best reasonably priced DAC you've heard?

I resemble that remark.

 

Rega DAC-R. <$1k, if I recall a'right.

 

Resemble? Are you warm and lush?

 

A lush, maybe.

 

My Pi is connected via USB to a PS Audio Nuwave DAC. If you want a dac that connects directly to the Pi then the HiFiBerry+ seems to be the way to go. If you're happy using a USB cable then I like the Schitts. The Jaunary HiFi Choice just did a group test of 6 £500 to £800 USB DACS that would work with the Pi.

 

The Rega DAC-R @ £500 won the Hi-Fi Choice group test.

 

I wish there was a big test with octave metrum, ifi idsd, rega dac, schiit, ect

 

iFi DACs for under 800 bucks. Then Schiit Gungnir or Rega DAC-r

 

It's what I went with. It's an amazing sounding DAC and built like a tank.

 

For what it's worth, I like the Aune X1S for what I paid (retails for $289 - got it for $199 on Massdrop), but I only had a less expensive Fiio E10 to compare it to. I like that in it's price range it handles up to 32 bit and 384 DSD natively. A headphone amp is also built in.

http://www.head-fi.org/products/aune-x1s-32bit-384khz-dsd-dac-headphone-amplifier

Perhaps someday I'll upgrade to something nicer, but I'm more than happy at the moment. It's supplying audio from my laptop (via USB) to Audioengine A2+ speakers. It's my home office music rig.

 

Anything that sounds like Schiit.

 

PS Audio Link DAC III is not a bad one, little on the lush side and not the most detailed DAC out there. They have a newer one out that I have not tried yet.

 

The

That's what I have-love it, a great buy that has made all my digital music more involving. The headphone amp sounds great with my Sennheiser 580's, too.

 

I love the Apogee Duet II that I use. I never liked digital music until I started using it! Bonus for being able to do high rez vinyl rips, and even some home recording if you play music yourself.

 

Schitt Bifrost Multibit.

 

So you bought the Bifrost Multibit? You had started a thread asking for DAC recommendations. And the Bifrost Multibit was one you were considering.

 

The best cheap DAC I've heard is the Geek Out 450. I run a mini-RCA cable from the line-out to my amp. Sounds excellent. I prefer it to the ODAC.

 

I actually thought that this was an intriguing choice for a Raspberry Pi DAC, especially the dual mono version.

T-DAC and RPi-DAC - High Quality DAC »

 

I'm using the little Meridian Explorer ($300). Doesn't look like much, a little tube shaped like an oversized Bic lighter. Handles 24/192. I like it and I've never been fond of digital. Took it with me to audition the Decware SET — in Decware's Steve Deckert's own listening room. He was impressed with the sound, and I was using it to evaluate his amp. I'm sure he would have cried foul if he thought the Explorer was doing a disservice to his flagship amp.

The current Explorer model incorporates Meridian's high-res streaming scheme, which Tidal has announced it will adopt.

I'm sure there are better DACs for more, but if $300 is your price point, I'd definitely give it a listen.

 

I have, there is a thread here - Raspberry PI + I2S Dac »

Excellent results and great price

 

I'm an analog guy, but I use the Peachtree Dac*it for my cds & computer.

 

I have four Schiit DACs. The Gungnir Multibit is magic.

 

If your idea of reasonably priced is less than $10K, then it's the Schiit Yggdrasil or Gungnir multibit. If your idea of reasonably priced is less than $1K, Schiit Bifrost multibit. If your idea of reasonably priced is under $500, Schiit Bifrost 4490 (notice a trend?). And if your idea of reasonably priced is less than $300, the LH Labs Geek Out V2.

If you absolutely positively must have your DAC connect directly to your Raspberry Pi, then none of those will be an option and you should look at Hifiberry and similar companies. Personally I'd suggest getting the Digi+ add-on from Hifiberry so you can run optical and coax out of your Raspberry Pi, and then connect that to one of the Schiit DACs I listed above.

My personal preference is the Bifrost Multibit, but the 4490 is getting stellar reviews as well.

 

ODAC is nice...

JDS Labs - Standalone ODAC, Rev B »

 

I'm really interested in this. Right now I'm running a Wyred4Sound Dac 2 and using an Apple TV to stream.

My intentions have always been to upgrade the apple TV but I have never done it. The Aries Mini would seem to be a much better solution to streaming. I wonder how it's DAC compares to my Wyred though.

I believe you can use the Mini with a DAC, but it would be great if the Mini was comparable or even better than the DAC2. That would allow me to sell the Wyred and use those funds to purchase the Mini.