Best dac on Reddit

203 reviews from r/HeadphoneAdvice, r/iems, r/BudgetAudiophile and 16 more subreddits

203 reviews from
and
By Brand
/
By Product
#1

FiiO

4.2
(25)
"Amazing little thing 🔥"
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"I've had no problems with it. It was cheap and it's nice and small."
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"Just get a Fiio KA11 or another dongle from their line-up."
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"The 13 is pretty awesome for its price and small. But sounds powerful."
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"Fiio KA15 is very powerful portable DAC + AMP with built in EQ."
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"Fiio KA11 will drive them to 116dB, which is deafening levels."
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"Fiio KA11 is the most powerful you can get at the lowest price."
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"It's the best-sounding DAC-Amp I've ever used."
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"FiiO/Jade Audio KA11: $19"
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"FiiO/Jade Audio JA11: $4"
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#2

Fiio

4.3
(22)
"I have a FIIO k7 and love it."
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"You can get a fiio btr5, moondrop dawn pro or qudelix5k"
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"I love my fiio btr7."
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"My Fiio K7 works great with my HD800s."
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"Fiio Bluetooth dongles are perfect. I run a BTR7 no problem."
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"I love my FiiO K7 with the AKM4493 sequential chips."
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"I've been using this combo for a year now. It's been an absolute pleasure for my ears."
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"Considering the Fiio K11 R2R, Qudilex 5K (mainly because of PS5)..."
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"It's been good. It can handle up to 300 ohms i believe."
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"I love my BTR7, the 13 is pretty awesome for its price and small."
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#3

SMSL

4.4
(20)
"I have the SMSL C-100 and love it."
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"The SMSL Su1 scored as good as any DAC up to $250 US."
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"But if you want audiophile level sound for $67 at the moment, get the SMSL Su1."
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"One of the best DACs under $100 is the SMSL SU-1."
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"SMSL SU-1"
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"SMSL-SU1. I have one with a BT20 pro and Paradigm bookshelves for my desktop."
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"This is a perfect time for me to plug smsl su-1."
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"You can't go wrong with this DAC for the price."
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"SMSL SU-1."
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"Smsl SU 1."
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#4

Topping

4.2
(15)
"A good one is the Topping E30 II + L30 II stack."
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"When it comes to DAC+Amp combo I would say likely Topping DX3 Pro+ is the best for the money."
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"Under 200 dollars topping dx3 pro plus is the most analytical."
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"As for decent DACs in the price, Topping DX1 comes to the mind."
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"I've topping mx3 for the same speaker bought long back, still good for my near desktop listening."
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"Topping dx3 pro+"
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"Look at the brands Topping, SMSL, Fosi Audio, Nobsound."
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"Nah just get one one those cheap ass chifi dacs like topping."
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"Put a balanced r2r or chord dongle dac into a topping L70."
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"Go for the toppiung beacuse it has the most neutral sound."
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#5

Apple

4.1
(14)
"Just go for the Apple dongle. You won’t find anything better that cheap."
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"Apple dongle works great with PCs."
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"Apple USB C dongle is all you need imo."
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"Apple dongle has an output impedance if 0.9."
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"Buy an apple dongle and call it a day cuz its surprisingly competent for a dac"
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"The Apple USB-C dongle (which is actually a DAC) should be enough."
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"The apple dac dongle should be enough."
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"A 10$ apple dongle will be more than enough to power the s2."
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"The Apple dongle should be enough for you."
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"No need to spend on an expensive dongle. Apple dongle or fiio ja11 drives these nicely."
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#6

Schiit

4.5
(13)
"Schiit Fulla everyday."
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"Use Schiit modi. I'm using Schiit modi and Magni."
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"Schiit Modi, JDS Labs Element, SMSL SU-1, or Topping E30 are all great choices."
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"For 189 you can get the magni unity it’s a dac/amp that have plenty of power to drive the 600 i use it with my 6xx and they sound great"
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"Anything from Schitt will do the job, their cheapest is very effective"
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"If you’re in the USA, Schiit Magni Unity."
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"Currently happy with a schiit modi."
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"SCHIT dac amps are compatible."
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"Is one that everyone recommends"
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"If you want a DAC/AMP combo under $100, your best options are probably Schiit Fulla or Fiio E10K."
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#7

Audiocular

4.0
(13)
"D07 is the best im using it currently."
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"Audiocular D07."
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"The audiocular D07 is best option at this price range."
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"Audiocular or Kinsound are good budget 32 bit dacs that I'm using. Costs less than $20"
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"Audiocular DX07."
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"Or audiocular D07/D08."
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"Audiocular d07 from conceptkart, Same DAC (CX31993) and AMP chip(MAX97220) as Headphonezone x DDHIFI DAC."
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"Apple dac will be good enough only if you use an apple device if not , i will suggest audiocular D07."
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"U can also consider Audiocular D07..its a dac with amp."
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"Buy audiocular d07 dac abd amp."
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#8

iFi

4.4
(10)
"The iFi Air DAC is only like 100 bucks and amazing at the price."
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"Terrific quality and well priced"
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"ZenDac3 is pretty awesome with my xs."
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"IFi Air Dac works wonders."
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"IFi go link. New MAX version has a 4.4mm jack too"
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"I love the ifi go blu not sure about cheaper options"
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"3) iFi Zen DAC 3 (balanced out)."
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"I´ll shout out a few brands: iFi, FiiO, Audioquest, Schiit, JDS Labs, SMSL, Topping"
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"IFi Audio Go Link."
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"IFi Zen One Signature DAC."
#9

