Sub $1000 DAC with AKM chip


Hi 

I don’t wish to start a heated debate but I’m looking for a DAC for my daughters system. Does anyone have a recommendation for an under $1000 DAC that uses an AKM chip? I have a Topping D90 with AKM that I like. It’s not my endgame DAC but it is substantially better than many I have tried before. I know that many like ESS, Burr Brown, Wolfson etc, but I would prefer to just hear opinions about AKM and I’d also like to stay away from a discussion about streamers (I’m also considering a Bluesound Node)…Hell, I might even get her an Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt since she is so iPhone-centric. She recently voiced her dissatisfaction with low fidelity and wants to hear music from better equipment so I’m giving her one of my integrated tube amps and a set of speakers. I don’t want to go nuts on this since she may ultimately find that hifi is not really as appealing as she imagined.

thanks all for your replies 

ccogopher

Orchard Audio’s PecanPi+ streamer/DAC uses the latest AKM chipset and can be ordered as DAC only device.  I own the original model and it sounds great in streamer mode.
 

https://orchardaudio.com/shop/pecanpi-pls-streamer/

Sorry was away for a few days.. than you everyone who took part in this discussion 

I would just go with something like the Dragonfly, until she really shows that love of sound is going to be a long term interest and not just a passing fad.  Saying this as someone who has been down this road with a couple of my kids