I'm a student and am trying to get some portable dac for when I'm using my laptop on campus. I bought the starfields and an Xduoo XD-05 basic as my source. While the starfields sound fine, I am hearing a slight hiss from the XD-05. It's not audible when listening to music but extremely annoying when I'm not. Also, it's annoying having to plug in two cables to the XD-05 when using my laptop (one for data and one for charging). Does anyone have any recommendations for a portable dac/amp that I can use easily with my laptop? My budget is around $150 but I could go slightly higher if necessary. Just looking for something to get a clean signal out of my laptop. I don't really need anything to use on the go because the dac in my phone is actually pretty nice. Thanks!
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Portable DAC/amp recommendations
- Thread starter Hawson
- Start date
gimmeheadroom
Headphoneus Supremus
El-cheapo recommendation could be audioquest dragonfly or something similar. I have not heard them.
Just the fact anybody responded will now lead to thousands of pages of opposing posts![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Don't thank me, just throw money...
Just the fact anybody responded will now lead to thousands of pages of opposing posts
Don't thank me, just throw money...
you could go for the ddHiFi TC44B or the Zerda ITM03 based on the reviews in HeadFi.
Look at Earmen, Dragonfly Black, Periodic Audio has a small dongle that produces great sound. There are many great choices out there. And as soon as you select one you'll want another. And another...
Even if you don't need anything on the go I would still go Qudelix 5K, you can use it as a desktop dac, it is quite powerful and you can move around your computer more freely if you go with bluetooth. Bonus : you get a parametric equalizer with it.
Dude, that's some righteous work there! Well done. I still use my Radsone Earstudio amp from my phone to any IEM and wonder how much I truly gain by buying other gear.
silent-circuit
Headphoneus Supremus
Hidizs DH80S. Been very happy with mine. Zero issues with hiss. Plenty of power for any IEM and most over-ears. Supports MQA if you care about that. Has its own battery so it doesn't drain your phone. ~$125
Last edited:
IDrinkLava
Head-Fier
Apple dongle is more than enough for Moondrops.
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