DAC/Amp Combo suggestion - Inputs welcomed!

[Sergio Tavares]

Happy new year to everyone!

After my quest for a portable combo of nice IEM's + Portable DAC/Amp (which ended up in acquiring the iBasso IT01 + Topping NX4 DSD), it's now time to go after the DAC + Amp Combo form desktop use at home. They'll be driving a set of HIFIMAN's HE400i headphones.

I don't have a fixed budget but I'm looking for the best value-for-the-money set.

As for the headphone amp, after reading several reviews and tests, I am almost decided in getting the JDS Labs Atom. But other suggestions are welcomed.

Regarding the DAC I am thinking on the Topping D10 USB DAC - at € 85,00 Euros is a bargain.

I also looked at the DX3 Pro at 219€, which I am aware could be use standalone, since is a DAC and Amp, and deals with higher resolution files than the D10 (not that I use those higher res DSD files...), and I also noticed the D50 unit (€ 249,00) which, DAC-wise, in specs seems to be very close to the DX3Pro. What are the differences?!

Any other recommendations are very welcomed.

 

[flipflop]

Happy new year.
It sounds like you already did all the necessary research.
I would advise against the DX3 Pro due to all the issues discussed in the the review thread and it also makes me a bit hesitant to recommend any other Topping product.
I can vouch for the D10 + Atom combo based on measurements. If you want to avoid Topping, I'll suggest SMSL M8 or JDS Labs EL DAC instead.

 

[Veri]

Happy new year.
It sounds like you already did all the necessary research.
I would advise against the DX3 Pro due to all the issues discussed in the the review thread and it also makes me a bit hesitant to recommend any other Topping product.
I can vouch for the D10 + Atom combo based on measurements. If you want to avoid Topping, I'll suggest SMSL M8 or JDS Labs EL DAC instead.

I believe the majority of people have no problems with theirs. I would be pissed if my unit acted up of course so I understand the concern, that's why I went for EU reseller instead of China import to have the benefit of easy warranty in the case of problems.

 

[flipflop]

I believe the majority of people have no problems with theirs.

I don't consider >50% users having no issues a success criteria - something like >99% would be more appropriate, don't you think? We don't know how big a portion of the users are affected anyway. The sheer amount of problems reported is a cause for concern.

 

[Veri]

Obviously not all users of the device are on-line posting on the internet those with issues are more inclined to make an account and post about it than those without. But I still understand your concern, a fault rate of 1% even would be quite high. imo.