Help me choose a universal DAC

[andreidovunque]

Greetings users! I would like to choose a dongle DAC to use for movies and music on desktop, and use it portably to get into iems which I've already chosen, I'll take the Crinacle zero 2 7hz and if I don't like them I'll upgrade to Kefine Quatio. Sidenote regarding my sound preference, right now for my headphones I use the B&W PX7 S2e, and I couldn't wish for more, to be honest. They have the perfect sound, very well separated, clean, good soundstage even through 16bit 44khz AAC Bluetooth connection. My speaker setup is currently connected through the integrated pc DAC because my old Asus Xonar U7 (the first version) started distorting and died. I use Harman Kardon HK620 as my amplifier, and Linn Index Mk2 are my speakers. I was looking at FiiO x Snowsky Melody because it uses the CS43131 which are, to my understanding, a middle ground, and they also have a 10 band PEQ, and there's a firmware option to disable that gain feature that causes the distortion hump. They go for 45 euros where I'm at, could i get something better for under 60 euros/70 us dollars? A balanced output isn't mandatory.

 

[spyne]

Not really my area, but the FiiO K11 was reviewed earlier this year by Amirm and returned excellent results (for a dongle), even bettering many desktop sized alternatives. I have no idea where/how it generates power for the headphone amp - it just looks like a short adaptor cable!

FiiO KA11 Portable DAC/Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the FiiO KA11 portable stereo DAC and headphone amplifier (USB-C). It is on kind loan from a member and is on sale for US $33. I didn't think there was room to make a stylized dongle but here is FiiO, doing exactly that. Attention was even given to...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Fosi DS2 is an older, but still excellent, tiny device also worth looking at.

 

[Overseas]

Maybe IFI GO LINK MAX ?

 

[Scrivs]

Some of the names of these products makes me simultaneously cringe, and uproariously laugh at the same time
Just pick any dongle that "Sinad's" at -90bB or better (lower # numerically), and has the power and features you otherwise desire. 10 Band PEQ should be more than adequate for 99% of this segment's intended user-base.
I personally prefer the ones that have pronounceable names in English.

 

[ZolaIII]

For sensitive IEM's and headphones even Apple USB-C dongle will be more than enough and you aim at 50 mV performance. You need self impedance as close to 0 Ohms and low impedance tolerance. For portable mobile and secondary USB I don't know take a look at BT dongle alike one's with either CS43131 or ESS32M DAC/DAC'S and LDAC on Android/Win 11 (BT 5+). As long 1.67 V unbalanced (-2 dB to 2V) is enough you will be more then fine. Desktop still in relevance PCI-E cards regarding headphone output (stil not great by all means especially for EMI's) start with Creative AE-5 Plus (about 150$/€). For speakers but definitely not headphones that are impedance sensitive old SB Z SE (to 1.8V) will be fine (even better to rare audio codec chenels output).