iPhone external DAC recommendations?

[Carrow]

Hi! I've recently made the switch to an iPhone 16 after years of using Android devices. What external DACs would one recommend using with this? I have a pair of Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e I can hook up to a DAC for some extra juice. For whatever reason, the Periodic Audio Silicon I have is underpowered AF when running IEMs or the wired B&Ws into it, I don't think it plays well with the iPhone.

Also yes, newer model so it's got a USB-C connection. I'd probably top out at €200 for one of these. I've used a Qudelix 5K and Fiio BTR7 before on an Android device - would either of these suit or do I have other options? Thanks!

 

[sammm]

I think the FiiO portable dac/amps are pretty good, something like the FiiO KA17 is about £125 which should be well under €200. I've used the FiiO Q11 which I wouldn't really call portable but it's a good option, about £90. Crinacle made a good video on portable dac/amps, he suggested the FiiO KA15 which is even cheaper than the 17. If you want bluetooth, the BTR17 is available, I think it's around €200.

 

[earmonger]

I would try the ones you have if they have enough power. I'm on Android, so I don't know if iPhones have compatibility issues with your Qudelix 5K and Fiio BTR7.

As long as the 1s and 0s can get into the DAC, it will do the same job it did with your other phone.

 

[Somafunk]

You don’t need anything fancy, for every possible iem and pretty much any”normal” headphone then something like the Jcally JM20- max below would work be more than fine

https://hangout.audio/products/jcally-jm20-max?variant=41838856601648

 

[minwyn]

Qudelix 5K is probably the best at this price point IMO

 

[IceIceberg]

I can confirm that the Qudelix 5k is probably the best bluetooth DAC for your needs.
I've been using it myself for 2 years now

 

[earmonger]

I probably misunderstood and you no longer have the Qudelix or FiiO.

Both of those are Bluetooth, but you just asked about a DAC -- although you mention wireless Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e. Do you need Bluetooth? If not there are plenty of DAC/amp dongles to provide wired power.

 

[Carrow]

I probably misunderstood and you no longer have the Qudelix or FiiO.

Both of those are Bluetooth, but you just asked about a DAC -- although you mention wireless Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e. Do you need Bluetooth? If not there are plenty of DAC/amp dongles to provide wired power.

I no longer have either, correct. Could look into a wired DAC/amp with USB-C input (recommendations would be nice, been out of the game for a while), but the Bluetooth is nice for not having to carry two sets of wires around!

 

[huangw]

Qudelix 5k is really nice.

The bluetooth connection is rock-solid and has never cut out while in my pocket. I can even go into the backyard and it still plays.
Probably my only gripe is that I accidentally hit the pause button every once in a while.

Hi! I've recently made the switch to an iPhone 16 after years of using Android devices. What external DACs would one recommend using with this? I have a pair of Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e I can hook up to a DAC for some extra juice. For whatever reason, the Periodic Audio Silicon I have is underpowered AF when running IEMs or the wired B&Ws into it, I don't think it plays well with the iPhone.

Also yes, newer model so it's got a USB-C connection. I'd probably top out at €200 for one of these. I've used a Qudelix 5K and Fiio BTR7 before on an Android device - would either of these suit or do I have other options? Thanks!

One thing to note about bluetooth vs USB-C connections.

iPhones do not support lossless codecs like aptX and LDAC (android does). iPhone supports lossy codec AAC.
So by definition, a perfect USB-C DAC will always outperform the Qudelix 5k when iPhone is the source. Whether you can actually hear the difference is separate issue. Also, since AAC codec uses much lower bitrate, possible the connection is better (but I never have issues with LDAC on my android).

I don't have USB-C DAC recommendation though.

 

[Carrow]

Qudelix 5k is really nice.

The bluetooth connection is rock-solid and has never cut out while in my pocket. I can even go into the backyard and it still plays.
Probably my only gripe is that I accidentally hit the pause button every once in a while.


One thing to note about bluetooth vs USB-C connections.

iPhones do not support lossless codecs like aptX and LDAC (android does). iPhone supports lossy codec AAC.
So by definition, a perfect USB-C DAC will always outperform the Qudelix 5k when iPhone is the source. Whether you can actually hear the difference is separate issue. Also, since AAC codec uses much lower bitrate, possible the connection is better (but I never have issues with LDAC on my android).

I don't have USB-C DAC recommendation though.

From what I've read you can get around this with a Fiio BT11, think I need to do some more research!