Best dac/amp on Reddit
174 reviews from r/HeadphoneAdvice, r/iems, r/BudgetAudiophile and 12 more subreddits
174 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
FiiO
4.2
(28)
"I have a FIIO k7 and love it."
"I have the FiiO K7 and am satisfied with the sound and performance."
"Get a Q5K. Makes any iem sound the way you want it to sound."
"Great little DAC that packs a punch"
"The Fiio k5 pro blows this DAC/amp out the water."
"Fiio BTR15 is $109, you can use it with bluetooth and cable if you want to."
"The FiiO K11 is also not bad and a little cheaper."
"Got a Fiio K7 BT as I need Bluetooth for AppleTV."
"Also got a Fiio BTR7 for no wires."
"I personally use the Fiio BTR15 and I got used to the mic thing pretty quickly."
#2
Topping
4.3
(17)
"Topping dx3 pro+ for se, fiio k11 r2r, smsl dl100, dl200 for bal"
"If you want an all in one compact unit I would grab a Topping DX3 Pro+."
"If you want to spend a bit more for a compact DAC + amp stack the Topping E30/L30 II is great."
"$200 Topping DX3 Pro+ and cheaper $90 DX1 have a really good price."
"Topping dx3 pro+ should have all the features you're looking for."
"[Topping A50S $99 on sale now]"
"For headphones, what about the Topping DX3pro+? It can also be a preamp for powered speakers."
"Both are among the top performing measured DAC+Amp combos in their price ranges."
"Close to the price you said you have paid."
"Has a quite decent, and more than needed, 3.89Vrms"
#3
Qudelix
4.6
(15)
"I’m using Qudelix 5K as mobile DAC for my Edition XS - those both have parametric EQ."
"Qudelix 5k all the way. Drives my noires perfectly."
"I'm using Qudelix 5k using balanced cable - it's great piece of hardware and it has PEQ which is unusual."
"Stretch your budget by 10 bucks and get quedlix 5k"
"It's an awesome little guy."
"Qudelix 5k if u can buy it from web."
"Qudelix 5K is great for most situations and has PEQ for iOS, Android, and Windows."
"If you’re looking for portable it’s hard to beat the qudilex."
"Consider the Qudelix 5k, which gives you a ton of customization to make most iems sound quite good."
"Qudelix 5k is is a nice little amp with full EQ built in, it's around 100 bucks."
#4
Schiit
4.2
(10)
"Schiit Modi and Magni stack or Magni Unity if you want the single unit version."
"* Schiit Gunnr - new premium "audiophile" option"
"Don't know about the best but the Schiit Fulla is one that everyone recommends."
"Schiit Magni with the DAC option. Not sure how it stacks up for the vs the competition but it's a solid option."
"I’d go with something like Schiit Hel+, Schiit Gunnr, Qudelix 5k or maybe Creative G8."
"* Schiit Fulla - value option"
"If you want a DAC/AMP combo under $100, your best options are probably Schiit Fulla or Fiio E10K."
"Your best options are probably Schiit Fulla or Fiio E10K."
"You could get a Schiit Magni Unity."
"The Schiit Magni Unity (with DAC) is $189 before shipping, and will likely still be"
#5
iFi
4.2
(10)
"The ZenDac v2 would be best if you can find it second hand or on sale."
"Created a beautifully detailed and warm sound"
"It sounds fantastic, a lot more engaging than the Fiio BTR5."
"You can try to snipe the ifi Zen Dac which is slightly warmer and goes great with 560s."
"IFi: Warmer leaning amp. Fun bass boost toggle that can really help fill out open back headphones."
"For warmth you can always check out the ifi zen dac with its xbass button, sounds pretty nice!"
"The hip dac 3 is a desktop DAC, but it is very small and can be powered via USB-C."
"Ifi Zen Dac with its Burr Brown is warm."
"I've liked my experience with the iFi Zen DAC v3 as a relative newcomer."
"The iFi GoBlu is a good piece of kit."
#6
Fiio
4.4
(8)
"It easily powers them and it sounds great too"
"As a stationary DAC I’m using Fiio K11 R2R - that’s R2R DAC which in that price point is unbeatable."
