{"id":147853,"date":"2022-08-29T14:03:07","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T13:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=147853"},"modified":"2022-08-29T14:03:07","modified_gmt":"2022-08-29T13:03:07","slug":"the-very-best-portable-dacs-headphone-amplifiers-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/speakers\/the-very-best-portable-dacs-headphone-amplifiers-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"The very best portable DACs\/Headphone Amplifiers 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Portable USB DACs combined with a headphone amplifier are a booming market segment. In recent years, manufacturers have unleashed a veritable ninth wave of new products on users, with manufacturers from China and Taiwan confidently coming to the fore, offering the highest value for money.<\/p>\n

Since the beginning of the year, many excellent models of portable devices have appeared on the market, combining a DAC and a headphone amplifier, which will allow you to turn your smartphone into an audiophile player.\u00a0Rating, as usual, is compiled in ascending order of price.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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9. FiiO Jade Audio KA2<\/h3>\n

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Price \u2013 $59.99<\/i><\/p>\n

This portable digital-to-analog converter and amplifier is designed for use exclusively with headphones equipped with a 4.4 mm plug.\u00a0The FiiO KA2 model has only one balanced output of the corresponding format.\u00a0The DAC block is based on a dual chip CS43131 from Cirrus Logic and works with PCM stream resolution up to 32bit\/384kHz and DSD256.\u00a0The user can select one of five digital filters.\u00a0The body is completely made of aluminum, the LED indicator color indicates the resolution of the incoming digital signal.\u00a0The model weighs only 12.3 grams and can run a proprietary application.\u00a0The Lightning version costs $10 more.\u00a0Output power – 153 mW at 32 ohms.<\/p>\n

Pros – balanced design, aluminum body, low price<\/p>\n

Cons – only one 4.4mm jack<\/p>\n

Verdict: Inexpensive and well-equipped DAC<\/b><\/p>\n

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8. Moondrop DAWN<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $69.99<\/i><\/p>\n

Another budget digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier built according to a balanced circuit.\u00a0It also has two CS43131 chips from Cirrus Logic, plus two independent clock generators.\u00a0The cylindrical body is made of aluminum alloy, the USB-C port is designed to supply a digital signal with a resolution of up to PCM 32\/768 and DSD256.\u00a0The built-in amplifier has a switchable gain level that provides either 4V or 2V line output, depending on the option selected.\u00a0Output power is 230 mW into 32 ohms.\u00a0A 4.4 mm jack is used to connect headphones.<\/p>\n

Pros \u2013 PCM 32\/768 support, good power, independent clock generators<\/p>\n

Cons \u2013 Requires a 4.4mm mini-jack cable<\/p>\n

Verdict: Miniature device for economical audiophiles<\/b><\/p>\n

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7. HiBy FC4<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $89<\/i><\/p>\n

This model uses a dual ES9218PC chip from Saber Technologies and has two headphone jacks – a balanced 4.4 mm jack and an unbalanced 3.5 mm jack.\u00a0The signal timing accuracy is provided by two independent FPGAs, the device supports PCM stream up to 32bit\/768kHz and native DSD256.\u00a0The body of the model is completely metal, with physical volume keys.\u00a0The LED indicator informs in color about the type of digital signal coming to the input.\u00a0The power of the model is up to 340 mW at 32 Ohms, the device weighs 21.7 grams.<\/p>\n

Pros \u2013 high power, two types of output connector, physical buttons<\/p>\n

Cons – nothing major<\/p>\n

Verdict: A versatile and inexpensive option for different types of headphones<\/b><\/p>\n

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6. DUNU DTC 500<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $90<\/i><\/p>\n

A cute little device that combines a digital-to-analog converter and a headphone amplifier.\u00a0It has 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks, and output power is 200mW.\u00a0The DAC unit is based on the ES 9038Q2M chip capable of working with PCM 32 bit\/768 kHz and DSD 512. The model has a built-in clock generator for asynchronous data transfer, and the amplifier stage is implemented on two Ricore RT6863 operational amplifiers.\u00a0The LED indicator in the device lights up in a different color depending on the sampling rate of the incoming signal.\u00a0The weight of the model is 17 grams.<\/p>\n

Pros \u2013 original design, two types of headphone jack, DSD 512 support<\/p>\n

Cons – not the highest power, no physical keys<\/p>\n

Verdict: Good compromise between features and price<\/b><\/p>\n

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5. Shanling UA3<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $109<\/i><\/p>\n

