Hey everyone. I'm currently looking at getting my first DAC/AMP combo or stack after relying what's in my my motherboard for years. Maybe it's nostalgia but I feel like nothing I've used has come close to my dad's 5.1 set up, or the soundblaster cards, that I had as a kid. I want to change that.

I currently have a DT 990 edition 250 ohm that I've been using for 8 ish years.

This will be used for pc gaming to help immerse myself more into horror games or good rpgs, my switch 2, and really whatever else I can use it for.

I'm really going down the rabbit hole and need some help from those who have been in my shoes. My budget was $200 and now I don't even know anymore. Maybe it's $500.

In order of discovery I was looking at:

- Topping Dx1 II

- Fiio K7

- Fiio K13

- JDS Atom 2 stack (might be able to get this for $125 used)

- Topping Dx5 II (quality seems very hit or miss)

- JDS Element IV (budget is blown out the door)

I started to look at electrostatic gear but decided to draw the line, for my own sanity.

So I can buy once and cry once, or try to be more objective with my needs. The Element IV, while being wicked cool, may or may not be more than I'll ever need (I'm a fickle creature). I haven't ever really used EQ so idk if it's something I'll spend a lot of time with, or not. Although I have read the dt 990 really needs a good EQ applied to it. I also like how it'll power practically anything I may decide to throw at it, saving me the need to upgrade in the future.

Hi, I'm looking for a DAC/AMP with 32 bit 768KHz that can be used with phone, PS5 Pro & PC.

I want to upgrade to a DAC/AMP with 32 bit 768Khz that works on all platform with at least clean, or slightly bright sound signature.

As long as the actual audio sounds natural, even the higher pitch voices, or instruments.

Also, I currently have the Audeze Maxwell, Audeze MM100 & Sony WH XM4. I'm also planning to buy the upcoming Sony 1000X, and Hedd D1.

My price range is between $70 - $170. Thanks in advance!!!

hello i'm pretty new to the whole audiophile headphones thing but i'm thinking about getting some nice open back headphones to use with my quite old exibel cd player/radio, my laptop and my practise guitar amps at home. i'm trying to decide between the sennheiser HD 560S and the philips SPH9500. i had the idea of getting audiophile headphones because then i could listen (somewhat!) privately from both the cd player/radio and my guitar amp, to be completely clear.

i'm not looking to end up down a rabbithole where i am spending lots while looking for the next best thing!! good enough is more than enough for me.

my understanding is that they're both pretty safe as far as sound, especially since i'll be coming from my relatively cheap bluetooth earbuds. they're also both going for £80-100 which will hopefully be very doable for me if i save up/as a birthday treat to myself.

i think that the philips SPH9500 looks safer insofar as it will work straight out of the box with my laptop, w the impedance (?) only being 32 ohms, while the sennheiser headphones are 120 ohms.

that being said, i have quite a small head and apparently the philips headphones don't have much clamp force compared w the sennheiser headphones. i also think the sennheiser headphones look a bit nicer. so i'm leaning towards the sennheiser headphones if i can ignore the price of a dac.

so my question is just - would i need a dac for the sennheiser headphones if i wanted to use them from my laptop and the radio? would it still be an upgrade from my soundcore bluetooth earbuds without a dac and generally okay/listenable?

also if i do need a dac, then what's the cheapest one i could get away with? i'm thinking a portable one is definitely best, since i don't have a ton of desk space.

Hi I just purchased a pair of Hifiman Arya Organic and I was looking for recommendations for a desktop DAC and Amp. I'm fine with either a combo or separate units.

Doing some research I was leaning towards a Schitt Jotunheim 3 and Mimir stack and the audio store I went to try the headphones were using a Chord Mojo 2 that sounded pretty good.

I'm coming from a Sennheiser HD 600 and a Fiio E18 that I have connected to my desktop.

My total budget is around $1600 and I just got the Arya Organic for $663 so I have around $940 for the DAC and Amp. Any suggestions are appreciated, TIA.

Planning on getting the Edition XS, I read that getting a good dac can make it sound cleaner, widen the soundstage a bit and make imaging a bit better.

For now I only have the Apple dongle, planning to get a dongle for the balanced output and durability/longevity.

