Drewskie

I have tried to look through the forum for info and there is some good stuff. However, I would like to see a sticky on what someone should look for with regards to their type of system, speakers, amp ect... Such a post will delve allow a reader to pick a dac based on their gear. For example the sticky would inform us what the better software would be (not just by opinion either) what kind of dac one should look for if their system consists of certain type of components. I guess a more specific example would be this (and I will use my own setup for this example. I run iTunes off my computer through my factory sound card and into my receiver, a Harmon Kardon vxi to a set of Kef Q speakers. The post should be able to give me an Idea what to look for (i hope lol) Anyways just a though folks, Cheers! Drewskie

It's Official I am getting a Valab NOS DAC. I've read all of the reviews both here and on Hi Fi and I am convinced it's the best bang for buck DAC. Prolly won't get to ordering until after christmas though... Meh it happens

By the way another question about burning in. Is there a certain protocol on burning in a DAC? If I were to just start blasting music... can i play music at a good level 24/7 that kind of thing... Ok more basic, what do those who have bought one and the other experts suggest as a break in procedure?

Ok total noob question here but someone quick tell me what cryo means or involves i assume it has something to do with cold lol. (please don't stone me) Ok aside from that I gotta say this Valab DAC sounds pretty sweet. My budget limit is $200 and I can't stop looking at this thing. So bottom line... is this a DAC that a majority can get behind and out of those of you that own one can say its the best bet for $200

Also guys let me know if my amp and speakers are decent or not. If all my gear is average at best then I will only buy a dac that is average. At a later time I will simply buy and build from scratch.

The Juli@ is one I have looked into however I am becoming more and more aware of the noise factor when buying a internal sound card. The external seems to be the ticket. I did also look at the M-Audio cards as well. I have not heard of the EMu0202 and I am going to look into it. I also saw this on ebay the pop pulse http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110424180784&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT the specs look good but someone tell me if you agree.

Granted This is probably asked a lot I am curious because many here know far more than I could ever know in this topic. I will list my gear and ask if you see anything wrong with what i have and what improvements i should get. keep in mind i have a strict budget and as it is i am only looking for a dac either internal for my pc or external. Running my P.C. out via audio out on main board crappy wires Harman Kardon PM640Vxi Kef Q60 speakers Simple yet plays pretty ok considering I payed 90 bucks for the amp and the speakers were free. My weakness is obviously my dac. whether i get an internal or an external but i am leaning towards an external. let me know people, cheers

I want killer sound myself but I'm not ready to spend a couple grand on gear. As it stands I have an old harman kardon PM640 Vxi and a pair of KEF Q60. I used to have a SB usb sound card but... well yeah anyways it was better than the stereo out on my pc mainboard (which I am stuck with again) I was looking at this on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/Pop-Pulse-PCM-1796-USB-DAC_W0QQitemZ110424180784QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b5cb4830 Anyone ever heard of PopPulse? I know it has the Burr Brown PCM-1796 chip in it and I know thats a pretty good one from what I've read. And of course the price is right. Let me know if I'm off my rocker here people. Pop Pulse PCM 1796 USB Stats: * Digital coaxial input level: 0.5vp-p * Input impedance: 75ohm * Digital optical input level: -15dBm * Digital encoder: 24 bit / 192 KHz * D/A converter: 24 bit / 192 KHz * Audio output: 2.0v (1kHz, 0dB) * USB Terminal input: USB 2.0 Standard * S/N: 116dB * Dynamic range: 118dB * THD: .0015% * Frequency response: 18Hz-20kHz * Power supply: AC 230v/115v (+/- 10%) 50/60Hz * Max power dissipation: 50W