Good DAC for beginner

[zerosaber]

Good day all,

 

I'm debating about getting a portable DAC for my phone (HTC one M9) but as I'm a complete newbie, I figured I would ask some questions first before pulling the trigger (Canadian purchaser btw).

 

This is kinda sorta my first fooray into the audio world so I apologize in advance if my questions make you laugh at how amateur they are. So right now I'm torn between the AudioQuest Dragonfly or the Fiio K1.

 

Currently I have 2 pairs of headphones and both are in-ear.

 

So my primary headphones are actually bluetooth headphones, the Dash . Now I realize there are limitations to the bluetooth, but just in-case there is a portable DAC that does bluetooth, I'll be open to any suggestions. These are the ones I use the most: training, jogging, at work, outdoors.... Feels great to be tangle free!

 

My secondary pair of headphones are the Bose soundtrue in-ear headphones. This use to be my primary pair of headphones before getting the Dash but I may switch back to using these at work provided the info I get from here.

 

Seeing as I don't know much about DACs, will I really hear a difference with in-ears?

 
I'm open to other DAC suggestions as long as it doesn't go higher than $140

 
Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

[SweetJordgubben]

A FiiO is a great place to start. I'm not sure if their are any DACs that are capable of bluetooth audio transfer but you will hear a difference with any wired headphones. When you say your current headphones are the Dash are those the ones made by Bragi?

 

[zerosaber]

Thanks for replying! After doing so much needed research, I actually decided to the FiiO K1. I heard people have issues with the AudioQuest DragonFly like drawing too much power from the phone, not working on the same model of phones but works fine on other phones of the same model... known to blown USB ports on laptops and PCs......
 
But to answer your question about the Dash, yes those are the ones made by Bragi.
 
I really like them. I use them a lot when I'm out for a run or when I'm working out. But I also have a lot of FLAC files and I was told that FLAC files will not stream properly to bluetooth headphones. Something about the bit rate of FLAC files being higher than bluetooth can stream.
 
That being said, I have a Bose Soundtrue in-ears and I heard those will only work ok with my Fiio K1 and HTC One M9...... what your thoughts of the Marshall Mode?
 
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/marshall-marshall-mode-eq-in-ear-headphones-black-brass-mode-eq/10380128.aspx

 

[SweetJordgubben]

Yeah, certainly bluetooth is not a great way to listen to FLAC files because the bit-rate gets compressed. You probably will hear a difference with the Bose in-ears, but I'm not the one to say how much of difference it actually will be.
 
I've never heard of the Marshall Modes, but I've heard great things about Etymotic's sub-$100 in-ears: https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Portable-Earphones-Black/dp/B000XPG2QI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1473541173&sr=8-6&keywords=etymotic

 

[PinkyPowers]

Some advice to consider:

Nothing improves the sound to the same extent as upgrading your headphones. DACs and Amps and DAPs are wonderful, and they do make a difference, but moving up to the next level of headphone will have the greatest impact by far.

 

[zerosaber]

Thanks PinkyPowers,
 
I just figured I would get an entry level DAC/AMP and headphones before I start getting into the more premium/"hardcore" stuff. Don't exactly have the money to invest into headphones, DACs and AMPs in the premium/"hardcore" tier level

 

[PinkyPowers]

You will be hard pressed to find an entry-level DAC that outputs to Bluetooth. For your needs, that wouldn't make sense anyway.

Let me explain why: A DAC is a Digital-to-Analogue-Converter. Bluetooth is a digital signal. There's no reason to buy a secondary DAC just to output a digital signal. You bypass all the DAC function. Your Bluetooth headphones have to do that conversion themselves. Which is why Bluetooth headphones don't sound as good as wired headphones; the DAC and Amp function is done via minute circuits in the receiver. Sounds like crap.

Now, your Bose SoundTrue IEMs could benefit from a secondary DAC/Amp.

The one I would have suggested is the Dragonfly. That was my first mobile DAC. I used it on my Galaxy S4. It sounded SO MUCH BETTER with the Klipsch X7. Then I got off the smartphone completely for my music listening and bought a DAP. The FiiO X3ii, then the X5, then the AK120ii. Never went back to stacking a DAC to my phone.

But I can certainly understand how you feel at this stage of your Head-Fi journey. Unfortunately, I don't have any better suggestions for you beyond the Dragonfly, or another just like it. All the good DACs with built-in batteries cost $300 plus.

Well... there is the old FiiO e17. I can't speak to what sort of sound improvement you can expect, though.

This is why I suggested upgrading your headphones. At the price you are looking at, a DAC is not a super great miracle. But there are lots of better headphones. Right off the bat I would suggest you try the MeeAudio Pinnacle P1. That ought to put those Bose to shame.

 

[zerosaber]

Hey PinkyPowers,
 
Again, thanks for you input. incredibly valued and much appreciated.
 
I was already told about Bluetooth headsets and it's limitations. I think I'm only going to use me bluetooth head phones when I go jogging or working out... Maybe when I'm out and about which is rare (still need to find a good set up for my phone and FiiO K1).
 
So I looked up on the AudioQuest DragonFly, and I opted to get to the FiiO K1 for a number of reasons:
 
-More cost effective
-Smaller and more portable
-I heard the AudioQuest Dragonfly draws a lot of power if connected to the phone.... assuming it works with mine. The FiiO K1, I know works with my phone and didn't seem to draw a lot of power.
-I also heard of the AudioQuest Dragonfly blowing out laptop USB ports.
-It probably helped that my co-worker had a FiiO K1 ha ha
-I should also probably mention I already have the FiiO K1 in my hands
 
As for the headphones suggested, I really appreciate the suggestion of the MeeAudio Pinnacle P1. However, it is way out of my price range ($300 in Canada ha ha). But I have put it on my too watch list.
 
But I understand what you are saying about better headphones over a DAC. I'm thinking maybe I'll just still with my FiiO K1, and my Bose Soundtrue in-ears. I might get get the Marshall Mode EQ but not sure yet.
 
Next year I will most definitely look at getting a much better set of headphones!
 
Thanks again!

 

[PinkyPowers]

No problem. Good listening friend.