openbaffle3278
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- May 5, 2018
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Currently ready to pull the trigger on a portable DAC/headphone AMP to use with my iPhone, iPad and laptop while traveling. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the iFi Nano iDSD BL and the Topping NX4 DSD. They are pretty close in price ($199 USD vs. $160 USD. Both are available with Amazon Prime).
My headphones are a pair of HD650s (Home/Office listening use) and Earsonics Velvets (for use when traveling).
Pros of the Nano iDSD BL:
* Cleaner wire routing with the Camera Connection Kit (afforded by the male USB input of the iDSD).
* iE match built in.
* More than enough power for the HD650s, I think.
Pros of the NX4 DSD:
* Measured well on this forum. Nano iDSD BL not yet measured.
* Better form factor IMO for stacking on an iPhone, albeit with worse wire management unless I try a non-Apple-CCK micro USB to lightning cable.
* $30 less expensive.
* Hi/low gain options and bass boost option, which may be nice for the HD650s.
* Charging pass-through to keep the unit charged up while sitting on my desk (or using a backup battery) -- I don't see any way to do with with the Nano, unless I am missing something.
NX4 channel imbalance concerns me a little bit with my IEMs (31 ohm/116 dB sensitivity). The xDSD and Micro iDSD BL are both really nice, but outside my budget right now (which is right around $200). Let me know if you think I've missed something here.
My headphones are a pair of HD650s (Home/Office listening use) and Earsonics Velvets (for use when traveling).
Pros of the Nano iDSD BL:
* Cleaner wire routing with the Camera Connection Kit (afforded by the male USB input of the iDSD).
* iE match built in.
* More than enough power for the HD650s, I think.
Pros of the NX4 DSD:
* Measured well on this forum. Nano iDSD BL not yet measured.
* Better form factor IMO for stacking on an iPhone, albeit with worse wire management unless I try a non-Apple-CCK micro USB to lightning cable.
* $30 less expensive.
* Hi/low gain options and bass boost option, which may be nice for the HD650s.
* Charging pass-through to keep the unit charged up while sitting on my desk (or using a backup battery) -- I don't see any way to do with with the Nano, unless I am missing something.
NX4 channel imbalance concerns me a little bit with my IEMs (31 ohm/116 dB sensitivity). The xDSD and Micro iDSD BL are both really nice, but outside my budget right now (which is right around $200). Let me know if you think I've missed something here.