Peter123's $250+ amp/DAC combo thread 12 amp/dac's compared

[peter123]

The purpose of this thread is to collect my personal experience with as many $250+ amp/DAC combo's as possible in one place. I will also make comparison charts for more hard fact specifications. The goal is to create a kind of guide for people looking for their first or new amp/DAC combo making it easier to make the correct purchase based on their needs. 
I'm also hoping that other users will share their experiences with different units as well, the more the merrier 

 
The idea is to do a full review of every unit included in the review section of this forum and post a very short pros and cons here as well as include all untis reviewed in the comparison charts already mentioned. I will also make a short breakdown on a few parameters for each unit, in here I'll use a 1-10 as scale because it gives greater felxibility than the 5 star rating used by default in the review section. Some of the units inculded will be typical desktop units while other will be highly portable and other yet will probably be hybrids between the two extremes. Some will be brand new offerings while other might be well regarded older products. 
 
This thread, given its nature, will be a constant work in progress.
 
To get things started I've finished a couple of reviews already and I've made arrangements to review quite a few more units, some of them has already arrived and more will arrive in the next couple of weeks. 
 
I will publish a review list of items waited to be reviewed in here as soon as they're 100% confirmed. Suggestions for products is very welcome.
 

 

[peter123]

Setting the standard:
It's important in all comparisons to have a reference, something that remains the same between the comparisons a fixed variable. I also feel that this reference should be somethig that's as close to perfect in as many ways as possible for the other objects to reach for, the one to beat (in one or more areas). 
 
Writing this makes me remember a book I had in my university time, amazingly enough I even remember the name of the author even though it was almost 20 years ago so it must have made some impression 

 

 
Burson Audio Conductor V2+ ($1,499):
My choice for refernce unit is the V2+. It is a very complete unit in my opinion and offers both excellent sound as well as top notch build quality and great verstatility. 
 
Although all other units in the comparison section in the review for each product included in this thread may change the V2+ will always be included as one of the objects in the comparison. 
 

 
Pros: Sound, build, design, remote control, 5 year warranty
Cons: DAC sound signature may not suit everybody
 
Quick breakdown:
Sound: 9.5/10
Build: 10/10
Connections: 9/10
Features: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Portability: 1
 
Full review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/burson-audio-conductor-v2/reviews/15450
 
Review rating: 
5/5

 

[peter123]

Burson Audio Conductor Air ($499):
 

 
Pros: Sound quality, build quality, value for money, remote control
Cons: No analogue input

 

Quick breakdown:
Sound: 9/10
Build: 9/10
Connections: 5/10
Features: 8.5/10
Value: 9/10
Portability: 8/10
 
Full review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/burson-audio-conductor-air/reviews/16536
 
Review rating: 
5/5
 
 
Chord Mojo ($599):
 

Pros: Versatile, excellent sound, build quality, internal battery
Cons: Design, no analogue input, gets very hot when connected to a PC for longer time

 

Quick breakdown:
Sound: 9/10
Build: 8.5/10
Connections: 8/10
Features: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Portability: 9/10
 
Full review:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/chord-mojo/reviews/16576
 
Review rating:
5/5
 
Audinst HUD-DX1 ($399):
 

 
Pros: Versatile, well built, powerful
Cons: No analogue input, not the best value for money based on sound i stock form

 

Quick breakdown:
Sound: 7.5/10
Build: 8/10
Connections: 8.5/10
Features: 8.5/10
Value: 7/10
Portability: 4/10
 
Full review:http://www.head-fi.org/products/audinst-hud-dx1/reviews/16641
 
Review rating:
4/5
 
 
iBasso D14 Bushmaster ($249):
 

 
Pros: Sound quality, build quality, value for money, coaxial and optical input
Cons: Slightly too large to be truly portable

 

Quick breakdown:
Sound: 8.5/10
Build: 8/10
Connections: 8.5/10
Features: 8.5/10
Value: 9.5/10
Portability: 7.5/10
 
Full review:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/ibasso-audio-d14-bushmaster/reviews/16677
 
Review rating:
4.5/5
 
iFi Audio Micro iDSD ($499):
 

 
Pros: A lot of possibilities for adjustments, powerful, clean sounding
Cons: Slightly too large to be truly portable, may lack some richness in the sound

 
Quick breakdown:
Sound: 9/10
Build: 8/10
Connections: 9/10
Features: 9.5/10
Value: 9.5/10
Portability: 6.5/10
 
