Looking for a USB DAC/Headphone AMP

[MrBrickFish]

Hi,

I’m looking for comments, recommendation and advice to help me choose a “good value” USB DAC/Headphone amp to use with my laptop to play back my music which is all in FLAC. In recent months I’ve been experimenting with music in higher resolution formats up to 24bit/192kHz. Personally, I believe that this area of market is moving very fast at the moment and so I’m not looking for the “ultimate final solution”. Rather, I’m looking for something which will improve over the built in sound. The main requirements in descending priority are :

Bit perfect playback via USB possible with appropriate player and drivers

Playback of higher resolution music up to 24bit/192kHz Budget (up to £150? But value for money is more important)

Other outputs, optical, coax and analogue stereo

Pass through of surround sounds (5.1, DTS etc) from movies

Something like the Musiland monitor 01 or 02 would seem to fit the bill. http://www.ampcity.co.uk/dacs/portable-digital-to-analogue-converters/musiland-monitor-02-us-portable-dac-amplifier.html

It can be found cheaper elsewhere and there are many alternatives on ebay.

Many thanks for your help

Cheers

Sean

 

[MrBrickFish]

Anyone?

 

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at the Beresford Caiman?

 

[John Duncan]

Kerching...

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/headphones-etc/fubar-iv-and-grado-325is-first-impressions

(EDIT - though I note that the exchange rate for the Euro at the moment makes it a bit over budget...)

 

[TALON1973]

what headphones have you got mate ? as that would affect suggestions as well

 

[jcoops16]

I have a Caiman and while its a really good DAC/amp its strictly stereo and over 200 quid. How about a uDAC not quite sure it ticks all your boxes but is cheaper than the musiland and gets favourable reviews.

http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/iconudac/

 

[Anonymous]

Look into the fiio E7/E9 for desktop/portable solution.
Also worth looking at iBasso products.

If you want to do some research on a more "specific" site try looking and google headfi.org

New product being released 01/09/11 is the Asus Essence One desktop dac/amp but likely to be above your price range.

HTH