Best desktop dac reddit. This will be for my desktop.

Best desktop dac reddit Schiit has pretty nice DACs, but they might be pricier than your speakers. One being, you gotta put the work in if you choose this route. I think the HipDac and Q3 are both decent products. i'd go cambridge audio DAC --> pioneer sx 434 amp --> pair of pioneer cs 363 speakers on the A channel and a wharfdale sw 100 sub on the b channel. I looked at both the Edition XS and the HE6se V2, and I must say the latter is probably something I'd go for (Edition XS is more wallet friendly of course), especially with the Burson being a beast at pumping out the watts. Log In / Sign Up; Unpopular opinion, but at the $100 price point, I recommend just buying an older high end receiver. This is using Samsung S20 FE and iPad Pro 2018. I haven't bought a proper solid-state desktop dac/amp stack for my hd660s yet, but I think Fiio k7, Schiit magni+/modi+, Topping e50/l50 or JDS atom stack should be a good choice. Looking more like a Any differences between a good portable DAC and a good desktop DAC are in the realm of snake oil and human psychology. So no amp needed. You might want to look into some Chinese brands that build fair quality equipment at a fair price (SMSL and the likes). but a PC as a DAC is OK for average people. Amplifier - Desktop Hey guys Looking for a DAC/AMP for my PC gaming and music/movie listening. And i can also use them in Desktop PC 2. I like these with my 650s, they're a bit warmer. Thank you !!! Archived post. I had both older Da2 and Da3. Android phones with an android version later than Android 8 support LDAC, it’s a really good wireless Codec, iPhones only support AAC, which has a relatively low bandwidth, so you’re right, it’s better to stay with a wired DAC, but keep in mind that most people can’t distinguish the sound of AAC and the sound of a wired connection. More than I listen to music honestly. I originally decided on a full schiit stack - a magni, modi, sys and mani. Archived post. See: Hi. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I want a good quality option but I only ever plan to use this at my desktop. This will add a The best DACs I've ever heard have 1 thing on common: high quality, overbuilt analog output sections. The reason why I got a Zen DAC for my Philips SHP9600 was because I wanted to know that I was getting good output quality as I was going to buy more headphones anyway. That can connect to my pc. I will save you some money. Ideal budget will be around £400-500 but also happy to look into Best budget DAC with an optical input (D10 has a pass-through) is the Schiit Modi 3 for $100. S. I feed the Zen Dac into my Sabaj PHA3 tube headphone amplifier and listen to my Beyers via this setup. For on the go listening I use my KZ ZSN PRO's with a cheap 3. sure there might be a dongle out there, that fits your Nothing will come close, the Hugo 1 was better than $1500 desktop DACs when it launched in 2014 and it is still atrociously good. What's the Best budget desktop DAC? I currently have a lg v40 feeding a jds Atom to my sundara will a desktop DAC make a difference in volume, imaging , soundstage , or blackness of background ? This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast comments sorted by Best You could also use a lesser headphone until you can increase your budget and get something like the ifi zen dac. I've been looking at the desktop DAC/AMP segment for a while to improve my WFH laptop output, which is holding back my collection: Alessandro MS-1 (~Grado 80 mod), HIFIMAN HE-4XX, Shure SE425 + might get the HD6XX soon. ifi amp/dac is now 2 units, twice the price for something that is essentially the same. Also, since you're just getting started, realize that these Bluetooth DAC/amps are not truly wireless, like earbuds or headphones from Beats or Sony. Sounds amazing and is cheap for a desktop DAC. I am looking for a desktop / headphone amp dac. I've also seen dongle dacs like the truthear shio or the moondrop dawn pro recommended but not specifically for desktop use. While desktop DACs are plenty, I'm struggling to find one that automatically turns on/off upon headphone dis/connect. I will say that the HD800S is unmatched for gaming. I'm looking for a good DAC under $50 to pair with my Sennheiser HD 58X. I'm always a little sceptical of Reddit reviews. Log In / Sign Up; I do currently use Fiio BRT 7 as portable and desktop dac/amp. This will add a Thanks everyone ! I will keep the dongle DAC/amp with my easy to drive Focals, and buy a desktop setup if/when I’ll purchase harder to drive cans ! (maybe never ?) FOMO was indeed the right term for me, I was worried I was missing something with my <expensive headphones / cheap and low power dac/amp>, but it looks like my hearing is still If you are okay with a desktop/transportable option then the ifi zendac v2 is really good. ️Starter Dacs (<50USD): •Apple dongle -9USD (built quality is schiit, but leaving it stationary for desktop use is fine, or just use shrink tubes. Going from $500-$700 headphones will almost always get you more bang for your buck than the same $200 spent on audio feed devices. Also how much would the cans benefit by adding the amp/dac? Thanks y'all, Archived post. Although i was planning to buy topping a30/e30 pro but i am little worried about the quality of these dacs. Any of the amps and dacs listed will perform perfectly adequately, but fretting over which amp and dac combo will get you the best experience isn't really that important. Either the list is wildly out