BBEG
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2011
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I'm trying to compile a list of available portable DAC+amp devices to see which of them would best suit me and my needs. Right now my only real criteria is < $300; I know there are some well-loved DAC+amps out there but I just can't spend $400+ on an Emmeline kit. Here's what I have right now, including size and MSRP:
Leckerton UHA-6S.MKII ($280; 84mm x 70mm x 20mm)
Leckerton UHA-4 ($200; 84mm x 70mm x 12mm)
iBasso D4 ($200; 92mm x 55mm x 21mm)
iBasso D2+ ($170; 81mm x 51mm x 21mm)
FiiO E17 ($140; 96mm x 55mm x 15.2mm)
FiiO E7 ($90; 96mm x 55mm x 15.5mm)
NuForce Icon Mobile ($80; 88mm x 55mm x 12mm)
The list is more or less ordered by sound quality: the UHA-6S Mk2 has apparently blown some minds in the sub-$300 range, as has the E7 for its price range. I've spent 9 months with the E6 and I've appreciated what it can do, but I'm ready to move up. Come December the contract on my primary music player (phone) is up and I get to upgrade, so I'd like to knock out both of these at once.
Music is extremely varied. I'm on a bit of a post-rock kick right now, but I definitely listen to a bit from every genre. I'd like something with a bit more punchy bass than my current setup (SR850 + AKG pads + E6) to highlight the drums in 5FDP, but I don't want to lose the mellow songs from Nightwish and Natalie MacMaster either.
If there's a comparative thread out there anyone can link me to, or if anyone who has one or more of these guys and would like to share their experience, I'm all ears. I've found mostly single-focus reviews so far but I'll keep looking. If this is a good enough list, I'll open a poll if Huddler lets me.
Leckerton UHA-6S.MKII ($280; 84mm x 70mm x 20mm)
Leckerton UHA-4 ($200; 84mm x 70mm x 12mm)
iBasso D4 ($200; 92mm x 55mm x 21mm)
iBasso D2+ ($170; 81mm x 51mm x 21mm)
FiiO E17 ($140; 96mm x 55mm x 15.2mm)
FiiO E7 ($90; 96mm x 55mm x 15.5mm)
NuForce Icon Mobile ($80; 88mm x 55mm x 12mm)
The list is more or less ordered by sound quality: the UHA-6S Mk2 has apparently blown some minds in the sub-$300 range, as has the E7 for its price range. I've spent 9 months with the E6 and I've appreciated what it can do, but I'm ready to move up. Come December the contract on my primary music player (phone) is up and I get to upgrade, so I'd like to knock out both of these at once.
Music is extremely varied. I'm on a bit of a post-rock kick right now, but I definitely listen to a bit from every genre. I'd like something with a bit more punchy bass than my current setup (SR850 + AKG pads + E6) to highlight the drums in 5FDP, but I don't want to lose the mellow songs from Nightwish and Natalie MacMaster either.
If there's a comparative thread out there anyone can link me to, or if anyone who has one or more of these guys and would like to share their experience, I'm all ears. I've found mostly single-focus reviews so far but I'll keep looking. If this is a good enough list, I'll open a poll if Huddler lets me.
