dac headphone amp and parametric eq options

[shawndo]

Just read about the RME ADI-2 FS and built-in parametric eq. Didnt realize i needed it until i read about it today! Does anyone else make a combo dac/headphone amp/PEQ other than RME ? Need to do my due diligence before getting one of these. my search skills are failing me

 

[jcadduono]

topping dx5 ii, it's in preorder stage with a couple bugs right now that will supposedly be fixed soon, and should save you a pretty significant chunk of change at $299 USD!

'Topping DX5 II'

Feb 21, 2025

Dual DAC, hybrid powerful HP amp, large screen and PEQ on all inputs. Of course it should have excellent measurements as all modern DACs and HPs amps from Topping do. And it looks very nice too! Seems like a winner to me.

Edit: price is 350 usd at the official Topping Store.
(subscribe to newsletter to get 10% off your first order)

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

...

• Matias
• Replies: 2,481
• Forum: Combination Audio DAC and Headphone Amplifiers

• 

 

[Salt]

Just headphone or real preamp quality?

 

[jcadduono]

Just headphone or real preamp quality?

5.0V at balanced line outs in high gain, 2.5V on SE line outs, with internal volume control in preamp mode, or full 5.0V constant (balanced, high gain) when in DAC mode (adjustable in settings)
this should be sufficient for pretty much any active powered speaker, as they should generally expect around 4.2V max in most cases? this is the point where my Yamaha DZR12's detect the line as a hot input, so i have to run them a little lower, like -3.0 dB.
the volume level is saved per output as well.

 

[Salt]

5.0V at balanced line outs, 2.5V on SE line outs, with internal volume control in preamp mode, or full 5.0V constant when in DAC mode (adjustable in settings)
this should be sufficient for pretty much any active powered speaker, as they should generally expect around 4.2V max in most cases?

A RME would do this for you. You can be assured: They know what they do.

 

[staticV3]

Does anyone else make a combo dac/headphone amp/PEQ other than RME ?

DX5 II, Element IV, and some FiiO K series devices come to mind. There may be others.

If thumbdrive-style devices are ok, there's also the Neutron DAC V1, Qudelix 5K/T71, again various FiiO BTR devices, the miniDSP Il-DSP, PowerDAC V2.1, ...

 

[Crook]

I'd thought about waiting for the Topping DX5 ii, but in the end took the plunge on the RME DAC2. I don't regret it, it's a beautifully engineered product, has excellent functionality and in the UK at least comes with a 5yr warranty. RME really know what they are doing and I consider it to be good value for money, as I do not see any future upgrade from it.

 

[PolarisPrime]

@jcadduono @Salt @staticV3

And what if you only have need for the EQ/PEQ because you already have a great dac and seperate headphone amp and a HD800s?
This is the case for me?

Roon with Muse to EQ, and once set up on a laptop - this setting is then saved whenever streaming through roon on my mobile.
So not needing a laptop everytime and I am thinking about the lilfetime sub. But it is expensive.

What are the alternatives?
Hardware with physical EQ sliders - Dual Channel xx Band Graphic Equalizer e.g. https://www.ebay.com/itm/405181938898

 

[staticV3]

What are the alternatives?

WiiM Mini or WiiM Pro into your existing DAC and Amp.

EQ preset loaded into the WiiM and you can either stream to the WiiM from Roon, switch streaming service or steam local files via UPnP, or play files directly from your PC via Optical into the WiiM Pro.