[sloowhand]

Greetings everyone!
 
I'm currently in the process of putting together a portable setup for traveling. I've pretty much settled on the Meze 99 Classics for the headphones but I'm also looking for a portable DAC/amp as well. I'm leaning heavily toward the OPPO HA-2SE because it has a ton of features while still maintaining a super slim form factor. The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the price. $300 gives me pause since I'm already dropping $310 on the headphones.
 
So my question to all of you is: Is there a cheaper alternative to the HA-2SE that maintains the same super slim form factor and at least comes close in performance and sound quality? I know there are a dozen Fiio models, but I'll be honest that I'm having trouble keeping them straight.
 
Whatever advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

 

[buke9]

Greetings everyone!

I'm currently in the process of putting together a portable setup for traveling. I've pretty much settled on the Meze 99 Classics for the headphones but I'm also looking for a portable DAC/amp as well. I'm leaning heavily toward the OPPO HA-2SE because it has a ton of features while still maintaining a super slim form factor. The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the price. $300 gives me pause since I'm already dropping $310 on the headphones.

So my question to all of you is: Is there a cheaper alternative to the HA-2SE that maintains the same super slim form factor and at least comes close in performance and sound quality? I know there are a dozen Fiio models, but I'll be honest that I'm having trouble keeping them straight.

Whatever advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Unless you just want to get a dac/amp the Meze 99 Classics will play out of a phone just fine.

 

[sloowhand]

Unless you just want to get a dac/amp the Meze 99 Classics will play out of a phone just fine.

You don't think the sound would be improved with a DAC and/or amp?

 

[buke9]

Not by a lot. I think most headphones sound better amped but I don't think by a huge margin and for travel less stuff to pack around.

 

[JoeNet]

I currently own an Oppo HA-2 (non SE).  I use it to drive Oppo PM-3s and Ultimate Ears IERMs.  Both efficient so I can't speak for less efficient cans.
 
It works well on my iPhone, however, I mostly listen to Tidal on my MacBook Pro.  I've changed to the Meridian Explorer2 and I like it a lot better using MQA.   I can't really speak to one sounding better than the other, but the support of MQA is something I really hear.

 

[arthurl]

Can vouch for DragonFly Red especially for <$300 price tag. It drives most headphones and has good compatibility with iOS/Android/PC/Mac. Most of the time its plug and play.

 

[JohnSantana]

Somehow when I read through the thread http://www.head-fi.org/t/755879/oppo-ha-2-portable-headphone-amplifier-dac-discussion-thread, HA-2SE still have the problem with iPhone interference.

So it is better off to wait until the next release of go with something else at the moment.