DAC to go with my kit

[Joshuamessenger]

I’m looking to buy a DAC around the £100 mark to go with my kit; I’m a student with a low income but feel my system would benefit with one.

I’m currently looking at;

http://www.maplin.co.uk/digital-to-analogue-audio-convertor-504890

http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-3635-cyp-aud150-usb-and-optical-digital-audio-converter.aspx

I will be playing music and Audio from PC, IPhone/pad and xbox360. USB and Optical are essential to the DAC.

Looking for musical but not too bright, would like a warm sounding DAC to round off my KEF's

My ideal way of buying it would be shop as I try to avoid EBay and Chinese knockoffs

Would like to keep it under 100 pound due to buying decent RCA cables, but I could stretch £130

 

[Joshuamessenger]

any help welcome, could push my budget up after some good news.

 

[ESLee]

I would have suggested an Audioquest Dragonfly as you can find them a liitle over your budget on the Bay. Unfortunately it's only USB.

I've got one for travelling and would say it matched my £900 Chordette Peach(!) when listening to FLACs.
Failing that maybe raise a bit more cash and go for a Musical Fidelity V Dac?

 

[jimmylee73]

Beresford Bushmaster? I have one and think it's very good and was cheap, too

 

[expat_mike]

Or maybe the new M2 Tech HiFace reviewed on Andrews blog. Again it's only USB, but I am tempted to get one.

http://www.whathifi.com/blog/m2tech-hiface-dac-hands-on-review

 

[busb]

I’m looking to buy a DAC around the £100 mark to go with my kit; I’m a student with a low income but feel my system would benefit with one.

I’m currently looking at;

http://www.maplin.co.uk/digital-to-analogue-audio-convertor-504890

http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-3635-cyp-aud150-usb-and-optical-digital-audio-converter.aspx

I will be playing music and Audio from PC, IPhone/pad and xbox360. USB and Optical are essential to the DAC.

Looking for musical but not too bright, would like a warm sounding DAC to round off my KEF's

My ideal way of buying it would be shop as I try to avoid EBay and Chinese knockoffs

Would like to keep it under 100 pound due to buying decent RCA cables, but I could stretch £130

The only alternative I know of has been mentioned - Beresford Bushmaster but I suspect a new one will cost over £130. You other option is to buy 2nd hand. to square your circle. I don't know how much you intend to spend on RCA cables but I'd go for fairly basic well-made ones:

http://www.hificables.co.uk/11552/Qed-Performance-Audio.html

Despite their comments about only being good enough for TV rather than HiFi!

 

[Joshuamessenger]

I when the other way on this one and look at just music and I ended up paying a little more than first planed due to me getting paid more than expected. When a got the Denon DNP-720AE, which sounds fabulous. I would say this is a huge improvement from iPhone to 3.5mm to RCA.

I will say this helps my system as it can be a little too bright a times and the denon helps by rounding the very top off. With DAB include I would say it was a still at £175

 

[busb]

Nice one - Airplay as well. Just the ticket!