Recommendations please! DAC/headphone amp with Bluetooth

[Davywhizz]

I'm looking for a simple, compact music system for a spare bedroom, probably just a Bluetooth DAC/headphone amp to start, but with the flexibility to add other sources later and maybe powered speakers? So maybe an optical input and RCA out. For headphones I'm thinking of Meze 99 Classics, but that could change. I'd like to try balanced outputs and cables. All ideas very welcome.

 

[pbui44]

Check out this AIO:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOPPING-MX...2029096&sprefix=bluetooth+da,aps,360&sr=8-121

 

[Terco]

The GOBlu from iFi is shocking good for iems and big headphones.

 

[Davywhizz]

Thanks both. I'm seeing the GOBlu as more of a portable device and I need something with a little bit of weight to it, so it doesn't move about much in use. The Topping MX3 seems like a real bargain, but maybe not quite enough for the headphones I'm thinking of? However, I've now seen the Topping EX5, as a result of checking out the MX3, and it looks close to what I need. I should maybe say I have a Fiio K9 Pro as the DAC/headphone amp for my main hifi. I bought it for my office system, but it was just too good for that. I could get another one, but I'm hoping there's something different out there, maybe a little cheaper, either a combo or stack, which has similar sound quality.

 

[the1andonly]

Thanks both. I'm seeing the GOBlu as more of a portable device and I need something with a little bit of weight to it, so it doesn't move about much in use. The Topping MX3 seems like a real bargain, but maybe not quite enough for the headphones I'm thinking of? However, I've now seen the Topping EX5, as a result of checking out the MX3, and it looks close to what I need. I should maybe say I have a Fiio K9 Pro as the DAC/headphone amp for my main hifi. I bought it for my office system, but it was just too good for that. I could get another one, but I'm hoping there's something different out there, maybe a little cheaper, either a combo or stack, which has similar sound quality.

Almost everything you are going to either be very expensive or have concessions, if you aren't afraid to buy used. can wait for a good deal, and are willing to spend around 1k the Oppo HA-1 is a monster... besides that I think SMSL has some decent units with build in bluetooth, the real issue here is that most DAC's with integrated bluetooth are going to be on the cheap side, even for DAC's which means the actual DAC isn't going to be amazingly good.... The best codec for bluetooth is LDAC... an LDAC transmitter(last time I looked there was only 1 that had just come out) is like $100, the only bluetooth receiver that I can think off the top of my head that takes LDAC is the BTR5, and here is the second problem, most bluetooth receivers have DAC's built in, and the segment by nature is on the cheaper side all around, so you by default are almost always limited to a cheap DAC... If I were you I would look for a bluetooth receiver only(does this exist would be a good place to start lol I haven't a clue) that can output USB, and hopefully do AAC, AptX/Aptx HD and LL for movies and if they have one LDAC, then buy a separate AMP/DAC or separate AMP and DAC... I personally have found if you are looking to upgrade in the future being discrete superior to integrated...

Me personally I never use Bluetooth on my phone except to listen to voicemail which for some reason is always super low volume, but having the ability to do that on the fly as well as use my phone as a remote control(can't tell you how many times I have just laid down in front of my bed tv and remembered my HA-1 is on and just shut it down bia phone) is pretty freaking awesome, so word of advice to you, bluetooth with phone automatically just works but if you find one that also has phone controls it's pretty cool IMO and adds some value you might find you like whereas most bluetooth DACs are mostly concessions here or there

Not exactly on topic but I hope something I wrote is new or helpful.

 

[Davywhizz]

Thanks for your thoughtful and helpful reply. Bluetooth receivers do exist, by the way, Fiio do at least one.

I wouldn't have considered using Bluetooth for transmitting music until a couple of weeks ago, when I found my new Fiio K9 Pro does it very well, especially using LDAC when a phone is the source. So my plan is to get another DAC/headphone amp with Bluetooth for the bedroom system and feed it from my phone at first, then add another source option later.

I wonder if the days of DACs with Bluetooth being mostly at the cheaper end of the market are numbered, as Bluetooth music quality improves?

So far, I'm looking at the Topping EX5 and SMSL M500 Mark 2. I'm sure there must be other options out there.

 

[the1andonly]

Thanks for your thoughtful and helpful reply. Bluetooth receivers do exist, by the way, Fiio do at least one.

I wouldn't have considered using Bluetooth for transmitting music until a couple of weeks ago, when I found my new Fiio K9 Pro does it very well, especially using LDAC when a phone is the source. So my plan is to get another DAC/headphone amp with Bluetooth for the bedroom system and feed it from my phone at first, then add another source option later.

I wonder if the days of DACs with Bluetooth being mostly at the cheaper end of the market are numbered, as Bluetooth music quality improves?

So far, I'm looking at the Topping EX5 and SMSL M500 Mark 2. I'm sure there must be other options out there.

I am sure at least wireless feature set will improve... putting actual wifi for lossless isn't cheap or easy but I think low(er) bandwidth like 100mbps is becoming an option, and wifi is so fast it eliminates the need for AptX LL, also the wireless dongles are still fairly expensive but those will go down in price and well and I feel they are much easier to implement on the receiving device also... so if Bluetooth doesn't beat the other two for price and potential the tides may shift, I do think Bluetooth will always be the easier implementation for companies that don't have a lot to spend on R&D however and will remain a great backup.,.. but who knows one day our DACs might be able to connect to the internet and LDAC will serve as backup the way SBC does now

 

[pbui44]

Thanks for your thoughtful and helpful reply. Bluetooth receivers do exist, by the way, Fiio do at least one.

I wouldn't have considered using Bluetooth for transmitting music until a couple of weeks ago, when I found my new Fiio K9 Pro does it very well, especially using LDAC when a phone is the source. So my plan is to get another DAC/headphone amp with Bluetooth for the bedroom system and feed it from my phone at first, then add another source option later.

I wonder if the days of DACs with Bluetooth being mostly at the cheaper end of the market are numbered, as Bluetooth music quality improves?

So far, I'm looking at the Topping EX5 and SMSL M500 Mark 2. I'm sure there must be other options out there.

Whatever DAC you get, also consider getting these speakers as well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kali-Audio...d=1642191061&sprefix=kali+audi,aps,303&sr=8-1

 

[lostrockets]

pretty happy with my ifi go blu, super small and can use on desktop with usbc. only wish it had a clip

 

[Coolmoose]

Xduoo XA-10, plenty of power and fits your requirement for features. I have one at the office and its a great device contrary to what some reviews say

 

[jamiejmuk]

I have an xDuoo xd-05 balanced which I would describe a luggable. I didn't get on with the Bluetooth initially, but I think that was be cause it was being swamped by some misbehaving devices. It can be found for £350. It has spdif, analogue, usb and bluetooth inputs. Balanced headphone and line outputs (with adapter cables)

I can also recommend the ifi iDSD neo.