Checkout the AVA Ultra DAC hybrid DAC www.avahifi.com

I'm certain the Headroom DAC would improve upon the Squeezebox, as would almost any DAC. The SB is a great little device but is built in DAC is modest.

There are many excellent DACs in the $1,000.00 area and some very good ones for less than this. I don't know of a single comparison review like you suggest however - just lots of reviews that compare two and sometimes three DACs at a time. All will work well with a music server; I think they are equally "useful" in this context unless you have something specific in mind that I am not thinking of.

Happy Hunting!

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/dac/transcendence_dac.htm

I'm sorry, I don't know specifically of comparisons of under $1,000 DACs. My point was only that there quite a few reviews with comparisons of DACs. I suggest doing some Googling. DACs are pretty popular as a topic.

You are going to have to do some research for the price range you are looking at. You may pay less than list if you shop around. D/A Processors under or near $1,000 from 2007 Stereophile Buyers Guide:

47 Labratory, 4715 Shigaraki DAC: $1,480 list
[url=http://www.sakurasystems.com/]http://www.sakurasystems.com/[/url]
[url=http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/reviews13.html]http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/reviews13.html[/url]
[url=http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/review12.html]http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/review12.html[/url]

[url=http://www.stereophile.com/digitalsourcereviews/800]http://www.stereophile.com/digitalsourcereviews/800[/url]
[url=http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue2/shigaraki.htm]http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue2/shigaraki.htm[/url]

Apogee, Mini-DAC: $995
[url=http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minidac.php]http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minidac.php[/url]
[url=http://www.apogeedigital.com/support/documents.php?show=minidac]http://www.apogeedigital.com/support/documents.php?show=minidac[/url]

[url=http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue19/apogeedac.htm]http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue19/apogeedac.htm[/url]

Benchmark, DAC1: $975
[url=http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/]http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/[/url]

[url=http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_4/benchmark-dac-one-11-2003-part-1.html]http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_4/benchmark-dac-one-11-2003-part-1.html[/url]
[url=http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue26/benchmark_dac1.htm]http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue26/benchmark_dac1.htm[/url]

Camelot Technology, Arthur v3.0 Mk2: $895
[url=http://www.camelottechnology.com/main.html]http://www.camelottechnology.com/main.html[/url]
[url=http://www.camelottechnology.com/electronics/arthurv3mk2.html]http://www.camelottechnology.com/electronics/arthurv3mk2.html[/url]

[url=http://www.soundstage.com/greg11.htm]http://www.soundstage.com/greg11.htm[/url]

PC CARDs
Digital Audio Labs, CDX-A2
Digital Audio Labs, CDX-A4
Digital Audio Labs, CDX-D8

Headroom Corporation, Micro DAC: $299
[url=http://www.headphone.com/products/headphone-amps/the-micro-line/headroom-micro-dac.php]http://www.headphone.com/products/headphone-amps/the-micro-line/headroom-micro-dac.php[/url]

[url=http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/headroom_micro_amp_dac.htm]http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/headroom_micro_amp_dac.htm[/url]

Monarchy Audio, M18C: $399
Monarchy Audio, M34: $499
Monarchy Audio, M24: $1,499
[url=http://www.monarchyaudio.com/M24new/M24BFSreview%20.pdf]http://www.monarchyaudio.com/M24new/M24BFSreview%20.pdf[/url]

[url=http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue25/monarchy_m24.htm]http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue25/monarchy_m24.htm[/url]

PS Audio, Digital Link III: $995
[url=http://www.psaudio.com/products/digital_link_iii.asp]http://www.psaudio.com/products/digital_link_iii.asp[/url]

Stello, DA100
[url=http://www.hifi500.com/product/da100_manual.pdf]http://www.hifi500.com/product/da100_manual.pdf[/url]
[url=http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/stello_da100.htm]http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/stello_da100.htm[/url]

Stereophile
[url=http://stereophile.com/searchresults/index.html?stype=X&terms=DAC&x=0&y=0]http://stereophile.com/searchresults/index.html?stype=X&terms=DAC&x=0&y=0[/url]

Epinoins
[url=http://www.epinions.com/Input_Adapters--reviews--analog_to_digital_converter]http://www.epinions.com/Input_Adapters--reviews--analog_to_digital_converter[/url]

Google
[url=http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=DAC+"digital+audio+converter"+comparison&btnG=Search]http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=DAC+"digital+audio+converter"+comparison&btnG=Search[/url]

All excellent suggestions.

Also consider the Mytek Stereo96.

RME-Hammerfall has a new 2 channel ACD/DAC for about $600? and if you are also into getting digital into a computer this duplex box might be a very nice piece. It also has a headphone output. JA did like the Hammerfall computer card from a few years back.
RME ADI-2

Excellent idea, Jim.

Looks like a fun critter to play with.

Quote:
Also consider the Mytek Stereo96.

I have received review samples of the Musical Fidelity XDAC v5, the Benchmark DAC1 usb, and the Bel Canto DAC 3. Erick Lichte, Cantus music director and producer, has been raving to me about the latter, so I thought I should check it out. Watch for some ink spilled on these products in a summer issue.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Very cool, John!

I am very curious as to how the Benchmark USB behaves jitterwise.

The Bel Canto is indeed very nice in my opinion (a friend is with Bel Canto so I get to play with their goodies), as is the new PS Audio.

The ~$1,000.00 price point has a lot of wonderful DACs, although higher than our thread starter would like to spend.