{"id":163131,"date":"2023-06-11T18:58:51","date_gmt":"2023-06-11T17:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=163131"},"modified":"2023-10-18T05:56:06","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T04:56:06","slug":"the-7-best-portable-dacs-and-headphone-amplifiers-for-audiophiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/hi-fi\/the-7-best-portable-dacs-and-headphone-amplifiers-for-audiophiles\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 Best Portable DACs and Headphone Amplifiers for audiophiles"},"content":{"rendered":"

In addition to purchasing a separate portable\u00a0Hi\u00a0–\u00a0Res\u00a0player to listen to music in high quality, a popular way to raise the sound of your smartphone to the proper level is to purchase a specialized external DAC and headphone amplifier.<\/p>\n

Such devices receive the audio signal from the smartphone via\u00a0USB\u00a0, process, convert and amplify it so that in combination with the phone you get a very high-quality portable audio system.<\/p>\n

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7. FiiO Jade Audio Q11<\/h3>\n

Price<\/strong> \u2013 $99.99<\/i><\/p>\n

Budget DAC from FiiO, which produces entry-level devices under the Jade Audio brand.\u00a0Despite its compact size and low price, the model has a high output power – up to 650 mW at 32 Ohms, while two gain levels are available to the user, switched by a toggle switch on the front panel.\u00a0There are two headphone jacks – balanced 4.4 mm and unbalanced 3.5 mm.\u00a0The digital-to-analog converter is based on the CS43198 chip from Cirrus Logic and can handle PCM streams up to 32bit\/384kHz and DSD256.\u00a0The low-noise power supply is equipped with a 2600 mAh rechargeable battery, a full charge of which is enough for 13 hours of operation.\u00a0The body of the device is made entirely of aluminum, with the exception of a transparent window through which you can see the main elements of the circuit.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong> –\u00a0high power, low price, balanced output<\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong> –\u00a0weight 150 grams<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>:\u00a0A great choice for audiophiles who prefer over-ear headphones<\/p>\n

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6. Yaqin DAC-X8<\/h3>\n

Price<\/strong> \u2013 $129<\/i><\/p>\n

This portable digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier is equipped with an unbalanced 3.5mm jack and a balanced 2.5mm jack.\u00a0The DAC block is based on the AK4493EQ chip from Asahi Kasei, which supports decoding and conversion of PCM signals with a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz, as well as the native DSD512 stream.\u00a0The case is machined from aluminum alloy, on the front panel there is an LED that shows the type and parameters of the incoming digital signal in color.\u00a0The voltage on the unbalanced connector is 2 V, on the balanced connector – 4 V at a load of 600 ohms, the maximum output power is 280 mW at 32 ohms.\u00a0The model measures 60.2 x 18 x 10.2 mm and weighs only 10 grams.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong> –\u00a0compact size, balanced output, low price<\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong> –\u00a0simple design<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>:\u00a0Affordable option for beginner audiophiles<\/p>\n

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5.xDuoo LinK2 Bal Max<\/h3>\n

Price<\/strong> \u2013 $149<\/i><\/p>\n

The cost-effective, fully symmetrical model is based on Cirrus Logic’s dual-chip CS43131, supporting both 32bit\/384kHz PCM and DSD256 streams.\u00a0The amplifier has two headphone outputs – 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm, the output power is 200 mW at 32 ohms and 270 mW at 32 ohms, respectively.\u00a0The model has two modes of USB input, it can be switched to UAC1.0, compatible with Nintendo Switch and PlayStation game consoles.\u00a0The amplifier can also operate in two different modes, with the most power being achieved in Turbo mode, switching is done by a toggle switch on the side panel.\u00a0Dimensions of the device – 63 x 23.5 x 13 mm, weight – 28 grams.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong> –\u00a0balanced output, support for Switch and PS game consoles, good power<\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong> –\u00a0nothing<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>:\u00a0Good DAC for gamers who value the right sound<\/p>\n

