"Full Size" DACs?

[JKJ]

My use scenario puts my DAC in an equipment rack setting, so a "full size" format (something close to the standard 19" rack width; a unit around 17" wide if it doesn't have rack ears) is a feature I'm looking for. Many of the products reviewed and discussed here are more "desktop" size units that are about half that size. Are there any suggestions for a quality DAC that comes in a larger box? The Okto Stereo comes to mind, but they seem to be backordered to infinity, and I'm hoping not to wait.

I don't need a headphone amp or a built-in streaming capability or a built-in preamp, but I won't eliminate something from consideration if it has those things.

For the record, I'm moving away from a more audiophile-oriented piece that is known to not measure well to the point that it's audible, so almost anything will be an improvement.

 

[Dunring]

The biggest one I have is the Monoprice liquid platinum, but sounds like it might not be large enough. I saw some rack size components on Woot.com at very affordable prices which may be worth checking out.

 

[xeizo]

MiniDSP have full sized units, and full featured with DIRAC and such

 

[Blumlein 88]

If the streaming aspect isn't too front and center for your tastes. 17 inches wide (305 mm)

Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Measurements (Streamer & DAC)

Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Measurements (Streamer & DAC) Hey folks, Here is a quick review, measurements-based, of the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer and DAC. It has been kindly loaned to me by @biglebowski. It was released in 2018 and is somehow quite popular in Europe. Actual MSRP in France...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[LTig]

I think there are 19" rack adapters to mount 1 or 2 RME ADI2 devices in a 19" rack.

 

[JSmith]

My use scenario puts my DAC in an equipment rack setting, so a "full size" format (something close to the standard 19" rack width; a unit around 17" wide if it doesn't have rack ears) is a feature I'm looking for.

This may be of interest;

Signature DAC 1

Stereo Digital To Analogue Converter

www.glensound.co.uk

If their spec is accurate that is...

Noise: -108dBFs
Frequency Response: >-0.5dB 15Hz to 22kHz @48k sampling
THD + Noise: 0.001% @ 1kHz

You could also use an audio interface such as;

Scarlett 18i20 [3rd Gen]

The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen boasts extensive simultaneous I/O comprising eight mic preamps, 18 inputs and 20 outputs in total.

focusrite.com

Amir tested the smaller version here, which did quite well;

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface Gen 3 Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface (DAC/ADC). I was talked into buying it recently. The 2i2 costs US $140 including free Prime shipping so very reasonable for amount of functionality. For a budge device, the Scarlett 2i2 looks pretty good...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[notsodeadlizard]

19" racks (and racks at all) are from professional world for a long.
On the other hand, a DAC is too simple and "non-special" device to be made as a standalone 19" rack mount component.
So, the prices will be adequate to professional specific: https://www.frontendaudio.com/lavry-engineering-quintessence-da-converter/

Buy a nice 19" case, any descent desktop DAC with a 12V trigger and without stupid rattles like useless displays, a normal linear voltage supply, and make yourself a rack mounted DAC in two or three weekends. It makes no difference where to plug the cables into the connectors - on the table or inside the box. No special knowledge and skills are required for this.

 

[Trell]

I think there are 19" rack adapters to mount 1 or 2 RME ADI2 devices in a 19" rack.

Only for some of the RME ADI-2 (older) models. The current ADI-2 DAC FS and ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition does not.

Rackmounts - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

www.rme-audio.de

 

[unpluggged]

The current ADI-2 DAC FS and ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition does not.

RME has this Unirack: https://www.thomann.de/gb/rme_halterung_19.htm

 

[JKJ]

I may have inadvertently steered the conversation in the wrong direction... I don't need a rack-mountable pro-style device; I'm just looking for something that's not a 6" square desktop DAC that will get lost amongst the other gear on my living room audio rack. It's a case of form being a close second to function; not one of form being the primary concern.

I'm also not terribly price sensitive on this. I mean, I'm not spending 5-figures, but I'm also not needing to keep the price to rock bottom. The Matrix Audio Element series, for example is a little larger and beefier looking than some others, but they have features I don't need that seem to jack the price up considerably.

 

[fpitas]

I may have inadvertently steered the conversation in the wrong direction... I don't need a rack-mountable pro-style device; I'm just looking for something that's not a 6" square desktop DAC that will get lost amongst the other gear on my living room audio rack. It's a case of form being a close second to function; not one of form being the primary concern.

I'm also not terribly price sensitive on this. I mean, I'm not spending 5-figures, but I'm also not needing to keep the price to rock bottom. The Matrix Audio Element series, for example is a little larger and beefier looking than some others, but they have features I don't need that seem to jack the price up considerably.

I keep several smallish items like XLR switch boxes on rack shelves.

 

[Theodore8]

What you want is a TEAC UD-701N!

UD-701N | FEATURES | TEAC | International Website

The UD-701N is a new flagship USB DAC/Network Player that combines a network player, an analog preamp, a headphone amplifier and various other functions on the advanced USB DAC function, accommodating a newly designed TEAC ΔΣ (Delta Sigma) discrete DACs.

teac.jp

Full size, cooling fins on the side, and even handles to give it that “rack mounted” look - even though it is definitely not rack-mounted.

I truly love the design.

Have not seen measurements but TEAC typically has good numbers.

 

[JKJ]

I decided to get over my "has to be the same size as the rest of the gear" hang-up and ordered the SMSL D400ES and Topping D90SE to try. If for some reason I don't like the functionality of either of those, or I still can't get over the size, I may end up giving the Holo Audio May a try. Not as good on paper, perhaps, but still should be audibly transparent (but at 6x the price, which is why I'm going to give the others a chance before pulling that trigger).

 

[Deleted member 4708]

UAD has rack size DACs... Apollo x6 for example.

 

[Theodore8]

UAD has rack size DACs... Apollo x6 for example.

Also Musical Fidelity M6x

 

[wizardofoz]

Denafrips terminator also emotiva XDA3 about to be available

 

[ENG]

What about NAD M51, it is 17,1/8” with and Amir has testet it here on ASR.

 

[Randyman...]

Velcro to the top of a larger unit, a metal 1RU rack shelf or directly to the shelf of your AV rack, and it won't go anywhere...

 

[TheInquiring]

What you want is a TEAC UD-701N!

May I also suggest HoloAudio Spring 3 or MAY DAC? In my understanding, they are similar to the above DAC. Perhaps, experts could please comment on the differences between these products, and recommend the best option…
As to the Musical Fidelity M6X DAC also mentioned in this thread… If I remember correctly, @amirm measured the MX-DAC, and couldn’t recommend it. Sure, the M6X is their TOTL DAC, but I would very much like to see objective measurements done by the experts here on ASR before pulling the trigger on it.