of date or whathifi is getting a All the "budget" desktop products are around 100-200 dollars which doesn't really seem budget to me. Vote for the next topic in the poll for the next discussion. $200 gets you one of the best DACS ever tested. This DAC will give you so much more dynamic range (so you can hear the quiet and loud parts in a song at the same time) resolution, amp power, and way less distortion than your phone or computer headphone jack. I’m sure that a desktop would provide quite a bit more power though. So separating DAC from amp is a audiophile industry invention because, well, they easily double the money they charge because people start buying ‘stacks’ instead of a single unit. 49. I've been looking at some 1. My Motu M4 interface is handling DAC duties. I'm looking for a new dac and or amp and I don't know whether it would be better to get the all in one solution Topping mx3, get a combo dac/amp like the micca orgin2, or go all in and get a separate dac and amp. I just recently got a pair of Sennheiser HD 560s with the abelt boom mic for everyday use such as gaming, music, etc. squidbrand • 83 Ⓣ • • Edited . r/HeadphoneAdvice A chip A close button. Get a AMP+DAC combo like a IFI Zen Dac + IFI Zen Can OR Topping E50/L50. 5 adapter for the Steelseries Arctis Pro Game Dac, the old version, not the Nova, and now I can use the dac with other headsets by 3. Reply reply BabyRuler • • Edited So planning on investing on a good desktop DAC. Previous discussions can be found here. one downside is bass is not very punchy. Looking for a budget recommendation within $100. jgladden said: Agree w aaadavid, huge miss excluding rme adi-2. The cheaper the better. r/BudgetAudiophile A chip A close button. These DACs all use different chips yet sound more similar to each other than to lesser DACs using the same chips due to the quality of their analog sections. You get updated internals of a higher end Zen DAC V2 but to get it this cheap they ditched the balanced outputs (whatever) and put everything into No, the quality of USB won't matter, especially for the DAC, as it just needs a signal to convert, the dac will take care of any noise from the source and give the amp a clean signal. 5mm, the rest of my headphones are iems. I’m a competitive gamer and play games like r6 and cod. $200 Budget Purchasing USA Hello, I recently bought NEUMI BS5 Passive Bookshelf Speakers and Fosi Audio BT30D Pro for my PC Desktop setup. It outputs 1v but that is fine for most people, especially for desktop Best Amp/Dac combo under $200 for HD6XX (300 ohm)? upvotes · comments. When they combine a DAC and an amp in one product, you almost always end up with 1. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. I concur. But I want a way to use my desktop PC, laptop or USB C android phone. Share Sort by: Best. also more clean power and DAC will definitely make a difference. This will add a If we look at DACs and amps objectively, the Apple USB C dongle would be one of the best dacs out there as it's THD ratio is better than some 1000$+ dac amps. If you want to spend go big on headphones and get any cheap amp/dac that can run them, or if you don’t need an amp just use your phone (iPhone/mac dacs for example are good enough already to be indistinguishable) Rest is just snake oil. I am looking for a DaC/AMP that will do bluetooth on the go, but I can just plug it in when I get home or to the office and want a desktop DAC. The dac/amp makes very little impact on gaming in my experience. Basically looking for best bang for buck. The topping DX3 Pro+ — verified by Amir at AudioScienceReview. That’s why it took me so long to part with them I'm looking for a DAC, mainly for gaming and everyday use. Could you guys tell me what to buy. Admittedly I had buyers remorse at first. The Amps / DAC's I've been comparing: Separate Amp & DAC's -> S. I am looking for high quality desktop dac/amp under 1500 dollar(for both). While I prefer the Zen Dac + Can combo to the solo Fiio K5 Pro, the new Fiio K7 Pro is a very powerful dac amp to Are the bluetooth dac/amps worth it long term? Will they still be usefull 10 years down the line? If the battery is completely dead, will it still Advertisement Coins. However I don't want to kill the battery so I want a desktop solution. Pros of the Steelseries Game Dac (the old version): I am also using a Creative Soundblaster x4 to drive them and after comparing with the Soundblaster G6, I ultimately opted for the x4, but even with the x4 I can't help but feel I'm not getting the best out of my headphones, so I'd be willing to throw a bit of extra cash in to get a dac/amp that will really push these headphones further. Personally I recently tried four DACs, the integrated DAC in the node 2i, the integrated DAC in the Vincent amp, the external Topping D70s and the external DAC Vincent DAC-1 and in the end I chose the Vincent DAC-1, it just sounded best to me. Some may even suffer from the notorious saber glare making highs sound unpleasant. NFL I am using some Micca MB42X desktop speakers powered by a cheap Fosi Audio T20 tube amplifier with some matched aftermarket tubes and I can't imagine anything sounding any better. View. End of discussion. Additional comment actions. Just pick any based on features and power output. I personally liked the LKKLUYIC "USB C to 3. A HD800S is highly efficient and is easily driven to mad volumes. Da2 died (was a bad design) and the Da3 died but after a really long time of use. Unfortunately, it's a false economy to go cheap & there's no real 