The model is the first DAC in the UA series built on a chip from Asahi Kasei.\u00a0The device uses the latest dual converter AK4493SEQ, two Ricore RT6863 chips are responsible for amplifying the signal.\u00a0The model can handle PCM 32bit\/768kHz and DSD512 streams via USB-C port operating in UAC1.0 and UAC2.0 modes.\u00a0Two headphone jacks are provided – unbalanced 3.5 mm and balanced 4.4 mm.\u00a0The physical volume keys are located on the wide side of the case.\u00a0The output power reaches 211 mW into 32 ohms.<\/p>\n

Pros \u2013 AKM DAC, Ricore op amps, two USB modes<\/p>\n

Cons – unassuming design<\/p>\n

Verdict: A versatile model with good sound<\/b><\/p>\n

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4. iBasso DC06<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $119<\/i><\/p>\n

In this model, the DAC block is built on two ES9219C chips from ESS Saber Technologies, capable of working with PCM 32 bit\/384 kHz, as well as native DSD256.\u00a0The device also supports full hardware decoding of MQA files.\u00a0A separate clock generator with femtosecond precision is responsible for maintaining the timing characteristics.\u00a0Two headphone jacks are provided – 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm, a detachable cable with a USB-C connector is included.\u00a0The maximum output voltage is 2V at 32 ohms at the 3.5mm output and 3.2V at 32 ohms at the 4.4mm balanced output.\u00a0The novelty weighs 23 grams.<\/p>\n

Pros \u2013 latest chip from ESS, work with MQA files<\/p>\n

Cons – except perhaps the design<\/p>\n

Verdict: One of the best models of the new season<\/b><\/p>\n

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3. FiiO Q3 MQA<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $149<\/i><\/p>\n

The new generation DAC block of the popular model uses the AK4452 chip from Asahi Kasei, in addition, it received the ability to natively decode MQA files.\u00a0The processing of the incoming signal is entrusted to the latest generation XMOS XU316 processor.\u00a0There are three outputs for connecting headphones – balanced 2.5 mm, 4.4 mm, as well as the usual 3.5 mm.\u00a0Battery life has increased to 23 hours in AUX mode and 12 hours in USB mode.\u00a0The amplifying part is built on two THX AA-28 modules, the output power with a balanced connection is 370 mW at 32 Ohms.<\/p>\n

Pros – amplification from THX, DAC on chips from Asahi Kasei, three types of connectors<\/p>\n

Cons – Nothing for the price.<\/p>\n

Verdict: Powerful model with excellent equipment<\/b><\/p>\n

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2. Moondrop Moonriver 2<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $189.99<\/i><\/p>\n

The device is enclosed in a metal case, machined from a single billet of aluminum.\u00a0The model has a fully symmetrical circuit, the DAC block is built on two CS43198 chips.\u00a0A USB-C port is provided for signaling, and there are two jacks for connecting headphones – a regular 3.5 mm and a symmetrical 4.4 mm, both of which can work both in linear mode and in adjustable mode.\u00a0The voltage at the output of 3.5 mm is 2V, at the balanced 4.4 mm – 4V.\u00a0The package includes a USB Type-C cable.<\/p>\n

Pros – unusual design, balanced circuit, the ability to work in linear mode, the flagship chip from Cirrus Logic<\/p>\n

Cons – not everyone will like the design<\/p>\n

Verdict: Compact model with powerful DAC and amplifier<\/b><\/p>\n

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1.Questyle M15<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $249<\/i><\/p>\n

The device uses a proprietary current amplification circuit implemented on CMA SiP modules.\u00a0Its use allows you to connect even full-sized on-ear high-impedance headphones to a miniature gadget.\u00a0The model’s DAC supports 32bit\/384kHz PCM and DSD256 streams as well as MQA files, while ESS Technologies’ Saber ES9281AC chip ensures excellent THD and signal-to-noise ratio.\u00a0The model is equipped with two headphone jacks – balanced 4.4 mm and unbalanced 3.5 mm.\u00a0The body is machined from a single piece of aluminum billet and equipped with a transparent cover that allows you to see the internal circuitry of the device.\u00a0The model is available in two versions – with a USB type-C connector for Android devices and with a Lightning connector for gadgets on iOS.\u00a0The retail price of the second option is $269.<\/p>\n

Pros – current-boost circuitry, MQA support, clear window in case<\/p>\n

Cons – not cheap, no physical keys<\/p>\n

Verdict: Probably the best portable DAC\/amp for a reasonable price<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Portable USB DACs combined with a headphone amplifier are a booming market segment. In recent years, manufacturers have unleashed a veritable ninth wave of new products on users, with manufacturers from China and Taiwan confidently coming to the fore, offering the highest value for money. Since the beginning of the year, many excellent models of […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":147864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[646],"tags":[784],"class_list":["post-147853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-speakers","tag-guide"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147853"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147853\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=147853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}