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4. AUDIRECT BEAM4<\/h3>\n

Price<\/strong> \u2013 $239<\/i><\/p>\n

The original look and color of the device is the fourth generation of the model.\u00a0The digital-to-analog converter is made on the ESS9281 chip, which supports PCM streams up to 32 bit \/ 768 kHz and native DSD 512. There are two headphone outputs on 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm jacks for connecting headphones, the output power is 122 mW and 230 mW on 32 ohms, respectively.\u00a0The body of the device is made of anodized aluminum, built-in LEDs on the top panel show the status and battery level, as well as the type and sampling rate of the digital signal.\u00a0Vertical red physical keys on the ends of the case are designed to control power, volume and playback.\u00a0This cute DAC weighs only 62 grams.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong> –\u00a0interesting design, convenient operation<\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong> –\u00a0not the highest power<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>:\u00a0Unusual-looking DAC with balanced output<\/p>\n

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3. Cayin RU7<\/h3>\n

Price<\/strong> \u2013 $289<\/i><\/p>\n

The main advantage of the model is that the digital-to-analog converter unit in it is made on a resistive matrix (R-2R) of our own design, which provides high dynamics and natural sound when working with DSD.\u00a0The device can work with PCM digital signals with a sampling rate of up to 384 kHz and a native DSD 256 stream. The USB-C port is used to supply the signal, headphone and line outputs are organized on 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm jacks.\u00a0The physical keys for switching operating modes and the volume keys are located on the side panel, the small display shows the signal level and parameters, as well as the active output.\u00a0The body is made from a single piece of aluminum billet, the model measures 66 x 24 x 12 mm and weighs 25 grams.\u00a0The output power on the 4.4mm jack is 400mW.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong> \u2013\u00a01-bit resistive-matrix DAC, compact size, line-out<\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong> –\u00a0practically nothing<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>:\u00a0An advanced DAC at a reasonable price<\/p>\n

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2. HiBy FC6<\/h3>\n

Price<\/strong> \u2013 $299<\/i><\/p>\n

In this model, the DAC is made according to the proprietary Darwin scheme, which implies the use of a discrete converter on a resistive matrix, as well as a set of switchable filters and switchable oversampling.\u00a0The device uses precision clock generators, and the output stage of the headphone amplifier is built on discrete elements.\u00a0On the front panel is a bright LCD display with large characters, which displays the parameters of the digital signal, the filters in use and the volume level.\u00a0The volume control in the device is a discrete 32-step, its physical key is located on the side panel.\u00a0The body is made of aluminum, there is only one 3.5 mm minijack socket for connecting headphones.\u00a0The maximum output power is 100 mW into 32 ohms.\u00a0The model works with PCM stream 32 bit \/ 768 kHz,\u00a0as well as with native DSD512 stream.\u00a0With dimensions of 22.5 x 50 x 10 mm, the device weighs only 19 grams.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Darwin proprietary DAC with switchable filters, DSD512 support, light weight<\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong> –\u00a0headphone output only 3.5 mm, low power<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>:\u00a0Sophisticated DAC for audio gourmets<\/p>\n

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1. Luxury & Precision W4<\/h3>\n

Price<\/strong> \u2013 $449<\/i><\/p>\n

A nice model built on a chip of the company’s own design.\u00a0The proprietary LP5108 chip combines support for PCM signals up to 32bit\/384kHz with low power native DSD256 streaming.\u00a0Those who like to customize their sound to suit their tastes will love the two sound profiles, five digital filters and plenty of EQ settings.\u00a0Headphones can be connected to the 4.4 mm and 3.5 mm outputs, the latter is also used to output the SPDIF digital stream.\u00a0Output power is 110 mW unbalanced and 420 mW balanced.\u00a0The device is enclosed in an aluminum case, on the front panel of which there is a small monochrome OLED display.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong> –\u00a0proprietary DAC, switchable digital filters<\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong> –\u00a0pricey<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>:\u00a0Serious model for mobile audio fans<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In addition to purchasing a separate portable\u00a0Hi\u00a0–\u00a0Res\u00a0player to listen to music in high quality, a popular way to raise the sound of your smartphone to the proper level is to purchase a specialized external DAC and headphone amplifier. Such devices receive the audio signal from the smartphone via\u00a0USB\u00a0, process, convert and amplify it so that […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":163140,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642],"tags":[779],"class_list":{"0":"post-163131","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hi-fi","8":"tag-news"},"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=163131"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163131\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/163140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=163131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=163131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=163131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}