Comments on: DAC/AMP Combo Recommendations

By: Bill Young

Bill Young — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 19:08:37 +0000

Want to get Sennheiser HD560 ‘phones but holding off because I don’t know what they need to drive them. I have no idea what, if anything, they would need to drive them. Thoughts, anyone?

By: Ahmad

Ahmad — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:41:03 +0000

Hi your website is excellent. My smartphone is Xiaomi Redmi note 8. Is Fiio e10k an upgrade for my smartphone in terms of sound quality? Thanks.

By: Gilles

Gilles — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:00:08 +0000

Shanling H5 and Mojo 2 are both on the recommendation list.

Which one would you pick as the best in sound quality?

Shanling would be nice as all-in-one solution because of the bluetooth dac and the storage capacity by sd card. In that regard I don’t have to buy a dedicated streamer (like Wiim Pro) because all my music is stored in wav format.

But what matters the most is the sound quality of course. Who’s the winner?

By: Yagiz

Yagiz — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:30:54 +0000

In reply to Urgaal. LCD X and Topping DX7 PRO+ (2022 release) or SMSL DO300EX

By: Urgaal

Urgaal — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 22:58:28 +0000

what would you recommend for Hardrock /Metal music , in terms of headphones and desktop DAC/AMP , i was considering the Audeze lcd X with Hifiman combo .

By: Lieven

Lieven — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 06:12:18 +0000

In reply to Ruben E.. Different reviewers on different continents, sorry

By: Ruben E.

Ruben E. — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 08:37:45 +0000

Can’t seem to find anyone who’s listened to Fiio K9 PRO ESS and Hifiman EF600 and I can tell you’ve reviewed both.

I’m hoping you will share your best pick between the two, as I’m torn between them.

I’m thinking in terms of sonic capability only. It will be used with HD660S2 primarily, maybe HD800S later.

Thank you very much for your review of both. Wonderful site!

By: Lieven

Lieven — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:03:13 +0000

In reply to Jaime Espinoza. can't go wrong with FiiO

By: Jaime Espinoza

Jaime Espinoza — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:29:00 +0000

If we have all the dacs in one list. What is the best option under $200?

By: Hafiez

Hafiez — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 03:43:30 +0000

Hello everyone, which portable/ desktop dac-amp that can give best sound for my iem Softears RSV? Currently using dongle Shanling UA5

By: JC

JC — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:19:01 +0000

What’s a good portable amp and dac combo for Sony-mdrcd900st?
impedance: 63ohm
rated input: 300mW

By: Federico

Federico — Sun, 15 May 2022 16:31:48 +0000

I own the audio technica m50x… Is there good sinergy with Violectric Chronos or do you suggest another DAC for the same (or less) price?

By: NUNO

NUNO — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 09:52:38 +0000

In reply to Mike.

Great job with this extense work, congrats!!!

In you opinion wich is a best choice for a desktop.

The SMSL SH8S and SU8S stack or the Topping EX5 or Topping D7X Pro. Thank you for your help. Best regards Nuno.

By: Luis André Ferreira

Luis André Ferreira — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 16:42:58 +0000

What about the PAW S1?
After reading your review never thought that little thing wouldn’t be in this list…

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:57:08 +0000

Oh and Hugo2/2go in the back pack when out and about

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:56:03 +0000

Chord TT2, headphones B&W P9 when using speakers play direct to two Cambridge Audio 851W powers amps to B&W 805 D3 speakers, Chord Epic cables all the way. Job done..!

By: JP

JP — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 21:14:17 +0000

Just starting to learn about all this. very newb and novice.

Right now, I’m using sennheiser 599s and might upgrade to Bower & WIlkins PX and/or a higher end pair of sennheiser 600, 650, etc.

I’m considering using the Spectra X or iFi Nano iDSD Black.

Have been testing the Sprecta X for a week or so…seems cool.

Which of these would be the one to buy?

By: Gregory Wodark

Gregory Wodark — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 21:19:36 +0000

In reply to Yavor Moskov. I too am a fan of the KEF M500! I generally like KEF speakers, having owned many of their products. I agree they are more comfortable than most other on ear designs, have great build quality, and sound quite satisfying. Especially, with a good portable AMP/DAC ( I use the Oppo HA2).

By: Gregory Wodark

Gregory Wodark — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 21:13:21 +0000

What? No iFi Micro iDSD BL? Surely, it is in the same ballpark as the Mojo. Maybe, you have not reviewed it yet. From what I have read, it is a virtual “Swiss Army Knife”, of AMP/DACs ( portable or at least transportable). Also, it is said to be at the same level of sound quality as the Chord Mojo.

Now that I think about it, what about the in-between iFi product? The new iFi XDSD portable. Does it not rate either? I find that hard to believe.

The own two products on this list, the Audioquest Dragonfly Red, and the Pro-Jet Pre Box S2 Digital. So, I have some experience with how they perform. I suspect the iFi products are superior ( Dragonfly vs. Nano, and S2 vs. iFi Micro). I also have an Oppo HA2, and I wonder how the Nano, or the XDSD might stack up? Any thoughts?

By: dalethorn

dalethorn — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 14:56:00 +0000

In reply to Jessica Ruby. 3 of the 4 headphones that Yavor enquired about are fairly bassy, while most of the competitive AKG's (ex: K712) are much lighter in the bass.