DAC for S3 to AMP

[Bokenrosie]

I'm not sure if I qualify as an "Audiophile" but I'm connecting my S3 to an Onkyo M-504 power amp and driving a pair of Infinity Infitessimals and was wondering if I should use the RCA jacks to go to the amp or should I find an external DAC and use one of the spdif ports?

Any suggestions on a)if I should do this and b)if so, where to find an external DAC to do the job. PartsExpress does not have and guy at RS looked at like I had 3 heads.

[bobschneider]

If you go to your local high end audio salon, you can find plenty of high quality external DACs. Unfortunately, these range from the price of a cheap used car, to the price of a new BMW.

For something decent but sanely priced, try this

http://www.pacificvalve.us/LTDACAM2.html

I'm using my S3 with this same basic DAC, with most of the same mods (which I've done myself), and am very happy with it.

[Skunk]

Regarding A)should you do this:

The DAC in the Squeezebox is actually pretty good. However when connected directly to the amp it's not able to shine unless you use external attenuation, which enables the volume on the squeezebox to stay closer to max. There is a Connecting To Power Amp wiki if that's unclear: http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.cgi?ConnectToPowerAmp

Ebay is a good source for cheap converters, some of which can be had for under $200. If I were you though, I'd try to hear what the Sb3 is capable of first.

[snoogly]

I am very happy with the VDA-2 24 Bit DAC from Channel Islands Audio. Reasonably priced, small, very high quality.

http://www.ciaudio.com/

[robsob]

Any suggestions for a DAC that contains a attentuator to avoid need for a pre-amp. I am considering the Benchmark DAC1 which has this, but any others out there at more affordable level?
thanks

[adamslim]

Any suggestions for a DAC that contains a attentuator to avoid need for a pre-amp. I am considering the Benchmark DAC1 which has this, but any others out there at more affordable level?
thanks

My Shek D2 has a built-in attenuator in that its output is lower than normal, so it knocks a few decibels off automatically!

Adam

[mlsstl]

I use a Lavry DA-10 DAC with my SB3. It includes a volume control and has 3 selectable inputs. This allowed me to eliminate my preamp and run the DAC straight to the amp but also be able to use the optical out of my CD player. (The SB3 uses the coax out.)

I'd tried out the Transporter but found the above combo the equal in sound quality for a bit over half the price (total price including the SB3.)

[ErikM]

Bel Canto Dac3

[Matt_Carter]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=221401