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Small DAC With Balanced Outs

looking for a little advice on DACs... per the wife, i need to "get rid of a few of those shiny boxes" and clean up the gear rack a little. so, i'm looking for a small DAC, one small enough that it can be placed discretely on the rack behind other components and left on all the time.

i know the benchmark DAC1 when left on all the time will put itself into standby mode when no signal is detected, but am not sure if i can hide it behind other components.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

scott
srosenberg

Showing 2 responses by roscoeiii

roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Hmm, I am guessing that you wouldn't only be using USB output, but if you are, check out the HRT Streamer Pro. It uses mini-XLR plugs so you'd need adaptors or cables with mini-XLR on one end.

Also on the small end of things would be DACs intended for portable headphone use. The iBasso Boomslang is a balanced DAC that has just come out. HeadFi might be a good place to look into balanced portable DAC options.

Or maybe these are too small for you. As for other, larger but still compact options, the first thing that comes to mind is the Weiss DAC2/Minerva. A very well reviewed unit, particularly for computer audio.

An ideal price range would also help with these recommendations, as what I have mentioned here range from $219-$3000 in price when new.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
If USB is an option and you only need the DAC to have one input, then I'd go for the HRT Pro. Fabulous sound, balanced output, powered by USB, so even less cable/plug hassle. Check out the 6moons review. Although it is worth noting that the Pro was not run through a truly balanced set-up, the Esoteric pre isn't a fully balanced pre IIRC. So even in that review, the Pro may not have been heard at its best. But it is tiny, balances and a stunner of a performer. No one will even know it is there unless you tell them...
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