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Author Topic: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own  (Read 1013 times)

DIYer Straits

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Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« on: 27 December, 2020, 17:29:22 pm »
What's the cheapest outboard DAC that you've use or are using? I mean really, really cheap.  :D

The cheapest so far for me is one using an ES9028Q2M 2 channel DAC from AliExpress/Taobao. About 30 bucks. I was so cheap that I did not pay for the casing.



It was a Khadas ToneBoard DAC that got me hooked to this output bufferless design. This one cost $140 or so. No, I didn't buy the casing either.  ;D

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BadEnglish

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #1 on: 27 December, 2020, 17:36:13 pm »
That's really cheap for 9028Q2M based.
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boxerfan88

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #2 on: 27 December, 2020, 17:41:38 pm »
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DIYer Straits

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #3 on: 27 December, 2020, 17:48:51 pm »
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AndrewC

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #4 on: 28 December, 2020, 06:02:42 am »
Quote from: DIYer Straits on 27 December, 2020, 17:29:22 pm
What's the cheapest outboard DAC that you've use or are using? I mean really, really cheap.  :D
...


Was the intent to have separate DACs/Amp for each driver (ala Meridian Speakers)?
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DIYer Straits

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #5 on: 09 January, 2021, 02:17:51 am »
Quote from: AndrewC on 28 December, 2020, 06:02:42 am

Was the intent to have separate DACs/Amp for each driver (ala Meridian Speakers)?

Nope, too complicated. It is doable but higher chance of things going wrong. Keeping it simple is better. Less headache.
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Bloody Chowbotak

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #6 on: 09 January, 2021, 11:54:11 am »
So what's the purpose of the question?  Asking for fun, don't think I'll understand the answer  :o
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DIYer Straits

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #7 on: 09 January, 2021, 12:48:04 pm »
Quote from: Bloody Chowbotak on 09 January, 2021, 11:54:11 am
So what's the purpose of the question?  Asking for fun, don't think I'll understand the answer  :o

Which question, mine or AndrewC's?
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Bloody Chowbotak

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #8 on: 10 January, 2021, 09:13:19 am »
Yours
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DIYer Straits

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #9 on: 10 January, 2021, 10:14:08 am »
To find out if it's worth getting cheap DACs instead of paying bucket loads of dosh for something that will be obsolete the moment it's released, and how many do it aside from me. ;D

Plus what are the choices available.

I've progressed from twin AK4495 DACs to these. The former used too many opamps to my liking.
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wizardofoz

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #10 on: 13 January, 2021, 02:18:37 am »
KTB is pretty good... I got 2 of them. I printed nice 3D Printed cases for them
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DIYer Straits

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #11 on: 13 January, 2021, 15:36:20 pm »
Quote from: wizardofoz on 13 January, 2021, 02:18:37 am
KTB is pretty good... I got 2 of them. I printed nice 3D Printed cases for them

Awesome! A fellow believer!  ;D
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synthesis

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Re: Cheapest outboard DAC that you've ever own
« Reply #12 on: 22 January, 2021, 19:50:03 pm »
Not exactly DIY but I have couple of bluetooth DAC (BluDento with PCM and Xduoo with ESS). I was skeptical with streaming via bt but pleasantly surprised with those inexpensive DAC. Because it's inexpensive enough, I'm ordering another one with AKM DAC to play play  ;D
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