'best' to be seen at £50. I had a Creative AE5 Sound card before, so I kinda want something a little cleaner and a little more powerful. As far as I know, all these dacs/amps are are i mean i think if you are using PC audio which is not great especially when playing games. Jota180. I'm considering picking up HD600s and I'm looking at DAC/Amps to go alongside it. Its sound incredible to me. A number of years ago, I finally upgraded my absolutely ancient Dell 2. But The Fiio K5 Pro is a dac amp combo whereas with the zen dac you need to buy the the dac + the amp (zen can) for the best effect. The sound of many R2R DACs also isn't always the most accurate or true to the source, and whether the degree and direction of coloration will always suit your musical preferences A nice desktop DAC would be a nice addition to your setup. I also have a pair of powered monitors, but may consider regular monitors in the future. I have the original iFi Zen Dac, and it’s such an amazing piece of hi-fi. L SH-6 & S. Reply reply More replies More replies More replies More replies. The Topping A90 and E50 is the best combo I've heard on the Arya with balanced cables to keep out of high gain mode. Use my headphone and speaker together. I have a topping DAC / AMP stack. e. Topping E30II is basically reaching the max Here you can ask which headphone is better, which amp you should buy, which gear best fit your budget and anything related to headphone comparisons and purchasing. If that isn't your thing, this DAC still competes with many of the great choices others have posted. Can you recommend a good dac/amp in a budget. It's only $40 for Android and $60 for Lightning. The chip's itself are basically all the same at a certain price-point, its the other stuff inside that makes the "difference". 4 Pounds. Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M. A place for making the right decision when purchasing new headphones. I don't know the terms well but I'm looking for a gain boost and additional depth and separation. $189. If this is just the start of your audiofile journey, and you might plan to try out other high end options, possibly including Hi, as the title suggests, what is the best option from Schitt for a desktop setup? My use-case is music, audio editing, and gaming (if that matters). Not because I think the people are lying or anything like that. The built-in Magni dac cards don't measure very well for some reason. iFi Uno and Topping DX1 can be powered from USB too. there is a $50ish dollar desktop integrated amp with bass/treble/volume control on amazon i was going to suggest, but i apparently cannot. At $200 for an amp budget I'd recommend solid state. 1 DAC & Amplifier recommendation . What are some good options for this? Value is important here, looking for something $200 or My Lenovo ideapad L340 Gaming and my Samson SR850's for desktop listening. Great SQ but not as Oh, right, I didn’t see that you have an iPhone. Whether you’re streaming on Spotify or curating your MP3 archive, a DAC is a Hi everyone, i'm currently searching for the best amp+dac for my desktop pc which must have these requirements: (Edit 1) If anyone has any of the prospects mentioned before, his opinion Here’s a rundown of the best desktop DAC/amp combos designed just right for your PC and Mac. I want my dac/amp to lasts for 10-15 years atleast😁. If you use Full BA IEMs you can use the D10 series of DACs straight without an amp. I saw some fosi audio , duok , topping 10 votes, 24 comments. personally, if someone said i want the best sound out of my computer make it happen. Top. Looked into drop +thx panda for quality sound but I feel Sundara maybe the best fit as I am looking for a better sound experience. See all prices. I'm not using a DAC currently and haven't really explored much the market lately, sorry. DAC I am getting the Moondrop Kato and want to get a DAC for it, but I know nothing about DAC's and AMP's. r/BudgetAudiophile. I have a pair of ascend as someone who just spent £200 on a DAC/amp combo for headphones infinitely harder to drive than yours, don't do it. Qudelix handles 85% of the situations those do so you might get zero benefit in practise. Takes power using a usb b port from laptops and desktops ( think even an ipad would be able to power it) and has an integrated amp and DAC with both 3. What brands are there? I see too many brands but I don't know which is good. 4 if you don't imho you should stick with your setup and save your money. You still need to connect your headphone via a wire to the DAC I ordered a FiiO D3 for a quick, inexpensive DAC solution. Desktop DAC Vs Portable DAC Vs Bluetooth DAC For A Desktop Amp. The output into another amp, though, is fine. If I run the RCA outs from the DAC to the amp, the sound goes to both the headphones and the amp at the same time, so I have to turn the amp off or disable the speakers when using just the My portable Ifi Hip DAC just recently broke and it has put me on a search for a new desktop DAC. What does the good DAC better than the poor one? It has better dynamic and switches faster with less internal distortion. The Vali is the only decent hybrid amp at that price and I was very unimpressed when I tried them with the HD6XX, even after a tube swap greatly improved the amp. Modern audio devices have solved the DAC problem with onboard DACs to the extent that external ones are barely needed, we’ve solved the problem of external DAC performance variance to the point where a $9 dongle satisfies almost all their use cases. In my