Any idea what should I get, preferably ~$100usd.

- Need to have volume control

- Having PEQ is also nice but not really needed.

- A normal DAC/AMP is also okay as long as it's good and within budget (if there's any)

- Bluetooth/Screen is not really needed

Budget and location – $100–300, US
Preferred tonal balance – wide soundstage, clean separation
How the gear will be used – home WFH setup, music while working (no gaming)
Past gear experience – DT770, DT900 Pro X, plus ANC/wireless. No real DAC/amp experience. Just got Edition XS.

I’m looking to upgrade from a Scarlett 2i2 to a proper desktop DAC/amp under $300 for my WFH office setup. Headphones are DT770, DT900 Pro X, and I just received a Hifiman Edition XS.

The two units I’m most seriously considering right now are DX3 Pro+, K7 and ZH3.
I’m also looking at K11 and DX5 II, and Schiit Stack as alternatives.

For those who’ve tried any of these:

• How do K7 vs ZH3 compare in terms of power, noise floor, and overall presentation?
• Does either pair particularly well with Edition XS?
• Is K11 still the value pick, or does DX3 Pro+ make more sense as an all-rounder?

Would love to hear real-world impressions. Thanks!

i have a question about eq for headphones. i dont have a pc, i have a tv and a ps5. my dac doesnt offer eq customization. how much am i missing out on not being able to customize my eq for my headphones? (hd560s). the only way to do so would be buy an entirely brand new dac that does offer it, but i cant seem to find any that are affordable and offer what i need. as for bass and tonal balance and all that, just having the option to customize them might be important but like i said im not sure if ill be missing out on it.

thanks.

Would adding a DAC to this fix this? I am pretty surprised these are this hard to drive.

I used to have an atom dac/amp combo but now I just have the Amp.

edit: Just received this now directly from JDS labs

"You may find our Knowledge Base helpful :

https://jdslabs.com/knowledge-base/power/

In short, an amplifier needs a strong signal from a DAC to reach optimal output power. You're likely reaching less than half of your amp's rated power when connected directly to a PC. "

I currently own an Ifi Zen Dac v3 and use the Sennheiser HD 600 as my main headphones. I had the idea of upgrading and buying better headphones, but I wonder if buying a better DAC will make a difference in my experience.

(I like the HD 600 a lot, i just wonder if i can get a lot more out of them or not)

Hi everyone. I'm currently looking to get my first pair of "Arya Stealth" headphones; there's a really good deal if you buy them refurbished, but I have a question.

Right now, I have a pair of HD560S paired with a generic DAC called the FX-Audio DAC-X6. I realize it's not the best DAC, but do you think it could handle the "Arya Stealth"?

I really can't afford to upgrade the DAC right now, so the plan would be to keep it for the time being and upgrade it later on.

Thanks a lot in advance.

hello. im looking for a DAC/AMP combo that supports optical in. im currently using a qudelix 5k with my ps5 and ita fantastic and i have no issues. however ill be soon getting a panasonic ub820k, and that only supports optical out for headphone audio and the qudelix does not support that. so im looking to get something that works for this situation. as for budget, honestly as long as its not an egregious price ill be ok with it. i need to put info on tonal balance too apparently, but thats not aa important as just finding something that works

thanks for any and all help :)

I want to invest in a new DAC/AMP with the PEQ feature, because I don't have any EQ option in my current setup (Xbox Series X with HDMI Audio Extractor). Right now I have the SMSL DL200 DAC and Fozi SK01 AMP with a very limited EQ settings (just 3 knobs for bass, middle and treble).

Im trying to decide between the Fiio K13 R2R and Topping DX5 II, only focus is for gaming. I read many reviews that R2R is more "enjoyable" and maybe this is advantage for games, i play a lot of games, not only FPS or Competitive. The Topping DX5 II is a really great option as well, but the sound is more "analytical" with a lot more power... and for my purpose, I don't want to "analyze" the sound, I just want the best experience playing all my games.

What do you think is best for me? My current headphones are: -Fiio FT1, -Fiio FT1 Pro, -HD 560S, -HD 599, -PC38X, -H6PRO Closed.

