Hi folks,

I need a DAC and wanted to benefit from your experiences with the various units on the market.

My current setup (used for near field listening at my computer mostly) :


Decware Mini Torii single-ended pentode tube amp (on order)

Axiom M22 v3 bookshelf speakers (93 DB, 10-200 watt)

Paradigm DSP-3100 10" powered subwoofer

iMac 27" via Toslink optical or USB


Most of my music is rock & electronica with a smattering of acoustic guitar & bluegrass in Apple Lossless format. I especially love twangy surf & rockabilly guitar sound also.

Which connection format offers the best sound ?

Other assorted accessories ?

I'd like to keep this below $1000, but would go higher for exceptional performance.


Thank you in advance for your sage advice.


Mike in CT

Check out Blue Circle up in Canada. He builds a DAC for $170 called the Thingee. He puts the electronics into PVC to keep the costs down. He has a fancier one for $7845. The Thingee got good reviews and would get you started. You can hide it behind your desk.

I own a Opera Consonance Dac who's actually a amazing wireless dac, listening all my music via iTunes. 30 home trial if you want.

http://grantfidelity.com/site/consonance_DLinear_8_Wireless_DAC