Amplifier for Hifiman Sundara

[Rat God]

Needs to be shipped from Europe
Probably thread #50 on this but all the recommendations are for amplifiers only available in AMERICA.

Living in Denmark I'd have to pay ~50% import tax + fees so anything that isn't shipped from within the EU is out of the question.


Can't afford DAC
I can't afford to get a DAC so I'll just use the built-in from my PC and phone dongle. It should be good enough until I can afford something a bit better.

What Does It Take To Turn The PC Into A Hi-Fi Audio Platform?

Most hi-fi audio is stored in digital form. With advancements in lossless compression, bit-perfect ripping/streaming, HD audio formats, multi-terabyte storage, and PC-friendly DACs, has the PC earned a place among high-end audio gear? At what price point?

www.tomshardware.com

I read this article and though it isn't strict enough to be called scientific the conclusion seems right to me.

Budget: ~150€

Thanks!

 

[staticV3]

What's your budget for the Amp?

 

[Rat God]

What's your budget for the Amp?

Should have included that in the post, sorry. ~150€, it has to really be worth it to go over because I don't plan on upgrading from the Sundaras.

 

[Rat God]

What's your budget for the Amp?

Do you have experience with the Fiio E10K AMP? I can find it easily in Danish shops.

 

[staticV3]

Here's what I found:

Topping L30 (audiophonics.fr) (also comes in silver)
SMSL SH-6 (audiophonics.fr)
Sabaj A10H (audiophonics.fr)

SMSL SH-6 (Amazon)
Sabaj A10H (Amazon)

Also consider buying a Meizu HiFi dongle to use as DAC. It's 26€ on AliExpress, 2.0Vrms, 113dB SINAD. Measurements, Link

 

[staticV3]

Do you have experience with the Fiio E10K AMP? I can find it easily in Danish shops.

Yes. It's very old and not really worth the money anymore imo

 

[Rat God]

Here's what I found:

Topping L30 (audiophonics.fr) (also comes in silver)
SMSL SH-6 (audiophonics.fr)
Sabaj A10H (audiophonics.fr)

SMSL SH-6 (Amazon)
Sabaj A10H (Amazon)

Also consider buying a Meizu HiFi dongle to use as DAC. It's 26€ on AliExpress, 2.0Vrms, 113dB SINAD. Measurements, Link

Thanks, you're the man! I need to up my googling game tbh

I'll watch some reviews for your suggestions and buy one. I'll buy the dongle, probably better than whatever is on my MOBO.

Again, thanks a lot man. I appreciate it.

 

[DarrylG]

Here's what I found:

Topping L30 (audiophonics.fr) (also comes in silver)
SMSL SH-6 (audiophonics.fr)
Sabaj A10H (audiophonics.fr)

SMSL SH-6 (Amazon)
Sabaj A10H (Amazon)

Also consider buying a Meizu HiFi dongle to use as DAC. It's 26€ on AliExpress, 2.0Vrms, 113dB SINAD. Measurements, Link

Is that the Meizu "non-Pro"?

 

[staticV3]

Is that the Meizu "non-Pro"?

Yes. The Meizu Pro is no longer being manufactured. You can still get it in the form of the Ugreen 80583 HiFi Audio Pro though.

 

[Mr-R]

Is the ifi zen dac not available in your country? Mine has plenty of power to drive my headphone.

 

[stemfencer]

This is what you want - you really want an outboard DAC. While the DAC chips on computer motherboards are "good", they are packed around a lot of high powered electronics and normally very noise and interference.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Topping-ES9038Q2M-Bluetooth-Headphone-Amplifier-black/dp/B09HBS8SLJ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=topping%2Bdx3%2Bpro&qid=1647605487&sr=8-3&th=1

However to answer the question you asked (amp uner 150 euro)

TOPPING L30 Headphone Amplifier / Preamplifier NFCA Black - Audiophonics

The Topping L30 is a headphone amplifier with preamplifier function that is compact, affordable and, above all, extremely powerful! It benefits from excellent measurements, allowing it to deliver a sound reproduction of incredible precision.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[Rat God]

Here's what I found:

Topping L30 (audiophonics.fr) (also comes in silver)
SMSL SH-6 (audiophonics.fr)
Sabaj A10H (audiophonics.fr)

SMSL SH-6 (Amazon)
Sabaj A10H (Amazon)

Also consider buying a Meizu HiFi dongle to use as DAC. It's 26€ on AliExpress, 2.0Vrms, 113dB SINAD. Measurements, Link

Sorry for bothering you again but honestly I can't really see what the difference between these are? Why is one cheaper while coming with more features despite having virtually the same stats, unless such minute differences actually matter?

 

[JRS]

I use the Topping DX3 Pro + which was 150.00 and at that price and somewhat beyond one of the few amps available that can drive the Sundara's properly. By that I mean to very loud levels with the needed 10dB bass lift. 1,5 watts into 33 ohms, has 2 gain settings, is equipped with Bluetooth and has all of the usual inputs (it is a quality DAC besides!) along with RCA outs to use as a preamp if desired. The only gripe folk have is the 3mm jack, which coincidentally enough is the size the Sundara is supplied with. It is just a silly good deal, and have had no issues with the volume potwhich a couple have complained of on the 50 page review thread. Downside it is plastic, and has no bling appeal. I could not care less.

 

[luft262]

Get the Hidizis S9. Amir has reviewed it and recommends it. It is a dongle dac/amp combo. Or save up €100 more and order the JDS + atom DAC and amp stack.

 

[Jimbob54]

Get the Hidizis S9. Amir has reviewed it and recommends it. It is a dongle dac/amp combo. Or save up €100 more and order the JDS + atom DAC and amp stack.

It's unobtanium. Replaced by the S9 Pro which is not the same beast at all (and not reviewed here)

 

[luft262]

It's unobtanium. Replaced by the S9 Pro which is not the same beast at all (and not reviewed here)

Bummer!

 

[luft262]

It's unobtanium. Replaced by the S9 Pro which is not the same beast at all (and not reviewed here)

If he looks through the index there would probably be another acceptable dongle.