humble opinion, the best experience I had was with the Dragonfly Cobalt from Audioquest which I had loaned from a friend of mine for a few months. And I game a TON. But ultimately amp is important depending how sensitive or rather how hard to drive, the headphones you purchase are. For some background id like to spend no more than $150 but cheaper the better and my most power hungry headphones are the t50rp mk3 and tin p1's. Even the „cheap“ modern dacs are indistinguishable from a 3k dac blind tests have shown. Now I am entering the apparently heavy minefield of Amps and DACs. But the very best performing stuff at that low power level is a pair of more reasonably priced offerings from Topping, and there is even the likes of the $99 JDS Atom only 2db down from the very top: The same saber chip dac from two different products can sound very different as different manufacturers may implement different analogue output stage. I just don't understand the infatuation with separate DACs, especially the cheap ones. And for desktop use, I prefer The Best Desktop DACs and Music Streamers for your Audio Setup It's that time of year again, and we're taking a look at our top products for 2023. Honestly the apple dongle dac for $9 is probably just fine in most cases. Take a headphone first approach. L and Sabaj are the same company. i had recommended a desktop product here but the automod deleted it because they are bad at marketing. The dac itself without the amp does have some output power and would be able to run many headphones. Clear OG - small soundstage and mid forward (voice forward) sound but very good tonality, good There is no universal true I guess, but of course you'll hear the difference, I'm not saying better or worse but the difference will be there. iFi Zen DAC V2. If you're looking to spend about €250 on an Amp/DAC setup, I don't think it gets any more complete than this. The JDS Atom amp/dac is a little over budget as well as a Schiit Magni/Modi. So I don't think you'd get a huge improvement (if any) but something like a Quadelix 5k from what I've read is a great dac that has bluetooth capabilities and is quite portable with a good amount of features. Desktop DACs in the $100-250 range often come with more features, like variable output, a remote, more inputs and outputs, headphone amp, etc. Usual suspects are iFi Zen DAC ("normal" or "Air" but "normal" has true balanced output and therefore more power). I need it to be It will be best if you can swing to separates and create a stack. There was no rattling at any volume, and the bass response and general EQ was great (also $99). Some are a bit brighter, some more bassy/muddy. Without it, you would need an external dac as well. Buying a $300 At the time of writing, It is currently the best desktop dac/amp combo that you can get for $99 in both measurements and power. 5mm Audio Yesterday I received the 3. It isn't cheap but is probably up there with the best audio purchase I've ever made. Would prefer something that connects via USB-C, but haven't heard good things about the Hel from a reliability perspective. Available used as Today's best desktop laptop DAC deals. 5 I tested it with the Virtuoso XT and they finally come to live in PS5, tried too with my Epos H6pro and works excellent. Perhaps an amp. It saves the EQ settings as well, so it's pretty convenient. I have the Beyerdynamic T90, which is such a gem of a headphone. I also purchased an extension cable for my amp so that I can more freely move around when I am wearing my IEMs. Given the warm and veiled sound signature of the HD 599 which amp/dac combo would compliment it the best. I don’t know what dac/amp I should buy. Also, many of these DAC Amps are not available in India and needed to import which will skyrocket my budget. I don't want to waste any value on features that aren't relevant to being plugged into my PC. ) 04/09/2023 Up to current research, most of the DAC 200USD would be able to power my headphone. Depending on budget you can get a decent enough dac+amp combo unit. A match made in heaven. Thank you for any help :) I'm looking for a DAC, mainly for gaming and everyday use. View community ranking In the Top 1% of largest communities on Reddit. performance degrades almost 50% when playing hard running games with modern boards. It’s something beyond magical! I use e10k and dt770 80ohm for 6 years now, and I never needed to upgrade from it. pc speakers will not be the best speakers for your pc on the market. If you need both dac/amp for $200, the Topping DX3 Pro+ like others have mentioned is going to be super hard to beat. And for desktop use, I prefer I wouldn't recommend portable dac/amp or a dongle unless you have tried a particular one which you actually liked. M. I think a good budget amp option is the Fiio A3, which is just enough to adequately power the 6xx. Those are not extremely powerful devices, USB powered AMP/DACs will always have their limits. We ensure we hear every DAC at its optimum – whether it's a portable USB DAC for on-the-go use with a phone, a desktop model ideal for pairing with a laptop, or one Best value is Topping d10b and Sabaj A20h combo. Topping DX3 Pro+, best feature out of the three Just got my new bookshelf monitors delivered but my laptop port is not powerful enough or some clarity is missing. Open comment •Fiio K5 Pro (150USD Dac/Amp combo. I've been happily using the Zen Air DAC with my headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X, 48 Ohm). Any suggestions would Best Desktop Amp. Open comment Best