Dac reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 295 Reddit reviews across 24 subreddits and 131 posts to rank the best Dac brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/HeadphoneAdvice, r/iems, r/BudgetAudiophile, r/inearfidelity, r/headphonesindia. Top-rated brands include FiiO (4.3/5), Fiio (4.3/5), SMSL (4.4/5).
Stats
Reviews295
Subreddits24
Posts131
Brands45
Products89
295 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
FiiO
4.3
(55)
"FiiO BTR13 (built-in PEQ is amazing)"
"I love the Fiio BTR13, I think it’s the best value of any sub $70 Dac/amp dongle for IEMS that I’ve tried"
"FiiO KA13, Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro, EPZ TP20 Pro and Fosi Audio DS2. All of them are really good"
"I have fiio ka13 and hiby fc4... Both are gr8 and recommended specially ka13 due to its high power output"
"Honestly JA11 one of the most underrated dongle out there. If you are only looking into powering iems, best value out there."
"Finally, I ordered FiiO KA15. It's the perfect choice for its features and design."
"I have the KA13 and have used it in countless IEMs. Sensitive as hell and sluggish ones and it does great. And it has extremely fine volume adjustment like you wanted!"
"Fiio KA11 is fantastic (albeit uses more power than needed for a phone)"
"If you don’t need it for your phone, the k11 is a great choice."
"Just get a dongle DAC like the fiio KA11 and a USB c to USB adapter."
#2
Fiio
4.3
(45)
"I could wholeheartedly recommend the Fiio K11. Great device, can plug powered speaker in as well, and sounds clean."
"There was a huge difference between the old E10K vs Fiio K11 R2R"
"I bought a FIIO K11 R2R to pair with mine. Recently added The Gremlin to the mix. Loving it."
"I have the r2r and I freaking love it, it's my 2nd favorite audio purchase."
"Great, k11 it is then!"
"Fiio k11 r2r would be a great option."
"I have a FIIO k7 and love it."
"Fiio R2R, Topping D50 mk3, SMSL Raw, SMSL D6S are just a few I would consider."
"You can get a fiio btr5, moondrop dawn pro or qudelix5k"
"I love my fiio btr7."
#3
SMSL
4.4
(24)
"If you want to stay around $30, the SMSL PS100 is an incredible value."
"I recommend the SMSL PS100! :) "
"I have the SMSL C-100 and love it."
"The SMSL Su1 scored as good as any DAC up to $250 US."
"But if you want audiophile level sound for $67 at the moment, get the SMSL Su1."
"One of the best DACs under $100 is the SMSL SU-1."
"SMSL SU-1"
"SMSL-SU1. I have one with a BT20 pro and Paradigm bookshelves for my desktop."
"This is a perfect time for me to plug smsl su-1."
"You can't go wrong with this DAC for the price."
#4
Topping
4.2
(19)
"Nothing competes with it in terms of SE output you get on 3.5mm."
"A good one is the Topping E30 II + L30 II stack."
"When it comes to DAC+Amp combo I would say likely Topping DX3 Pro+ is the best for the money."
"Under 200 dollars topping dx3 pro plus is the most analytical."
"Topping DX1 is $100 and should suffice as will drive them to 112dB according to specs."
"I use a Topping DX3 Pro+ with my Edition XS and quite enjoy it"
"Depending on what you need in regard of power and connectivity $200 Topping DX3 Pro+"
"$100 Topping DX1"
"The DX1 is a fairly simple DAC+Amp combo, it is powered from host USB so you just connect it to a PC."
"As for decent DACs in the price, Topping DX1 comes to the mind."
#5
Qudelix
4.8
(16)
"Highly recommend though its so kweeeeel"
"I love how simple it is to carry the Q5k. EQ on the 5k is great"
"I'd say it's still the best for what it offers."
"It's still the go-to option if that's your list of requirements, yes."
"A QUDELIX 5k can drive 99% of the headphones on the market, even with EQ."
"I recently got Qudelix 5k and it's awesome."
"Great for its software and PEQ capabilities."
"Some options I like are the Qudelix 5k."
"The 5k previously mentioned is awesome."
"The EQ features are awesome."
#6
Schiit
4.3
(17)
"Schiit Modi/Magni stack. Around $250, hard to beat."
"I have the Schiit Magni (with the DAC) and it’s great."
"Schiit Fulla everyday."
"Use Schiit modi. I'm using Schiit modi and Magni."
"Schiit Modi, JDS Labs Element, SMSL SU-1, or Topping E30 are all great choices."
