This is a detailed measurement and comparison of SMSL iDEA and AudioQuest Dragonfly Black DAC and headphone amplifiers. Both of these are diminutive devices in the form of "USB thumb drives." The SMSL iDEA is $86 with prime shipping from Amazon. The Dragonfly Black will cost a few more ice cream bars at $99 with prime shipping.
OK, now for the $1millon dollar question, why?
I don't mean to be overly negative but outside of making the manufacturers money, what real purpose or need do these products fill?
Maybe I'm not connected to this device world good enough but I don't understand under what circumstances I would reasonably run out and get one of these, then get my moneys worth of improvement in SQ? Would they really offer a jump in SQ over the average mid-level laptops headphone out jack?
For the heck of it I just plugged my HD650s into my junky ole HP laptop and listening to a couple 24/96 files (Marvin Gaye - What's Goin On) it doesn't sound too bad and getting comfortable listening level at 85%, at 100% it's fairly loud at a point I wouldn't listen at this level for very long. Not seeing from the review what improvements these two would offer. If I wanted to make a significant improvement I'd spend a bit more be getting one of the real DAC/amps that have been reviewed here.
Thumb Drive DAC's, Where's the beef?