Good DAC for Home Studio


I'm new to DACs.  I just got a NAD C399 which comes equipped with a 32 bit/384kHz ESS Sabre DAC.  I'm just getting used to it in our living room with new speakers.  Everything sounds good.

I also have a home music studio with studio monitor speakers.  I would like to add a DAC to this equipment as well.  I've been testing out a Schiit Modi 3+.  It sounds OK, but not as good as the 32-bit/384kHz ESS Sabre DAC.

I realize that the sky's the limit on good DACs.  I'm just wondering if there are any good mid priced DACs I should be considering for the home studio.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions.  Thanks!

pacificm

Showing 1 response by ghdprentice

There are lots of good DACs available.

 

But first, the fact that your NAD contains an ESS Sabre DAC is not the determinant of the sound. It is the sum of the design and all the other components. So, while the really inexpensive DACs may have a similar sound, that is no indicator that other, better DACs will. The sound quality It is the result of every aspect of the DAC. .

 

So, for a budget DAC, I highly recommend a Schiit Yggdrasil or the less expensive Gungnir. These are great values for the money. I helped a friend get a Yggdrasil for his modest main system and in the process got a Gungnir for my small office system. Very detailed and natural sounding for the money.