Affordable and easy to access desktop amp for my sensitive IEM :)

[zerostresslevel]

Hello ASR! This is my first time posting!

Hope you're all doing well

I've recently demoed and purchased an Ice Lab Spectrumica and currently have a unit for my personal use on loan from a generous friend of mine. I plugged it into my iFi ZenDac3 (I know it wasn't the greatest purchase) and immediately noticed the noise floor on my Sprectrumica (Other iems such as my Annihilator 23', z1r and m7 we're all perfectly fine). Ever since hearing the very audible buzz at silent parts of a track or when not playing audio I've been on a small hunt for an appropriate amp.

I've swapped the USB source, cables and different music source software to see if it would help, it didn't (I was just trying to troubleshoot hahaha).

I was considering purchasing a Mojo2 to completely replace my ZenDac3 ($500AUD) but after using it at a local retailer I really do require a knob and native 4.4mm support (I don't care if the amp is balanced or not, I just need the convenience factor).

After taking a look at the reviews from Amir the ATOM 2 AMP really interested me. It's readily available in Sydney, Australia, $300AUD, had 4.4mm (still SE but that doesn't matter to me), measured REALLY well for sensitive IEM use and has a knob. I've recently also started to look at the ifi Zen Air CAN which retails for $149AUD, less than half the price of ATOM 2 AMP. As much as I don't want to give ifi more of my money from a value proposition I feel more inclined to get the Air CAN but I can't find measurements to see if I would maybe hear noise (until I can demo it that is lol).

Does anyone else have any other standalone desktop amplifiers or DAC/AMPs I could look at?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me out

EDIT: Forgot to include IEM specs (this is all I can find):

• Sensitivity: 93.5dB @1kHz
• Impedance: 7Ω (DRC)

- Harry/zerostresslevel

 

[jkim]

Welcome to ASR!

You didn't say what DAC you're going to use with a headphone amp.

 

[zerostresslevel]

Welcome to ASR!

You didn't say what DAC you're going to use with a headphone amp.

I'm going to be using my ZenDac3 as the DAC

 

[jkim]

I'm going to be using my ZenDac3 as the DAC

Then, you have to resolve one critical thing. Is the noise you hear generated from the ZenDac3's internal DAC output OR from its headphone amp stage? Have you determined it? If so, how?

 

[zerostresslevel]

Then, you have to resolve one critical thing. Is the noise you hear generated from the ZenDac3's internal DAC output OR from its headphone amp stage? Have you determined it? If so, how?

I'm going to demo my zendac3 with multiple amps at a local retailer but in terms of what I can do at home how would I be able to determine if it's either the DAC output or the amp stage?

 

[Timcognito]

Schiit IEMagni Review (Headphone Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the just announced Schiit IEMagni headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company for testing and costs US $119.99. Naturally IEMagni looks like other Schiit products which I tend to like in black a lot more: Operationally I wished the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[jkim]

I'm going to demo my zendac3 with multiple amps at a local retailer but in terms of what I can do at home how would I be able to determine if it's either the DAC output or the amp stage?

Unless you have a measurement setup, comparing multiple amps connected to your current DAC is the only way you can find out.

 

[jkim]

Schiit IEMagni Review (Headphone Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the just announced Schiit IEMagni headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company for testing and costs US $119.99. Naturally IEMagni looks like other Schiit products which I tend to like in black a lot more: Operationally I wished the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

A good suggestion. With respect to noise performance, the Topping L30 II is even better. But the OP should first decide whether he needs just an amp or DAC/amp combo device..

 

[ZolaIII]

It starts with Apple USB-C dongle and ends in top review chart for 50 mV output.

 

[zerostresslevel]

Schiit IEMagni Review (Headphone Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the just announced Schiit IEMagni headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company for testing and costs US $119.99. Naturally IEMagni looks like other Schiit products which I tend to like in black a lot more: Operationally I wished the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

There are no local retail stores that sell this. Also, it doesn't come in 4.4mm.

A good suggestion. With respect to noise performance, the Topping L30 II is even better. But the OP should first decide whether he needs just an amp or DAC/amp combo device..

I think I'd prefer to just get an amp, if I want to replace my zendac3 as my dac down the line I have the flexibility to do that

 

[Timcognito]

There are no local retail stores that sell this. Also, it doesn't come in 4.4mm.

Addicted To Audio

Sydney​

+612 9550 4041​

Closed Sunday and Monday
10am - 6pm Tue-Sat

Closed for all NSW / Sydney Public Holidays


142 King Street, (end of Missenden Road), Newtown NSW 2042

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

https://www.amazon.com/6-35mm-Headphone-Earphone-Adapter-Balanced/dp/B0828LSX54/ref=sr_1_5

 

[zerostresslevel]

Addicted To Audio

Sydney​

+612 9550 4041​

Closed Sunday and Monday
10am - 6pm Tue-Sat

Closed for all NSW / Sydney Public Holidays


142 King Street, (end of Missenden Road), Newtown NSW 2042

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

https://www.amazon.com/6-35mm-Headphone-Earphone-Adapter-Balanced/dp/B0828LSX54/ref=sr_1_5

I checked addictedtoaudio's website already, they don't sell the IEMagni unless if you meant the magni unity.

