DAC+AMP

[Clark2003]

Hi guys, I am looking for some desktop DAC+AMP. I spent couple weeks of reading many posts hear or different forums. What I understood so far is that I dont have to spend big money to get good level of audio gear but frankly speaking I am still not sure what desktop DAC+AMP I should buy. I am still between Topping DX3Pro+ and SMSL M500 MKIII, here I am talking about range of products which could be between those two. It is clear that couple weeks of reading different reviews or forums cant compete with somebody who spent tens of years with audio topic. Thats why I am coming back to you and I would like to kindly ask you about your recommendation about ideal choice from your point of view. I would like to use it for my Adam A3X and DT770Pro 32ohm, Meze 99 Classics, Topping Hane or Moondrop ChuII. Source is standard PC. Personally I dont like questions about the budget but here I would say 1k USD max, but it doesnt mean that it must be 1k, if there will some great product for less money, I am more than happy. What would be your remommendation?

 

[Brian Hall]

All in one: Loxjie A40 (DAC, headphone amp and speaker amp)

or

SMSL raw-mda1 (DAC and headphone amp) + Fosi ZA3 or a pair of Fosi V3 monos

or

Fosi ZD3 (DAC) + Schiit Midgard (headphone amp) + ZA3 or V3 monos


Any of those 3 setups will be less than $1k. Amazon has the Loxjie A40 on sale for $204 and it does it all.

I own and have tried all of those options and they all sound great. Currently I have gone back to the simplest setup just using the Loxjie A40.

My sources are: a Linux PC, a Wiim Ultra, a CD transport and HDMI ARC input from a Samsung TV / monitor (audio from a Fire TV stick 4k max).

 

[woppinger]

I don't see anything in the original post about wanting/needing a speaker amp

 

[Daverz]

I think the DX3Pro has everything you need, though you might consider a Dac/Pre/HPAmp with balanced outs since you Adams have balanced input.

 

[Steven Holt]

First, Welcome to ASR! When it comes to audio, there's no better place you can be. I can recommend two setups for you : First, the JDS Labs Atom 2 bundle is currently on sale for $290. It's a very good setup, but unfortunately, it's not balanced (just straight RCA's) Still, for the price, it's excellent. Second, if you really want to go for it, the Topping A90 discrete headphone amp has everything you need -- it's your endgame. It's $599. Couple this with the Topping D10 Balanced and you just might never leave your listening space!

 

[Clark2003]

Hi guys, thank you to all of you for your experience sharing, recommendations and welcome message. I went thru that, did first check and I have some questions and additional points to better explain my expecation about DAC+AMP

• is there major issue to connect speakers with balanced input to non-balanced DAC? or would you say that is minor issue and you would not be able to easily recognize the difference? btw. I am sure that I dont have absolute pitch. If it would help, speakers are next to desktop and connected with short cable (1.5m max)
• In case that it is worth to go with balanced DAC, would be there good option for AiO solution which could compete with already proposed products?
• Preferable solution would be all in one and the reason for it is space and simplicity
• Another point is brand availability Topping is not issue at all but JDS is challenge for me. I found the Atom2 bundle in Italian eshop for 400 Euro. I cant see so many shops where I could buy it. Even Amazon.de doesnt have it.
• Topping A90 discrete with Topping D10 (this DAC is very attractive to me because of performance based on ASR review, price and size) sounds like ultimate solution in terms of audio quality. The BUT is two devices (it means more space) and cost which is not top issue but it is there
• I am able to buy DX3 Pro+ for 200 Euro and Loxjie A40 for 260 Euro, now question is how to compare it to each other? I could not find it on internet. I guess that it would not be so simple to compare audio quality but would you be able to say that based on chipsets? I expect that Loxjie A40 can be better from number of functions

 

[Roland68]

Hi guys, thank you to all of you for your experience sharing, recommendations and welcome message. I went thru that, did first check and I have some questions and additional points to better explain my expecation about DAC+AMP

