Wanting a DAC for my iPhone 15 Pro Max, advice as a newbie?

[WaynesterUK]

Hi folks

I have just got an iPhone 15 Pro Max, I also have the following headphones which I’ll be using

Sony MDR-7506 (63 Ohms)

Sony MDR-V55 (40 Ohms)

Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO (32 Ohms)

I’m wanting to get a DAC for my iPhone,

which would you go for out of the Fiio KA5 or the iBasso DC06??

Would these easily drive any of my headphones, or would the phone be powerful enough to drive them easily ?

 

[staticV3]

Start with the Apple headphone adapter. You can get one from your local Apple store, or buy one online.

Edit: I found a US version of the Apple dongle on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256555352294

Depending on the USB host device, it can play about 50% louder than one from your local Apple store.

If the Apple headphone adapter can play loud enough for your needs, then no amount of money spent on fancier DACs or Amps may improve the sound quality coming from your headphones.

One way to actually improve sound quality would be to buy a device capable of EQing your headphones, like for example the Qudelix 5K (it's a DSP+DAC+Amp).

With it, you can correct the frequency response of your headphones to get a more faithful rendition of your songs.
You can connect it via USB for lossless audio transmission, or use Bluetooth for convenience.

 

[WaynesterUK]

Start with the Apple headphone adapter. You can get one from your local Apple store, or buy one online.

Edit: I found a US version of the Apple dongle on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256555352294

Depending on the USB host device, it can play about 50% louder than one from your local Apple store.

If the Apple headphone adapter can play loud enough for your needs, then no amount of money spent on fancier DACs or Amps may improve the sound quality coming from your headphones.

One way to actually improve sound quality would be to buy a device capable of EQing your headphones, like for example the Qudelix 5K (it's a DSP+DAC+Amp).

With it, you can correct the frequency response of your headphones to get a more faithful rendition of your songs.
You can connect it via USB for lossless audio transmission, or use Bluetooth for convenience.

Oh… I’ve already got the actual Apple adaptor already, which I use with my headphones…

was hoping to get rid of it and get one of the DACs I’ve mentioned… but if it’s not gonna make any difference and improve sound quality or raise volume output with my mentioned headphones, no point??

 

[staticV3]

Oh… I’ve already got the actual Apple adaptor already, which I use with my headphones…

was hoping to get rid of it and get one of the DACs I’ve mentioned… but if it’s not gonna make any difference and improve sound quality or raise volume output with my mentioned headphones, no point??

If your Apple adapter is already loud enough, then there's no point in upgrading.

If it's not quite loud enough, try the US dongle from eBay.

If you're looking for a clear step up in sound quality, consider the Qudelix 5K.

 

[WaynesterUK]

Ordered the US Dongle from your link thanks

I have the UK one already no complaints with it but find watching YouTube or listening to Music, I could do with it being louder!


I take it that the USA dongle fixes this issue and why is the UK one restricted volume wise ??

 

[staticV3]

I take it that the USA dongle fixes this issue

Again: it depends on the USB Host device.

Some Apple devices like iMacs and iPads can bypass the EU/UK dongle's volume restriction making it play just as loud as the US dongle.

On most USB Host devices, the US dongle will be louder.

and why is the UK one restricted volume wise ??

EU restriction to reduce hearing damage.

 

[WaynesterUK]

Hmmmm.. just digging around under my bed and in my storage boxes I found my Fiio E12 Mont Blanc

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1097111-REG/fiio_e12a_mont_blanc_portable.html

I just had some 32 ohm and 250 ohm Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro’s arrive off Amazon, plugged each of them to try into the Apple UK USB C to Headphone Dongle, hardly any volume on both of them, but both sound nice, just very quiet

 

[DVDdoug]

but find watching YouTube or listening to Music, I could do with it being louder!

As you may know, all of the popular streaming services use loudness matching (AKA loudness normalization). Since many quiet-sounding tracks have "maximized" 0dB peaks and they can't be turned-up without clipping, the only way to volume-match is to set a loudness target that turns-down loud songs/programs, and the volume on most material gets reduced. That's not a problem if you've got enough analog power/gain.