Balanced dac recommendation with bluetooth <$1000

[spark plugs.]

looking for recommendations for a DAC that will do balanced out and unbalanced out (for my subwoofer), has bluetooth, and (hopefully) can go full pre-amp mode with the volume being controlled by my Mac.

I hate extra remotes/controls and like a seamless and unified experience.

 

[qec]

Topping EX5 meets all of your needs I believe. $350 will leave you with plenty left over

 

[TheBatsEar]

MiniDSP Flex. Also has DSP.

 

[spark plugs.]

MiniDSP Flex. Also has DSP.

doesn't seem to have balanced out if I'm reading correctly

 

[TheBatsEar]

There is a balanced (TRS) version, a unbalanced one (i have this) and a future digital only one.

It's out of stock, but should be back in a month or two. As you know, Shenzen has a hard lockdown because of covid, so nothing much can be done by the guys.

 

[spark plugs.]

There is a balanced (TRS) version, a unbalanced one (i have this) and a future digital only one.

It's out of stock, but should be back in a month or two. As you know, Shenzen has a hard lockdown because of covid, so nothing much can be done by the guys.

I need balanced and unbalanced to play at the same time.

 

[TheBatsEar]

I need balanced and unbalanced to play at the same time.

I understand it's for your unbalanced subwoofers:

6.35mm 1/4" TRS Stereo Audio Male Plug To RCA Female Jack Adapter Gold Plated | eBay

1/4" 6.35mm TRS Stereo Plug to RCA Jack Adapter Gold Plated. Cell Phones & Accessories. Smart Box Systems © 2009-2021. Add to Favourite. read more. Health & Beauty. (Not Selected).

www.ebay.de

I think there are cheaper, yet more eye pleasing options available.

Best part, with the DSP inside, you can do proper bass management and room correction.

 

[TheBatsEar]

I need balanced and unbalanced to play at the same time.

Check this thread out, talks about your problem :

How to connect a TRS to RCA

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Dougey_Jones]

SMSL SU-9n?

 

[norcalscott]

I second the recommendation of the SMSL SU-9n (if you don't care about MQA) or the SU-9 if you do.

Bluetooth performance on this DAC is very good - it supports LDAP, and since I have an Android phone, this was a major selling point. In addition, the preamp output level is high enough for it to server as a true pre-amp. There are also some useful tone control / filters that are built in.

Edit - corrected spelling of "LDAP"

 

[flz]

SMSL SU-9n?

What a coincidence. After extensive research with big help from ASR, I decided on that unit. And I don't need/want MQA. I think many of these top measuring DACs probably sound very similar where the audible differences aren't relevant for me. It was a matter of which functions I wanted at a given price.