[Coldheart29]

Hi guys, in my search for cheap audio nirvana, i'm looking for a way to improve the sound of my nexus 5, so i'm searching a cheap but good dac/amp to hook to my n5.

I am looking for something in the sub 50$ price range, like the topping nx2 or creative E1.

Now, for what i've gathered reading around, the nx2 might present some hiss with more sensitive iems, while, as i understand, the creative E1 can't be used as a dac with smartphones, but only as an amp.


So, i'd like some advice about dac/amps to use together with my phone. Something with a form factor similar to the nx2 would be great, and a good battery life would be appreciated.


Please keep in mind that i'd be using the combo with a pair of se215.

 

[cel4145]

Right. I'm pretty sure the Creative E1 is just a headphone amp--no DAC. But I might be wrong.

NX2 is the only one I know of in your price range. Not sure about compatibility with your phone.

 

[EagleWings]

You have a couple of options if you can push your budget.
 
Schiit Fulla ($80)
Fiio E07K ($90)
Fiio E17K ($130)
 
Fiios give you the option to select the gain level: 0 (or) 6 (or) 12 dB. People say that 0dB works well IEMs without any hiss. Doesn't look like the Fulla offers the gain setting. But the Fulla product page claims that it is also designed to work with IEMs.
 
Hope this helps.

 

[inthere]

My Fulla doesn't work with my iPhone and a friends Samsung Galaxy S5, power issues. 

 

[cel4145]

My Fulla doesn't work with my iPhone and a friends Samsung Galaxy S5, power issues. 

+1

E07K and E17K may or may not work well with some phones either. Same reason. Best to verify before buying.

 

[Coldheart29]

  You have a couple of options if you can push your budget.
 
Schiit Fulla ($80)
Fiio E07K ($90)
Fiio E17K ($130)
 
Fiios give you the option to select the gain level: 0 (or) 6 (or) 12 dB. People say that 0dB works well IEMs without any hiss. Doesn't look like the Fulla offers the gain setting. But the Fulla product page claims that it is also designed to work with IEMs.
 
Hope this helps.

Yeah, i know about those, but, as i'm also buying a fiio x3ii, i don't really want to spend too much for the dac/amp. My main portable rig will be the x3ii, while the phone would be more of a backup rig, or the rig i'll use while doing sport, and bringing with me the DAP, together with the phone would be a tad too bulky. The reason i want a dac/amp to pair with my nexus 5, is that it's amp section isn't really good, in fact, on low volume settings, the sound is too laid back, laking sparkle and mids presence, while on the higher volume levels, it tends to distort quite a bit, giving an harsh, fatiguing sound. So, an amp wouldn't bring that much of a benefit, as the signal from the HO of the phone would still be not that good, while a dac/amp would let me play at a lower volume setting while, hopefully, giving me a better sound than my phone.
 
Also, the topping nx2 would be really perfect size-wise, as it's really thin, and would fit very well with my phone.
 
 
Well, if in the sub 50 range the topping is the only choice, i might as well pick it, one can never have too many dacs laying around

 

[EagleWings]

Yeah, i know about those, but, as i'm also buying a fiio x3ii, i don't really want to spend too much for the dac/amp. My main portable rig will be the x3ii, while the phone would be more of a backup rig, or the rig i'll use while doing sport, and bringing with me the DAP, together with the phone would be a tad too bulky. The reason i want a dac/amp to pair with my nexus 5, is that it's amp section isn't really good, in fact, on low volume settings, the sound is too laid back, laking sparkle and mids presence, while on the higher volume levels, it tends to distort quite a bit, giving an harsh, fatiguing sound. So, an amp wouldn't bring that much of a benefit, as the signal from the HO of the phone would still be not that good, while a dac/amp would let me play at a lower volume setting while, hopefully, giving me a better sound than my phone.

Also, the topping nx2 would be really perfect size-wise, as it's really thin, and would fit very well with my phone.


Well, if in the sub 50 range the topping is the only choice, i might as well pick it, one can never have too many dacs laying around

I hear you.

Probably you already know this, but I am just going to throw it out there just in case you didn't: Fiio X3ii can be used as DAP/Amp.

 

[Coldheart29]

I hear you.

Probably you already know this, but I am just going to throw it out there just in case you didn't: Fiio X3ii can be used as DAP/Amp.

Yup, and i'll be using it as a usb DAC with my PC. Problem is, however, it isn't going to work as a phone compatible DAC, as it is powered by the usb while in DAC mode, and not by it's internal battery, thus a smartphone won't be capable of powering the x3ii.

 

[EagleWings]

  Yup, and i'll be using it as a usb DAC with my PC. Problem is, however, it isn't going to work as a phone compatible DAC, as it is powered by the usb while in DAC mode, and not by it's internal battery, thus a smartphone won't be capable of powering the x3ii.

 
You are right. Now, that's something I didn't know 

. Thanks!

 

[NecroNeo]

I believe that, unless I'm missing something critical, your impression about the E1 not working as a DAC with Android is incorrect.  I'll grant the possibility that the Nexus/E1 might not work right, but since a while ago, like 4.2, Android has supported being a USB host and treating a peripheral DAC as a slave device.  Years ago I signed a petition on the google android development forums requesting that feature specifically, and it took a while, but it's included by default unless specifically disabled.  You'll need a male microUSB to female USB cable, a male USB to male microUSB, and the E1.  Alternatively, a male to male microUSB might work, but I haven't tried it.
 
Further I've read comparisons favoring the Creative E1 over the Topping NX2, specifically for IEMs, because the output impedance of the E1 is so low and because the E1 doesn't hiss while the NX2 does.
 
It sounds like form factor is a deciding factor here, so if the E1 doesn't fit the bill, the NX2 might make more sense.  But, for your sport use case, if you're putting the Nexus in an armband, then a short USB to the E1 and clipping the E1 to the armband might be preferable to trying to stuff an NX2 and the Nexus into the armband meant only for the Nexus.
 
Disclaimer: I just picked up the E1 for like $22 on amazon and I'm still a little in the glow of the new purchase.  I wasn't certain it would work as a DAC with Android, Creative's documentation doesn't list it as a possibility and lead me to believe that the PC/Mac software is required to use it as a DAC.  So far with 64 ohm HD 280 Pros, and with the Monoprice 8320, the E1 is a step up from the headphone out on my Galaxy S4.  I haven't listened to the NX2, so I can't compare it.

 

[Coldheart29]

Oh, well, in the meantime, fiio has revealed the Q1, that is a somewhat less powerfull e11k with added dac, and a pretty good one, also. So, as it'll sell for 70€, i'll just get it as soon as it'll be available here in Italy.

BTW, thanks for the info