budget option is to buy a decent external amp and pair it with a DAC dongle (if you even need an external DAC). The Chord Mojo DAC & Headphone Amplifier is about as high-end as you can get, and the price tag reflects it. For a standard pair of speakers, I’m gonna say it’s probably not necessary to have a dac. The K361s are low inpedance/high sensitivity headphones, and as such, are very unlikely to need any more power than they're already getting. Aside from that I’m currently running a moonriver 2 when I’m on the go. Not This, or buy the TempoTec Sonata HD Pro as a DAC/amp if you don't need Bluetooth. imo the best way to find a product you want search something like "best dac/amp under X dollars" use search tool to filter results within a year then go through old audio forum posts and read what knowledgeable people have to say. I'd love to get an external DAC but I don't have much money to spend on fancy audio equipment. In terms of overall tonal balance and technicality nothing touches Focal Clear in that price range. If you really don't want to worry about power I'd skip the DAC/Amp combo and budget towards just an amp for now. You can easily make this DAC sound as good as one costing much more by way of op-amp swapping with only a few caveats. My budget is around 120$. But also, honestly, a USB-C dongle dac for $15. This subreddit is for the budget minded audiophile that wants to grow out of soundbars, boomboxes, mini systems, portable bluetooth, lifestyle speakers, and PC peripheral branded audio solutions. New comments cannot be posted. The Aiyima A07 is a pure speaker amp with performance exceeding its price. Was looking at the Fiiko K3 but are there any better options? I like an accurate sound but I listen to a lot of bassy music. Open comment sort options. I like the brightness of the Hip DAC but preferences will be a nice warm tone overall. Fiio k5pro - Also good, less expensive, but just a bit above budget Fiio k3 - seems like a viable option, within price range. 😅 Hi, Bit of background recently purchased the tidle master sub and have a sony wh-1000XM3 but something feels lacking. Other options to consider are Fiio K7, DX3 pro+, The Schiit stack (Modi + Magni), The ifi stack (Zen dac + Zen Can). There is a reason I am recommending to for a amp. Then decide on the features you want: preamp capability, headphone out, remote, display, types of inputs and outputs, dsp, etc. I didn't try it on PC because I already have desktop DAC/Amp, but I don't expect any difference. There will certainly be better out there but this one tick S. It's very easy to use - if a comment on your post is considered helpful, please reward them by using the term !thanks. And DAC - Desktop Just a heads up, I am new to the audiophile scene so any input or idea would be nice. The other set of cans that I was looking at was the HE5XX. There are many, many good clean DACs in this price range. What’s the best choice to start with? I generally like my mids clear and forward, if that matters. However, after using it and comparing it to my desktop amp and dac, I grew to love it. It acts as a combo if you get the dac chip added on. It's better to choose a dac with quality component rather than looking at the dac chip itself. Get app Get the Reddit app Log In Log in to Reddit. 4 balanced, but I'm fine with using regular 3. I’m thinking of stepping up my audio from the onboard sound on my laptop, and I’m considering a small sized budget DAC into which I can plug in my earphones or some types of headphones (might get an ATH-M50x). There's no sugarcoating what our top gear is - because it's all based on what I haven’t bought it yet but I’m eyeing the Fiio BTR5 for the bluetooth. Please share your experiences, knowledge, reviews, questions, or anything that you think might add to the conversation here. DACs are not experience enhancers, they are problem solvers. It is transportable rather than portable. Fiio K5 like the other person said will do. I have Fiio KA3. The M3H makes a bold visual statement, but not one that all consumers will appreciate. If you would benefit from any of these things a topping or SMSL desktop dac might be a worthy investment. I would like to find a portable desktop USB DAC Headphone Amp to connect a nice set of of Hi-Res Audio headphones to enjoy my movies, music and games when I don't want to fill the room with sound. I know there are a few portable But the best part for me was the upgrade path over time. 1 speaker system that came with my old desktop computer to a pair of R1700BT. Locked post. 5mm and balanced headphone outs. What is the best DAC to get for the Kato's Skip to main content. $399. The bass button on the Zen dac completes them. Pair that with something like a Schiit Hel (USB / Optical DAC, with headphone / RCA outs, and a mic input thrown in) and you'll have an end result that beats the A30, though it will cost a bit more. They’re clean or they’re not clean, DACs are largely just audio jewelry if you’re expecting something beyond their intended transparency - Transparent DACs in 2023 cost $8. ) A worse amp you probably didn’t actually need and 2. It even has RCA and balanced audio out to connect to external speaker With the performance of HD 650's at this price, it seemed like a no brainer. Reply. The FX AUDIO DAC-X6 seems like a good option at about 60 usd on Amazon. Honestly I don't need many features. I would recommend doing some research and planning around future system upgrade. Also, my PC doesn’t output audio through USB-C to my portable DAC/AMP. Looks like a pretty capable portable dac amp for the price. The DACs in many high end receivers from the 2000s-2010s sound just as good, if not better, than most any budget DAC, especially at the $100 price point. 