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Dac options with Chromecast Audio SUB $500

I am enjoying the 30 day trial of Tidal HiFi...currently the only DAC I have is the Chromecast. It does a decent job, holds its own but it has its limits.

 I currently do heavy listening to vinyl only. VPI Scout 1.1. 

Looking to use the Chromecast as the streamer with Tidal and then into a DAC. I am looking at a few sub $500 dacs. 

Looking into the:
Parasound Zdac. 1st or 2nd version seems fine.
Musical Fidelity V90 Dac (sterophile recommended class A)
Schitt Bifrost
Jolida FX Glass

Anyone with any of these units or perhaps have compared them to each other?

System: modded Jolida 502a, Cardas cables, Merlin TSM-MMM Speakers

db
photodusty
chrshanl37
835 posts
 
Check out Musical Paradise as well.

mesch
3,481 posts
 
I recently purchased a used Schiit Bitfrost with uber output stage for $220. It did not have the USB board however has optical and coax input. I can recommend the Bitfrost. They often come up for sale used here on AG. The USB version would likely be easier to resell if you found you wanted a different DAC.  As with auxinput, I like to stay away from the wall-wort power supplies.
mph50
1 posts
 
Hi there,recently purchased a Arcam rDAC (used) to use with Chromecast audio,so much better sounding ,more detail,more musical less closed in sounding.
mesch
3,481 posts
 
It's been over a year since I last responded to this thread. That said, one other great DAC for those not needing USB input, that can be purchased for ~$300 used, is the PS Audio Digital Link III. Has RCA and XLR outputs, robust power supply, and quality analog output stage. A far more solid built DAC that those offered new under $1000.  
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