Apologies for not including this in the original post, but I'd rather not use adaptors.

ATOM 2 Amp is also cheaper while having native 4.4 (convenience port, I know it's not balanced).

 

[jkim]

If you really want to try a stack of separate DAC & HP amp, the JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 is a good choice.

As you may already know, if you want to find HP amplifiers with the lowest noise levels among the ones tested at ASR, simply look at:

The Atom Amp 2 is one of the top rankers. In fact, if I recall correctly, the Topping L30 II is at the leftmost place, but has been removed because for some technical reason its measured 50 mV SNR was not comparable to those in the above chart. Anyway, if you examine the chart carefully, you will see that, with a few exceptions, top places are occupied by Chinese products. They are indeed top performers that can be had at relatively low prices.

If you have no problem ordering a product from China (like AliExpress.com), an upgrade pick is the Topping A50 III, which is the improved successor of the A50s measured at ASR. It is a compact, powerful, & balanced HP amplifier. Its another big selling point specifically for sensitive IEM users is its negative gain mode (Low Gain) for maximized SNR---not all amps, not even premium ones, provide negative gain. Although not measured at ASR yet, I believe it would be placed near the top, if not at the very top, of the above chart.

 

[zerostresslevel]

If you really want to try a stack of separate DAC & HP amp, the JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 is a good choice.

As you may already know, if you want to find HP amplifiers with the lowest noise levels among the ones tested at ASR, simply look at:

The Atom Amp 2 is one of the top rankers. In fact, if I recall correctly, the Topping L30 II is at the leftmost place, but has been removed because for some technical reason its measured 50 mV SNR was not comparable to those in the above chart. Anyway, if you examine the chart carefully, you will see that, with a few exceptions, top places are occupied by Chinese products. They are indeed top performers that can be had at relatively low prices.

If you have no problem ordering a product from China (like AliExpress.com), an upgrade pick is the Topping A50 III, which is the improved successor of the A50s measured at ASR. It is a compact, powerful, & balanced HP amplifier. Its another big selling point specifically for sensitive IEM users is its negative gain mode (Low Gain) for maximized SNR---not all amps, not even premium ones, provide negative gain. Although not measured at ASR yet, I believe it would be placed near the top, if not at the very top, of the above chart.

The A50 III looks really impressive and is also sold here locally. Just out of curiosity, would it work it I used a 4.4mm -> TRS cable to hook it up via balanced connection? The ZenDac3 has a balanced 4.4mm line out.

 

[jkim]

I really don't understand why iFi used a 4.4mm connector for line-outs---space saving, for sure, but still not good. Anyway, you will need an adapter cable (4.4mm male to two TRS male plugs) which is rare. Some adapter cables may not have the 4.4mm ground pin connected to TRS ground pins (sleeves). If I were you, I would make it myself, but you may not want to do that.

But unbalanced/RCA line-level connection will be fine. Just use good, shielded cables.

By the way, the A50 III's matching DAC, the D50 III, is also an outstanding device. I own one.

 

[zerostresslevel]

I really don't understand why iFi used a 4.4mm connector for line-outs---space saving, for sure, but still not good. Anyway, you will need an adapter cable (4.4mm male to two TRS male plugs) which is rare. Some adapter cables may not have the 4.4mm ground pin connected to TRS ground pins (sleeves). If I were you, I would make it myself, but you may not want to do that..

By the way, the A50 III's matching DAC, the D50 III, is also an outstanding device. I own one.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003909253913.html? This seems to be connected to TRS ground I think?

 

[jkim]

It seems that their photo shows proper wiring. I like the cable splitting near the 4.4mm connector, too. You can easily check the ground wiring with a multimeter when it arrives. In case that's not the case, you can always return it.

EDIT. if you end up going this route (i.e., A50 III), please report back your experience here. We'll be interested to hear it.

 

[Timcognito]

Schiit Audio Magni Unity Headphone Amplifier

Insane sound and performance for all headphones. Modular, non-obsolescent design. 100% linear power supply. 50% longer warranty. No off-the-shelf amp chips. Meet the all-new Magni Unity, the only affordable, fully discrete headphone amp and preamp on the planet—with an optional internal Unison...

addictedtoaudio.com.au

 

[Roland68]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003909253913.html? This seems to be connected to TRS ground I think?

Don't forget that the background noise from your iFi ZenDac3 is also amplified by the downstream headphone amplifier. If you're looking for something truly quiet for sensitive IEMs, I would also recommend replacing the iFi ZenDac3. This also saves you the expense of a cable with a 4.4mm connector.

The Topping A50 III (or the A50s) recommended by @jkim would be a good choice in conjunction with the D50 III.
The soon-to-be-released DX5 II might also be of interest.
All HPAs in the list are just as quiet, or quieter, than the Atom Amp 2.

 

[ZolaIII]

Technically those are hard to drive (7 Ohms nominal like a speaker) under mid sensitive IEM's (>96). I would really try those with good CS43131 what's ever (dongle, BT...). It always has to be about extremes hire.