"For 189 you can get the magni unity it’s a dac/amp that have plenty of power to drive the 600 i use it with my 6xx and they sound great"
"If you’re in the USA, Schiit Magni Unity."
"Over 100usd but it's a solid combo."
"Currently happy with a schiit modi."
"SCHIT dac amps are compatible."
#7
Apple
4.0
(18)
"Just go for the Apple dongle. You won’t find anything better that cheap."
"Apple dongle works great with PCs."
"Apple USB C dongle is all you need imo."
"I’d get the apple dongle or the FiiO one."
"An apple TV is a nice option for the BT / wireless component, but you would still need a DAC."
"Apple dongle has an output impedance if 0.9."
"Buy an apple dongle and call it a day cuz its surprisingly competent for a dac"
"The Apple USB-C dongle (which is actually a DAC) should be enough."
"The apple dac dongle should be enough."
"A 10$ apple dongle will be more than enough to power the s2."
#8
Audiocular
4.1
(16)
"I would strongly suggest d07 as a dac, very cheap and a good build quality too."
"D07 is the best im using it currently."
"Audiocular D07."
"The audiocular D07 is best option at this price range."
"I'd also recommend the audiocular/abigail pro."
"Audiocular d10."
"Audiocular D07."
"I use d07 and infind no problem with the earphones."
"Or audiocular D07/D08."
"Audiocular d07 from conceptkart, Same DAC (CX31993) and AMP chip(MAX97220) as Headphonezone x DDHIFI DAC."
#9
Moondrop
4.2
(9)
"I recommend the Moondrop Dawn Pro. Sounds great, has 3.5 and 4.4."
"I recently bought moondrop dawn pro as I heard that it is the best dac at around 50$."
"Moondrop dawn pro is good sounds almost natural but just little warm sounding for me."
"Moondrop Dawn Pro. In theory it should have an app (Moondrop Link) on iOS."
"The moondrop dawn pro or the ka11."
"Moondrop dawn pro will be more than enough."
"The dawn pro can have a rattling noise due to one of the hardware components."
"The Moondrop Dawn Pro is pretty neutral for a Cirrus Logic DAC."
"The Moondrop Dawn Pro is pretty neutral for a Cirrus Logic DAC."
#10
Jcally
3.8
(10)
"I have the Jcally jm6 Pro DAC/AMP, it's pretty good for me like 10 bucks on AliExpress."
"JCally JM6 Pro, Or FiiO KA11 spending any more isnt worth"
"Jcally JM6/6 pro is very popular, and provides more power than the Apple dongle."
"Probably the Jcally JM6Pro. It outputs 60mW@32ohm, more than enough power for your planar."
"If you want something decent and cheap, check the Jcally JM6 pro."
"I would recommend that you get two things: a USB sound card with optical output for the PC, and a DAC with USB *and* optical compatibility for the Mac."
"Otherwise a Jcally JM6 is sufficient."
"Jcally jm6 pro would be perfectly adequate."
"Cheapest dongle dac is venture electronic odo at 5$ or jcally jm6pro"
"Another option for you is a cable with a built-in dac like the JCally Tc30."
#11
iFi
4.8
(8)
"You could just get the iFi ZEN DAC 3 and be set."
"IFi Zen Dac/Can Hifiman signature edition stack would probably be the best purchase for your budget."
"The iFi Air DAC is only like 100 bucks and amazing at the price."
"Terrific quality and well priced"
"ZenDac3 is pretty awesome with my xs."
"IFi Air Dac works wonders."
"IFi go link. New MAX version has a 4.4mm jack too"
"3) iFi Zen DAC 3 (balanced out)."
#12
JDS Labs
4.8
(5)
"I personally couldn't recommend it enough."
"The JDS Labs Atom stack is pretty much one of the best measuring devices on the market."
"JDS Labs Atom DAC 2 and Atom Amp 2"
"Dac = JDS Labs Atom Dac 2"
"Their Element AMP/DAC is also worth looking at."
#13
Fiio KA11
5.0
(3)
"I think I will buy the Fiio KA11, do you recommend some other Fiio products similar?"
"Ye that's bad, I had similar MSI before with same audio, it's alc897 or something, KA11 would be a massive upgrade"
"Yeah you mean this trash DAC is not attached to my headphones, so i can use my headphones way better with a Fiio KA11 for example, and that would be a MASSIVE difference compared to the cooler master dongle and sound from my motherboard."
#14
Chord
5.0
(3)
"Chord mojo 2"
"HE1000SE + Chord Hugo TT2."
"It’s been fantastic with the IE900."
