Best budget DAC


Hi all,

I'm considering a DAC for my system and I have to keep the expenditure very reasonable (under $300).

DACS considered: Audioengine D1, Audioquest Dragonfly, Cambridge Audio DACMagic XS & Azur DacMagic 100, Musical Fidelity - V90-DAC,  Schiit Modi,

Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated, especially if you have actually heard or compared the DACs above, or others.

Also, if I do get a DAC, is there any advantage to ripping a CD and then playing the FLAC/WAV file through the DAC? Keep in mind that the DAC chip in my CD Player is listed as a "24/192 Cirrus Logic Delta/Sigma", but no specific chip number.

I haven't seen any comparisons of CD's to ripping and playing the file through an outboard DAC, so if you have seen such a comparison, your link to it would be greatly appreciated.

These are the components in my system:
Speakers - Elac B6
Subwoofer - Elac S10
CD Player - NAD C 516BEE CD Player
Preamplifier - Parasound Halo P5
Power Amplifier - Rotel RB-1080

 Thanks. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

128x128edincleve
I've been happy w the MyDAC.  It accepts up to 24/192 resolution on coax and USB, and 24/96 on toslink. 

I have had nice performance from a Chord Qute with an upgraded power supply.

Another great option is the Concero from Resonessence Labs.

Thanks for all your responses. You've given me more DACs to consider,  and I will try to hear them before making a decision.

No one has responded to my other question about comparing the sound of a CD through a CD Player vs that same CD ripped and the file played through an separate DAC.

Maybe I should have posted this question by itself

If you have any experience with CD Players vs DACs please let me know.

Thanks again.