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DAC's from the past, are any of them really worth much today?

I was thinking of buying a new DAC, the choices are many, but some of the lowest price DAC’s are to be had from yesteryear. For example, i took home an Esoteric D05 yesterday and while I have not been able to hook it up to my Esoteric player, due to no suitable connector cable, I was wondering if any of the better DAC’s from years back are really worth having? The example I have in for audition, while close to SOTA back about 13+ years ago, has no USB connection! To that, it has had years of usage, and appears pristine although I am unsure as to what can fail in a DAC? Obviously no warranty, yet a price point that is somewhat attractive, particularly for the build quality.

 

The biggest issue seems to be no USB connection to the upstream gear, but also perhaps the difference in price between a DAC like this, and a more modern DAC with better DAC chips/USB etc.,would simply make this one not a great deal. Thoughts?

128x128daveyf

Showing 1 response by mulveling

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mulveling
1,774 posts
 

The Audiophilleo USB-to-SPDIF converter was popular ~ 10 years ago, and it sounded better (sometimes much better) than direct USB inputs of DACs at that time. It can also be used to support USB for older DACs - just stick it into the coax input of any DAC. Denafrips makes newer, higher end digital converters that will convert USB to SPDIF. And I think Matrix makes a more affordable one. 

Sure, digital keeps getting better by miles but somehow never really satisfies analog guys like me. I expect some of the old DACs would hold up pretty well in their sound quality, especially if you pursue a more "analog" sound, but will get absolutely trashed in the measurements game. The top Stax and Sonic Frontiers DACs of yesteryear still might be interesting, and I believe Philips Crown DAC chips are still sought after.

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