#15
EPZ
4.7
(3)
"I have EPZ TP35, can't recommend it enough"
"Honestly today I would go for the EPZ TP35. 150mW is enough power to push any IEM I could test. As long as the DAC/amp is well made and well implemented."
"These are some good options but do your research."
#16
Tempotec
4.7
(3)
"Tempotec Sonata Bhd pro optionally with a short 3.5 extension cable."
"Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro for around 60 bucks is practically end game."
"No need to go expensive, a Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro can pump out more than enough juice for any IEMs out there."
#17
Snowsky
4.0
(3)
"SnowSky Retro Nano will get you all of those features, including 4.4mm, for less money"
"Snowsky Retro Nano technically also checks all your boxes"
"Might want to checkout snowsky retro nano as well, has the same dual 43231 or whatever chips, plus a lot of added functionality to use with bluetooth as a local dap."
#18
Fosi Audio
4.0
(3)
"Fosi DS2 2024 (really high output power)"
"Food Audio DS2"
"Fosi ausio ds2 2024"
#19
Jcally JM20 Max
5.0
(2)
"Ye mh752 dongle is trash it has cross-talk problems, it doesn't have a lot of power so they might be too quiet, that's why I'm recommending you jm20 max, ka11, ua mini..."
"OK. IF you want unlimited power - Jcally JM20 max."
#20
Hifiman
5.0
(2)
"EF600 from Hifiman is a dream with the HE1000."
"Hifiman ef400."
#21
ifi
4.5
(2)
"So is the ifi Zen Dac."
"I would look into ifi (zen or hip dacs). Or a Fiio like the K3."
#22
iBasso
4.5
(2)
"Nenu ibasso dc03 pro dac vadtuna excellent undi."
"Check out Fiio K11 iBasso DC03PRO."
#23
Shanling
4.5
(2)
"I love my shanling ua1 plus because it’s so small you barely notice."
"I have the shanling UA1 Plus , it amazing so far."
#24
Dawn Pro
4.5
(2)
"I have the dawn pro and it's great. Really transparent and can get really loud."
"In the under 100 bucks there are Dawn Pro, iBasso Macaron, KA11, Blon V1."
#25
Fosi
4.0
(2)
"It definitely has more power and in my subjective opinion a bit better sound."
"Fosi DS2 2024 is really good."
#26
JCAlly
4.0
(2)
"Both $30 USD JCAlly JM20 Max and FiiO KA11 are among the most powerful unbalanced connection dongles on the market, and more than enough for the 80Ohm Beyers."
"$50 JCAlly JM20 dongle + Douk U3 amp"
#27
Eversolo
5.0
(1)
"I’m using their Z8 DAC and love it."
#28
Loxjie
5.0
(1)
"Loxjie D40/D40 Pro. Wonderful DAC, fully balanced design if needed."
#29
Jcally JM20
5.0
(1)
"Just get jcally jm20, it's usually the cheapest cs43131 dongle DAC on the market"
#30
multiple
5.0
(1)
"Options range from dawn pro, ka13, tanchjim space, and onix alpha. Some of the ones i have tried, and each of them is great, really."
#31
K9
5.0
(1)
"I also use the HE1000 Stealth as my main headphones and have them paired with the EF400 as well as K9 AKM."
#32
Cayin
5.0
(1)
"I use a Cayin RU7 with my 425s' and I really like the paring."
#33
Bluesound
5.0
(1)
"The Bluesound node nano is an amazing streamer + dac combo."
#34
Jcally JM20 Pro
4.0
(1)
"Jcally JM20 pro if you just want something slightly better overall."
#35
Blon
4.0
(1)
"These are some good options but do your research."
#36
ifi Neo iDSD 2
4.0
(1)
"Dac im using ifi neo idsd 2(900€ but less with coupons)"
#37
105 AER
4.0
(1)
"The 105 AER is supposedly a very good headphone"
#38
jcally
4.0
(1)
"Jcally jm20 at $24 is already amazing if you are only going to be powering an IEM."
#39
E1DA
4.0
(1)
"I love E1DA powerdac for this."
#40
Ibasso
4.0
(1)
"Ibasso Dc07pro received a lot of praise as a dongle dac."
#41
Sennheiser
4.0
(1)
"For bass, need HD660s2."
#42
Cambridge Audio
4.0
(1)
"Cambridge Audio DacMagic, used."
#43
Ethereal
4.0
(1)
"Here is a well reviewed DAC I have one on my PC."
#44
KA11
4.0
(1)
"The bass changes significantly when using the KA11 instead of the 3.5."
#45
Ultra
4.0
(1)
"Ultra was on sale for BF at 20% off ($263)"
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