"You can get a fiio btr5, moondrop dawn pro or qudelix5k"
"Recommended"
"Fiio KA11."
"My Fiio E10k packs a lot more punch."
"Fiio BTR3K is also a good budget option instead of a BTR7"
"If you want a DAC/AMP combo under $100, your best options are probably Schiit Fulla or Fiio E10K."
#7
K11
4.2
(6)
"Sounds great with iems!"
"I don't think the k11 will disappoint."
"K11 R2R"
"K11 is a good and cheaper option, but it might be hard to drive some headphones."
"Personally it sounds like the K11 would be enough for your use case."
"K11 is good :)"
#8
SMSL
4.0
(6)
"The SMSL SU-1 DAC is really solid for the price on a budget."
"SMSL C200 is a good option to consider if you like smsl stuff."
"Improved the sound and resolution by about 40%."
"Built a silly great sub satellite system."
"Really like it."
"Check out the SMSL C200."
#9
FiiO K11
4.0
(4)
"Fiio K11."
"The K11 is quite nice and affordable."
"Fiio K11 is a good choice."
"I was recommended Fiio k11 which seems pretty good in reviews."
#10
RME
5.0
(3)
"I would recommend starting out with an RME ADI-2."
"Get the RME ADI-2 DAC. It can drive any headphone to a more than safe listening level with ease."
#11
Qudelix 5K
5.0
(3)
"I love my 5k which I use to drive my softear studio 4's."
"Why don't you check out the Qudelix 5K?"
"Qudelix 5k is great."
#12
K7
4.7
(3)
"I just purchased the K7 for $160 open box."
"Buy the K7 and be done with it."
"Out of them I would personally get the K7, unless I am mistaken it is a bit more powerful than the K11."
#13
JDS Labs
4.7
(3)
"High quality, tons of power, great customer service."
"JDS Labs Atom Amp and Atom DAC. A bit more than $200 for the pair but well worth it."
"The more aesthetic option and has slightly more features/better parts."
#14
Schiit Fulla
4.3
(3)
"Schiit(brand) Fulla(model). This power my Beyerdynamic dt 1990 pros."
"Something like a Fulla or Gunnr from Schiit is more than plenty."
"Schiit Fulla or Hel."
#15
Hifiman
4.3
(3)
"EF600 from Hifiman is a dream with the HE1000."
"I have a Hifiman EF600 in route, and on paper that should be a good match."
"Or similar philosophy, you could go further up the Hifiman line to the Serenade with your budget."
#16
Apple
4.0
(3)
"Is great for what it costs"
"Good enough bro, there's miniscule difference in getting a budget-exp portable dac/amp combo"
"Should be enough in my experience"
#17
FiiO K11 R2R
5.0
(2)
"I run my Arya Stealth with the Fiio K11 R2R."
"I paired r70x with recently released Fiio K11 R2R and absolutely happy about the result."
#18
Topping DX3 Pro+
4.5
(2)
"Under 200 dollars topping dx3 pro plus is the most analytical /detailed/ precise dac."
"I personally use a Topping DX3 Pro+."
#19
FiiO KA11
4.0
(2)
"Simple option would be something like fiio ka11 or even apple dongle."
"I'm using the fiio ka11 for my desktop and phone."
#20
Soundblaster
4.0
(2)
"Right now I'm leaning toward the FIIO K11 or the Soundblaster G6."
"Something cheap that does what you need would be the Soundblaster play! 4."
#21
JDS
5.0
(1)
"If I could start all over again I would get a JDS Element 4."
#22
Shanling
5.0
(1)
"This thing sounds AMAZING. Very 3D, easily laying out details on a silver platter."
#23
iFi Air DAC
5.0
(1)
"The iFi Air DAC is only like 100 bucks and amazing at the price."
#24
Apple DAC
5.0
(1)
"I use the $10 apple dac with mine. It’s tiny and works great."
#25
Woo
5.0
(1)
"I have the Woo WA7 tube rolled fed through the line inputs from the Burr Brown DAC in a WiiM Pro."
#26
Yulong
5.0
(1)
"Absolutely makes my 6xxs sing."