Full review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/ifi-audio-micro-idsd/reviews/16750
 
Review rating: 
4.5/5
 
Resonessence Labs Herus+ ($425):
 

 
Pros: Sound quality, build quality, value for money
Cons: Few connections, no physical volume control

 
Quick breakdown:
Sound: 9.5/10
Build: 10/10
Connections: 2/10
Features: 4/10
Value: 9.5/10
Portability: 7.5/10
 
Full review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/resonessence-labs-herus-plus/reviews/16825
 
Review rating: 
4.5/5
 
LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity ($649):
 

 
Pros: Sound quality, build quality, value for money, balanced output
Cons: No optical/coaxial input, low on accessories

 
Quick breakdown:
Sound: 9.5/10
Build: 9.5/10
Connections: 8/10
Features: 9.5/10
Value: 10/10
Portability: 10/10
 
Full review:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/lh-labs-geek-out-v2/reviews/16934
 
Review rating:
5/5
 
The bit Opus #11($250):
 

 
Pros: Sound quality, value for money, size, internal battery, great Android compability
Cons: Low on inputs and outputs

 
Quick breakdown:
Sound: 9/10
Build: 9.5/10
Connections: 3/10
Features: 7/10
Value: 10/10
Portability: 10/10
 
Full review:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audio-opus-opus-11/reviews/17065
 
Review rating:
5/5
 
Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus ($400):
 

 
Pros: 3in1 headphone amp/dac/pre amp, plenty of connection options, sound quality
Cons: No DSX/DSD support, no remote control, occasionally strident treble

 
Quick breakdown:
Sound: 8/10
Build: 8.5/10
Connections: 9/10
Features: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Portability: 1/10
 
Full review:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/cambridge-audio-azur-dacmagic-plus/reviews/17133
 
 
Review rating:
4/5
 
JDS Labs 02/ODAC Rev B ($279):
 

 
Pros: Sound quality, build quality, customizable, fantastic amp section
Cons: Dosen't support the highest bitrates, amp section stronger than the DAC section

 
Quick breakdown:
Sound: 8/10
Build: 8.5/10
Connections: 7.5/10
Features: 7.5/10
Value: 8/10
Portability: 2/10
 
Full review:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/jds-labs-o2-odac/reviews/17264
 
Review rating:
4/5
 
 
LH Labs Geek Out 2A Infinity ($349):
 

 
Pros: Sound quality, build quality, value for money, balanced output, gain switch, looks amazing
Cons: Runs pretty hot, no physical volmue control

 
Quick breakdown:
Sound: 9/10
Build: 9.5/10
Connections: 7.5/10
Features: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Portability: 8.5/10
 
Full review:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/lh-labs-geek-out-2a/reviews/17331
 
Review rating:
5/5

 

[peter123]

COMPARISON CHARTS:
 
 
The basics

Product	Battery	Remote control	Weight	Size, mm (W x D x H)	Power Supply	Power @32Ohm	Price
Burson Audio Conductor V2+	NO	YES	7.000g	265x255x80	Mains power cable	4.000mW	$1.499
Burson Audio Conductor Air	NO	YES	185g	115x61x15	Micro USB (dedicated)	500MW	$499
Chord Mojo	YES	NO	180g	82x60x22	Micro USB (dedicated)	660mW (@16Ohm)	$599
Audinst HUD-DX1	NO	NO	300g	104x120x34	USB A/ 16v DC	500mW/ 1.500mW	$399
iBasso D14 «Bushmaster»	YES	NO	149g	60x104x20	Mini USB	400mW	$249
Resonessence Labs Herus+	NO	NO	64g	32x63x19	USB A	126mW	$425
iFI Micro iDSD	YES	NO	310g	67x177x28	USB B	~2000mW	$420
LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity	YES	NO	100g	64x114x11	Micro USB (dedicated)	500mW (balanced)	$699
The bit Opus #11	YES	NO	80g	56x103x7.9	Micro USB/ 5v DC	140mW	$250
Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus	NO	NO	1.200g	215x191x52	15v DC	125mW (@37Ohm)	$400
JDS Labs ObjectiveO2 +ODAC rev. B	NO	NO	312g	108x80x30	14-20v AC	613mW	$279
LH Labs Geek Out 2A Infinity	NO	NO	34 g	78x38x13	USB B	500mW (balanced)	$349

