Hello! I was hoping people here could help me out with a decision regarding the DAC-AMP solution for an HE1000 Stealth arriving soon, before my postponed hospital visit begins (I hope, Hifiman!!). Now, before giving me flak for my potential choices, remember that I am terminally ill, and technically living under the poverty line with my early pension, so money is very tight.
I have narrowed my choices down to two contenders, unless someone here can point me out some miraculous solution, or there's a good used option(s) out there in the category of sub 350€ overall budget . The choices are
an Xduoo TA-10R tube hybrid dac-amp, and Hifiman EF400. In terms of price, the EF400 would cost me about 40€ more, but I think I would spend at least 20€ on a tube upgrade on the Xduoo one, so almost the same price. The EF400, even with Hifiman fixing the phase issues, struggles with the lack of inputs which is dumb in my opinion.
Now I do understand that the EF400s DAC-section should be the top performer of the two, but overall I hear the entire unit can be a bit on the bright side. I'd like to try and tame the HE1k Stealth's top end a tad bit, and figured the TA-10R could be a contender, and should have enough juice too (2000mW @ 32ohm). Then again, I am already going to go with aftermarket Dekoni pads which should smooth out the treble and steady some midrange dips a little, so I don't know. (Note that using EQ will not be happening.)
Input from you guys would be greatly appreciated.
Additional info; I already own a balanced DAC, but it's an old (but great sounding) Parasound Zdac, but whatever I get will have to work with android devices without issues via USB, and I don't even know if that's possible with the Zdac yet (will hopefully get to try soon). Also the Zdac has some limitations on the USB side of things.
Edit: I may have the chance to buy a used Schiit Jotunheim 1 with the cheaper DAC option included, non multibit. Any opinions on this?