[ZoomB]

I can't afford a lot of £ a the moment as I'm self employed and out of work but my PC's audio exits are really messed up (I keep getting disconnects and messages that I unplugged an audio device) and I have to use an USB DAC. I've been doing quite a bit of reading over the past few days and I've gone down the AMP/DAC rabbit hole to the point where I'm even more confused now than when I started .

My budget is £35

1. Lusya SA9023A + ES9018K2M USB portable DAC ( https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32932392383.html )

I've read good things about this and its apparently a rebrand of a differend DAC/AMP. Would it get hot if I keep it in use for 10 hours ?

2. Creative Sound Blaster Play!3 ( shorturl.at/euw05 )

Mixed reviews , apparently it sounds noisy

3. TempoTec SONATA HD PRO ( https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000328408705.html )

Good reviews and its my no1 candidate so far

4. Lusya HIFI TDA1543*4 ( https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32880513465.html )

This is the most intriguing one . From what I've read it does wonders to the sound and it due to some old but really nice Philips chipsets. Is it plug and play ? Would I need to buy a case for it ?

5. XtremPro X1 ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FQHBDI4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3O321HKJX56NP&psc=1 )

Again very good reviews and its supposed to be a rebrand of a different DAC.

6. The out of budget IBASSO DC01 ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/iBasso-USB-C-Adapter-2-5mm-Output/dp/B07RTRB5MR )

Is there a cheaper alternative to this one anywhere that is worth buying ? From what I understand I could actually use my balanced cable that campe with the headphones and get the best of both worlds, a better dac plus the balanced connection

So I'm curious if you have experience with these DACs and you had to make a choice that would fit my budged, which one would you go for ?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Hi, welcome. Sorry I don't know about any of these first hand but the names of most of what you mentioned are not commonly mentioned here. If noone answers please check the subforum for portable source gear and computer audio and ask again there. I'm sure there are affordable devices that can bring some satisfaction.

 

[pbui44]

While it is more expensive, the value and features are worth it, so get the FiiO K3 here and check other Amazon sellers for the lowest price:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Type-...3&sr=1-1-718396de-69ac-46a0-9195-9669ab0086b2

 

[pbui44]

I also found this cheaper DAC/amp:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabaj-Audi...FERQT0D3C0A&psc=1&refRID=A62NSP3DV0BGRPYJGBHA

 

[ZoomB]

I have placed an order for the XtremePro X1 .. lets hope I won't get cancer from it

 

[gimmeheadroom]

The California thing is probably about some plastics. I have seen it on metal racks that come with plastic rollers.

 

[pbui44]

I have placed an order for the XtremePro X1 .. lets hope I won't get cancer from it

Looks good...just add some gorilla glue to the housing edges, as I saw on amazon review with it open and dead. Also, if the amp section is not powerful enough, here is a cheap rechargeable portable headphone amp:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphone-...&qid=1588046327&sprefix=headphone+amp&sr=8-96

 

[ZoomB]

Looks good...just add some gorilla glue to the housing edges, as I saw on amazon review with it open and dead. Also, if the amp section is not powerful enough, here is a cheap rechargeable portable headphone amp:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphone-...&qid=1588046327&sprefix=headphone+amp&sr=8-96

Thanks . If this one doesn't work out for me the next step is saving up a little more money and buying something that I will use for a few good years. I'm willing to buy the iBasso DC01 next as I'd like to use my headphones with the balanced cable as I've heard it improves the soundstage a lot

 

[Just1890]

Although I don't mean to discredit your purchase, if it doesn't work out, the Apple USB Type C Dongle is an excellent DAC for much less money. It measures better than many more expensive 'traditional' DACs without breaking the bank. I say this having tried a few traditional choices and discovering they offered no advantage over the Apple DAC (that I could hear).

 

[ZoomB]

Although I don't mean to discredit your purchase, if it doesn't work out, the Apple USB Type C Dongle is an excellent DAC for much less money. It measures better than many more expensive 'traditional' DACs without breaking the bank. I say this having tried a few traditional choices and discovering they offered no advantage over the Apple DAC (that I could hear).

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately I read about this a day after I already paid for mine. I knew about it but I always thought it was an iphone proprietary DAC and in my mind I never made the USB-C connection and that I can use it with a PC.