Budget DAC advice please

[RaK]

I've updated my hifi after some time and would like advice on a budget level DAC, I have a Marantz pm6004 and some Neat iota speakers, looking to spend about £150.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Paul68]

I've updated my hifi after some time and would like advice on a budget level DAC, I have a Marantz pm6004 and some Neat iota speakers, looking to spend about £150.

Thanks in advance!

https://petertyson.co.uk/ifi-audio-...uW49iV5rgDYh5IrYu2YEmTwiY2dV_KyhoCUukQAvD_BwE

 

[Southeastern]

The IFI is a good call.

£150 isn't going to buy you much in DAC world, but IFI stuff is decent.

As an alternative

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/19537544...mxcsZNyQoRKdFVhSWmoGMN1Q==|tkp:Bk9SR-bs8_3vYA

 

[Cool Dude Ted]

Schiit Modi 3 if you can source one.

 

[Southeastern]

Schiit Modi 3 if you can source one.

Lol, like the one I posted above?

 

[Cool Dude Ted]

Lol, like the one I posted above?

That’ll teach me to read earlier posts a bit more carefully! Sorry.
Just seen that the Modi 3e is showing as being in stock with the Uk distributor, although the price has risen quite a bit compared to when I purchased mine about 18 months ago.

 

[Southeastern]

That’ll teach me to read earlier posts a bit more carefully! Sorry.
Just seen that the Modi 3e is showing as being in stock with the Uk distributor, although the price has risen quite a bit compared to when I purchased mine about 18 months ago.

I love a man-read

I had one years ago and remember it was very nice...some used ones on eBay, so definitely think its one for the OP.

The £ vs $ at the moment is going to be making new Schitt stuff VERY expensive unfortunately.

 

[Beyond you]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cambridge-...ocphy=1007044&hvtargid=pla-683504396282&psc=1
https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en/products/hi-fi/dacmagic/dacmagic100

 

[Lurch]

There's a Schitt 3 on eBay currently a tad over budget.
Other than that you have Cambridge DacMagic 100 or various Toppings within your budget.

 

[Southeastern]

Toppings should only ever be allowed on Pizza.

 

[Southeastern]

There's a Schitt 3 on eBay currently a tad over budget.
Other than that you have Cambridge DacMagic 100 or various Toppings within your budget.

What like the one I posted in the third post?



It is clear, we are all excitable man-reading muppets.

 

[bencat]

I will be bringing an R2R DAC an AH-Lite on to the Wam Show which is up for sale for a donation to the Wam charity . It is not up with high end stuff but is a real good sounding unit .

 

[RaK]

Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it! I got the Neat speakers today so I want to get the most out of them with the equipment I have to hand, and a DAC is an easy upgrade to achieve

 

[StingRay]

You can buy a new https://www.schiit.co.uk/dacs/Modi-3e

for £185, why buy a used one for £180?

 

[tuga]

The entry-level Musical Fidelity might be worth listening to.

 

[Nopiano]

Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it! I got the Neat speakers today so I want to get the most out of them with the equipment I have to hand, and a DAC is an easy upgrade to achieve

Welcome. I’ve not seen anyone ask what you are connecting the DAC to. That might be relevant (or not). As the speakers are very good, I might be thinking about a better amp, unless it’s a desktop setup.

 

[Gray]

Another option is the original Khadas Toneboard for £110.
A product that falls into the "too cheap to be any good" category for many.
That and it's lack of a case may well put you off - which would be a shame.
(It's used in the March Audio DAC 1, without the coax input).

 

[RaK]

Welcome. I’ve not seen anyone ask what you are connecting the DAC to. That might be relevant (or not). As the speakers are very good, I might be thinking about a better amp, unless it’s a desktop setup.

Yeah it's desktop, it'll be going in to my PC, so the current output is just not the standard which is required (jack output to RCA) as for the amp, my old Denon died, so I opted for a good budget amp...but then saw the neats come up for sale with the ISO stands and delivery for £475.... So I kinda couldn't resist, so all in all the amp with the speakers and stands cost £655 I'm pleased for the money, just the DAC is required, it's just a budget system

 

[karlsushi]

Just make sure whatever you go for has a USB input then so you can connect your pc.

Most DACs have a USB input, but just check to be sure.

In terms of the DAC suggestions, I would probably go for the iFi Zen DAC. Seems to be very popular, great value for money and will certainly be a noticeable improvement over your pc headphone output.

 

[Ceko]

All jokes aside I’d say a Topping E30 would bring you happiness.