Some notes that address my concerns. That is how the amp is powered and the price. If I am off on any of this, let me know. I am mostly turned off by the idea of having my Android phone act as an audio source and power source. This will be a dedicated amp for my use at work so I'm not going anywhere with the dac/amp. When I go for a run, I use headphones made for that and SQ is not important.
FWIW: I have ATH-M50s
The summary:
Schiit Fulla 2 - dedicated USB input for power(wallwart) - ~$200
Dacport HD - powered by USB input/source (phone) - $~$200
Magni/Modi stack - powered by walwart (awesome!) - $360
Audioengine D1 - powered by USB input/source (phone) - $~$120 - $170
SMSL M6 - powered by walwart (awesome!) - $160
XDuoo TA-01 - powered by walwart (awesome!) - $160
iFi Nano iDSD - powered by USB input/source (phone) - $~$130
HiFiman EF2C - powered by walwart (awesome!) - $160
Useful links:
SMSL M6 discussion:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/779544/can-anyone-tell-us-about-the-new-smsl-m6/30
XDuoo TA-01
It's a tube amp!
http://www.head-fi.org/t/682282/xduoo-amplifiers/60
http://www.head-fi.org/t/803456/aune-t1-vs-xduoo-ta-01
Questions
Do these all wok with Anrdroid phones?
Can someone explain to me what an otg cable is and what it's purpose is?
This is my short list (walwart powered):
Schiit Fulla 2 - dedicated USB input for power (wallwart) - ~$200
Magni/Modi stack - powered by walwart (awesome!) - $360
SMSL M6 - powered by walwart (awesome!) - $160
XDuoo TA-01 - powered by walwart (awesome!) - $160
Removed from short list
HiFiman EF2C - powered by walwart (awesome!) - $160
- Keep reading about DAC issues.