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DAC or Digital To Analogue converter is a class of device that does just this – converts the data from the digital domain, or files, to the analogue domain, or variations of voltage and power that a transducer or IEM / Headphone can further convert to sonic waves.
You can find my reviews on DACs below, and also the best DACs here: https://amzn.to/3r3NuCj
Views 6,612 SMSL D1 is a $89 USD Desktop DAC and SMSL PH1 is a $69 USD Phono Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier. They each have unique technologies, and although they fight in the entry-level price range, D1 is built based on the BD34352EKV ROHM DAC, while PH1 is an MM …
Views 22,702 JDS Labs Element IV is a $549 USD Desktop DAC Headphone AMP, with a huge 3.2W of clean power output tetradeca output buffer, Auto Gain, Preamp output, OLED Display with Gorilla Glass protection, Parametric EQ, and DC protection safety. Today we review the mighty JDS Element IV, and …
Views 28,455 Topping DX5 II Dual DAC AMP is a $299 USD Desktop DAC / Headphone AMP, with a Dual ES9039Q2M DAC combo at the core, with an X-Hybrid Headphone Amplifier Circuit, and Bluetooth BT5.1 support, and 10-Band High-Precision PEQ. Today we will review the Topping DX5II and compare it …
Views 22,167 Fosi Audio K7 is a $229 USD gaming soundcard DAC / Headphone AMP with a CNC shell, AK4493SEQ DAC at the core, and OPA1612 LPF, and with Bluetooth connectivity. Today we will review the K7 and see how it fares in the busy market of upper entry-level DAC …
Views 38,634 SMSL M20 is a $129 USD entry-level DAC / Headphone AMP with a complex 4 X CS43131 DAC solution at the core, and with USB decoding abilities, made to act as the soundcard for your desktop system. Today we will review the M20 and broadly explore how it …
Views 31,249 FiiO S15 is a $999 USD High-End Streamer with a Preamplifier output, digital output, and a Flagship AKM DAC combo at the core, running an AK 4191 and an AK 4499EX dac combo. With a Snapdragon 660, Android 12, 35W Low-Noise Power Supply and a large 7.84″ Display, …
Views 32,187 FiiO K17 is the $899 USD Desktop DAC / Headphone Amplifier which employs a Flagship AKM DAC solution, relying on AK4191 + AK4499EX*2 DACs, combined with an extremely powerful 4000mW + 4000mW headphone amplifier inside. Today we will review the K17 and compare it with other similarly priced …
Views 52,140 SMSL C200PRO is a $199 USD DAC / Headphone AMP made for stereo setups, sold and fulfilled by Aoshida, with an ES9039Q2M DAC chip at the core. Today we will review the C200PRO and see how it fits in the rich market of today’s world. Introduction Aoshida …
Views 70,858 High-End Munich is coming to an end and today we cover the last ever audiophile event to take place in the Bavarian City, as this year we’re seeing changes for every aspect of audio, many new interesting technological advancements, as well as new products from companies, while others …
Views 48,814 TempoTec March V-M5 is a $220 USD Desktop Bluetooth DAC / Headphone Amplifier with a Dual DAC chip inside, LDAC support, and a limited version available with a beautiful wooden veneer case. Today we will review the March V and briefly compare it with the desktop DAC / …
Views 33,987 Shanling EH2 is a $369 USD desktop DAC / Headphone Amplifier with an In-House Developed 24-Bit R2R DAC, Extra Powerful Amplifier with a 4.3W driving power for a 32 OHM impedance, and with an external DC12V Power Supply. Today we take a look at the EH2, and compare …
Views 66,975 Rose Technics RT-5000 is a $699 USD Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier by ROSESELSA with a wooden face, golden accents, High-End Dual ESS9038PRO DACs inside, and 10 Texas Instruments Amplifier Chips inside. Today we will review the RT5000 and compare it with other similarly priced DAC/AMPs, including Burson …
Views 32,842 Shanling EH1 is a $219 USD Entry-Level DAC / Headphone AMP designed for desktop usage, with a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC at the heart, and up to 1015mW at 32 OHMs of driving power, and with a 4.4mm headphone output too. Today we will review the EH1 and …
Views 34,925 FiiO BTR17 is a $199 USD portable Bluetooth DAC, Headphone Amplifier that can be used as a desktop DAC/AMP, wired and wireless, and which has both a single ended and a balanced headphone output. With a flagship Dual DAC ES9096Q and a maximum driving power of 650mW x2 …
Views 31,385 Fosi Audio MC351 is a $202 USD (for the variant we’re testing with the 32V Power Supply) DAC, Integrated Headphone Amplifier, with a VU Meter, Bluetooth Receiver, and it has a 2.1 Channels configuration, including both speaker outputs and an output for both a different pair of active …
Views 37,119 Fosi Audio ZD3 is a $219 USD desktop DAC with a high performance ES9039Q2M DAC at the heart, XLR output, Trigger input and output, and which also allows Tube Rolling. Toda we will study the sound and design of the ZD3, how it works in multiple sonic systems, …
Views 37,910 With the winter holidays drawing us closer to each other and to our families, it is time to be grateful that we survived another year, that we got to listen to so much excellent music, to meet so many new awesome people, and to explore this wonderful hobby …
Views 62,134 Creative Sound Blaster G8 is a $149 USD desktop DAC / AMP with a Dual DAC inside, Hi-Res decoding support, and Proprietary XAMP dedicated amplifier. Today we will review the G8 and explore how it works, how it sounds like and if it would make a good purchase …
Views 37,319 SMSL B200 is a $85 USD Bluetooth Receiver and DAC, with a very rectangular design, and a 2.33″ display at the front. Today we will explore the B200, what it is, how it works, and how it sounds. Introduction SMSL is one of the most popular Chifi …
Views 32,456 Loxjie A40 is a $255 USD entry-level Integrated Power Amplifier with a huge driving power per channel, HDMI ARC input, USB input, Aux Input, Phono input, and with both a Speaker Output and a Headphone Output. Today we will explore the diverse and boundless world of the A40 …
Views 56,218 HIFIMAN EF500 is a $459 USD Desktop Headphone Amplifier, DAC, Streamer based on the novel Hymalaya R2R DACs developed by HIFIMAN, known to surpass the venerable PCM1704K. Today we will review the EF500 and also compare it with other DAC/AMPs including HIFIMAN EF499 (299 USD), Burson PlayMate2 (544 …
Views 79,160 HIFIMAN EF499 is a $299 USD Entry-Level R-2R DAC / Headphone Amplifier, with a powerful 4.35 W headphone output, and a full-black, vertical design. Given the price point, and the quality of the unit, we will also compare the EF499 with other similarly priced DAC / AMPs, including …
Views 33,284 NeoHipo DC10 is a $79 USD desktop DAC with a USB, Optical and Coaxial input, and an RCA Line out, here to give you a clean and crisp sound. Today we will review the DC10 and explore whether it is worth integrating in your stereo system. Introduction …
Views 45,892 Creative Sound Blaster AE-9 is a $350 USD PCIe Internal Sound Card with an external console controller, a full audio kit designed to be your DAC/AMP with a rich selection of software features, as well as lots of driving power, Xamp, BiAMP, Line Out, and many more features …
Views 32,238 SMSL PS200 is a $89 USD Multi Function Audio Converter with Bluetooth 5.0 input, DSD512 Support, MQA-CD support, and with an ES9039Q2M DAC at the heart for decoding the input signals. With all the signals going through the XMOS Xu316 popular USB interface, today we will review the …
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