Best Bang for the Buck DAC / Do it all DAC

[JIW]

Loxjie broke on me, so I'm not really interested in it.

The latter two are SMSLs if that changes anything for you. Anyways, the Loxjie was not my recommendation but this

Consider the Fosi ZD3 at $180 or the Topping E70 at $280.

Edit: E70 is currently $242.73 on Apos.

 

[simplywyn]

Yeah I'm looking at Topping e70, 123 db SINAD and trigger, looks like it's the winner!

 

[JIW]

Yeah I'm looking at Topping e70, 123 db SINAD and trigger, looks like it's the winner!

Forgot about the trigger. Neither the Loxjie nor the SMSLs have it.

The E70 does it indeed perform really well.

 

[Ropeburn]

I get that a trigger in/out can be a nice convenience. But a requirement, a dealbreaker even? How? If a device performs really well, and costs less than you can afford, how can the mere fact of having to push one more button or flip another switch make or break the whole deal?

 

[Steven Holt]

This is an interesting question, and there have been several excellent answers. For me, I will vote for the Topping D10 Balanced as a stand - alone. As for a streamer/DAC, you just can't beat the WiiM for value and quality, you really can't.

 

[RVT]

I'm looking for a DAC with a 12V trigger out (to control my speaker amps) that is completely audibly transparent and features a volume knob and USB input, all at the best bang for your buck possible.


Things to note: if it's 50% better for a 10% price increase, that's a huge benefit. However, if it's 50% more expensive for only a 2% improvement, then that's just pointless.

Consider the WiiM Ultra.

 

[ears-of-steel]

Color me deaf but after having burned some serious moneys on DACs in the past the one I've used almost exclusively during the last 6 months is my humble Tempotec BHD Pro, but then I'm only using IEMs, no cans or loudspeakers. Anyway, I have some more dongle and portable DACs lying around but for some reason I almost always grab the BHD Pro, even though technically it's not the best performing solution for my low-impedance IEMs (16 Ohms) and I'm not much of a fan of its volume buttons.

 

[Roland68]

Loxjie broke on me, so I'm not really interested in it.

Then you should also stay away from Sabaj and SMSL. Just like Loxjie, they all come from the same company and have the same development, just different names and distribution channels.
Even devices from large, reputable manufacturers are failing more and more frequently, and there's no guarantee these days that these devices can still be repaired after 3-5 years, even at prices of several thousand euros/dollars. Violectric/Lake People and RME are now exceptions and high-quality alternatives.

 

[simplywyn]

Then you should also stay away from Sabaj and SMSL. Just like Loxjie, they all come from the same company and have the same development, just different names and distribution channels.
Even devices from large, reputable manufacturers are failing more and more frequently, and there's no guarantee these days that these devices can still be repaired after 3-5 years, even at prices of several thousand euros/dollars. Violectric/Lake People and RME are now exceptions and high-quality alternatives.

SMSL so far is not bad, I have 2-3 SMSL DACs but they do not have trigger. Loxjie I think is the failed SMSL components that didn't pass higher end QA.

 

[simplywyn]

I get that a trigger in/out can be a nice convenience. But a requirement, a dealbreaker even? How? If a device performs really well, and costs less than you can afford, how can the mere fact of having to push one more button or flip another switch make or break the whole deal?

It's because I have the amps with trigger and I'd like to turn them on and off at night. They're AB amps so they're burning electricity whilst 90% silent most of the day.

 

[Roland68]

SMSL so far is not bad, I have 2-3 SMSL DACs but they do not have trigger. Loxjie I think is the failed SMSL components that didn't pass higher end QA.

Please excuse me for saying this so bluntly, but it's nonsense, and there's no evidence or reason to support it.
Loxjie and Sabaj products often have fewer defects and improvements, as they usually appear later. There are also no differences in the components and circuit boards used.
I don't even want to talk about the faulty firmware, especially in SMSL devices, and especially in DACs.

Other people's SMSL devices have broken down just like your Loxjie did. A certain number of devices break down from every manufacturer, and unfortunately, you were the one affected.
However, the workmanship and component quality have actually improved since the beginning, but that applies equally to all three companies.

 

[simplywyn]

Please excuse me for saying this so bluntly, but it's nonsense, and there's no evidence or reason to support it.
Loxjie and Sabaj products often have fewer defects and improvements, as they usually appear later. There are also no differences in the components and circuit boards used.
I don't even want to talk about the faulty firmware, especially in SMSL devices, and especially in DACs.

Other people's SMSL devices have broken down just like your Loxjie did. A certain number of devices break down from every manufacturer, and unfortunately, you were the one affected.
However, the workmanship and component quality have actually improved since the beginning, but that applies equally to all three companies.

No trying to start an argument, but I have 4 SMSL DACs that work fine, 2 Topping that work fine.
The ones that failed: LOXJIE, TOPPING a90, TOPPING la5.
The usual suspects.

 

[Mort]

No trying to start an argument, but I have 4 SMSL DACs that work fine, 2 Topping that work fine.
The ones that failed: LOXJIE, TOPPING a90, TOPPING la5.
The usual suspects.

Not enough data points to substantiate the claim you make.

 

[simplywyn]

From this forum, I've found similar cases, anyway, it's funny the defenders show up so quickly here. Do you guys work for these companies?

 

[Mort]

Do you guys work for these companies?

Do you work for the competition?

 

[Chrispy]

I'm looking for a DAC with a 12V trigger out (to control my speaker amps) that is completely audibly transparent and features a volume knob and USB input, all at the best bang for your buck possible.


Things to note: if it's 50% better for a 10% price increase, that's a huge benefit. However, if it's 50% more expensive for only a 2% improvement, then that's just pointless.

What makes you think generally electronics even have a 2% spread to begin with?

 

[damarfi]

Qudelix 5K ?

+1 Qudelix 5k
To me, PEQ and mobile app is must today.. (btw, will try to use Qudelix as a main dac in my second system using passive usb switch selector to use with two or three sources with usb out (Squeezebox Touch, Macbook and phone)..and use XLR connection to hypex. Qudelix phone app is very good

https://www.amazon.com/87634-DeLOCK-Noir/dp/B00N79QIIE

 

[roog]

For 'Do it all' you could consider the RME ADI-2 DAC fs

Does PEQ well
Clever volume control
Neat loudness feature
Competent headphone drive
Good back up
Comes with a hard copy manual !