Qudelix

4.8
(9)
"I recently got Qudelix 5k and it's awesome."
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"Great for its software and PEQ capabilities."
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"Some options I like are the Qudelix 5k."
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"The 5k previously mentioned is awesome."
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"The EQ features are awesome."
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"Qudelix 5K."
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"Qudelix 5k."
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"Definitely look at Qudelix 5k."
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"I[https://www.qudelix.com/products/qudelix-5k](https://www.qudelix.com/products/qudelix-5k) "
#10

JDS Labs

4.4
(9)
"I personally couldn't recommend it enough."
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"The JDS Labs Atom stack is pretty much one of the best measuring devices on the market."
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"JDS Labs Atom DAC 2 and Atom Amp 2"
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"Dac = JDS Labs Atom Dac 2"
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"JDS Labs Atom 2 Yes, it works on consoles with the right cable."
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"Their Element AMP/DAC is also worth looking at."
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"An old O2 ODAC will do you proud!"
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"Jds labs atom2. You can skip the dac n save money."
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"The cheapest you can get imo is a JDS Atom 2 Stack."
#11

Moondrop

4.2
(9)
"I recommend the Moondrop Dawn Pro. Sounds great, has 3.5 and 4.4."
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"I recently bought moondrop dawn pro as I heard that it is the best dac at around 50$."
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"Moondrop dawn pro is good sounds almost natural but just little warm sounding for me."
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"Moondrop Dawn Pro. In theory it should have an app (Moondrop Link) on iOS."
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"The moondrop dawn pro or the ka11."
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"Moondrop dawn pro will be more than enough."
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"The dawn pro can have a rattling noise due to one of the hardware components."
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"The Moondrop Dawn Pro is pretty neutral for a Cirrus Logic DAC."
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"The Moondrop Dawn Pro is pretty neutral for a Cirrus Logic DAC."
#12

iBasso

4.3
(4)
"Nenu ibasso dc03 pro dac vadtuna excellent undi."
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"Something like the iBasso DC01 or Shanling UA1 would pair nicely with your IEMs."
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"The ibasso dc03 looks like a better choice overall."
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"Check out Fiio K11 iBasso DC03PRO."
#13

Tempotec

4.7
(3)
"Tempotec Sonata Bhd pro optionally with a short 3.5 extension cable."
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"Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro for around 60 bucks is practically end game."
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"No need to go expensive, a Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro can pump out more than enough juice for any IEMs out there."
#14

Fosi

4.0
(3)
"It definitely has more power and in my subjective opinion a bit better sound."
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"Fosi DS2 2024 is really good."
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"Fosi DS2 or AKLIAM PD6."
#15

Shanling

4.5
(2)
"It sounds freaking amazing for the size and price."
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"Great sound, touch screen sometimes it’s not very responsive"
#16

ifi

4.5
(2)
"Ifi hip-dac is maybe the best option if you want some portability."
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"Any ifi brand DAC with an optical or digital coaxial input would work."
#17

Hiby

4.0
(2)
"A good beginning DAP, it would allow for the use of your files as well as steaming"
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"The hiby just uses usb-c"
#18

Cayin

5.0
(1)
"I use a Cayin RU7 with my 425s' and I really like the paring."
#19

Bluesound

5.0
(1)
"The Bluesound node nano is an amazing streamer + dac combo."
#20

Strauss & Wagner

5.0
(1)
"They are great, plenty of power for my IEMs."
#21

Headphone Zone

5.0
(1)
"Best for 1500For good service & easy warranty claims"
#22

Zen

5.0
(1)
"The Zen Dac 3 is being sold new on amazon for $190 right now."
#23

Zen DAC

5.0
(1)
"I went with Zen Dac to pair with my HD600s and am extremely happy."
#24

Chord

5.0
(1)
"It’s been fantastic with the IE900."
#25

Sennheiser

4.0
(1)
"For bass, need HD660s2."
#26

Cambridge Audio

4.0
(1)
"Cambridge Audio DacMagic, used."
#27

Ethereal

4.0
(1)
"Here is a well reviewed DAC I have one on my PC."
#28

KA11

4.0
(1)
"The bass changes significantly when using the KA11 instead of the 3.5."
#29

Dawn Pro

4.0
(1)
"In the under 100 bucks there are Dawn Pro, iBasso Macaron, KA11, Blon V1."
#30

DC06 Pro

4.0
(1)
"In the 100 till 150 range is where most people prefer because some excellent DACs are available here. DC06 Pro, Onix Alpha."
#31

Ddhifi

4.0
(1)
"Ddhifi has actually small dacs."
#32

K11

4.0
(1)
"K11 r2r."
#33

BTA30

4.0
(1)
"The DAC in the BTA30 (Pro) is definitely a step up."
#34

Scarlett

4.0
(1)
"Look for a 3th gen Scarlett Solo."
#35

Aful

4.0
(1)
"Will provide more power than the Apple dongle."
#36

Neohipo

4.0
(1)
"Neohipo DC10"
#37

Creative

4.0
(1)
"For $21: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-External-VoiceDetect-Cancellation/dp/B08T9LM3LM"
#38

D90

4.0
(1)
"D90 is a good dac too."
#39

cx31993

4.0
(1)
"Cx31993 pumps out 65mW. Plenty for the T10."
#40

AKLIAM

4.0
(1)
"AKLIAM PD6."
#41

Kinsound

4.0
(1)
"Audiocular or Kinsound are good budget 32 bit dacs that I'm using. Costs less than $20"
#42

NuPrime

4.0
(1)
"You can find Nuprime Dac9s for 500 used."
#43

HiBy

4.0
(1)
"I run mine with a HiBy FC4."
#44

K5 Pro

3.0
(1)
"K5 Pro, DX3 Pro+ etc sound the same as an Apple dongle."
#45

KZ

3.0
(1)
"This one or kz castor the enchanted bass edition."

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