• is there major issue to connect speakers with balanced input to non-balanced DAC? or would you say that is minor issue and you would not be able to easily recognize the difference? btw. I am sure that I dont have absolute pitch. If it would help, speakers are next to desktop and connected with short cable (1.5m max)
• In case that it is worth to go with balanced DAC, would be there good option for AiO solution which could compete with already proposed products?
• Preferable solution would be all in one and the reason for it is space and simplicity
• Another point is brand availability Topping is not issue at all but JDS is challenge for me. I found the Atom2 bundle in Italian eshop for 400 Euro. I cant see so many shops where I could buy it. Even Amazon.de doesnt have it.
• Topping A90 discrete with Topping D10 (this DAC is very attractive to me because of performance based on ASR review, price and size) sounds like ultimate solution in terms of audio quality. The BUT is two devices (it means more space) and cost which is not top issue but it is there
• I am able to buy DX3 Pro+ for 200 Euro and Loxjie A40 for 260 Euro, now question is how to compare it to each other? I could not find it on internet. I guess that it would not be so simple to compare audio quality but would you be able to say that based on chipsets? I expect that Loxjie A40 can be better from number of functions

The Loxjie A40 won't do you any good, as you have active speakers, and the A40 has neither digital nor analog outputs.

For a compact all-in-one device, you could use the new Topping DX5 II, which has both balanced outputs and a very powerful headphone amplifier. Or SMSL's DL100/200/300/400 or C200 Pro, for example.

Good combos with balanced outputs would be the Topping E50/L50, E70 (Velvet)/L70, D50 III/A50 III.

 

[Clark2003]

The Loxjie A40 won't do you any good, as you have active speakers, and the A40 has neither digital nor analog outputs.

For a compact all-in-one device, you could use the new Topping DX5 II, which has both balanced outputs and a very powerful headphone amplifier. Or SMSL's DL100/200/300/400 or C200 Pro, for example.

Good combos with balanced outputs would be the Topping E50/L50, E70 (Velvet)/L70, D50 III/A50 III.

Thank you Roland68 for your recommendation as well. What would be your personal choice when we would talk about Aio device?

 

[Roland68]

Thank you Roland68 for your recommendation as well. What would be your personal choice when we would talk about Aio device?

I'm not a fan of AIO devices, partly because compromises have to be made in various areas during development, or it gets very expensive.

Two of my favorite AIO devices are the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and the Topping DX9, very uncompromising and very expensive.

The SMSL devices listed should all work, as should the Sabaj A10d 2022, the Loxjie D40 or D40 Pro, and a few others, but they're neither my first nor second choice.

In terms of price/performance, I would recommend the DX5 II; it's an absolute bargain for the price, functionality, features, performance, and measured values.
I'd ignore the whining about the problems with the DSP/PEQ functionality and the software. Over 98% of devices don't have it anyway, and if it works, it's a nice bonus.

 

[Clark2003]

I'm not a fan of AIO devices, partly because compromises have to be made in various areas during development, or it gets very expensive.

Two of my favorite AIO devices are the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and the Topping DX9, very uncompromising and very expensive.

The SMSL devices listed should all work, as should the Sabaj A10d 2022, the Loxjie D40 or D40 Pro, and a few others, but they're neither my first nor second choice.

In terms of price/performance, I would recommend the DX5 II; it's an absolute bargain for the price, functionality, features, performance, and measured values.
I'd ignore the whining about the problems with the DSP/PEQ functionality and the software. Over 98% of devices don't have it anyway, and if it works, it's a nice bonus.

Thank you Roland for your honest answer, I noticed new DX5 II including the SW issues. I am sure that during some time, it will be fixed. Bigger issue is that it is hard to get it. I could see white version on Amazon DE, personally I would prefer black one, silver one would be still fine. From other hand, I dont rush

I would like to ask you about recommendation about cables

• what would be the best type of connection between the DAC/AMP and PC? Regarding cable, any suggestion about type and brand?
• similar question about cables between the DAC and speakers
• and the end headphone jack, should use some 4.4mm or 6.35mm or doesnt matter? Should I just buy convertor between 3.5mm to the ideal one? or should I buy news headphone cables with the ideal jack? Here, I am not sure if it would be possible for all of them what I have