Value for money iOS DAC?

[Seanudal]

Hi, I have watched lots of reviews of portable DACs like the Dragonfly, Earman and many others. Then started researching the chips used by Cirrus Logic, ESS and Realtek. The price of a tiny portable DAC varies from $6 AU for ALC4050 on Alibaba/AliExpress to $600 AU for items like the Dragonfly Cobalt. I have looked at cheap ChiFi versions like the Lusya Fever and ddHiFi.

Some of these do not support iOS which is a pity as the Lusya Fever is only $30 AU and apparently sounds great. Does anyone know of a decent mobile DAC that does not cost the earth. It must be possible to make a very good iOS DAC for under $100 AU.

Thank you

 

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

Fiio BTR3k supports anything as far as I know but picky about what it can handle

It even supports Windows XP without a driver, sounds good enough with the right headphones, and has excellent range if you choose to use it as a Bluetooth receiver instead of a wired DAC (can be used for either)

For example, it works great with Phillips Fidelio X2HR but not loud enough for a Sundara Planar

Great bluetooth 5.0 range if your transmitter is top notch and it costs about $70

Accepts Aptx Low Latency for gaming and movies but could not find any in depth review at this site

I'd definitely buy again

Just wish it had more power for planars

 

[Vict0r]

My Tempotec Sonata HD Pro (also knows as the Hidisz S8) works without drivers on my Macbook. I just plug in the USB-C and all is well. It's relatively cheap, and Amir measured and liked it.

 

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

My Tempotec Sonata HD Pro (also knows as the Hidisz S8) works without drivers on my Macbook. I just plug in the USB-C and all is well. It's relatively cheap, and Amir measured and liked it.

Yeah, I got the Hidizs S9 for the Sundara

More than enough power but over the $100 mark

 

[Vict0r]

Yeah, I got the Hidizs S9 for the Sundara

More than enough power but over the $100 mark

The Tempotec Sonata HD Pro is $51 right now. https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4000328408705.html

 

[Seanudal]

Thank you for the feedback

 

[Zek]

Here is the latest version ...TempoTec Sonata E35 Dual CS43131 DAC
https://www.tempotec.net/blogs/tempotec-sonata-e35

 

[Wes]

Apple devices already have a good DAC built in

 

[Zensō]

Why not the excellent Apple dongle?

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/

 

[Jimbob54]

Hi, I have watched lots of reviews of portable DACs like the Dragonfly, Earman and many others. Then started researching the chips used by Cirrus Logic, ESS and Realtek. The price of a tiny portable DAC varies from $6 AU for ALC4050 on Alibaba/AliExpress to $600 AU for items like the Dragonfly Cobalt. I have looked at cheap ChiFi versions like the Lusya Fever and ddHiFi.

Some of these do not support iOS which is a pity as the Lusya Fever is only $30 AU and apparently sounds great. Does anyone know of a decent mobile DAC that does not cost the earth. It must be possible to make a very good iOS DAC for under $100 AU.

Thank you

The ios version of tempotec sonata hd Pro (just means ships with lightning not usb c cable)

Same as hidizs S8 with a different shell. Can be had for about $40 us from tempotec Aliexpress store.