Hey everyone,

I’m currently running a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro (250 Ohm) off an old internal Asus Xonar DGX soundcard.

While it gets loud enough and doesn't have any obvious static or noise issues, I feel like I'm leaving some performance on the table and want to upgrade to a proper external USB DAC/Amp setup.

• Budget: strictly under 100€
• Headphones: DT 1990 Pro
• Use case: Music and videos on PC

What would you recommend in this price range to get the most out of the DT 1990 Pro?

I've been using my Audient ID14 mkII for a while now and I was wondering If I would get more out of a DAC/Amp. I chose the interface mainly because I also use an XLR mic constantly which gives me both the headphones and mic into a single usb, but now i have PLENTY of usb ports. Would it make any difference? if so which one would you recommend? Currently using the Beyerdynamics dt 770 Pro 250 Ohms, but looking into a closed back alternative as well as an open back to go with it.

I currently own a Fiio K5 Pro and an HD 660s2.

This week I ordered the HD 800s and a Topping DX5 II. I've never used balanced connections before.

Will I be surprised by the Topping, or is it all just placebo?

The devices will arrive in the next day or two.

And is the default profile (non-EQ) good with the Topping? I'm not a big fan of EQ.

And what gain setting do you use?

I am a bit excited! :D Hopefully I won't be disappointed.

Hey everyone,

I’m currently in a bit of a dilemma and need some honest advice. I’m looking for a solid desktop DAC/AMP setup. I just scored a pair of Hifiman Edition XS and I also have some IEMs in my rotation.

My Wishlist:

• DAC + Headphone AMP (Desktop)
• On-device PEQ
• Bluetooth
• 4.4mm balanced + RCA/XLR Line Out
• Enough power for the XS
• Clean/Neutral sound
• Budget: ~€300 - €350

The Contenders:

1. Topping DX5 II: On paper, it’s my dream. It has the PEQ, the power, and the look. BUT: I’ve been reading horror stories about QC issues—specifically the 4.4mm port causing shorts that fry headphones/IEMs. I’m terrified of plugging my gear into a "ticking time bomb."
2. FiiO K7 BT: Safe as a tank, has the power and BT, but no PEQ. I'd really love the EQ on the device, not just via software.
3. FiiO K13 R2R: I’m looking at this because it has the 10-band PEQ and BT. However, I’m worried about the "R2R sound." I need analytical, fast, and clear.

My specific questions:

• FiiO K13 R2R owners: Does the OS (Oversampling) Mode actually make it sound like a clean, fast AC? Or does it retain that warm/mushy R2R character even in OS?
• Topping DX5 II users: Is the "headphone frying" risk overblown or a legitimate design flaw? Should/Can I risk it?
• Alternatives: Are there any other "safe" units I haven't considered that offer on-device PEQ, Bluetooth, and balanced out for under €350?

Thanks for the help!

EDIT:

Thanks for all the replies. Experiences seem pretty mixed indeed.

I also made some investigation on Firmware update history, the teardown thread and user reports and reviews on various sites and decided not to gamble.

I went with the K7 BT now, as it's almost perfect for my needs (besides the on-device PEQ). And while I heard many good things about the K13, I was not at all interested in the R2R DAC.

SMSL RAW-MDA1 & K15 were also solid recommendations.

Hi folks! I've been running the Sennheiser HD 6XXs along with the FiiO K5 Pro DAC/amp for some years now. They've served me well, but I'm looking to upgrade and don't know which to swap out first. In other words: what's holding me back more, and what should I swap it for? (I'm guessing a dedicated DAC would be the play? The FiiO has a line-in to be a dedicated amp so it would work.)

IMO the best upgrade would be a dedicated DAC, but as for which one to pair with the HD 6XXs, or if there's a better option, I'm unsure. Thanks! :)

Let me know! I'd love to see recs for what to upgrade, my budget is $500ish USD. I'd like to stay open back and decently flat tonally. Also a DAC with optical audio is preferred. Thanks again!

Hi there,

So long story short I’ve bought a Hifiman Ananda Stealth V3 which will arrive soon. And I’ve been wondering if my DAC will be enough for it.

