Dac

[steelee]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a half decent External DAC, I am using a Squeezebox3, Marantz PM7001KI amp and Mission M35i speakers with monster interconnects and speaker cable (bi-wired).
I have found the sound quality when using cd's ripped to Wav (1415 kbs) is far better than when using my CD player (Exposure 2010 s)

Thanks

[RobsterD]

Hi mate a Monica 2 NOSDAC might fit the bill
I just might have one for sale in the classifieds

[Knightshade]

Have to say the NOSDAC's are very good. A bit transport dependent though.
What's your budget?

[Cable Monkey]

If you can stretch to £800, the Benchmark DAC1 will make the best of any signal fed to it. It is very much transport independant and mine recently led to the sale of my CD player because it wasn't appreciably better than my (expensive) DVD player through the DAC.

[steelee]

cheers all, budget is up to 1k so will have a look at the Benchmark DAC1

Thanks

[Knightshade]

Look at CHord DAC 64 for that money as well.

[analogueaddict]

Hi,

Given your budget I would take a look at a couple of outstanding pieces, the first is the Perpetual Technologies P-3A Signature, well within your budget, very versatile, I've had one for 5 years and it still gives a lot of DAC's out there a run for their money.

The second is an E-Bay only item now, the Musical Fidelity Tri Vista 21, a stunning unit, built like a battleship, choke regulated power supply and a valve output stage which can drive any length of cable, it actually outputs more than 1 watt so driving even troublesome cables and input stages is not a problem. Expect to pay between £700 and £900 for one of these, but sonically worth every penny.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Dave