I own 115 dB/mW sensitivity Andromeda IEMs and 94 dB/mW sensitivity Sundara headphones, so I'm searching for a reasonably-priced battery-powered portable DAC/amp with a ~1 ohm output impedance, respectable power output, and a noise floor low enough (-110 dBv is ideal according to what I've read) to not hiss with the Andromedas. I've been burned by subjectivist recommendations before, so I'd like to look at measurements to figure out what to try next.
It's easy enough to learn whether a DAC meets the first two requirements through Amir's reviews, but I don't know how to distinguish between noise floor and distortion when looking at Amir's measurements. How would I go about doing this?
It's easy enough to learn whether a DAC meets the first two requirements through Amir's reviews, but I don't know how to distinguish between noise floor and distortion when looking at Amir's measurements. How would I go about doing this?