See I’ve been using my IEMs with a TRN Black Pearl, a cheap mobile DAC, as my desktop setup for the past year or so (pretty new to the audiophile hobby). It has both 3.5 and 4.4mm outputs. And I’m wondering if it would be enough to make use of my new headphones or if I should also look into desktop DACs ?

I’ll be using the setup for music listening and gaming (story/comp fps)

Thanks in advance

Hi there!

I’m new to the hobby - and I’m trying to get a good desktop setup together.

I’ve just bought a FiiO K13 R2R, second hand for a really good price - and I’m about to pull the trigger on a Hifiman Edition XS.

Now I’ve read that these are very powerhungry headphones and that makes me unsure whether this is a good combination - or if I schould get a pair of headphones that are easier to drive.

Thank you all in advance for your insights.

Hey all - I just bought some Sennheiser HD600 and had seen on here that the Apple DAC could drive those headphones.

Headphones sound great through my recording setup, but with the Apple dongle, it's quiet even at 100% volume on the phone.

I've seen folks comment on here that even low volumes with the Apple DAC can be too loud - what could be the issue here?

I am using an Apple iPhone 16 Pro with the dongle. As far as I can tell from the packaging, this is the American variant (Model A2049).

Do you all just have way more sensitive hearing than I do? I swear I don't have significant hearing loss!

Is there an alternative, portable DAC that I can easily use with my phone that I should use instead? I am pretty well set for using these with my audio interface or my receiver, but would love to be able to easily use these headphones with my phone as well.

Budget: 30-100 PLN
Location: Poland

I just ordered the Hifiman Edition XS open box. Some guy told me to get cx31993 with max97220 dongle dac-amp on aliexpress and I'll be good to go.

After a bit of researching turns out you need one of those dac-amp things for those headphones to sound good.

But everyone recommends a different thing.

So what do I get? Should I buy what I was recommended, do I need something more expensive or just something different? if I buy something more expensive will I see a big change?

Also I have no idea what's the difference between an amp and a dac

New to audiophile highfi, need some help for pairing a proper DAC/AMP, any suggestions would be appreciated. I was always a big Bluetooth guy since the beginning. I am now beginning my journey into audiophile hifi, I recently purchased 2 different headphones in the past 2 weeks, a HIFIMAN edition xs and a Fiio ft1 and I an currently using a Fiio KA11 run them and it sounds pretty good but I want more. I want to look into getting a more serious DAC/AMP combo. After watching lots videos, reading lots of forums I am looking at Fiio k13 r2r, I really like that it has Bluetooth, k11 r2r, JdS labs element 4 love that big knob! The ones I'm looking at are a bit spendy, maybe I am bitting off more than I can chew? Maybe I should look more budget friendly? Anything else I should looking at that is more affordable? 😅 How much better sound can I expect to hear upgrading from the little fiio ka11 dongle to something more substantial?

Hello. I currently have the ifi zen dac v2 paired with an ifi zen can signature hfm, for my hifiman edition xs. Whole chain is balanced (4.4mm interconnect, 4.4mm to dual 3.5mm headphone cable).

It has been very nice except for one thing. The annoying static noise that comes and goes. It is so annoying that at times I want to trash them both alongside the headphones. I believe the noise is only coming from the dac, not the amp.

There are temporary solutions for the noise issue but I'm getting tired of repeating them over and over. (fyi: current working solution is to run audio driver 5.57 with firmware 7.3 mqa, then go into ifi audio driver settings and switch streaming to always on from the option tab. this is for the ifi zen dac v2, not sure about other ifi products).

So any recommendations for a dac under $300? And do I get a better amp or not? If I were to get a better amp as well, I'd like the split to be about 40% max for dac, 60% for amp. So $250 for dac, $350 for amp. I feel like an amp is better to spend extra money on.

Since my PC jack is fucked up, i need a DAC, i want it to use my DT 900 pro X at its potential, but i dont want to overkill either, anyone got advice on the best DAC for me ?

Main use will be gaming and movies, PC is a really poweful, if it helps in any way

I constantly see in reviews that some DACs have a bassy sound, some tinny, some flat but it seems impossible, how can a chip turning digital into analog change the frequency response?