#27
Tempotec
5.0
(1)
"Tempotec Sonata BHD pro or the older cheaper HD Pro (low volume steps) and you're done for the foreseeable future."
#28
Onix
5.0
(1)
"Best for the money"
#29
R4
5.0
(1)
"I have the R4 and love it. I bought one for my brother and a friend bought one today. They also love it."
#30
Fosi
4.0
(1)
"You should get a dac and headphone amp. Here's the Fosi DS2."
#31
Beyerdynamic
4.0
(1)
"If you don't have a mic already you can get the Beyerdynamic Fox."
#32
HiBy
4.0
(1)
"I run mine with a HiBy FC4."
#33
KA13
4.0
(1)
"I am using KA13 balanced to drive my Arya Stealth, sounds allright."
#34
Akliam
4.0
(1)
"This DAC/AMP is more balanced, full sounding and less harsh/aggressive"
#35
Jcally
4.0
(1)
"I like that their cable is thicker/sturdier than VE Odo"
#36
KA17
4.0
(1)
"It has a ridiculous amount of power for a dongle DAC"
#37
Fosi DS2
4.0
(1)
"I can recommend Fosi DS2 for sensitive IEMs and Questyle M15I for when you need more power."
#38
Questyle M15I
4.0
(1)
"I can recommend Fosi DS2 for sensitive IEMs and Questyle M15I for when you need more power."
#39
Moondrop Dawn Pro
4.0
(1)
"Others that have also worked: M15C, Moondrop Dawn Pro, Hidiz S9, THX Onyx, Quedalix 5k."
#40
Hidiz S9
4.0
(1)
"Others that have also worked: M15C, Moondrop Dawn Pro, Hidiz S9, THX Onyx, Quedalix 5k."
#41
THX Onyx
4.0
(1)
"Others that have also worked: M15C, Moondrop Dawn Pro, Hidiz S9, THX Onyx, Quedalix 5k."
#42
Quedalix 5K
4.0
(1)
"Others that have also worked: M15C, Moondrop Dawn Pro, Hidiz S9, THX Onyx, Quedalix 5k."
#43
Moondrop Dusk DAC Cable
4.0
(1)
"Others that have also worked: M15C, Moondrop Dawn Pro, Hidiz S9, THX Onyx, Quedalix 5k."
#44
BTR7
4.0
(1)
"I use a btr7 or qudelix."
#45
Violectric
4.0
(1)
"Violectric v226? Leans warm, serviceable DAC."
#46
Khadas
4.0
(1)
"Look at the Khadas Tone 2 Pro."
#47
VE
4.0
(1)
"VE Megatron."
#48
Raspberry Pi
4.0
(1)
"For an entry level you may want to think about a raspberry pi!!"
#49
KA
4.0
(1)
"The KA13 should be good else get the BTR if you want greater portability."
#50
Sound Blaster
4.0
(1)
"Looking for a compact & not bank breaking dac."
#51
iFi Audio
4.0
(1)
"Very small and can be powered via USB-C."
#52
Audioengine
4.0
(1)
"Pretty much what you are looking for."
#53
HyperX
4.0
(1)
"One of my favorites for music/ASMR/hemi-sync."
#54
WiiM
4.0
(1)
"I’ve opted for the WiiM Pro paired with a Fosi ZA3."
#55
Loxjie
4.0
(1)
"One of the most popular models. $170."
#56
Atom
4.0
(1)
"The Atom stack is solid."
#57
ifi
4.0
(1)
"The ifi gryphon likely has enough power. Used it a while back and it was great!"
#58
Zen
4.0
(1)
"Zen Dac or Zen Dac Air for 99$ if you dont need balanced."
#59
DX5
4.0
(1)
"DX5 is on sale for 200 usd, kinda hard to beat that as its more of a competitor to the element3mk2 than anything else"
#60
TRN
4.0
(1)
"TRN TE, Appe dongle, Fiio KA11, Hiby FC3, Moondrop Dawn Pro, Shanling UA1 Plus, iFi Go Link, iBasso DC03 Pro"
#61
iBasso DC07 Pro
3.0
(1)
"The iBasso DC07Pro works great too."
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