Hello. I'm trying to compile a list of DAPs for people who want to drive full-sized headphones off them.
I'm guessing I should do a power/price tier list. All DAPs that are still being sold are welcome.
Price(USD)
Tier 1: Sub-500 The entry-level
Tier 2: 500~1000 The middle ground
Tier 3: 1000~1500 The upper ground
Tier 4: 1500+ TOTL
Power
Tier A: Can drive low-impedance high-sensitivity headphones well, but not much else (<400mW or <2.0Vrms)
Tier B: Can drive most headphones, though with little to no headroom/clearance. (400mW~750mW or 2.0Vrms~4.0Vrms)
Tier C: Can drive most headphones other than the most demanding comfortably. (750mW~1W or 4.0Vrms~7.0Vrms)
Tier D: Basically a desktop amp in portable form (1W+ or 7.0Vrms+)
The mW rating is at any impedance higher than 8.
Additional features:
LN: Low noise floor / little to no hissing
USB-C
Android
Wifi
BT: Bluetooth
DC: Dual card slots
List:
1. AK SP2000: Tier 4C, LN, USB-C, Wifi ac &BT (source: theveterans) Output: 3.0Vrms Unbalanced, 6.0Vrms Balanced (Condition no load)
Please give me feedback on the tiers and add to the list. I will be editing this post with new entries.
I'm guessing I should do a power/price tier list. All DAPs that are still being sold are welcome.
Price(USD)
Tier 1: Sub-500 The entry-level
Tier 2: 500~1000 The middle ground
Tier 3: 1000~1500 The upper ground
Tier 4: 1500+ TOTL
Power
Tier A: Can drive low-impedance high-sensitivity headphones well, but not much else (<400mW or <2.0Vrms)
Tier B: Can drive most headphones, though with little to no headroom/clearance. (400mW~750mW or 2.0Vrms~4.0Vrms)
Tier C: Can drive most headphones other than the most demanding comfortably. (750mW~1W or 4.0Vrms~7.0Vrms)
Tier D: Basically a desktop amp in portable form (1W+ or 7.0Vrms+)
The mW rating is at any impedance higher than 8.
Additional features:
LN: Low noise floor / little to no hissing
USB-C
Android
Wifi
BT: Bluetooth
DC: Dual card slots
List:
1. AK SP2000: Tier 4C, LN, USB-C, Wifi ac &BT (source: theveterans) Output: 3.0Vrms Unbalanced, 6.0Vrms Balanced (Condition no load)
Please give me feedback on the tiers and add to the list. I will be editing this post with new entries.
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