[ttorbic]

i don't necessarily want a dongle, i want something affordable

According to Andy, E44 looks good.

 

[kadinh]

You get 4vrms with Qudelix as well

oh, didnt know that! then def the qudelix, best of all worlds. i do like that the e44 has everything already attached w/o more cables, just possibly a usb-c to lightning adapter for iphone use.

If you really want a dongle, check out @OspreyAndy's dongle database: https://andyaudiovault.com/donglemadness/

i used this extensively when deciding to buy a dongle. highly recommended

i don't necessarily want a dongle, i want something affordable

all of the options you mentioned are affordable. how do you intend to use the dac? on the go? also, do you have a price range you want to stick to?

 

[kadinh]

You get 4vrms with Qudelix as well

and it even has aptx adaptive! i have been sleeping on this one!

 

[amanieux]

how do you intend to use the dac? on the go? also, do you have a price range you want to stick to?

i'd prefer to have something that can go mobile but desktop is also fine as long as it's the cheapest source that can power s12 to 90% of it's maximum potential (my buget is $120 maximum)

 

[ttorbic]

i'd prefer to have something that can go mobile but desktop is also fine as long as it's the cheapest source that can power s12 to 90% of it's maximum potential (my buget is $120 maximum)

Qudelix is my rec. With the adapter. Would be around 120 USD. Or look out for a used one (I got mine used)

 

[Alex Ulrik]

The impedance of S12 is only 16ohm, neither Sonata E44 or Qudelix will be putting 4V under that load. Not that it would ever need it anyway. Btw current is more important than voltage when powering low impedance devices like iems, I'm not aware of any over 32ohms. 4V is very useful for headphones though.

E44 @16ohm about 1.2V and @32ohm about 2V
Fiio KA3 @16ohm about 1.5V and @32ohm 2.7V
E1DA 9038S can put over 2V @16ohm but you would be deaf by then

Sources:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e44/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/fiio-ka3/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/e1da-9038sg3/

 

[muths66]

Mobile drive S12 is pretty decent.I don't own dongle already. Now use it with hiby rs6 very nice. I also use it with my caiyin tube amplifier it sound amazing. But that is what I have to drive my iems and hp.

 

[amanieux]

Qudelix is my rec. With the adapter. Would be around 120 USD. Or look out for a used one (I got mine used)

its out of stock online, i will look for used one

 

[amanieux]

The impedance of S12 is only 16ohm, neither Sonata E44 or Qudelix will be putting 4V under that load. Not that it would ever need it anyway. Btw current is more important than voltage when powering low impedance devices like iems, I'm not aware of any over 32ohms. 4V is very useful for headphones though.

E44 @16ohm about 1.2V and @32 about 2V
Fiio KA3 @16ohm about 1.5V and @32 2.7V
E1DA 9038S can put over 2V @16ohm but you would be deaf by then

Sources:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e44/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/fiio-ka3/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/e1da-9038sg3/

good to know, i don't need a powerfull source for fulll size headphone, i will only use it for iems so i'd be happy to look for cheaper source with lower power as long as it is enough for s12 because planars are said to require a lot power to sound to their maximum potential

 

[human bass]

Sorry for bad photo

Nothing to be sorry about, man. Looking up for your impressions.

 

[kadinh]

The impedance of S12 is only 16ohm, neither Sonata E44 or Qudelix will be putting 4V under that load. Not that it would ever need it anyway. Btw current is more important than voltage when powering low impedance devices like iems, I'm not aware of any over 32ohms. 4V is very useful for headphones though.

E44 @16ohm about 1.2V and @32 about 2V
Fiio KA3 @16ohm about 1.5V and @32 2.7V
E1DA 9038S can put over 2V @16ohm but you would be deaf by then

Sources:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e44/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/fiio-ka3/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/e1da-9038sg3/

thanks for the info. you're 100% correct; i remembered 4V when i was looking at an all-in-one headphone dac, so it stuck with me. i forgot how low impedance IEMs are.

 

[mmkzero]

If you really want a dongle, check out @OspreyAndy's dongle database: https://andyaudiovault.com/donglemadness/

That‘s a great resource.

Pleasantly surprised to see the Hidizs S9 Pro among the 5* Dongles! Great little unit. Like it so much that I got three of them. Clean sound and more than enough power for anything you could throw at it.

 

[mmkzero]

Oh, and Hifigo shipped my S12 today. Should have it by next week. Excited to hear it myself!

 

[amanieux]

The impedance of S12 is only 16ohm, neither Sonata E44 or Qudelix will be putting 4V under that load. Not that it would ever need it anyway. Btw current is more important than voltage when powering low impedance devices like iems, I'm not aware of any over 32ohms. 4V is very useful for headphones though.

E44 @16ohm about 1.2V and @32ohm about 2V
Fiio KA3 @16ohm about 1.5V and @32ohm 2.7V
E1DA 9038S can put over 2V @16ohm but you would be deaf by then

Sources:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e44/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/fiio-ka3/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/e1da-9038sg3/

i7audiolab seems to like Colorfly CDA M1, it is $89, has anyone heard about this dac ?

 

[CopperFox]

Has the magnet strength/type of these been specified somewhere?