[thornygravy]

I bought a FiiO D3 (D03K) for $16 on amazon to transport optical through my sound card to my Schiit Heresy. Long story short, I thought it sounded worse then the cards 3.5mm into the headphone amp.

I know what you're thinking, "just get a USB dac" but the reason I want to keep the sound card setup is because it seems to be the only way to get two outputs to play in windows without noticeable latency, with it's own separate drivers, that can be separately manipulated with Equalizer APO.

Just looking to see if there's anything in between a FiiO D3 @ $16 and like a Modi or Topping DAC @ $100 that anyone knows about.

 

[justincz]

or spend $30 more and get an almost world-class dac with as low thd and noise as the RME-adi2. all the inputs you need and remote control with volume.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-e30-dac-review.12119/

btw looks like the fiio must be operated in 44.1khz, (not 48khz) in order to work properly.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...view-and-measurements-of-budget-20-dacs.1316/

 

[thornygravy]

oops, I'm leaning towards the SMSL M100

 

[Filter500]

I had an M100 briefly and it gets my recommendation. I ended up getting a Sanskrit 10th as it had worked a bit better for my taste and synergy in my TV setup. I still think about the sound of the M100 and regret sending it back. It has a lean but detailed and smooth quality. The Sanskrit sounds a bit less detailed to my ears but a bit fatter and wider.

 

[thornygravy]

I was also looking at the Sanskrit too! haha, appreciate the input.