Topic: best recomendation for an affordable DAC?

[Brian]

I don't think I'm the only person to hear issues with optical cables.

you're not.  others have made the same comment about "smeared highs" due to jitter.  from what i've read, it sounds like cable length (read: shorter the better) and how it's run make a difference when running optical cables.

sorry about this hijack. researching dac's brought me to this.

[noahbickart]

It is hard for me not to be be a sceptic when I read claims about hearing the differences between digital cables, especially when used with modern DACs which reclock the signal anyway. It's not that hard to test the bit accuracy of a cable. take a .wav file, make a md5 file for it, send that file to your DAT deck or CF recorder, transfer it back to the PC and see if the MD5 checks out. Bits is bits...

Optical cables are also much more immune to RF...

-Noah

[Tim]

I don't think I'm the only person to hear issues with optical cables.

you're not.  others have made the same comment about "smeared highs" due to jitter.  from what i've read, it sounds like cable length (read: shorter the better) and how it's run make a difference when running optical cables.

sorry about this hijack. researching dac's brought me to this.

thanks Brian

I was trying to find some other postings on this and was coming up blank

good luck in your search

[it-goes-to-eleven]

It's not that hard to test the bit accuracy of a cable. take a .wav file, make a md5 file for it, send that file to your DAT deck or CF recorder, transfer it back to the PC and see if the MD5 checks out. Bits is bits...

That will not measure jitter.

[J.T.L]

Does a glass based cable vs a plastic based one help with jitter?

[Nick's Picks]

it might..., but I dont know.
I use a glass one as i'm running the max that i'm comfortable with toslink (around 12').  And I keep it in a straight line as much as possible.

still, its jittery compared to the Oppo output over an apogee wide-eye s/pdif cable.

[Brian]

Does a glass based cable vs a plastic based one help with jitter?

it's what "they" say, but the glass cables are more delicate (obviously) and if they break, you're effed

[Brian]

also, i'm not as worried about optical jitter when it comes to enjoyment of tv/dvd's/non-critical listening.

there will be no optical lines when it comes to mixing audio from my computer(or any audio coming from my computer for that matter)

[mandoman]

How about the Grace m902?
http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m902/m902frame.htm

Not necessarily affordable at $1600 street. Anyone heard one?
Anyone got a line on a better price?

I am starting to think about a DAC too. Would like something with analog
input support as well.

[Tim]

I am starting to think about a DAC too. Would like something with analog
input support as well.

to use as a preamp or a headphone amp?

[mandoman]

I'd use it both as a headphone amp and to drive
my nearfield active monitors.

Right now I monitor off a mackie 400f. It's DA is just ok, a tad
bright and it only accepts one digital input and I need at least two.
And for analog inputs, it does a AD>DA, which I'd rather skip.

[Tim]

gotcha - just trying to see what your needs are

have you looked at the grace 901? Looking at audiogon and ebay right now nothing is coming up but it would be more affordable that the 902. I believe Simp-Dawg has one

http://www.audaud.com/audaud/MAY03/EQUIP/equip2MAY03.html

[mandoman]

I did look at the 901, but it doesn't have outputs that can drive monitors
(only headphone out) and the switch to select the digital input source is
on the back. Thanks for the suggestion though.