                                                          
USB specs

Product	Max Sample rate	DSD support	DXD support	Apple support	Android support	OS support
Burson Audio Conductor V2+	32bit/384kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
Burson Audio Conductor Air	32bit/384kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
Chord Mojo	32bit/768kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
Audinst HUD-DX1	32bit/384kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
iBasso D14 «Bushmaster»	32bit/384kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
Resonessence Labs Herus+	24bit/352kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
iFI Micro iDSD	32bit/768kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity	32bit/384kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
The bit Opus #11	32bit/384kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX
Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus	24bit/192kHz	NO	NO	N/A	YES	Windows, OSX
JDS Labs ObjectiveO2 +ODAC rev. B	24bit/96kHz	NO	NO	N/A	NO	Windows, OSX, Linux
LH Labs Geek Out 2A Infinity	32bit/384kHz	YES	YES	YES (with CCK)	YES	Windows, OSX

*CCK = Camera Connection Kit
 
 
Connections

Product	HP output	Analog output	Analog input	Digital output	Digital input(s)	Balanced output	Output impedance
Burson Audio Conductor V2+	6.3mm	2X RCA	2X RCA	NO	USB A, coaxial, optical	NO	3Ohm
Burson Audio Conductor Air	3.5mm	3.5mm	NO	NO	USB Micro	NO	2Ohm
Chord Mojo	3.5mm (X2)	NO	NO	NO	USB Micro, coaxial, optical	NO	0.075Ohm
Audinst HUD-DX1	3.5mm/ 6.3mm	RCA	NO	YES (Optical)	USB A, optical	NO	2Ohm
iBasso D14 «Bushmaster»	3.5mm	3.5mm	3.5mm	NO	USB Mini, coaxial, optical	NO	0.1Ohm
Resonessence Labs Herus+	6.3mm	NO	NO	NO	USB A	NO	0.2Ohm
iFI Micro iDSD	6.3 mm	RCA	3.5mm	YES (Coaxial)	USB B, Coaxial, optical	NO	Less than 1Ohm
LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity	3.5mm balanced + single ended	NO	NO	NO	USB Micro	YES	0.47Ohm SE 0.95Ohm BL
The bit Opus #11	3.5mm	NO	NO	NO	USB Micro	NO	1.2Ohm
Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus	6.3mm	RCA/ XLR	NO	YES  (optical)	USB A, 2xCoacial 2xoptical	YES (Pre-amp)	50Ohm
JDS Labs ObjectiveO2 +ODAC rev. B	3.5mm or 6.3mm (optional)	3.5mm or RCA (optional)	NO	NO	USB Mini	NO	0.54Ohm
LH Labs Geek Out 2A Infinity	3.5mm balanced + single ended	NO	NO	NO	USB B	YES	0.47Ohm

 

[peter123]

Review line:

 

[peter123]

New contender arrived today :

 

[waynes world]

Ok, this is gonna be a worthy thread! Subbed!

 

[peter123]

Game on! 

 

 
Added Audinst HUD-DX1 to post #3

 

[peter123]

Added iBasso D14 Bushmaster to post #3.
 

 

[jmills8]

Added iBasso D14 Bushmaster to post #3.

coaxl is better than line out?

 

[peter123]

coaxl is better than line out?

For my preference, yes by quite some margin. Ymmw as always

 

[ShreyasMax]

coaxl is better than line out?

Coaxial being digital output would use the D14's (or whatever device is used) DAC irrespective of source device, whereas line out would use the source device's DAC for sound reproduction, thereby producing different results in each source and amp combo.

Edit: If you're referring to this combo in particular, which also happens to be my current rig, yes I would say the D14 in DAC+amp mode (coaxial) sounds better than X3(line out)+ D14 (amp only), by a fair margin too. Just IMO of course.

 

[jmills8]

Coaxial being digital output would use the D14's (or whatever device is used) DAC irrespective of source device, whereas line out would use the source device's DAC for sound reproduction, thereby producing different results in each source and amp combo.

Edit: If you're referring to this combo in particular, which also happens to be my current rig, yes I would say the D14 in DAC+amp mode (coaxial) sounds better than X3(line out)+ D14 (amp only), by a fair margin too. Just IMO of course.

oo I didnt know it was a dac/amp.

 

[ShreyasMax]

oo I didnt know it was a dac/amp.

Sorry, my apologies for misunderstanding. Your sarcasm stands approved.

 

[ShreyasMax]

@peter123:

Great thread by the way; was looking for contemporary dac/amps comparisons, of which only a few were available.

Cheers and keep up the good work.