AnalogSteph
Major Contributor
Right now my Bed-Fi® setup consists of:
Dell Latitude E6330 w/ Windows 10 and Foobar2000 --> JDS Labs Atom Amp+ --> HD600
Which is basically adequate but there's something screwy going on with the highs in the IDT onboard audio unless I upsample which takes some CPU time even with the Foobar2000 SoX resampler, and the less fan noise the better.
So I'd like something that provides good clean output at mostly 44.1k/48k, ideally with low periodic passband ripple in a "standard" fast rolloff filter, is USB powered with a cable (the Latitude has USB type A, and the port I'd use is at the back), compact, decently robust, not lit up like a Christmas tree, has either a 3.5 mm stereo or twin RCA output (right now I'm using a Fiio L3 interconnect, otherwise I only have a shabby old RCA cable to spare), and is easily obtained e.g. via Amazon here in Germany, preferably for around 100€ or less. Something that can drive HD600s directly with plenty of gain reserve would reduce the (unwelcome) cable clutter but it would be a bit of a shame to render the Atom Amp+ unemployed.
What I have looked at:
Fiio E10K Type-C (69€) - seems basically adequate (dynamic range plenty, output and distortion fine, filter so-so) but reports of failing USB jacks have me slightly worried
Fiio KA1 (59€/49€) - again basically (more than) adequate but a bit much ESS hump for my liking
Fiio KA3 (89€) - seems better
Fiio KA5 (139€) - the option of having Toslink out is neat though I don't even have any DAC for it, and it's getting a bit $$$
Topping DX1 (99€) - a contender for sure, even if maximum output would be a step back from the Atom Amp+
Topping E30 II Lite (99€) - still limited availability, but seemingly improving
iFi GO Link (59€) - seems similar to KA1, cable not too robust?
Fosi Audio DS1 (89.99€) - seems similar to KA3, otherwise no idea
Qudelix-5K (129€) - I don't really need its DSP capabilities here, and again getting a bit $$$
EDIT: Moondrop Dawn (49€) - seems like a good one, but not quickly available?
Any t ()houghts?
Dell Latitude E6330 w/ Windows 10 and Foobar2000 --> JDS Labs Atom Amp+ --> HD600
Which is basically adequate but there's something screwy going on with the highs in the IDT onboard audio unless I upsample which takes some CPU time even with the Foobar2000 SoX resampler, and the less fan noise the better.
So I'd like something that provides good clean output at mostly 44.1k/48k, ideally with low periodic passband ripple in a "standard" fast rolloff filter, is USB powered with a cable (the Latitude has USB type A, and the port I'd use is at the back), compact, decently robust, not lit up like a Christmas tree, has either a 3.5 mm stereo or twin RCA output (right now I'm using a Fiio L3 interconnect, otherwise I only have a shabby old RCA cable to spare), and is easily obtained e.g. via Amazon here in Germany, preferably for around 100€ or less. Something that can drive HD600s directly with plenty of gain reserve would reduce the (unwelcome) cable clutter but it would be a bit of a shame to render the Atom Amp+ unemployed.
What I have looked at:
Fiio E10K Type-C (69€) - seems basically adequate (dynamic range plenty, output and distortion fine, filter so-so) but reports of failing USB jacks have me slightly worried
Fiio KA1 (59€/49€) - again basically (more than) adequate but a bit much ESS hump for my liking
Fiio KA3 (89€) - seems better
Fiio KA5 (139€) - the option of having Toslink out is neat though I don't even have any DAC for it, and it's getting a bit $$$
Topping DX1 (99€) - a contender for sure, even if maximum output would be a step back from the Atom Amp+
Topping E30 II Lite (99€) - still limited availability, but seemingly improving
iFi GO Link (59€) - seems similar to KA1, cable not too robust?
Fosi Audio DS1 (89.99€) - seems similar to KA3, otherwise no idea
Qudelix-5K (129€) - I don't really need its DSP capabilities here, and again getting a bit $$$
EDIT: Moondrop Dawn (49€) - seems like a good one, but not quickly available?
Any t ()houghts?
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