Best performing portable DAC in 2025?

[Rollingsound514]

I have IE600's, can be unbalanced or balanced since I have tripowin cable with changeable tips. Would be used mostly at a desk so "portable" but doesn't necessarily need to fit into pocket.
I'm looking for performance only and only needs to drive IEMs.

Thanks so much!

 

[jcadduono]

I'd say @IVX's E1DA 9039S probably takes the win for portable performance with IEMs. It's balanced only, and unfortunately uses 2.5mm (4 conductor, non-grounded) instead of 4.4mm (5 conductor, grounded) so it wouldn't really be advisable to connect it to any form of amplifier, unless maybe the amplifier shared a ground with the USB-C input of the 9039S. (correct me if I'm wrong?)
That's my only nitpick to it, as I like to use 4.4mm to dual XLR and use my portable DAC with my desktop amp for headphones. That being said, it can still drive full size headphones decently, just not rattle your head planar loudness.
He sells it through Aliexpress for $139.00 USD as of this comment.

There's been some debate going on about the quality of all the CS431xx DACs due to some discovered distortion, see: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...1xx-based-devices-a-comparative-review.63038/
Personally I don't hear the difference, but some may feel a larger sense of satisfaction going with the flawless (as far as we know so far) implementation of ES9039Q2M/AD8397/OPA1612 in the E1DA 9039S.

 

[Rollingsound514]

I'd say @IVX's E1DA 9039S probably takes the win for portable performance with IEMs. It's balanced only, and unfortunately uses 2.5mm (4 conductor, non-grounded) instead of 4.4mm (5 conductor, grounded) so it wouldn't really be advisable to connect it to any form of amplifier, unless maybe the amplifier shared a ground with the USB-C input of the 9039S. (correct me if I'm wrong?)
That's my only nitpick to it, as I like to use 4.4mm to dual XLR and use my portable DAC with my desktop amp for headphones. That being said, it can still drive full size headphones decently, just not rattle your head planar loudness.
He sells it through Aliexpress for $139.00 USD as of this comment.

There's been some debate going on about the quality of all the CS431xx DACs due to some discovered distortion, see: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...1xx-based-devices-a-comparative-review.63038/
Personally I don't hear the difference, but some may feel a larger sense of satisfaction going with the flawless (as far as we know so far) implementation of ES9039Q2M/AD8397/OPA1612 in the E1DA 9039S.

ordered.

 

[Rja4000]

I'd say @IVX's E1DA 9039S probably takes the win

I confirm.
Technically, it is just incredible.

 

[JamoBroGuy]

Personally I don't hear the difference, but some may feel a larger sense of satisfaction going with the flawless (as far as we know so far) implementation of ES9039Q2M/AD8397/OPA1612 in the E1DA 9039S.

I don’t think anyone would hear it in a blind test. DACs have been audibly transparent for decades, I highly doubt something like that would actually make an audible difference.
I’m a simple man: if it’s inaudible it’s irrelevant (a surprisingly rare standpoint on this site).

 

[Svend P]

a surprisingly rare standpoint on this site).

I find this to be a gross misrepresentation of the site. Maybe you have been reading the wrong threads where new members ask the same audiophool questions? This does not represent the site.

Start here:

Master Thread: Are Measurements Everything or Nothing?

Seems like so many review threads get challenged with: 1. Measurements are not everything. 2. You all never listen. 3. I trust my ears, not graphs. 4. I don't listen to graphs. I listen to music. 5. You all must not listen to music at all. 6. Why don't you all buy the best SINAD gear? 7...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Message to golden-eared audiophiles posting at ASR for the first time...

Hello friend. Hey, listen...we know how it is. Believe me, most of us have been there too. You've spent years toiling in the muck of audiophilia. You read ALL the reviews. You watched ALL the youtube videos. You visited ALL the other forums where everything always makes a difference. You...

www.audiosciencereview.com

How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent?

I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Audibility thresholds of amp and DAC measurements

Introduction A recurring theme on ASR is whether or not the various measured qualities of the devices are audible. In this post, I'll present some clear and visual thresholds for when those imperfections can be considered a potentially audible concern. I will not explain the basics of amp/DAC...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[JamoBroGuy]

I find this to be a gross misrepresentation of the site. Maybe you have been reading the wrong threads where new members ask the same audiophool questions? This does not represent the site.

Start here:

Master Thread: Are Measurements Everything or Nothing?

Seems like so many review threads get challenged with: 1. Measurements are not everything. 2. You all never listen. 3. I trust my ears, not graphs. 4. I don't listen to graphs. I listen to music. 5. You all must not listen to music at all. 6. Why don't you all buy the best SINAD gear? 7...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Message to golden-eared audiophiles posting at ASR for the first time...

Hello friend. Hey, listen...we know how it is. Believe me, most of us have been there too. You've spent years toiling in the muck of audiophilia. You read ALL the reviews. You watched ALL the youtube videos. You visited ALL the other forums where everything always makes a difference. You...

www.audiosciencereview.com

How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent?

I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Audibility thresholds of amp and DAC measurements

Introduction A recurring theme on ASR is whether or not the various measured qualities of the devices are audible. In this post, I'll present some clear and visual thresholds for when those imperfections can be considered a potentially audible concern. I will not explain the basics of amp/DAC...

www.audiosciencereview.com

No, that’s not what I meant.
Often when Amir posts a review of a DAC, people complain about it not measuring as well as some other DAC. I find this ridiculous because no human can tell the difference in a blind test. I personally don’t care as long as it’s audibly transparent.
I guess I can understand why people want their DACs to measure as well as possible, but past a certain point it’s literally just meaningless numbers.

 

[Svend P]

No, that’s not what I meant.
Often when Amir posts a review of a DAC, people complain about it not measuring as well as some other DAC. I find this ridiculous because no human can tell the difference in a blind test. I personally don’t care as long as it’s audibly transparent.

But you don't see anyone recommending people just to buy the DAC or amplifier with the highest SINAD for the best possible sound quality. It is understood that there are limits to auditability.

Even the Crown 2502 got a recommendation, even though it doesn't measure great

Crown XLS2502 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS2502 DriveCore (switching) 2-channel amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member. The XLS 2502 cost US $645 including free shipping from Amazon. It has DSP functionality which I did not test. And is specified to drive 2 ohm load...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[JamoBroGuy]

But you don't see anyone recommending people just to buy the DAC or amplifier with the highest SINAD for the best possible sound quality. It is understood that there are limits to auditability.

Even the Crown 2502 got a recommendation, even though it doesn't measure great

Crown XLS2502 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS2502 DriveCore (switching) 2-channel amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member. The XLS 2502 cost US $645 including free shipping from Amazon. It has DSP functionality which I did not test. And is specified to drive 2 ohm load...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I guess you’re right. It doesn’t happen that often, but more than I would expect.

 

[Rollingsound514]

Anyone have an issue with their unit "gapping up" in volume when going from about 60 to 80%? I find there's a huge step up with no in between when using on Ipad.

 

[Rollingsound514]

Anyone have an issue with their unit "gapping up" in volume when going from about 60 to 80%? I find there's a huge step up with no in between when using on Ipad.

E1DA replied in the main thread