Need to find a good DAC for $150 or less

[Doomslayer]

Hey all,

I'm looking for a good DAC for A$150 or less my main use for the DAC will be gaming and some music the headphones i'm using are Audio-Technica ATH-M50 and my speakers are Altec Lansing some 2.0 ones can't remember the model number tho.

Thanks guys

 

[TPC]

I'd toss in the all time favourite: The Fiio E10k
It will easily power your cans for a decent price.

 

[Doomslayer]

I'd toss in the all time favourite: The Fiio E10k
It will easily power your cans for a decent price.

I'm kinda not sold on it, i'm looking for something is more like a box shape like the Scarett Solo.

Do you know much about the Scarett Solo i can that for about A$150.00 the Fiio E10K
that will cost me about A$130.00 here

 

[SPS]

I'm kinda not sold on it, i'm looking for something is more like a box shape like the Scarett Solo.

Do you know much about the Scarett Solo i can that for about A$150.00 the Fiio E10K
that will cost me about A$130.00 here

Pretty sure Feronix has the Focusrite Scarlett Solo?

 

[Doomslayer]

Pretty sure Feronix has the Focusrite Scarlett Solo?

He does be he did say it might not be the right kinda of DAC for me.

I did find a brand called Topping DAC on ebay, are they just cheap chinese made DAC's not sure if you guys can get that brand over there.

 

[TPC]

I have a Topping NX1 lying around and it certainly is better than my phone (nexus4) But with my headphones I can clearly tell that it hasen't enough power being battery based. Yes I tried keeping the cable in it but that didnt help either.
Why do you want a boxy dac/amp? You can always hide it if the looks disturb you.

 

[Feronix]

Coming from someone that owned both, the Scarlett Solo isn't worth the extra money unless you actually use the XLR / 6.3mm inputs.

 

[Doomslayer]

I have a Topping NX1 lying around and it certainly is better than my phone (nexus4) But with my headphones I can clearly tell that it hasen't enough power being battery based. Yes I tried keeping the cable in it but that didnt help either.
Why do you want a boxy dac/amp? You can always hide it if the looks disturb you.

Call me silly but I like the design and one of the things i'm looking for is volume control cause i will be changing these speakers to something better my plan is to turn the volume up to full and then control it through the DAC so that is kinda why i will need to see it and have it in arms reach also it must have the 3.5mm i have the 6.5mm audio adapter as well.

I could change from my USB mic to a XLR mic too, just to see if there are any differences in sound.

Are the schiit DAC's any good

 

[TPC]

yes shiit is very good
SPS and me have the Magni and Modi combo. As far as I can say, the best amp/dac I ever used!

 

[Doomslayer]

yes shiit is very good
SPS and me have the Magni and Modi combo. As far as I can say, the best amp/dac I ever used!

There is a 2.0 of both models, Should i look at getting the 2.0 or just stick with the 1.0 model if i was going to get one.

Then there is May Flower too.

 

[Feronix]

No mate that's the wrong way around! You have decently working mic, you don't have to replace it just to have an excuse to buy the Scarlett. If you really want it, by all means go for it as it's a pretty good DAC for the money. All I'm saying is that you can either get similar 'performance' for less money or better for the price of the Solo.

 

[Doomslayer]

No mate that's the wrong way around! You have decently working mic, you don't have to replace it just to have an excuse to buy the Scarlett. If you really want it, by all means go for it as it's a pretty good DAC for the money. All I'm saying is that you can either get similar 'performance' for less money or better for the price of the Solo.

TBH there is not much difference in price here, That is the biggest problem if there was more a price differences then it would be different.

I do need to shift my microphone arm it's not close enough to my mouth i have to lean over to talk into it

It's kinda confusing tho trying to work out which is the right one and hoping it not going to fuck up last my last one did.

I can tell a difference now in some games when i did have my DAC and now using on board sound.

 

[Feronix]

I don't think it really matters what we say does it? You want dat Solo

I will add that the Solo needs drivers and thus software, while the E10 is plug and play (although the newer E10k has drivers I think).

 

[Doomslayer]

I don't think it really matters what we say does it? You want dat Solo

I will add that the Solo needs drivers and thus software, while the E10 is plug and play (although the newer E10k has drivers I think).

It's does matter that's why i'm asking to find the right one that suits my needs but yes i can see that i'm throwing it back in your faces with all the questions, When i was using the ASUS DAC that needed drives and software.

Maybe the Solo is too much for someone like me cause it's like you said it's more design for people who have things like guitars.

 

[TPC]

the 2.0 shiit versions are usually just some refinements of an already great product, get whatever gets sold cheaper in your area.

 

[Feronix]

It's does matter that's why i'm asking to find the right one that suits my needs but yes i can see that i'm throwing it back in your faces with all the questions, When i was using the ASUS DAC that needed drives and software.

I must admit though, despite me not being a fan of software drivers for audio equipment the only issue I've ever had with the Scarlett Solo is that the speakers are popping on boot, so I don't turn them on until the PC is fully booted and off before I shut her down.

Did not have any issues with the E10, personally.

 

[Doomslayer]

the 2.0 shiit versions are usually just some refinements of an already great product, get whatever gets sold cheaper in your area.

I will have to look to see if i can get it locally on ebay or store if not i may just have to ordered it through there website.

I must admit though, despite me not being a fan of software drivers for audio equipment the only issue I've ever had with the Scarlett Solo is that the speakers are popping on boot, so I don't turn them on until the PC is fully booted and off before I shut her down.

Did not have any issues with the E10, personally.

My speakers do that any way either they were on a DAC or on board.

I don't turn my Speakers on until i have loaded into Windows and even once i turn the switch on they still pop pretty loud too but there still working tho, i don't know why they would be doing it.

 

[PCgamingnoob]

Schiit Magni/Modi DAC/HP amp combo is the best you are going to do for $200 in my opinion.
If you are looking for something more compact you can look at an Audioquest Dragonfly, which only has a single output, or for ultimate convenience, at just over $200, an ARCAM rPAC which has RCA out on the back (you can easily get yourself an RCA to female 3.5mm/1/8th inch adapter) as well as an amplified 1/8th headphone jack on the front. I have it. It's quite decent. I have used it to drive ATHM50X and the results were good... assuming you like the sound of the ATHM50X. I think it's a horrible headphone and I would argue that a GRADO SR80E at a LOWER price delivers a much better sound.

 

[Doomslayer]

Schiit Magni/Modi DAC/HP amp combo is the best you are going to do for $200 in my opinion.
If you are looking for something more compact you can look at an Audioquest Dragonfly, which only has a single output, or for ultimate convenience, at just over $200, an ARCAM rPAC which has RCA out on the back (you can easily get yourself an RCA to female 3.5mm/1/8th inch adapter) as well as an amplified 1/8th headphone jack on the front. I have it. It's quite decent. I have used it to drive ATHM50X and the results were good... assuming you like the sound of the ATHM50X. I think it's a horrible headphone and I would argue that a GRADO SR80E at a LOWER price delivers a much better sound.

I will say no to the Audioquest Dragonfly i don't like it and i'm not looking for a USB thumb drive i don't like USB sound cards with my headphones that is your Opinion about the Audio Technica and i don't have the ATH-M50X i have the ATH-M50.

 

[Thelosouvlakia]

If you are going to use the amp/dac on a desk you should consider the Shiit -Stack or the O2 amp+dac since. Externally powered through the wall. can drive any headset with ease

Or else the E10K or the Schiit Fulla are good products too, low end but good