Thanks for the suggestions.
By 'pretty much the only ones', I was meaning that have been measured
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USB Dongle DAC
- Thread starter sivsoft
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By 'pretty much the only ones', I was meaning that have been measured
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Cast your eye over https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/category/portable/ (assuming youre not a chinese speaker, will need to translate)
I was expecting someone to have already gone through this, that's why I was asking
No worries I have some time to kill this weekend
staticV3
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Here are just a few 4.4mm dongles. Not included are Bluetooth adapters and 4.4mm SE dongles.
Tanchjim Space
FiiO KA2
ifi GO bar
Quloos MC-01
HiBy FC4
EarMen Colibri
iBasso DC06
Audirect Beam 3S
MoonDrop MoonRiver2
Shanling UA5
Cayin RU6
FiiO KA3
Luxury&Precision W2-131
Lotoo PAW-S2
ColorFly CDA-M1
Luxury&Precision W2
iBasso DC04
Quloos QLS MC01
Shanling UA3
Shanling UA2 Plus
DUNU DTC-500
Questyle M15
ddHiFi TC44C
ddHiFi TC44B
FiiO KA2
ifi GO bar
Quloos MC-01
HiBy FC4
EarMen Colibri
iBasso DC06
Audirect Beam 3S
MoonDrop MoonRiver2
Shanling UA5
Cayin RU6
FiiO KA3
Luxury&Precision W2-131
Lotoo PAW-S2
ColorFly CDA-M1
Luxury&Precision W2
iBasso DC04
Quloos QLS MC01
Shanling UA3
Shanling UA2 Plus
DUNU DTC-500
Questyle M15
ddHiFi TC44C
ddHiFi TC44B
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No free lunches hereI was expecting someone to have already gone through this, that's why I was asking
No worries I have some time to kill this weekend
Ken Tajalli
Major Contributor
@Phoney , on a different thread, had suggested Qudelix 5k, which is a good Dongle with both balanced and unbalanced output.
There is always E1DA , but it is either or.
Has anyone suggested that yet?
Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Qudelix-5K USB DAC and balanced headphone amplifier with Bluetooth receiver. I purchased this myself but a member kindly donated one third of the cost. The Qudelix 5K costs US $110 on Amazon including shipping. The Qudelix comes in a nice...
www.audiosciencereview.com
As far as I know there are several others, like Questyle M15, iBasso DC06, etc.
Last edited:
Peterinvan
Senior Member
I have the Cayin RU6 USB-C, 4.4mm balanced R2R DAC and amp. I use this out of my iPad Pro with all my phones. Really enjoy the sound profile.
My iPhone 6 will not power it. I use a FiiO KA3 on the iPhone (USB-C to Lightning cable). It's also fully balanced 4.4mm out. Not quite as good sounding as the RU6, but fine for out and about.
Top 4 in terms of measurement appears to be:
Luxury&Precision W2, MoonDrop MoonRiver2, Tanchjim Space, MoonDrop Dawn 4.4
Tanchjim Space and MoonDrop Dawn 4.4 are killers in terms of price/performance. The amp of the Tanchim Space seems to be slightly better.
MoonRiver 2 has a better amp. If it was €150 I’d go for it, but it’s like €230 on Amazon. It’s about 3 times the price of the Dawn 4.4. Hard to justify…
If budget is not an issue, the W2 is certainly a good option with appealing features. I wouldn’t need those TBH.
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Fair summary. Amongst those you pick the one that can power the phones you need it to for the best price.
ericafterdark
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How about the iFi GO bar? Well maybe the price ain't sane...
staticV3
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Even more insane considering the performance...
I did not know Tanchjim Space, really impressive dongle that ticks several needs:
- 3.5 and 4.4 mm at the same time
- Low distortion and noise
- Independent volume control
- Detachable cable
- Affordable
It would be my choice of dongle if I were buying one today.
Thanks for the tip!
TANCHJIM SPACE Dual CS43131 Portable USB DAC/AMP
shenzhenaudio.com: professional headphone, earphone, amplifier, dac, decoder, hifi player, cable supermarket. you will find good price here.
shenzhenaudio.com
Measurements of TANCHJIM Space USBDAC/HPAMP(Prototype) - L7Audiolab
便携设备 这台 TANCHJIM Space 小尾巴之前在展会中出现过样机，展会结束之后梁工就找了一台工程样机寄给我，让我看看有没有需要改进的地方（这是被厂商嫖成产品经理了的节奏）…… 虽然是工程样机，但经过和梁工的沟通之后我获得了发布授权：
www.l7audiolab.com
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That familiar ifi spray of distortion...
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I've had one on order from shenzhenaudio for the last month not yet despatched. Not sure what the hold up is but I'd wait to see if people have got theirs before orderingI did not know Tanchjim Space, really impressive dongle that ticks several needs:
- 3.5 and 4.4 mm at the same time
- Low distortion and noise
- Independent volume control
- Detachable cable
- Affordable
It would be my choice of dongle if I were buying one today.
Thanks for the tip!
TANCHJIM SPACE Dual CS43131 Portable USB DAC/AMP
shenzhenaudio.com: professional headphone, earphone, amplifier, dac, decoder, hifi player, cable supermarket. you will find good price here.
Measurements of TANCHJIM Space USBDAC/HPAMP(Prototype) - L7Audiolab
便携设备 这台 TANCHJIM Space 小尾巴之前在展会中出现过样机，展会结束之后梁工就找了一台工程样机寄给我，让我看看有没有需要改进的地方（这是被厂商嫖成产品经理了的节奏）…… 虽然是工程样机，但经过和梁工的沟通之后我获得了发布授权：
Was highly tempted as well but gave up since it woyld be too messy to return things to Shenzhenaudio.
I ordered a MoonRiver 2 from Amazon. I can easily return if not convinced
I just ordered a Tanchjim Space as an unnecessary, impulse purchase... Let's see if it replaces my TempoTec Sonata E44 for driving the Dusk.
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I didn't. I have both. But the 5k is more versatile due to eq and both balanced and single ended.
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