1 desktop setup . I mainly use a Fiio BTR5 on the go and I also use a HipDac. I currently have a old Onkyo receiver running two Klipsch bookshelf speakers and a Polk PSW10 10" subwoofer with the occasional Sennheiser HD 598 headphone use. However, it should be noted that Audioquest offers the Dragonfly Black at roughly 100$ and the Dragonfly Red for Well, I saw this product from Reddit post, LTT research is a lot of a hassle(I think not needed for my requirement). We have employed a "thank you" system for submissions. So planning on investing on a good desktop DAC. ku1185 • it seems that the Sennheiser HD6xx's would be a I am a desktop audiophile. Im not into super high end headphones but will be trying out DT990s and other recommended PC Amplifier - Desktop Can you guys give me some recommendations for a DAC/AMP under 200€. Amplifier | Receiver | 4 Ⓣ Currently in the market for a desktop amp. Audio Facts Versus Fiction Amir at ASR does one of his headphone amp measurements at 50mV, which I think is meant to be IEM level. If you are interested on a dac/amp you should check out Z Reviews on YouTube, he's got a bunch of reviews on dongle and desktop DACs. Looks menacingly great too with the black paint and LED ring around the volume knob). The apple dongle's SINAD levels are also near perfect but there's a huge audible difference between the apple dongle plugged into my L30, my Fiio plugged into my L30 and a Chord Hugo standalone (assuming that the Best DACs 2019: USB, portable and desktop DACs : Read more No RME, no list. I FX Audio DAC-X6 MKII is great if you can get it for $60 msrp, a lot of places marks them up to at least a $80(still a bargain even then), if you get it for $60 you can get Topping NX1s headphone AMP which is enough for IEMs and even some over-ear stuff, I got it and I use my FiiO M3 Pro DAP as a USB DAC, FX Audio X6 MKII is better deal to use as desktop DAC than buying a The dac/amps only have one job, which is to reproduce the music as accurately as possible, so no the sound will not "vary so much". Arya v2 - sound not as open as 800s but close, tonality is good, timbre is very good and produces very detailed sound. There’s hidden detail in your favorite songs and the best DACs are here to help you hear it. big big big heads up for JDS Atom AMP+, you can get $20 Tempotec Sonata HD II as a DAC, it has a good DAC chip and standardized 2Vrms LO to output enough power so AMP can flex all of it's muscles, E10K is rly outdated, you can get a balanced DAC dongle for under $100 that outputs more power than it like $90 Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro or $65 Moondrop Dawn 4. How much of a difference would there be between me plugging one of these dongles into my PC vs using a proper desktop dac? Your D10S is probably slightly better, it's among the best measuring desktop DACs at any price. My headphones are the Sennheiser HD660s that I will be pairing it with through my MacBook/iMac. So I am looking for the help of my fellow Indians. Quality tube amps are out of budget. Expand user menu Open settings menu. I The dac/amps only have one job, which is to reproduce the music as accurately as possible, so no the sound will not "vary so much". Best. So far the top suggestions I have seen are: FIIO K7 FIIOK5 Pro FIIO K11 - Budget option Topping DX3 Pro Interested to hear opinions or other potential suggestions. Certainly there are cables/adapters to solve this, but I don’t know if going from analog to digital and then from digital to analog again would be the best scenario. (i. It has a high z-out, which will mess with the sound of some headphones and make crossover BA IEMs not work correctly. Best Under $250 Amp Dac for PC Gaming and Music/Media . Also have a small desktop amp connected to passive speakers. I have a desktop DAC/AMP because I have a Mac, a PC and speakers and it makes my life easier. I eventually opted for the Topping DX3 Pro+ since it is compact and since I like its digital display. I think the consensus among everyone here who is actually familiar with different DACs, is that the best advice is to spend about $100 on a DAC without any known flaws, that has the feature set The D2 mini is a nice little ES9018K2m dac, it can do 16 bit without any distortion, there is a little noise coming form the dac and it only starts to be audible around -66dB with the amp cranked Any good suggestions for a desktop DAC? Around or under 100$ I would prefer if it doesn't have or require dedicated software, but that's just a minor gripe of mine Archived post. Shouldn't affect a microphone at all either as long as they're not actually faulty. The look, multiple presets, unlimited presets in the app, app usability, sound well. Fiio E10 [Desktop] [DAC & Amp] Price: $55 Okay, I have officially come full circle and am now looking for an everything DAC/Amp instead of separate devices. I wouldn't do it expecting an improvement anyway. . Thanks for your submission to r/headphoneadvice. I've been looking for dongle DACs that are good but I'm wondering if you get more bang for buck if you stick to normal DACs that run through desktops only? Thanks for your submission to r/headphoneadvice. I would like to get a good DAC AmP that is a little future proof and improves the audio experience more. After two weeks the amp will no longer turn on, I am