DAC for my Apple / Airport express...suggestions


Hello all,
I have been using my Apple airport express alot more since my CD player (AMC CD6) started having issues into my Sansui (AU717) just with an RCA cable and I was interested in getting a DAC to use to see how it sounds.
I have never used a DAC so I am new to this.

I dont want to spend alot of cash...400 or so.

The DAC will need a toslink input since that is what the AE has as an output.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

thanks
-chris
ssdestroyer
Cheer up, maybe you just stumped everyone :-)

You can probably search this forum and get ideas. The DAC's I see get mentioned are the Theta Chroma (used under $400), and the Monarchy (available for $400 or so used). New options include the Scott Nixon designs (but check to make sure they take toslink) the Ack! Dac's (also check for toslink) and a few others like the Paradisea which pops up often on Ebay. There is another called the Lite DAC that's under $200. Unfortunately, I have no personal experience with any of these.

My last DAC was an Audio Alchemy 3.0 that I sold for $2-300. They don't come up often but they are great DAC's. Hope this helps.
yeah I have been reading alot on the internet and those models/brands have come up for sure. And I have been looking on the audigon for sale and there are a few. the theta chroma is for sale and a constatine and I have been thinking about the lite dac ah-m1 which is new for 225.00. all these have toslink. I just need to decide and try.
thanks for the advice. cheers
If I were buying at this price point, I'd probably buy a Chroma. It's from an company known for state of the art digital that has gone high end only. The units may be a little old but I bet you would like what they deliver.

Disclaimer: No affiliation with anyone selling them here. Good luck.
i run a musiland md-10 in this setup and it sounds good to my ears and is only about $300 from ifi audio, it will also take a usb inpud if thats useful for you