$200-300 DAC, Crossovers, DRC, and such

[intangible]

The baseball game I wanted to watch got blacked out last night, so I spent some time playing around with audio stuff and naturally now want to spend more money.

I got around to moving the DAC from my bedroom (Maverick Audio D1) into the living room and found it to provide superior highs than what I currently have out there. I suppose this means it is time to shell out for a dedicated DAC to stay there permanently. From what I can tell, in the $200-300 range, I'm looking at something like I currently have or Emotiva new, the Twisted Pear Opus or an eBay kit pseudo-DIY, or ???? used. Any opinions on where the best value is?

The next thing I am playing with is taking further advantage of the fact that my source is a computer. I'm currently using an active, analog crossover I got for $20 off of eBay, which seems imminently replaceable by a digital crossover at the source. Since it is free to try, I plan on doing so, but I am curious as to whether there are any theoretical advantages to an analog vs a digital crossover.

Similarly, hanging room treatments is not an option for the foreseeable future, but there are a number of success stories online where digital room correction provided some of the same benefits. In particular, the people on the Audiogon forums appear to like the Behringer DEQ2496 for doing such. Once again, since my source is a computer, I don't see any reason to add another box, and there are a number of software solutions out there. Trying this would necessitate buying a microphone, so I am curious if anyone here has any experience with DRC of either sort that they could testify as to the effectiveness of.

[ddsski]

First, what is your amp/ power source? If you are using powered speakers off your computer, you need to start with at least a receiver or else you are fooling yourself. Computers make a fine source for material, but that material must pass through a quality setup of preamp with internal or separate DAC and amplification via stereophile components to be worthy of being called audiophile sound. The 40 and under age group that grew up with Walkman, CD's, ipods etc, never learned what good sound was about. If your computer speakers are say a 1 or 2 on the scale, and a cheap receiver can get you to a 3 or 4, you have already doubled your sound experience. Let's say an old Kenwood or Pioneer got you a good 5 for sound, it takes a Levinson, Mac or you name it, pick your topshelf brand to get the 10! The point is sound coming out of computer being played thru "computer" speakers no matter how good is going to be the weakest sound you'll find short of listening to an old boom box!

[audiocr381ve]

I've been thoroughly enjoying my Emotiva XDA-1, with the biggest improvement to my system being clarity, depth, and detail. I've owned a few DAC's in the $300-$500 price range and with all the features on the XDA-1 including XLR outs, preamp functionality, milled aluminum remote, it's really hard to beat at a ridiculous $349 w/ free shipping. If I had one gripe about it, it would be that it's not as "warm" as I hoped it would be but this could be due to the new level of clarity on the top-end. I plan to balance it out with the Carver TFM-45 I have in for repair.

Hope this helps.

[tonyb]

A good way to balance out warmth is by experimenting with cables. it's a synergy thing and alittle trial and error is needed to get the sound you like.

[intangible]

I took the time to set up a digital crossover but did not hear any difference with the active one out of the analog chain, so things have been reverted back to where they were. I would still be interested in hearing about experiences with DRC, if anyone has any.

ddsski, I am running 2Bs off of an EL34 SET amp I built. I am fairly certain the DAC section of my pre/pro is the weakest link. I still appreciate the advice, though.

audiocr381ve, thank you for the impression of the XDA-1. I am trying to decide between it and the substantially cheaper but lacking in features HRT Music Streamer II.

[sm88]

Heard great things about the DACMagic, went a big step up in price to the W4S DAC2 instead but was about to buy one. They run right around $300 lightly used, right in your range, and have rave reviews

[intangible]

After reading everything I could find on the DACMagic, V-DAC, XDA-1, and MSII+, I decided the DACMagic had the sound closest to what I was looking for and pulled the trigger. I appreciate the suggestion.

[audiocr381ve]

After reading everything I could find on the DACMagic, V-DAC, XDA-1, and MSII+, I decided the DACMagic had the sound closest to what I was looking for and pulled the trigger. I appreciate the suggestion.

Cool, let us now how it turns out. That was one I was seriously considering before I bought my XDA-1.

[PrazVT]

I have 2 DACMagics - I think you'll enjoy it. Improved audio quality on both my RTi a7s and LSi9s significantly!