Cheap and cheerful USB/Optical/Coax DAC

[MagicalTrevor]

I have a Media Centre PC using onboard analogue sound into my hifi. Unfortunately there is a lot of noise/interference coming through which is very annoying. For that reason I need a cheap and cheerful DAC.

I have USB ports, an optical and a coax output and I don't mind which, so long as a USB DAC works with Linux

I'd rather not spend too much but I've seen these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000KW2YEI/ref=asc_df_B...

Or

http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/fiio-d3-coaxialopt...

Alternative suggestions welcome

[Roadster25]

I use a Cambridge Audio DacMagic, although it is rather pricier than the others you've found. I've been happy with it for a couple of years now.

It uses the standard USB audio profile, so while it doesn't claim to support Linux it should be pretty simple to set up, I'm told. I have only ever used it with Windows.

[MagicalTrevor]

Roadster25 said:

I use a Cambridge Audio DacMagic, although it is rather pricier than the others you've found. I've been happy with it for a couple of years now.

It uses the standard USB audio profile, so while it doesn't claim to support Linux it should be pretty simple to set up, I'm told. I have only ever used it with Windows.

I'd like a DacMagic, they're meant to be very good and a really good DAC is on the shopping list for the future.

I've ordered the Behringer DAC for £20, I'll see how I get on with it and then I'll get something more substantial in the future.

[mk1matt]

MagicalTrevor said:

I'd like a DacMagic, they're meant to be very good and a really good DAC is on the shopping list for the future.

I've ordered the Behringer DAC for £20, I'll see how I get on with it and then I'll get something more substantial in the future.

I've got the Behringer UCA202 and I'm pretty happy with it. Cheap and sounds ok (considering some of the crap quality stuff I put through it). Mine's on a windows install though - dunno if it's Linux friendly.

[MagicalTrevor]

mk1matt said:

I've got the Behringer UCA202 and I'm pretty happy with it. Cheap and sounds ok (considering some of the crap quality stuff I put through it). Mine's on a windows install though - dunno if it's Linux friendly.

Cheers for that, so long as I get significantly less interference then I'll be happy

[Crackie]

One of these might be just the ticket http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S-M-S-L-SD-1955-DIR9001-...

[MagicalTrevor]

Crackie said:

One of these might be just the ticket http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S-M-S-L-SD-1955-DIR9001-...

That looks interesting, thanks

[Crackie]

MagicalTrevor said:

Crackie said:

One of these might be just the ticket http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S-M-S-L-SD-1955-DIR9001-...

That looks interesting, thanks

The specs are great overall but I did notice the output voltage is 3.0 volts whereas most CD players and DACs use the 'red book' standard which is 2.0V. It's very unlikely to cause any issues for your amp but worth mentioning.