USB DAC with headphone amp

[powerdac]

hello all,

i'm looking what the title says. balanced out will go to adam active speakers.
headphone amp will PROBABLY drive hifiman 400se so if it has some output juice would be highly considered.
combos (2machines) that fit in the price might also do, i'm open to a good suggestion there too.

1) SQ is crucial (because of the price range)
2) more outputs/inputs are welcome (understtod with more options SQ may go a little bit lower for the same price)
3) the newer machine the better

i highly prefer external PSUs as that would give me the option to play around.


could i have 2-3 suggestions in the 180-350 (total) euro price please?
any experience with the products is very welcome!

if i forgot something please ask.

thank you for your time!

 

[VintageFlanker]

Welcome !

1) SQ is crucial (because of the price range)

SQ is a done deal with any modern and decently engineered DAC from 80 to ∞ €/$/£/etc (you forgot to mention which currency, BTW).

i highly prefer external PSUs as that would give me the option to play around.

I hope that you don't imply improving SQ by playing around, because this is not gonna happen.

For your needs and budget, the S.M.S.L RAW-MDA1 will do the trick :

SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 stereo DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by SMSL and it is a collaboration with Shenzehenaudio (available elsewhere as well) and is on sale for $246. The first thing I noticed was the much more polished display. It is...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[staticV3]

Hi @powerdac! Welcome to ASR.

Here are some suggestions:

SMSL C200, DL100, DL200, RAW-MDA1
Topping DX5 Lite, EX5

Don't bother with external ("upgraded") PSUs, they're a complete waste of time and money.

 

[powerdac]

Welcome !

SQ is a done deal with any modern and decently engineered DAC from 80 to ∞ €/$/£/etc (you forgot to mention which currency, BTW).


I hope that you don't imply improving SQ by playing around, because this is not gonna happen.

For your needs and budget, the S.M.S.L RAW-MDA1 will do the trick :

SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 stereo DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by SMSL and it is a collaboration with Shenzehenaudio (available elsewhere as well) and is on sale for $246. The first thing I noticed was the much more polished display. It is...

www.audiosciencereview.com

thx a lot for your suggestion, price is in euro.

for the PSU, i would guess an outboard battery PSU or a salas PCB should outperform (the margin is debatable i guess) the standard PSUs they give.
even if they didnt, it is something i would like to test for the pleasure of doing so. i acknowledge having more choices always better.

your reccomendation though seems quite solid and probably ticks all the boxes. i will consider very seriously! -

 

[powerdac]

Hi @powerdac! Welcome to ASR.

Here are some suggestions:

SMSL C200, DL100, DL200, RAW-MDA1
Topping DX5 Lite, EX5

Don't bother with external ("upgraded") PSUs, they're a complete waste of time and money.

hello and thank you for your kind words.

it wasnt my intention to pay another 200-400 euro for an upgraded PSU, i undestand your meaning.
but i could certainly play with what i have or from what i can gather from friends around!

i guess with 6 machines that is all i need to go to homework!!!!!!

haha, thx a lot!!!

 

[VintageFlanker]

for the PSU, i would guess an outboard battery PSU or a salas PCB should outperform (the margin is debatable i guess) the standard PSUs they give.

Haem, no. It's not debatable, it's measurable and as such, demonstrable.

And we already know for sure : for any improvement that another PSU would bring (if any "improvement" at all to begin with), it will be way outside audibility thresholds. Waste of time and money. Not to mention that most manufacturers will void your warranty when you do such things. If a whatever DAC would need an aftermarket PSU to be upgraded regarding SQ, then it is a bad DAC. Period.

 

[powerdac]

Haem, no. It's not debatable, it's measurable and as such, demonstrable.

And we already know for sure : for any improvement that another PSU would bring (if any "improvement" at all to begin with), it will be way outside audibility thresholds. Waste of time and money. Not to mention that most manufacturers will void your warranty when you do such things. If a whatever DAC would need an aftermarket PSU to be upgraded regarding SQ, then it is a bad DAC. Period.

edit: (the PERCEIVED -audible-margin would be debatable i guess) sry!!!-

Indeed, the DAC is easy to bring it to very low noise levels these days. The IC's have progressed so much more.
I'm not sure though that the THD+N of the headphone amp stays below the threshold, especially in the 20-400mw range. there the external psu might have been some help especially with difficult headphones.

But i wouldnt complain. Because if i did, one would say what did you expect for 250$? Indeed, this class of performance would need 1500$ before 10 years (if you could find).
But since the device has the PSU inside, it's take it or leave it i guess -))))))))).

The only thing that makes me really sad is that i see only two companies suggested. it would be so much better if people
would have more choices.

VintageFlanker, thx again for your contribution and have a nice day!