Bus-powered USB audio -> headphones + stereo line out

[petecooper]

I have a desktop computer setup that's expanding to an additional computer, and I would be grateful for any pointers or guidance on my situation, please.

Currently, I have:

• Mac mini M2
• Fiio E10 USB DAC + headphone amp
• JBL One Series 104
• Sennheiser HD 25-1 @ Ω75

This all works just fine. I listen to a lot of electronic music, and flip between headphones / speakers regularly. The key feature in the above list is the Fiio E10 being able to do headphone out with volume dial and line out that bypasses the volume dial at the same time (i.e., I don't need to unplug the headphones to have the line out on the back jump into life).

The additional computer will be:

• Mac mini M2
• USB DAC + headphone amp
• Presonus E3.5 speakers
• Sennheiser HD 280 PRO @ Ω64

I could get another Fiio E10 easily enough, but I'm pretty sure there are 'better' alternatives out there. I've have the E10 for long enough that Amazon can't find it in my order history, so likely over a decade ago.

Edited to add: the Presonus E3.5 can take a balanced or unbalanced input. Likewise, the JBL One Series 104 can do the same.

As an aside: headphone EQ would be helpful-but-not-essential, as I am affected by the Apple Music.app software EQ bug where the first note of tracks is omitted when EQ is active, and it's annoying when so much of my music has a beat straight out of the gate.

I appreciate that bus-powered USB DACs with headphone + line out and EQ on the headphone part are not commonplace, but I'd be grateful if something out there might fit the bill.

I am considering a split setup if the EQ route isn't practical:

• Mac mini M2
• Generic USB DAC to RCA (for speakers)
• Generic USB DAC to headphone amp
• Headphone amp with hardware EQ

I looked at the Fosi SK01 since I have a Fosi SK02 and I get on OK with it, but the battery isn't really necessary for a desktop setup. I have tried the SK02 with the headphone + line out scenario above, but the aux out is affected by the SK02 volume dial.

I'm not averse to kit bashing parts between the two setups, especially if it's something that makes the Fosi SK02 more 'useful'.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for your considerations.

 

[Redacted]

Not sure I completely follow your requirements, but would a Topping DX1 MkII not be worth considering?

See the ASR review - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-dx1-ii-dac-hp-amp-review.72034/

I am very pleased with my older DX1 (mk1) but that's on PC, running in exclusive, bit-perfect mode via Foobar2000 - I'm not sure what you can get, audio-wise on a Mac-mini.

 

[petecooper]

Not sure I completely follow your requirements, but would a Topping DX1 MkII not be worth considering?

Thank you, Redacted - that looks great.
In hindsight I've perhaps overcomplicated my requirements / shopping list for the sake of detail, so I'll attempt a summary:

I'm looking for a macOS-friendly USB audio interface with headphone out, a volume dial for the headphones, and a line out (balanced or unbalanced) that's not affected by the volume dial position & continues to work with the headphone jack inserted. Onboard EQ is a bonus, but not essential.

…and the Topping DX1 MkII looks like it hits the sweet spot for the bulk of the above.

Thank you, I really appreciate it.