Rambling and mulling over my options for a cheap source upgrade

[GreeneDeux]

Won't do... mostly because I don't have an old iPad! Or anything similar for that matter. And I want to upgrade my PC's audio, not my Tidal subscription's audio.

I saw Amir's video talking about balanced vs. single-ended, had a look and Topping makes a balanced version of the D10, and balanced versions of most of their amps, for few extra bucks... think balanced is worth going for? Amir says yes, to ensure no ground loops, but that raises so many questions for me - how common are ground loops? How do I tell if I've got a ground loop? Can I check if my outlets USB ports etc. will generate a ground loop before picking?

 

[GreeneDeux]

Found out from Big Clive that they make cheap RCA transformer couplings called "audio isolaters" that can get rid of ground loop noise while costing no more if not less than regular short RCA interconnects so I think it's decided on the DAC front, in lieu of any "this is better" alternative recs I'll just go with the single-ended D10S since it's cheap and does what I want. Still unsure what amp I should pick, maybe a Schiit or JDS Atom. Schiit has the Magni Heresy on sale for $59... even with shipping to Canada, that's in budget. Buy the amp now, get the DAC on sale later? But, JDS actually has a distributor up here, so maybe I should wait for a sale there. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Doodski]

Schiit has the Magni Heresy on sale for $59

That is a greattt deal.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas

www.schiit.com

 

[GreeneDeux]

Pulled the trigger on that hot Schiit, should be some good Schiit... etc, etc, wordplay ahoy, I'm sure everyone's heard it a million times Wasn't expecting to buy anything so soon when I made this thread, but the price really is too good to pass up, it's true. The hardest part will be waiting for a good deal on the D10S...