Fiio K11 or SMSL M300SE to fix my noisy Kali LP-6 setup?

[MotionMadness]

Hi, I have a Kali LP-6 V1s on my desk and I have been using them for a while with a Moondrop Dawn Pro using its 3.5mm output and my tablet as a source without any problems. Recently I bought a desktop gaming pc and positioned the speakers next my monitor, right speaker is also next to my computer case. LP6s started to make noises when using 3.5mm to 2x rca cables with Moondrop Dawn Pro. I turn of the rca switch at the back of the speakers and tried a 3.5mm to 2x 6.35mm cable and the noises was gone but of course volume was lowered. So I bought an 4.4mm balanced to 2x xlr cable from AliExpress in hope of keeping the volume without the noises, the cable will arrive tomorrow but yesterday an opportunity came up and I sold my Moondrop Dawn for a good price. Now I can buy the K11, K11 R2R or M300SE. I also have a Sennheiser GSP 500 which I want to connect to the dac.

If I buy the K11 maybe I can use the line out on it without any noise, because it has an external power brick or I can at least use a hum destroyer. Line out would be my preferred method of connection for the speakers with K11 because it would be tidier or I can just use the front 4.4mm balanced output with the new cable I bought and connect the GSP 500 to line out at the back. Or I can buy the M300SE and take advantage of its XLR balanced outputs for the speakers but it seems like a inferior device compared to K11. I might upgrade or buy a new headphone in the future.

So which dac would you guys recommend, what should I do? Thanks in advance guys.

Added a photo of my setup.

Edit: The noise I am talking about isn't the chronic Kali LP-6 hiss, they are like electronic/computer noises. They could be carried through the usb or introduced to the setup because my speakers are very close to the monitor and to my power hungry gpu. Like I said they are when using a 3.5mm to 2x 6.35mm, instead of rca.

 

[jkim]

If we look for a budget DAC with nice specs these days, we almost always end up looking at one with Cirrus Logic CS43131 or CS43198, just like the devices you listed above---Moondrop Dawn Pro, FiiO K11, and SMSL M300SE.

But the engineering flaw behind these products tells us that published specs are not everything:

Setting aside the issue of subjective audibility, this measured distortion is obviously an engineering flaw that should not occur in DA converter products targeted at Hi-Fi markets and consumers. It is really bothersome that any device employing CS43131 or CS43198, whether it is a headphone dongle, desktop DAC/HP amp, digital audio player, or a music streamer, should be suspected to potentially produce this distortion.

If you want a desktop DAC with a balanced output, how about spend a bit more on a ESS-chip-based DAC like the SMSL DL200 or RAW-MDA 1?

EDIT. Oh, I believe the Topping E2x2 will serve your purpose very well (measured here, and I also measured it). Its DAC is transparent and headphone output is also very nice.

 

[unpluggged]

Kali LP-6 V1s on my desk

They are notorious for high hiss levels, so no, using another source will not get you rid of it. Also there is no point to chase for DACs with high performance figures when the speaker performs its own AD and DA conversion that will limit the system performance in the first place. To conclude, get the cheapest DAC that has the features you need.

 

[staticV3]

So which dac would you guys recommend, what should I do?

SMSL D-6, connected to the PC via Optical, and to the Kalis via 1/4" TRS cables, and the noise will be 100% gone.

The D-6 can be found for $150, so barely more than the K11 or M300se.

 

[MotionMadness]

They are notorious for high hiss levels, so no, using another source will not get you rid of it. Also there is no point to chase for DACs with high performance figures when the speaker performs its own AD and DA conversion that will limit the system performance in the first place. To conclude, get the cheapest DAC that has the features you need.

I am not talking about the hiss, I am OK with the Kali LP-6 hiss. What I am talking about weird electrical noises, ground loop or computer noises carried through the usb, I don't know. They were gone when I switched off the rca switch on the back of the Kalis and used 3.5mm to 2x 6.35.

 

[MotionMadness]

If we look for a budget DAC with nice specs these days, we almost always end up looking at one with Cirrus Logic CS43131 or CS43198, just like the devices you listed above---Moondrop Dawn Pro, FiiO K11, and SMSL M300SE.

But the engineering flaw behind these products tells us that published specs are not everything:


If you want a desktop DAC with a balanced output, how about spend a bit more on a ESS-chip-based DAC like the SMSL DL200 or RAW-MDA 1?

EDIT. Oh, I believe the Topping E2x2 will serve your purpose very well (measured here, and I also measured it). Its DAC is transparent and headphone output is also very nice.

But I didn't have these electronical noises when I used a tablet instead of a PC, I think my monitor or gpu introduced these noises to the setup.

Edit: I looked and E2x2 is sold in my country and it's in my price range too. Would it be better?

 

[MotionMadness]

SMSL D-6, connected to the PC via Optical, and to the Kalis via 1/4" TRS cables, and the noise will be 100% gone.

The D-6 can be found for $150, so barely more than the K11 or M300se.

Can't find the D-6, what do you think about the E2x2?

 

[jkim]

In your use case (i.e., DAC w/ balanced outputs and a good headphone amp), the Topping Pro E2x2 is an excellent choice.

If the E2x2 is available to purchase and fits your budget, look no further.

 

[MotionMadness]

In your use case (i.e., DAC w/ balanced outputs and a good headphone amp), the Topping Pro E2x2 is an excellent choice.

If the E2x2 is available to purchase and fits your budget, look no further.

I can buy E2x2 but I am not an instrument player, I will just connect my GSP 500 and active speakers to it, I don't need two inputs, what would you say to E1x2 OTG, they are the same price, maybe I can make use of OTG? I also eyed Motu M2 and Audient ID14 Mk2 after you suggested audio interfaces instead of dacs, would one these have a noticeably better audio quality compared to E2x2? Because I read that E2x2's dac is mid, and Motu have ESS Sabre 32? Motu is the most expensive but I can buy it in 9 installments without any interest.

 

[jkim]

The Motu M2's DAC output is measurably cleaner, but will not be audibly better. The E2x2's DAC (or the E1x2's) is already transparent to human hearing.

The M2's headphone output is weak, supplying only 0.85 Vrms into 32 Ohms. Sure, it may be adequate for your headphones. But in case you want to apply EQ with some preamp cut, or try other headphones later on, you will see its power lacking.

I really do not think you need to pay more for the Motu or the Audient (by the way, the ID14 Mk2 is based on the CS43198 chip).

 

[MotionMadness]

The Motu M2's DAC output is measurably cleaner, but will not be audibly better. The E2x2's DAC (or the E1x2's) is already transparent to human listening.

The M2's headphone output is weak, supplying only 0.85 Vrms into 32 Ohms. Sure, it may be adequate for your headphones. But in case you want to apply EQ with some preamp cut, or try other headphones later on, you will see its power lacking.

I really do not think you need to pay more for the Motu or the Audient (by the way, the ID14 Mk2 is based on the CS43198 chip).

Thanks for the help mate, I just ordered Topping E1x2 OTG. Can't wait to try it.