DAC Help . . .

[SolidSqual]

Can anyone recommend a nice DAC in the $200-$300 range used or new?

[crossroads]

You can get a nice EAD ( Enlightened Audio Design ) DSP-7000, Monarchy, Channel Island or a NOS ( None Over-Sampling ) DAC for that price. Good luck.

[AndyGwis]

I have a Theta Pro Progeny (bought Agon for $300) that I like. I think you can get Theta Pro Basics for around $300 as well.

Should also be some options from Musical Fidelity in that range.

[tryrrthg]

Audio Mirror DAC1

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1184875032

[zombie boy 2000]

Audio Mirror DAC1

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1184875032

I take it that's a NON-OS Dac? Pony up some details, if you'd be so kind:)

[tryrrthg]

I take it that's a NON-OS Dac? Pony up some details, if you'd be so kind:)
Yep, NON-OS DAC. I don't know a lot about it, never even heard it, I've just seen a lot of satisfied people at audiogon that have. for the money it would be worth a try...

I still think one of you (Zombie or SolidSqual) should buy my Arcam CD73. :D

[zombie boy 2000]

Once enough funds get cleared, either this or the Bada will be in the batter's box:) I haven't forgotten ya.

[a_mattison]

ADCOM GDA-600 or -700. ~$230 on ebay. There was one on Audiogon that may still be there.

[heiney9]

+1 for Monarchy.

You get a lot of bang for your buck buying a used Moarchy dac. Of course the newer gens are a little bit better but not usually worth the extra cost

For example a 22A goes for between $200-300 and the 22C goes between $500-700 and there isn't a $300 to $400 difference in sound unless you are using other really great complimentary components.

YMMV

H9

[zombie boy 2000]

And the 18b can usually be had for around $185 -- with a built-in preamp to boot.

[heiney9]

ADCOM GDA-600 or -700. ~$230 on ebay. There was one on Audiogon that may still be there.

especially the 600. It has a very magical sound, everything so just sounds so good thru it. It's not your typical Adcom "house" sound, they did something right with this unit, can't put my finger on it, but it just sounds so good.

The 700 has HDCD but I'm told the 2 designs are slightly different and many prefer the PCM 63 Burr Brown chips in the 600 over the PCM 1702 Burr Brown chips in the 700. The difference is very slight and for some less critical listeners non-existent.

Another sleeper is the Aragon D2A and D2A2.

H9

[heiney9]

And the 18b can usually be had for around $185 -- with a built-in preamp to boot.

Passive line stage pre amp section.

H9

[rskarvan]

especially the 600. It has a very magical sound, everything so just sounds so good thru it. It's not your typical Adcom "house" sound, they did something right with this unit, can't put my finger on it, but it just sounds so good.

The 700 has HDCD but I'm told the 2 designs are slightly different and many prefer the PCM 63 Burr Brown chips in the 600 over the PCM 1702 Burr Brown chips in the 700. The difference is very slight and for some less critical listeners non-existent.

Another sleeper is the Aragon D2A and D2A2.

H9

I purchased the ADCOM 700 DAC because it uses the PCM1702 chips. These are the same chips that are used in the Krell KAV300CD. So, I'm thinking if its good enough for Krell... its good enough for me.

[heiney9]

I purchased the ADCOM 700 DAC because it uses the PCM1702 chips. These are the same chips that are used in the Krell KAV300CD. So, I'm thinking if its good enough for Krell... its good enough for me.

I wholeheartedly agree, but I was specifically talking to one of the techs who originally worked at Adcom in New Jersey and he was telling me a bit about the 600 and 700 and their differences.

The BB PCM 1702 chipset has to be used if you are using the Pacific Micronics HDCD filter. You can't get HDCD using the older PCM63. In fact many designers still pefer the PCM63 to the newer PCM1702 as a matter of choice. Even Monarchy still uses the PCM63 in their latest dac the M24 which uses tubes for the dac output as well as a seperate tube section for the line stage preamp.

Bottom line is they are both excellent chipsets and if it's good enough for Krell than it's pretty damn good :)

H9

[GV#27]

This EAD 7000 might be worth a look.http://cgi.ebay.com/EAD-DSP-7000-D-to-A-converter-Enlightened-Audio-Design_W0QQitemZ120127561056QQcmdZViewItem