Power-Efficient Portable DAC/AMP

[ekardscribner]

Hi all--

Long time lurker here; I've found great value in the many reviews and discussions. I'm searching for a portable DAC/AMP to ride in the pocket with my Galaxy S22 while in use (using the FiiO MagClip or similar). Terminal eardrum transducers include Shure SE425 IEMs and Grado SR80x/SR325x headphones. I'd like to avoid permanent cables to extend the usable life of the device and allow me to use a U-shaped USB-C cable.

I have the Fiio KA17, but it's quite power-hungry. As my listening equipment doesn't require much power, I'd like to optimize my decision based on power efficiency to extend the battery life of my phone. To start, I've picked through the reviews for some of the top recommended products based on SINAD in a recent review, but power consumption is not always a measured trait. As such, it's hard to know what I'm missing.

Candidates so far include
- FiiO KA11
- Fosi DS1
- Fosi DS2
- HIDIZ S8

Can anyone weigh in on this question? I'd love to hear your experiences with these or any other device that is known to be remarkably power efficient and transparent.

Thanks for reading,
Ekard

 

[JamesYeomans]

I'd go for an Apple USB C dongle if you want something portable, yet very power efficient: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/

 

[ekardscribner]

I'd go for an Apple USB C dongle

Thank you for your suggestion. I have a few of these on hand, but I want to avoid permanent cables out of concern for durability. I would prefer to use a device with a USB-C port that will allow me to choose (and replace) my cable and mounting solution. I quite like the ability to mount the device on the phone, making the 3.5mm jack sturdy and protected in the pocket.

ETA: I'm sure it's apparent that I mourn the loss of the 3.5mm jack on cell phones!

 

[JamesYeomans]

Ah yes, you did mention no attached cable. My bad.
However, I remember someone on ASR applying cable shrink to the cable part of the Apple dongle, which made it much more sturdy: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...c-headphone-adapters.5541/page-15#post-260848

 

[staticV3]

Here's a chart with all my dongles:


The upper five entries are all thumb drive style, the rest all dongle style with fixed cable.

I'd try to find a CX31993 thumb drive comverter with no discrete Amp stage advertised on the product page (since that would increase power consumption).

 

[ekardscribner]

I remember someone on ASR applying cable shrink to the cable part of the Apple dongle

Yes, that is a good idea!

Here's a chart with all my dongles:

That helpful chart provides many points of comparison for reference; thank you for sharing. I'll look into that chip.

 

[LTig]

Qudelix 5k - has its own rechargeable battery.

 

[ekardscribner]

Multiple reviews of the HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin at Head-FI praise the unit for power consumption comparable to a built-in USB-C Dongle. One user measured the power consumption to be "0.06A 0.32W with a 32Ω load." This seems pretty reasonable to me.

The device uses two CS43131 chips, as far as I can tell without an additional op-amp stage. It seems to fit the bill. If the performance is anything like Amir's review of the standard S8, it should be a winner.

Qudelix 5k - has its own rechargeable battery.

I like this idea but I'd like to explore what can be done without the addition of any further maintenance items such as another battery to tend, with my headphones being so easy to drive.

I'd try to find a CX31993 thumb drive comverter

I like the CX31993 recommendation too but so far they all seem to be of the built-in cable variety.

---

Unless anyone knows of an even *more* efficient DAC with a removable USB-C cable, I might give the HIDIZS a try. I'd be happy to send it in for testing, too.

 

[john61ct]

Note that with LDAC and modern aptX codecs signal quality of wireless is just as transparent as wired, especially in an on-the-go context.

A point in favor of Qudelix-5K for future use when you update your phone.

Its battery lasts for years even in daily use, and can be replaced.

 

[ekardscribner]

A point in favor of Qudelix-5K for future use when you update your phone.

The more I think about this suggestion, the more interesting it becomes... Most of the time on-the-go I am use my Sony WF-1000XM5 with LDAC. They sound good, but I prefer the experience of my wired stuff. This could be a cool option.

Even the inline built-in cable dongles are appealing in their own right, if it didn't bother me so much to hang heavy headphone cables from them. Maybe I'm making too much of this whole thing.

 

[john61ct]

Yes wireless is so much more comfortable and convenient. And going that way allows for easily swapping the wired headphones, and using them with your home system while moving around.

 

[dtaylo1066]

JCally has been very good to me with my iPhone and Galaxy tablet.

 

[ekardscribner]

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions. You helped me think about this in a completely different way.

I've decided to purchase a DAP, which will solve various issues for me. I have also ordered the JCally AP7 and AP10 units which balance power consumption and output and should compliment my FiiO KA17 and larger amps.

For now I've skipped the "most power-efficient" class that I believe would be represented by the JM20 or JM20 Pro, although it seems clear that those may be the best options in their class.