optical cables

[jimbob]

I've looked at the Sony dac you have previously and it looks like a really nice bit of kit. They go for more than I want to pay though to be honest. I have tried the MF V-DAC 2 in the past and thought it was okay but I want something cheap and cheerful to go between the tv and my amp. I am looking at one of the fiio dacs and I think it is the one gromet has used in the past.

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

I wasn't saying buy a Sony I was explaining my position on DACs as reply to your question.

[jimbob]

I know I was just saying they go for more than I want to pay for a dac. Hifi on a shoe string is order of the day for me

[Fretless]

I use a Fiio X3 as a portable player, mainly in the car, and it can also be used as a USB DAC, Sound quality is great for the price and all Fiio products are good value for money. Having had the first MF V-DAC I can also say that the sound quality is good enough for a budget system, the M1DAC is considerably better. And there is always the Beresford, designed for use in AV installations and very reasonably priced.

[jimbob]

I have been looking at Beresford dacs back when I borrowed the v-dac 2 and they do seem like good vfm. I am not bothered about bling casework I would rather the money be spent on good components or design. What did the like or dislike about the fiio?

[Fretless]

It looks like a Fiio D07 might be what you need (about 45 quid) a digital to analogue adaptor for TV's. If it uses the same chips as the X3 then the sound won't fall far short of the V-DAC. Just don't expect too much from a revealing audio setup. Most Fiio devices are USB decoders and I don't know if they make any 'proper' standalone DAC's.
The early V-DAC model (the black one) should be quite cheap secondhand, and they were built to last a long time. And if you can find one with the matching V-PSU choked power supply then you've got something rather good.

[jimbob]

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't considered the original v-dac with the psu but will keep an eye open. I'd imagine there are plenty of good dacs going second hand. I just need to find out which are the good ones! I hope its okay that this thread has gone a bit off topic...

[Fretless]

Well, you started the thread.

Other good budget DAC's to consider: Micromega Mydac and Cambridge Audio Dacmagic.

[jimbob]

Just had a quick look on ebay and there are lots of dacs on there!!! I think I will try one of the fiio ones first as I'm sure even a cheapish one will be better than what I have now! Someone else on here has just got one so I will see if I can borrow it sometime.