Headphone Amp / Combo DAC: $1000

[Roen]

Do you even need a DAC or headphone amp? If your computer's headphone output goes loud enough for you with your particular headphones and you aren't hearing background noise, you shouldn't need anything else!

Or maybe the Apple Dongle unless your headphones need more voltage to go loud enough.

Apple Dongle fed into a AAA 789 on highest gain. It works.

 

[starence]

The Luxsin X8 is out now too, and it's more affordable than the X9. Haven't tried it personally, but it looks interesting.

 

[Human Bass]

Just get a Topping DX5 II, save money for a good headphone

 

[delta76]

Know this discussion is old and OT might have bought something, just want to give my 2¢ regarding RME ADI 2 FS DAC.
My SMSL C200 dies suddenly (after a series of annoyances that came and went without explanation) so I had to look for another replacement. Topping DX5 II was the top contender but something put me off. Started looking at RME and almost bought it new when it has a very good price on thomann. But it went out of stock (and I kicked myself for that), and prices in other sellers are so high I looked for used. Found a good one at almost half the price after negotiation, so I bought it.

Really glad that I did. Looks like new. Working perfectly. Still supported with new firmware and driver updates. The quality is there. C200 is fine but when you touch RME you notice the difference, and it is not even close.
Lessons for my self, buy once, cry once. Why spend $200 -$300 for a device that is EOL after 1 year and likely die within 2 years. Even if it does not die, it likely has glitches and bugs that are annoying. You pay for build quality, support and reliability and that makes your everyday a little happier. You know your device is there working the way it should when you need it.