[h1a8]

Want to drive full sized headphones (not iems) like HE-4xx (hard to drive), focal elex, fostex ebony, akg k371, and ath rx70.

listen to dance, r&b, some electronic, pop, some rock. Prefer a good open soundstage and nice quality tight bass (sub bass over mid bass.

My list so far is
Dragonfly red
Thx onyx
Ikko zerda ITM03

budget is $400
Which do you recommend from these (or another dac/amp)?

 

[PurpleAngel]

I would say to just get a DAP, just use the phone for phone calls.

 

[h1a8]

I would say to just get a DAP, just use the phone for phone calls.

What dap can drive the he4xx like I want it?
Actually the iPhone 12 Pro Max sounds better than most daps I owned in the past. It sounds even way better than the lgv60 quad dac.

I use the Apple 3.5mm to lightning dongle.

 

[PurpleAngel]

What dap can drive the he4xx like I want it?
Actually the iPhone 12 Pro Max sounds better than most daps I owned in the past. It sounds even way better than the lgv60 quad dac.
I use the Apple 3.5mm to lightning dongle.

My two cents, buy easy to drive headphones and plug them into the Apple Lighting dongle.

 

[h1a8]

My two cents, buy easy to drive headphones and plug them into the Apple Lighting dongle.

Too late. I already have invested a lot of money into the ones I have. Can you help me out by answering the question in the op?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Too late. I already have invested a lot of money into the ones I have. Can you help me out by answering the question in the op?

I could not find any info on the DragonFly and Thx, that they work with a lightning port(?).
But the Ikko is listed as coming with a lightning connector.
I'm not into Apple products, so I'm not well informed on what portable DAC/amps come with a Lightning connection.
An easy option is just to plug a battery powered headphone amplifier and daisy chain it to the Apple Lightning to 3.5mm (f) adapter.
FiiO E12 head amplifier.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303986006736?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254814594439?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[Robius]

Hidizs S9 Pro if you want some power.

 

[h1a8]

Do they sound open and on the crisp side?

 

[inthere]

I have the Dragonfly Red and the Cobalt, neither will drive your headphones adequately. Chord Mojo will. All you need is an otg cable and it'll work great with your iPhone

 

[h1a8]

I have the Dragonfly Red and the Cobalt, neither will drive your headphones adequately. Chord Mojo will. All you need is an otg cable and it'll work great with your iPhone

Thanks! Does it sound wide open and crisp?

 

[nieveulv]

at 400 im surprised no one recomend the luxy precision w2 yet

https://shop.musicteck.com/products/luxury-precision-w2-portable-usb-dac-amp-headphone-amp

 

[chef8489]

What dap can drive the he4xx like I want it?
Actually the iPhone 12 Pro Max sounds better than most daps I owned in the past. It sounds even way better than the lgv60 quad dac.

I use the Apple 3.5mm to lightning dongle.

You are not hearing the iPhone you are hearing the dac in the dongle.

But I also second the MOJO.

 

[inthere]

Thanks! Does it sound wide open and crisp?

Not very wide open but extremely crisp

 

[arbiter76]

Topping NX4? Xduuo XD 05 plus? Not familiar with Xduuo much though. NX4 might not have enough headroom for your 4xx's. Xduuo is huge but has a full watt of power in tap with a 5000 mAh battery. Also has a Bluetooth addition you can buy if you want to save a wire. Apple doesn't LDAC afaik though.

 

[h1a8]

Wow so many choices.
Question : What frequency does the bass boost of fiio e12a center at? Any graphs showing the bass boost?
Any dac amps with a sub-bass boost only (60Hz or less)?