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xXxDanXx
Sep 18, 2017
Balanced dacs: $350 Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus $399 Teac UD-301 $499 Emotiva DC-1 $499 Schiit Jotunheim w/DAC $850 Schiit Gungnir $869 Gustard X20Pro $999 Teac UD-530 DAC/Amp If your goal is to get a balanced setup for cheap, the Jotunheim is the cheapest way to go with the smallest foot print, integrated dual AK4490 dac, 5 year warranty, brushed aluminum chassis and more power. I'm not too keen on combos but considering the cost of pairing the LCX with a balanced dac comparable to the Bifrost you’re looking at figures $250+ over the Jotunheim for the cheapest balanced dac and XLR cables.
BenGeldreich
35
Sep 18, 2017
xXxDanXxOut of curiosity why aren't you a fan of combo's? Is there a benefit to keeping the DAC and amp separate?
xXxDanXx
Sep 18, 2017
I listed sub $1k balanced dacs. Sure we can both name our favorite $1k+ dacs. I'm pointing out that going balanced isn't cheap. There are only a few options out there for budget buyers. Every comment you make on a drop is shit talking the product, snake oil this snake oil that. So you know from experience because you've tried all of these products?
Z0d1Ac
251
Sep 21, 2017
xXxDanXxDon't forget to include the recent massdrop drop of the topping dx7. The amp seems a bit weak, but I guess it at least has a balanced da all for $320.
After doing a little research, the cheapest balanced amps were I can find where the smsl sap 10-9-7 , aune x7s (not xlr inputs tho) and as far as balanced dacs go they are like $300+.
So smsl and if you can find a cheap bal dac, or the topping dx7, or the best cheap option again and I agree would be the schiit jot.
I am interest to know what dac they plan on pairing with this LCX bal amp. According to the link the cee-tee guy gave they only plan on the sdac and that is not balanced. This lcx amp has bal inputs, so I would like to see a bal dac to go with it, but then we probably be talking about a $500 price point.
bigshel
263
Sep 23, 2017
xXxDanXxThe topping DX7 is cheaper balanced setup and is better at just being a DAC than the Jot. Also far more options. Probably about the same size as the amp here too.
PaulWTDOC
24
Sep 23, 2017
xXxDanXxand not to mention that the Jot is amazing combo, I am using it with my sen hd 650 and wow.!!! using the usb input and the xlr output. who ever called it mid or low end have not tried probably. I was using the USB INPUT on the Emotiva DC-1 and going SE to the Emotiva A-100, AMP but no XLR output for the headphones, . however I applied jumpers to the amp per Emotiva's manual, and this amp is a beast, it can literally fry ur headphone with too much power, I am talking clean 50 w power, if u don't pay attention. I did prefer the Jot's sound though.
dasman
387
Jan 19, 2018
xXxDanXxNAD D1050 ($499) is a balanced DAC. It has a mediocre/poor headphone amp that many consider a throw-away, but the Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC chip is the Cirrus Flagship chip and is supposed to be outstanding.
The NAD can be found on the bay for under $300 used. I picked one up a week ago for under $250 to pair with the LCx. As of right now, I can confirm that the amp section isn't great and sounds very dark with the HD6xx. It is a bit better with the HE4xx.
While I wait for the LCx, I hooked the NAD up SE to my Schiit Vali (1st gen) and it sounds pretty good... better than the Schiit Modi (1st gen) and about the same as the Schiit Mimby. My guess is that the Vali 1 is holding back both the NAD and Mimby... allowing neither to shine to their fullest.
FWIW, my goal is to have Mimby -> CTH -> HD6xx at the home office and NAD -> LCx -> ZMF Eikon at work. Since I'm waiting on both amps, March can't come fast enough for me.
-------edit-------- I listened to a friend's Jot and didn't care for the high end... seemed a little bright/shrill. I'm hoping the NAD/LCx will have the same low/mid and dial back the high end a touch. Of course, it all comes down to the headphone pairing too...
Also, while the JOT at $499 does include a balanced DAC, the amp portion is $399 and the DAC portion is $100. I don't know if I could bring myself to buy a JOT and then only use the DAC portion... essentially throwing away the $399 amp section.
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