In search of a small Dac+Amp (for IEMs) that sounds close to Topping DX3 Pro+

[Fraxo]

Hi everyone.

I'm using the Topping DX3 Pro+ for professional work but I also work on the go quite often, so I bought Fiio K3 Dac Amp.
I noticed a significant difference in sound between them, so I though to ask for a recommendation for a budget friendly compact Dac Amp.

 

[Doodski]

The Schiit Magni Heretic is good and has more power than a JDS Labs Atom Amp+.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

The Asgard from Schiit is good.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

I use the old version of the Schiit Heretic headphone amp called the Heresy and a JDS Labs Atom DAC+.

Atom DAC+ _ Shop JDS LABS

Atom DAC+ is built to pair with the enormously popular JDS Labs Atom Amp, now with even higher performance, both USB and TOSLINK inputs, and our latest upgradeable XMOS based firmware with UAC2 support and UAC1 fallback*. Atom DAC+'s subtle light ring glows when in use, automatically powers down...

jdslabs.com

 

[Jimbob54]

Hi everyone.

I'm using the Topping DX3 Pro+ for professional work but I also work on the go quite often, so I bought Fiio K3 Dac Amp.
I noticed a significant difference in sound between them, so I though to ask for a recommendation for a budget friendly compact Dac Amp.

Dongle or matchbox sized?

And which headphones /iem? (ie do you need desktop power levels?)

 

[Count Arthur]

Hi everyone.

I'm using the Topping DX3 Pro+ for professional work but I also work on the go quite often, so I bought Fiio K3 Dac Amp.
I noticed a significant difference in sound between them, so I though to ask for a recommendation for a budget friendly compact Dac Amp.

Did you want something portable?

I have a Hidizs AP80 Pro and I'm very happy with it. It sounds as good as my desktop Amp/DAC to me.

HIDIZS AP80 PRO Portable LDAC Lossless MQA Music Player

With LDAC Bluetooth technology, you can enjoy high-quality wireless streaming, while the compact design and intuitive user interface make it easy to take your music with you wherever you go. Whether you're commuting, traveling, or working out, the Hidizs AP80 Pro is the perfect companion for...

www.hidizs.net

 

[Doodski]

Did you want something portable?

I have a Hidizs AP80 Pro and I'm very happy with it. It sounds as good as my desktop Amp/DAC to me.

HIDIZS AP80 PRO Portable LDAC Lossless MQA Music Player

With LDAC Bluetooth technology, you can enjoy high-quality wireless streaming, while the compact design and intuitive user interface make it easy to take your music with you wherever you go. Whether you're commuting, traveling, or working out, the Hidizs AP80 Pro is the perfect companion for...

www.hidizs.net

It's a pretty awesome unit. I regret seeing it as I may have to spend money now. How does it crank. Does it have EQ/tone controls? I like it loud enough that I can't hear the people talking or the bus noises when I'm riding on public transit. I use this now for on the go tunes when I need compact pocketability and some tone control/EQ would be ace..

https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/walkman/nwz-b180-series#product_details_default

 

[Hatto]

For IEMs on-the-go, Qudelix 5K is pretty good:

Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Qudelix-5K USB DAC and balanced headphone amplifier with Bluetooth receiver. I purchased this myself but a member kindly donated one third of the cost. The Qudelix 5K costs US $110 on Amazon including shipping. The Qudelix comes in a nice...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If you want the best, don't mind a little bulkier unit and have cash to burn, Topping G5 is the best among measured:

Topping G5 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping G5 portable, battery operated DAC, headphone amplifier with bluetooth. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $299. The G5 comes in a super stout metal enclosure. It is on the heavy side for a portable product (2 to 4 times...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Doodski]

If you want the best, don't mind a little bulkier unit and have cash to burn, Topping G5 is the best among measured:

How has the reliability and service been on the Topping G5? I don't recall much complaining about this model but I stay away from all that jazz usually.

 

[Hatto]

How has the reliability and service been on the Topping G5? I don't recall much complaining about this model but I stay away from all that jazz usually.

I have been using multiple Topping products for over a year and haven't had a problem myself, but can't comment on the reliability or customer support on a wider scale.

 

[Dunring]

I just got the Topping DX1 last week and it sounds good with Truthear Zero IEMs. The Sound blaster X1 is handy also for the phone since it's really compact.

 

[Count Arthur]

It's a pretty awesome unit. I regret seeing it as I may have to spend money now. How does it crank. Does it have EQ/tone controls? I like it loud enough that I can't hear the people talking or the bus noises when I'm riding on public transit. I use this now for on the go tunes when I need compact pocketability and some tone control/EQ would be ace..

https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/walkman/nwz-b180-series#product_details_default

It does have EQ, but I've never used it myself - I like the selection of IEMs and headphones I have without it. It's also plenty loud enough with everthing I have, but I guess you might want something with a bit more oomph if you have some headphones that are very demanding.

For reference, the hardest thing to drive that I have is probably my Sennheiser HD560s, and it's fine with those.

 

[Doodski]

It does have EQ, but I've never used it myself - I like the selection of IEMs and headphones I have without it. It's also plenty loud enough with everthing I have, but I guess you might want something with a bit more oomph if you have some headphones that are very demanding.

For reference, the hardest thing to drive that I have is probably my Sennheiser HD560s, and it's fine with those.

Interesting because I own the Sennheiser HD598s and they are pretty efficient compared to the ear buds that I owned. I was using these KEFs until after 4 years they finally tore out the left side wire assembly.

KEF M100 In-Ear Headphones - Champagne Gold

M100 - HI-FI EARPHONES Supremely comfortable lightweight in-ears combining KEF design innovation and precision engineering to give you true high resolution sound on the move. HIGH RESOLUTION SOUND In line with KEF’s obsessive pursuit of ever-higher sonic resolution, M100 Hi-Fi earphones...

www.visions.ca

They sounded great and took a lot of rough treatment. I paid ~$65 of them. But they dies so I need new stuff and like lotsa treble.

 

[raif71]

You may want to try this "DIY" setup which doesn't require any power from the wall plug

compound effects of connectors and cables throughout stack?

After digging in to variations of a new amp and looking at interconnects used by different makers, I'm left wondering about the compounding effects of both consistent connectors + wiring between devices to speakers, and mixed. Considering in my stack and ignoring the XLR route for now, I'll...

www.audiosciencereview.com