Neet DAC review

Even at a highly competitive price, the Neet DAC is just too flawed for us to recommend Tested at £33

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

It's nicely priced, but this super-budget DAC is just too flawed for us to love

Pros

  • +

    Decent timing and detail

  • +

    good tonal balance and attack

Cons

  • -

    Narrow soundstage

  • -

    notes lack solidity and roundness

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While building its new website, Neet is distributing its splitters, adapters and cables through Amazon and eBay.

Hidden in that large selection is this DAC, available for £33 including delivery.

Compared with near rivals, the Neet’s metal chassis and reassuring weight impress, although a closer look shows a few gaps in the casing.

You get coaxial and optical ins, a pair of analogue outs and the Neet works with 24-bit files up to 96kHz – which, along with the £7 saving, see it beat its peers on paper.

However, it doesn’t sound as good as them. There’s nothing too wrong with the delivery: timing and detail are decent, there’s fine tonal balance and plenty of attack, but the soundstage it produces lacks spaciousness and notes need more solidity and roundness.

Using the Neet between a telly or budget Blu-ray player and a stereo system will give improved results, but it’s hard to imagine why you’d buy it when there's better out there.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


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