:26 GMT -5
Do all these have a remote volume control, as asked by Boom?
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Post by geebo on Nov 7, 2020 13:24:20 GMT -5
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 7, 2020 13:51:12 GMT -5
Thanks, all. I appreciate the feedback. The SMSL has balanced outputs (a minor plus) but lacks remote control volume. The Topping DOES have a good reputation, and also remote volume (thanks, geebo). I also appreciate cawgijoe's endorsement of the Dragonfly line. I'll spend some time investigating the Topping before deciding. After additional consideration of the used Stealth vs. the new Dragonfly, the former is without warranty and of unknown providence, therefore I'm removing it from further consideration. I've also evaluated used Dragonflies, but the price difference between used and new is sufficiently meager as to remove used ones from consideration. At the moment, the race is between a new Topping ($250) and a new Dragonfly ($275). |
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Post by gus4emo on Nov 7, 2020 18:12:33 GMT -5
Hi there, would this sound better than a receiver's DAC? |
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Post by pedrocols on Nov 7, 2020 18:29:04 GMT -5
I might get one of those. I am starting to be more inclined to simplicity. |
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Post by pedrocols on Nov 7, 2020 18:32:48 GMT -5
I still have an all in one DAC (DAC+Pre+AMP) but the thing is huge.
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Post by jackfish on Nov 7, 2020 19:45:24 GMT -5
Topping D50 gets my consideration.
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Post by geebo on Nov 7, 2020 19:45:54 GMT -5
Hi there, would this sound better than a receiver's DAC? Well I guess that would depend on the receiver but I would say generally yes. For some 2 channel material I prefer it to the RMC-1L but not necessarily for everything 2 channel. |
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Post by gus4emo on Nov 7, 2020 19:53:15 GMT -5
Hi there, would this sound better than a receiver's DAC? Well I guess that would depend on the receiver but I would say generally yes. For some 2 channel material I prefer it to the RMC-1L but not necessarily for everything 2 channel. It would mostly be for a CD player, and some content for the Emotiva BTR1.... |
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Post by geebo on Nov 7, 2020 21:33:07 GMT -5
Well I guess that would depend on the receiver but I would say generally yes. For some 2 channel material I prefer it to the RMC-1L but not necessarily for everything 2 channel. It would mostly be for a CD player, and some content for the Emotiva BTR1.... I've not tried it with Bluetooth so I can't comment but I don't see why that wouldn't work. I use it connected to a Zidoo Z10 source via USB and out to my RMC-1L's analog RCA input. |
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Post by gus4emo on Nov 7, 2020 23:40:58 GMT -5
It would mostly be for a CD player, and some content for the Emotiva BTR1.... I've not tried it with Bluetooth so I can't comment but I don't see why that wouldn't work. I use it connected to a Zidoo Z10 source via USB and out to my RMC-1L's analog RCA input. So, compared to the RMC1L, this unit sounds better? |
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Post by creimes on Nov 8, 2020 0:38:18 GMT -5
Topping DX7s Balanced DAC/Amp is $330 on drop.com  |
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Post by geebo on Nov 8, 2020 9:35:21 GMT -5
I've not tried it with Bluetooth so I can't comment but I don't see why that wouldn't work. I use it connected to a Zidoo Z10 source via USB and out to my RMC-1L's analog RCA input. So, compared to the RMC1L, this unit sounds better? I prefer it for some two channel material but not all two channel material. It uses dual ESS Sabre DAC chips and can be a little more forward sounding and certain recordings sound better with them to me. Both sound very good and I can listen to either. It's nice to have a choice. |
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Post by gus4emo on Nov 8, 2020 9:57:11 GMT -5
So, compared to the RMC1L, this unit sounds better? I prefer it for some two channel material but not all two channel material. It uses dual ESS Sabre DAC chips and can be a little more forward sounding and certain recordings sound better with them to me. Both sound very good and I can listen to either. It's nice to have a choice. Got you, I connected my CD player to the Denon 4520 via optical, noticed a cleaner sound, I would not like to spend any money if it would only improve a bit, thanks for info. |
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Post by quattroll on Nov 9, 2020 0:57:33 GMT -5
I’m looking for a similar dac, but it needs to have a remote and volume for my purposes. I have a XDA-2, how much out of the times is this unit? I keep hearing reviews talking about recent advances in dacs, trumping (no pun) most things from even several years ago. Is this really true?
What do you guys think?
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