DAC Below $700, which to buy (Made a Shortlist)

[JonSilvers]

Hello,

Looking to buy a DAC, and will be primarily used as for a PC and FLAC over it, I will be using headphones Sennheiser HD6xx by drop until I get used HD800 or S, I have ordered used schiit vallhala 2 and looking for the DAC to pair it with.
My Shortlist at the moment is:

GUSTARD X18 ~ 600$
SMSL RAWPro-DAC 1 ~ 600$
TOPPING E70 VELVET ~ 300$
TOPPING D70 Pro SABRE ~ $500$
SMSL SU-9 Pro ~ 430$
TOPPING D90 III Sabre ~ 700$
TOPPING D50 III ~ 200$

I am leaning little bit toward Gustard or Cheaper version like e70 or d50, but if some other one is better that me lenience, please advise and why, any advice is much appreciated, or if there is something that is not on the list and it is as good or better for similar price.
Thanks. ​

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

You can go as low as $60 or so if your only concern is having the output being indistinguishable from the input.

 

[JonSilvers]

Goal, best sounding midrange DAC that is not overpriced, or something temporary until something better doesn't pop up in that price range, had d50 but gave it away to a friend so looking for something better, larger soundstage, not a bass head, but resolving mid-tones and good vocals would be preferable . @Barrelhouse Solly

 

[jcarys]

My experience is with Topping, so I would lean toward the D50 III or the E70. I don't think there is any reason to spend more money, and they should both be equally transparent. The only way you're going to get a larger soundstage is from the source content, not the DAC.

 

[jkim]

Your headphone amp's THD+N will completely dominate the THD+N of a properly designed modern DAC at any price. So, don't bother to select a DAC carefully, unless you want to move to a well-designed solid-state amplifier.

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Goal, best sounding midrange DAC that is not overpriced, or something temporary until something better doesn't pop up in that price range, had d50 but gave it away to a friend so looking for something better, larger soundstage, not a bass head, but resolving mid-tones and good vocals would be preferable . @Barrelhouse Solly

It depends on your criteria. No criticism intended in my post.

 

[IngMishael]

Hello,

Looking to buy a DAC, and will be primarily used as for a PC and FLAC over it, I will be using headphones Sennheiser HD6xx by drop until I get used HD800 or S, I have ordered used schiit vallhala 2 and looking for the DAC to pair it with.
My Shortlist at the moment is:

GUSTARD X18 ~ 600$​

SMSL RAWPro-DAC 1 ~ 600$​

TOPPING E70 VELVET ~ 300$​

TOPPING D70 Pro SABRE ~ $500$​

SMSL SU-9 Pro ~ 430$​

TOPPING D90 III Sabre ~ 700$​

TOPPING D50 III ~ 200$​

​

I am leaning little bit toward Gustard or Cheaper version like e70 or d50, but if some other one is better that me lenience, please advise and why, any advice is much appreciated, or if there is something that is not on the list and it is as good or better for similar price. ​

Thanks. ​

which ever fits your aesthetic appeal and had the I/O you need

 

[JonSilvers]

Non taken @Barrelhouse Solly , I just used @ so I will reply back and forth so you can see.
Thanks guys. much appreciated. will go with E70 or D50III.
Thank you @jkim for additional Explanation.

 

[JonSilvers]

Found e70 velvet for $300 and got one. )))

 

[Talisman]

Imagine that a pair of modest 30-euro Bluetooth earphones contains two tiny DACs, and they're probably transparent too. Oh, and what kind of soundstage do mono DACs have?

 

[IngMishael]

Found e70 velvet for $300 and got one. )))

now time to tune out the forum noise and run your music and media

 

[Everett T]

Goal, best sounding midrange DAC that is not overpriced, or something temporary until something better doesn't pop up in that price range, had d50 but gave it away to a friend so looking for something better, larger soundstage, not a bass head, but resolving mid-tones and good vocals would be preferable . @Barrelhouse Solly

Then your goal is the best sounding midrange from a headphone...

 

[JonSilvers]

Then your goal is the best sounding midrange from a headphone...

Midrange and Highs

 

[JonSilvers]

now time to tune out the forum noise and run your music and media

I will connect it to my PC Schiit Valhalla 2, and S HD6XX until I find some reasonably priced HD800 or 800s. I will be able to try it out on Monday with 6xx

 

[Everett T]

I will connect it to my PC Schiit Valhalla 2, and S HD6XX until I find some reasonably priced HD800 or 800s. I will be able to try it out on Monday with 6xx

If the DAC measures flat and there are no other glaring issues with it, I'd focus solely on the headphones and how you're outputting from the PC, as that would probably be any likely issue regarding the sound.

 

[F1Fan72]

Velvet .. it’s a great dac!

 

[JonSilvers]

If the DAC measures flat and there are no other glaring issues with it, I'd focus solely on the headphones and how you're outputting from the PC, as that would probably be any likely issue regarding the sound.

USB cable to DAC

 

[VientoB]

My experience is with Topping, so I would lean toward the D50 III or the E70. I don't think there is any reason to spend more money, and they should both be equally transparent. The only way you're going to get a larger soundstage is from the source content, not the DAC.

I have the D50 III and imo it's too small and the screen is too small and hard to read at a distance.

 

[Everett T]

USB cable to DAC

I definitely prefer that, in most instances with most boards, to optical. Good luck on your journey!

 

[IngMishael]

I will connect it to my PC Schiit Valhalla 2, and S HD6XX until I find some reasonably priced HD800 or 800s. I will be able to try it out on Monday with 6xx

Always will recommend demoing if you can before making a purchase so you don't get post purchase regrets