returning it and getting something else. Most likely going for a budget sub like the Jamo S808 or S810. I’m thinking Jamo because I want low end presence without it overpowering everything else Best budget dac/amp DAC - Desktop Hello all, I just bought my first headphones ( Sundara’s). Used for gaming, movies, and music. I am new to the hobby. as jazzfunkster said. For hi-fi system use (Image credit: Chord) While the Chord Hugo 2 is, like the Mojo 2, battery-powered, I assume you mean the amp-dac combo device, not just the DAC SoC chip. It uses ES9038Q2M DAC chip that is used in some desktop DAC. There are some high-end DAC/amps near the top like the RME ADI-2. I don't know if it is just in India, but the cables provided for the most DAC/AMPs tend to be a 2 pin plug without ground pin, even though the devices themselves had the ground pin in Drawback is that a good R2R DAC doesn't come cheap, and cheaper R2R DACs often perform sub-par compared to equally priced delta sigma DACs, while offering little subjectively enjoyable benefits. As someone else has suggested, an Apple dongle dac will do the job if you're not looking for a headphone amp. I also strongly considered the FiiO K5Pro and the FiiO K7. To Probably not a dac. It might be down to functionality and connection for my PC Ifi Zen DAC v2, good looking compact. This makes it into a different Dap everytime you swap out boards. Not sure where to start with the search, budget is around $200. ) So yes, dongles have ‘amplifiers’ in them, all DACs do. Parasound DAC-2000, Audio GD Master 7, Audio Research DAC-7, Schiit Yggy. 35mm single-ended jack or a single four-pin balanced XLR socket. This will be for my desktop. Here you can ask which headphone is better, which amp you should buy, which gear best fit your budget and anything related to headphone comparisons and purchasing. The receiver is starting to go as I believe the R speaker is cutting in and out, it's also survived 10 years and 6 moves so it's time. Don't get it until you need it. I've A/B tested proper hi-fi DACs versus the stuff built in to mobile phones, laptops, streamers etc and there is honestly little to no difference at all. I'd suspect you'd probably not notice a difference. A portable DAC may in fact be quieter because it doesn't have to deal with mains noise. Between that and K5 Pro, Zen Dac V2 etc there's no meaningful sound difference so knob feel and inputs are what matter. I have a D10 Balanced as my desktop amp myself. It’ll be powering Kef Q150’s that I already own which I plan to use in a small room (10ftx10ft) on a reasonably sized desk (6ft). Valheim Genshin Impact Minecraft Pokimane Halo Infinite Call of Duty: Warzone Path of Exile Hollow Knight: Silksong Escape from Tarkov Watch Dogs: Legion. If you are buying new, and don't have any DAC/amp combo, I would suggest getting fiio k3s, better internals and it's upgrade from e10k, small enough to fit it under the table edge for easier reach (mine e10k is velcroed under the table edge, just on the reach of the hand). I have used a HD800S for over a year and have figured out the way to make it sound the best. Today I've made the best decision that made a massive improvement to the sound quality of my system. DX3 Pro+ imo is the best option due to high power output, small size and remote. Chord Mojo Portable High End DAC Best DAC For Audiophiles. I just don't know where they are coming from and what their past experience is. There are plenty of options out there. Has a huge amount of clean power and realistically is an "endgame" amp for 99% of headphones. love that true bass button Fiio K7, has a good input option and chipset for balanced 2-way output. As for the headphones the most hungry ones that I own are HD6xx with 4. Sports. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment. I've had some VERY cheap boards in the past, I understand your pain! u/Myriagonian, RME ADI-2 DAC/Amplifier but it's hella expensive but if you have a Windows Desktop system you can hand over EQ activity to Equaliser APO with Peace GUI and get something like the FiiO K7 for your desktop systemOr just get a capable amp and use the Qudelix as the DAC component that links your PC to the standalone Amplifier (I recommend The M3H employs two independent linear power supplies, a Delta-Sigma DAC for PCM processing and a proprietary modulator for DSD playback. This allows for different specifications including input and output options and various Dac and Amp choices. Hi, I have some older equipment I am repurposing for a desktop arrangement in a small (about 8x11). 5mm to usb-c converter that has a built in DAC i got off amazon (headphones are great, converter DAC thingy not so For best tone in that size, the Boss Katana Mini was the best for me. Premium Powerups Explore Gaming. Dongle DACs are probably a place to look at as well Thanks for your submission to r/headphoneadvice. I'm kind of new to this, but based on some quick research, these seem to be the best options Dac + Amp: Modius + Midgard Modius + Asgard Modius + Jotunheim All in one Dac/Amp: Asgard This limits options greatly. Budget is under 300USD. $650. I realize I need a dac and amp to enjoy the music. Qudelix 5k also exists, but in my region it's $70 more expensive than the DX1. But is there a better combo than this, and especially for an iem such as i have? My budget is £550, and i do like vintage gear. $499. You've brought it back to front of mind. I am not sure about the Q3 but the HipDac isnt suited to use on the go. This is one of the least expensive