Topic: Inexpensive Chinese-Made DACs

[lds490]

It seems like there are a lot of cheap DACs coming on the market.  I can't tell if all are 24 bit, but some are.  Likewise, I would not expect great build quality or components, but I see that there are lots of mods available.  I wonder how they perform, compared to the on-board DAC in my Yamaha HT receiver.   

This one is only $175:

http://www.pothaudio.com/prod.php?view=20

These look interesting:

http://www.gr-research.com/components/lite_dacs.htm

Also, check this out:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=139545

[udovdh]

Interesting! (+T)
Which one is the one to get (with or without mods?)
BTW: Do they have more than just one coax/opto input? (CD, DVD, DAT, etc..)

[lds490]

I don't know any of the answers.  I think the $175 model is 16 bit only.  The people on the third link seem to really like the mod version of that one, which you order directly from the manufacturer in China and costs less tha $500.  There is not much info on any of them on the internet, but if you do a search you will find some discussion.

[jpschust]

to spend 500 bucks on a dac id rather buy a used bel canto, pay a touch more and then have top notch service that i know i can go back to at any time.

[udovdh]

OK, let's rephrase:

In a setup with NAD C320BEE, T524 and C521BEE would it be worth to place a separate DAC?
(i.e.: invest an amount of cash which is not out of whack w.r.t. the rest of the machinery and which yields a large enough inprovement in audio quality)
I know my own ears must be the final judge but because not every DAC is easy to audition, recommendations are very welcome.

[Nick Culbreth]

to spend 500 bucks on a dac id rather buy a used bel canto, pay a touch more and then have top notch service that i know i can go back to at any time.

I'll second the Bel Canto recommendation, I owned one for awhile and thought it was a great sounding DAC.  My only complaint with is was cables entering/exiting on the side of the unit rather than the back.

[udovdh]

to spend 500 bucks on a dac id rather buy a used bel canto, pay a touch more and then have top notch service that i know i can go back to at any time.

The service I experienced thus far is very good for a Christmas day. Quick responses, good answers.
When the Zhalou DAC design gets updated (e.g. 1.3 -> 1.4) a swapout would suffice and thus keep the device current at low cost. Interesting idea.

[Daryan]

I wouldn't hesitate to spend any amount of money with Danny from GRResearch.  He just helped me completely overhaul the crossovers in my speakers, and the results were stunning.  I was a real pain with all of the questions, and he couldn't have been more of a pleasure to deal with.

D~

[udovdh]

Got a Zhaolu 1.3 w/ mods on order.
Expect to receive it early next year. (or so)

Maybe I need a decent way to switch some S/PDIF (coax?) sources. May be a simple mechanical solution.
(already have a Digipatch 12x6 somewhere)
Ideas anyone?

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I've been checking some of the threads on these.. Some of the products look interesting..

Some of the comments look suspicious to me.  Where are the reviews that mention the sound compared to the Benchmark, Del Canto or other known DACs?   I can't believe some of the hype when the people posting it aren't even mentioning mainstream DACs.  Maybe I just missed those messages..  For the hype, see the poster at the bottom of this page. Is it someone posting from China pushing the product? Kinda looks like it.

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=139545&page=15

In contrast, the depth of the info on some of the other DACs seems good and the sources more credible.

http://gnu.295.ca/peak/audio/dac.html#DI/O

I agree that when you start getting anywhere close to $500, getting a Del Canto or other DAC is the way to go. Especially when you consider resale value.

[jpschust]

I agree that when you start getting anywhere close to $500, getting a Del Canto or other DAC is the way to go. Especially when you consider resale value.

Bel Canto.  Del Canto makes it sound like a taco stand

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Bel Canto.  Del Canto makes it sound like a taco stand

Right! I must have been thinking of the mexican knockoffs.  Or maybe it was the chile I had yesterday..

I do expect some of the name brand DACs are made in china.. There is always the chance that the factory making them is slipping cheap copies out the back door..  I'd really like to see a review comparing 4 or 5 of them to the benchmark, etc.. As cheap as they are, it wouldn't be a big dollar review. Of course we may not see the regular media outlets doing that for fear of pissing off advertisers..

[udovdh]

Hmmm. For the DAC I'd need a switch to select from a few digital source (CD, DVD, DAT, PC,...).
I did some searches but found no simple, solid device that does this at a reasonable cost.
Just S/PDIF over 75 Ohm coax. So an antenna switch will work as well.
Anyone who has a pointer?

[udovdh]

Just got my modded Zhaolu 1.3 DAC in.
Sounds nice at first. Let's see if this 'burn in' thing is true. How long and what audio do I play?

[lds490]

Wow, that arrived fast.  What did it cost?  Also, what are the modifications?