Looking for desktop DAC that prioritizes reliability & usability

[aikofan]

I’m really bummed reading from early adopters about all the bugs with the Topping DX5 II because I really wanted to buy it. I’ll have to look for an alternative because reliability and user experience are much more important to me than great audio specs that are inaudible to my ears. The former have a huge affect on my daily use of the product, whereas the latter have no effect other than just being able to brag that my DAC has lower distortion than my friend’s.

Is there a DAC out there that includes the following features but is more reliable than Topping, SMSL, etc. while still being a good value?
*Volume control
*Balanced XLR pre-out
*Bluetooth with AAC codec
*USB & optical in

Nice to-haves but not mandatory:
*Desktop form factor
*PEQ

 

[jkim]

You've been an ASR member for a while. So I am sure you are aware of the situation.

If you look for a DAC that has the features you listed above AND is a good value AND is reliable with no serious bugs, then it has to be a model from Topping, SMSL, etc. But not a brand new product.

Basically look for a model that has been around for a while and has its serious issues, if any, ironed out through firmware releases. There is no perfect DAC. You want to settle with one that has no serious issue for YOUR use case.

 

[aikofan]

You've been an ASR member for a while. So I am sure you are aware of the situation.

If you look for a DAC that has the features you listed above AND is a good value AND is reliable with no serious bugs, then it has to be a model from Topping, SMSL, etc. But not a brand new product.

Basically look for a model that has been around for a while and has its serious issues, if any, ironed out through firmware releases. There is no perfect DAC. You want to settle with one that has no serious issue for YOUR use case.

That makes sense, but I had the impression that Topping/SMSL/etc. cycle through models very quickly and older ones go out of production. If they have models that have been around for a while and have a good track record for reliability, does anyone have suggestions?

 

[staticV3]

Buy an ADI-2

Add Bluetooth using a BEA1

 

[jkim]

Buy an ADI-2

Add Bluetooth using a BEA1

That is exactly what I wanted to suggest. But not sure the OP is willing to spend a grand..

 

[Bleib]

I don't think most SMSL DACs have much of reported issues at all. I'd gladly recommend RAW MDA1, DL200 or even a used C200 (although it's sensitive to cellphones close to it).

 

[JSmith]

reliability

DACs are generally very reliable, being low voltage and low power devices. Be more concerned with connectivity, functions and if a concern aesthetics.

older ones go out of production

This doesn't really matter?


JSmith

 

[aikofan]

I don't think most SMSL DACs have much of reported issues at all. I'd gladly recommend RAW MDA1, DL200 or even a used C200 (although it's sensitive to cellphones close to it).

I was actually considering the RAW MDA 1, but when I scanned through that thread, I saw lots of reports of problems. Of course, seeing anecdotal reports doesn't prove that something has more problems than average, but it did affect my perceptions.

 

[aikofan]

DACs are generally very reliable, being low voltage and low power devices. Be more concerned with connectivity, functions and if a concern aesthetics.

This doesn't really matter?


JSmith

You would think, but I feel like those reliable, solid-state chips are often implemented in sloppy ways that lead to problems. The only pure DAC that I've owned is a Schiit Modi, and I had to return that due to a failure. I've owned lots of devices that included DACs but added functions like preamps, headphone amps, power amps, etc. and at least 5 of those devices had problems as well.

 

[Bleib]

You would think, but I feel like those reliable, solid-state chips are often implemented in sloppy ways that lead to problems. The only pure DAC that I've owned is a Schiit Modi, and I had to return that due to a failure. I've owned lots of devices that included DACs but added functions like preamps, headphone amps, power amps, etc. and at least 5 of those devices had problems as well.

I've only had USB related issues but that's more to do with the PC and USB. I just changed the port to another and it's been working fine since. USB2 to 3, different chipsets..

With that said, obviously I can't guarantee that it's problem free..

 

[jkim]

I was actually considering the RAW MDA 1, but when I scanned through that thread, I saw lots of reports of problems. Of course, seeing anecdotal reports doesn't prove that something has more problems than average, but it did affect my perceptions.

There must be much more satisfied RAW-MDA1 owners. That is why I capitalized "your" when I said "no serious issue for YOUR use case." Although I own an RME ADI-2 DAC FS and can recommend it, if I need a DAC at a lower cost, I would definitely have no problem trying an SMSL or Topping product. And its return policy should be a factor just in case.

I believe the RAW-MDA1 or DL200 is still a worthy contender.