DACs that will be a solid improvement over most integrated audio DACs. They're both fan favourites within their respective fields: the Qudelix, an absolutely feature-packed beast of a portable DAC/Amp; and the Topping, one of THE best measuring Amps out there with mouth-watering power to boot. Amplifier - Desktop I decided to buy the dt 990 pro 250 Ohm headphones and a Elgato Wave 3 mic. HE6se V2 Hmm, I have actually thought about Planar headphones in the past. You probably don't need anything more than that dongle, though a desktop dac gives you more input and output options and is more durable since the apple dongle uses basically the thinnest cable known to man. I've seen the I'm looking for a decent DAC that can convert digital optical audio into RCA so I can plug my new TV into a vintage Marantz amplifier. DAC - Desktop I recently upgraded my whole set up and got a new pair of headphones as I read online, studio headphones can be better for gaming compared to most gaming headsets, I got a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO’s 250ohm however when using on my new pc even with the volume all the way up I feel like it’s not as loud, I read online that most of the time you need an I'm looking for a DAC, mainly for gaming and everyday use. Open menu Open navigation Go to Reddit Home. Headphones may be connected via a 6. But yeah, this DAC costs more than 350$ so I wouldn't recomend it to everyone. Integrated DAC/amp desktop combos are preferred by many audiophiles (especially beginners) for various reasons. Moondrop Dawn Pro @ $50 is nice, cheaper one is not, FC1 is not good to use as a separate DAC because low Vrms output just like Apple one, only to be used as all in one solution, a lot of FiiO stuff is like that, even more expensive desktop stuff like K5 Pro, if it works nice as DAC/AMP doesn't mean it will do good as standalone DAC At the time of writing, It is currently the best desktop dac/amp combo that you can get for $99 in both measurements and power. Chord Mojo 2. L SU-6 [$290] : comes with RCA cables if you buy the combo. This will add a If you have prime, it is 10 dollars off right now which makes it a ludicrously stupid good deal for what this is. Best for a bit over $100 is the JDS Atom 2. I heard legitimate improvements with the Zen DAC compared to my motherboard (MSI B450 Gaming Plus MAX), primarily reduced stuffiness and a more accurate staging. The Chord Mojo DAC is tiny, fitting in the palm of your hand and weighing 0. I listen to music in my home office and it's becoming a hassle to control the music on my desktop which uses the same mouse, keyboard and monitors as my work computer, but I can't use a KVM switch. Right now for amps I do a Qudelix 5k on the go/at work and the Drop O2/Grace SDAC at home. Overall there is no perfect amp, all of them have drawbacks, but the one I found best was the THR10. Buy the best speakers you can afford, don't bother with a DAC for your PC. you will have to start paying more attention to notice the details but there is definitely a I haven’t bought it yet but I’m eyeing the Fiio BTR5 for the bluetooth. Some companies I have in mind are IFI, Topping. I do not want to waste my money. This portable DAC and amplifier combo is ideal for smartphones but also works with PCs. Thanks in advance for any advice. Personally I’m pretty into my audio and so was worth it for me paired with my hd650s, and at the moment I’m using a laptop so an amp was also essential for me. 0 coins. Chinese brands quality are not good enough. I've read about the Fiio K7, Schiit Hel, and SoundblasterX G6, but not sure which one to go with. Cheap setup and warm/clear sounding. One thing I really like about the HipDac is that the usb c port is only for charging so you can charge while using it, it doesn't Amp/DAC for 2. On Amp side, no issue with ppwer and volume for Sundara. I've got another Sabre DAC I use in backup. This subreddit is for the budget minded audiophile that wants to grow out of soundbars, boomboxes, mini systems, portable bluetooth, lifestyle speakers, and PC peripheral branded audio I don't use any desktop gear. There is possible a big jump going from a internal amp-dac in your cheap phone/PC/laptop to a external amp-dac, for various reasons. I currently have my headphones and mic plugged into my motherboard and I notice that the audio could be much better. . No issue on DAC side and performance. I would like to use it for my PC (I have Beyerdynamic 770 Pro 80 Ohm and they sound a bit too low for me with highest settings on). Qudelix 5k has bluetooth, so that one might actually be a good choice. A bluetooth Skip to main content. Recommend me a desktop & headphone dac amp under 150 usd . The sound upgrade you get with other budget DACs isn't that worthy. But it's powered by USBC - which means I need to use a USB A male - USB C male cable to power? (my mobo has only I've been researching various headphone amps and DAC's at the $200-300 range, and I'm wondering what you guys think is the best value considering sound quality, reliability, and features when comparing. Buying a $300 A phono pre-amp, a switch (to switch from dac to phono pre amp), a dac and an amp. What would be the best desktop DAC/AMP at around $100 to drive the HD600 (300 Ohm) and ATH-M50x (32 Ohm)? I am considering the ifi zen DAC v2 but wondering if there are some other options which might be better and/or cheaper. Your PC already has a DAC chip on the board and it won't make any difference. zqbowl jgp bfulk pcc tyz mllqbvr bhabpw tvxcih evtrii oou