Help please! dac amp - Hifiman doubts and problems

[fatal]

Hi! I need a lot of help and advice.
I have the Hifiman Ananda Stealth v3 (the latest ones), and I'm really torn between two DAC amps.
The two options:
1) SMSL C200
2) Fiio K7
I'd use the headphones mainly for single-player and competitive gaming.
Which option do you think I should choose and why?
I heard that the C200 only has unbalanced inputs (fake 4.4 balanced), but the K7 has a real balanced input. I bought the balanced cable separately. Will there be much difference between the unbalanced C200 and the balanced K7?
I have several questions and doubts and would like some expert opinions.
Would the C200 make the Anandas too silly and bright? They're already bright.(Should I use an EQ?) Would the K7, on the other hand, make the Anandas less detailed but have better bass?
In terms of power, the C200 is ahead with its 2.6W into 16 ohms, while even Fiio doesn't know how much the K7 delivers into 16 ohms. A support representative told me 1W with the balanced amp, but it seemed like a random thing to avoid making a bad impression, while the official store on AliExpress didn't even know that xD.
Oh, I forgot about the prices.
The C200 costs 80 euros (they're in Europe), while the Fiio K7 costs 120 euros.
Please help me. Sorry for the poem, but I had to explain how confused I am. I've been going crazy for days (I can't return them to try them, and I don't have anyone who can let me try them).
Thanks

 

[staticV3]

Hi @fatal! Welcome to ASR.

I heard that the C200 only has unbalanced inputs (fake 4.4 balanced)

The C200 has differential Line out, but both the 1/4" headphone output and the 4.4mm Pentaconn output are single-ended internally.

Will there be much difference between the unbalanced C200 and the balanced K7?

Zero difference.

Would the C200 make the Anandas too silly and bright?

The C200 has ruler-flat response, so played through it, the Anandas will sound exactly as intended by Hifiman.

(Should I use an EQ?)

Yes, without a doubt.

Would the K7, on the other hand, make the Anandas less detailed but have better bass?

Again, zero difference.

In terms of power, the C200 is ahead with its 2.6W into 16 ohms, while even Fiio doesn't know how much the K7 delivers into 16 ohms. A support representative told me 1W with the balanced amp, but it seemed like a random thing to avoid making a bad impression, while the official store on AliExpress didn't even know that xD.

Here are measurements: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/fiio-k7/

At 16Ω, 1.5W via 1/4" and 1.7W via 4.4mm

 

[fatal]

Hi @fatal! Welcome to ASR.


The C200 has differential Line out, but both the 1/4" headphone output and the 4.4mm Pentaconn output are single-ended internally.


Zero difference.


The C200 has ruler-flat response, so played through it, the Anandas will sound exactly as intended by Hifiman.


Yes, without a doubt.


Again, zero difference.


Here are measurements: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/fiio-k7/

At 16Ω, 1.5W via 1/4" and 1.7W via 4.4mm

Thanks so much for your reply.
So everything they say about the DAC amp changing the soundstage, imaging, etc., etc., is bullshit?
In the end, which one would you choose between the two? Would the extra €40 be worth it?
In terms of cleanliness, less disruption, etc., which one would you choose?

 

[JSmith]

Hey @fatal and welcome to ASR.

So everything they say about the DAC amp changing the soundstage, imaging, etc., etc., is bullshit?

Generally speaking.... yes.

Compare the measurements posted by @staticV3 and the below tested here;

'AOSHIDA SMSL C200 Review (DAC & Amp)'

Aug 28, 2022

This is a review and detailed measurements of the AOSHIDA SMSL C200 balanced DAC and headphone amplifier. It costs US $210.

The unit looks attractive enough for a desktop product. The LED is function but sadly displays the sample rate rather than volume (until you change that). Navigating the menus is a bit hard but the included remote helps some. It is very nice to see built-in power supply:

As well as balanced output in the form of TRS outputs.

SMSL C200 DAC Measurements
I expect excellent performance from SMSL and it delivers:

...

• amirm
• Replies: 937
• Forum: Combination Audio DAC and Headphone Amplifiers

• 

Some assistance;

'Article: Understanding Digital Audio Measurements'

Dec 24, 2019

EDIT: Kind translation to Spanish by member @RamiroColasurdo here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-audio-measurements.10523/page-8#post-1486638

A detailed tutorial on how one can characterize the true performance of DACs (whether stand-alone or part of your AVR or A/V processor).

Without any formal training, most of us understand basic analog measurements such as frequency response. The concepts there are intuitive: any deviation from flat amplitude at any frequency shows an anomaly. Step into digital audio such...

• amirm
• Replies: 358
• Forum: Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion

• 

JSmith

 

[fatal]

Hey @fatal and welcome to ASR.

Generally speaking.... yes.

Compare the measurements posted by @staticV3 and the below tested here;

'AOSHIDA SMSL C200 Review (DAC & Amp)'

Aug 28, 2022

This is a review and detailed measurements of the AOSHIDA SMSL C200 balanced DAC and headphone amplifier. It costs US $210.

The unit looks attractive enough for a desktop product. The LED is function but sadly displays the sample rate rather than volume (until you change that). Navigating the menus is a bit hard but the included remote helps some. It is very nice to see built-in power supply:

As well as balanced output in the form of TRS outputs.

SMSL C200 DAC Measurements
I expect excellent performance from SMSL and it delivers:

...

• amirm
• Replies: 937
• Forum: Combination Audio DAC and Headphone Amplifiers

• 

Some assistance;

'Article: Understanding Digital Audio Measurements'

Dec 24, 2019

EDIT: Kind translation to Spanish by member @RamiroColasurdo here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-audio-measurements.10523/page-8#post-1486638

A detailed tutorial on how one can characterize the true performance of DACs (whether stand-alone or part of your AVR or A/V processor).

Without any formal training, most of us understand basic analog measurements such as frequency response. The concepts there are intuitive: any deviation from flat amplitude at any frequency shows an anomaly. Step into digital audio such...

• amirm
• Replies: 358
• Forum: Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion

• 

JSmith

Thank you so much! I took a look and it seems the C200 is significantly better.
Less distortion and cleaner, less imbalance between channels, more stable and more loudness.
Did I read the graphs carefully?
Now I'll take a good look at the video tutorial you posted. Thanks again.
@staticV3 and JSmith have helped me a lot

 

[fatal]

@staticV3 JSmith
I received the c200 today, it's very good and takes up little space!
Clean audio without distortion or noise.
I wanted to ask you one last question: with high gain, which filter is best between 1, 4, and 6?
And what should I set the 32-bit sound freq resolution at?
Thanks again for the excellent advice