Which DAC to get for Pi B+ ?

alanshort

I have a RaspPi B+ and am looking to match it to a DAC which will give me good performance. I'll be connecting to an amplifier.

I don't want to do any soldering so would like a DAC that either fits onto the Pi B+ or connects via USB - what's best?
It should be as close to plug and go / out of the box ready as possible, am happy to do a little tinkering in Linux, however do not want to compile kernels
I have no preference on audio connection types, either 3.5 jack or phono output, unless someone tells me that I should
Price is flexible, perhaps around $100 US, more or less is fine, however $200 and I'll need to ask permission from the wife. $500 and I will be sleeping in the spare room
I see all kinds of different DACs for the Pi, some have big colorful things on them, others don't. The HifiBerry Digi doesn't look to have lots of parts, The BerryNOS 1543 has all kinds of lumps and bumps and there are ones in between. Is this something I need to be aware of, which is "best"?

I also read that a few companies are bringing out new B+ compatible DACs in the next few weeks (e.g. Elements 14). I'm happy to hold off if something good is on the horizon.

I guess my question can be :

Is there a real leading DAC for the B+ that is considered the one to go for which stands out for all the right reasons? If you could only buy one Pi B+ friendly DAC, which would it be?

Looking forward to hearing your feedback and ideas

Alan

ICLlP

Do you want a DAC card that mounts on the Pi (e.g. HiFiBerry DAC+ or IQaudIO Pi-DAC+) or do you want an external DAC to go between the Pi and the amplifier? If the former there are a few choices like the two I mention. If the latter you should get the HiFiBerry Digi+ to mount on the Pi and you then have to decide which external DAC to connect to it by coaxial or optical digital cable.

The simplest and cheapest option would be e.g. HiFiBerry DAC+ or IQaudIO Pi-DAC+.

johnbanks

My second iqAUDIO DAC+ arrived in the mail this morning ....

KHatfull

Couldn't be happier with my IQaudIO Pi-DAC+. I don't see how you could go wrong. I got the case from Gordon too, equally happy with it.

alanshort

thanks guys, I had my eye on the one from Gordon, looks like a great solution.

Cheers,
Alan

popov

Hi

I have a Iqaudio dac+ connected to Atoll Pr200, Atoll Am100, Kef Q700

Very good sound

Easy to install, very good sound. I compare it to M2tech Hiface2 and Denon 2900 (can play SACD).
With cd (i don't have sacd to compare), i put denon in first, m2tech and iqaudio are not so far.
Portable dac like M2tech are not so easy to use, more expensive, after from my opinion sound is "different", but not so "better"

For me Iqaudio the best choice, good sound, waf, easy for travel......

After testing runeaudio + iqaudio with other external dac will be intessant.... I just don't have oportunites ...

Regards

alanshort

Thanks everyone, Gordon has an order in his inbox.