Is a sensibly DAC with 4 digital inputs (at least 2 optical) too much to ask for?

[stuartayling]

:quest: Is a sensibly DAC with 4 digital inputs (at least 2 optical) too much to ask for? Any recommendations (yes I the word sensibly is subjective - I want to spend the least possible but with quality to match at least that of the Arcam rLink)?. Many thanks, Stuart

 

[Dave_]

Beresford Bushmaster
http://www.beresford.me/PP/Digital_Audio_1.html

Emotiva XDA-1 if you can still find one, or its replacement the XDA-2
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/xda2

 

[stuartayling]

Many thanks for the quick reply. The Beresford has the inputs I need how about the sound quality? The auto feature looks good but the instructions said it doesn't work with some kit. I'd be hooking up Apple TV and TV to the opticals and sky HD and Sony Bluray to the digital coax.

 

[stuartayling]

I should have said I'd be hooking it up to Arcam Solo Neo and Kef R100 speakers.

 

[theadmans]

Had the Bushmaster for a couple of months and been blown away by the sound. I am sure this is something to do with the way it is passive (no nasty op amps are used in the output stage - unlike most DACs). In fact I also auditioned the Audiolab MDAC but I actually preferrred the Bushmaster (at several hundred pounds cheaper than the MDAC).

BTW the Auto Input select on the Bushmaster is optional - you can always overide it by choosing the inputs manually - so you shouldn't have any worries on this score. You also get a very fine Headphone amp on the Bushmaster which drives my Sennheiser HD650s beautifully (Stan of Beresford actuallly tweaked the Headphone section to match the specs of my HD650s at no extra cost).

 

[stuartayling]

Thank you for your advice.