Prognathous
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2009
- Posts
- 120
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- 18
I plan to use my DT990 Pro headphones in the living room attached to a BT receiver/amp, with an AV receiver BT as source. I intend to use it both for listening to music and TV. So far it seems that the only solution that doesn't go much above my $100 budget is the FiiO BTR15. It does what I want - supports aptX Adaptive (also LDAC, which is nice) and is powerful enough to drive my 250 ohms headphones. It also has direct volume control, though using buttons rather than a rotary knob, which I would prefer.
The only stationary/desktop alternatives I can find with these features and within my budget are from brands I'm not familiar with and with hardly any reviews other than from buyers on AliExpress. Some examples include:
BRZHIFI BTC60 - Bluetooth: QCC5125, DAC: ES9038Q2M, Op Amp: 2*OPA1612+2*NE5532
AIYIMA DAC-A5 MAX - Bluetooth: QCC5125, DAC: ES9018K2M, Op Amp: NE5532, Headphone amplifier: TPA6120
TILEAR/AIYIMA DAC-D5 (I couldn't find a website for this product, but it's available on AliExpress, see for example item 1005006871406052) - Bluetooth: CSR8675, DAC: ES9038Q2M, Op Amp: OPA1612. Not sure if this one supports aptX Adaptive.
Another option is to buy a FiiO BR13 BT receiver/DAC (for about $50) and attach some headphones amplifier to it, but I'm not sure if there's anything worthwhile for the limited ~$50 that's left in the budget. Edit: I already own a Creative Sound Blaster E1 which I could use and I actually quite like. I also have an old FiiO X3 II DAP that I no longer use and that supports DAC/Amp functionality, but only with USB input which I don't think any BT receiver can output.
Is the BTR15 the "safest" option for my use case, or should I take a bet and go with one of these lesser known products? One additional thing that I like about the BTR15 is that I can disconnect it from power and walk around my living room (and well, kitchen) while continuing to listen to audio. Hence the semi-permanent terminology instead of permanent. It's not a must though. If the desktop products are clearly better, I can live with permanent solution.
The only stationary/desktop alternatives I can find with these features and within my budget are from brands I'm not familiar with and with hardly any reviews other than from buyers on AliExpress. Some examples include:
BRZHIFI BTC60 - Bluetooth: QCC5125, DAC: ES9038Q2M, Op Amp: 2*OPA1612+2*NE5532
AIYIMA DAC-A5 MAX - Bluetooth: QCC5125, DAC: ES9018K2M, Op Amp: NE5532, Headphone amplifier: TPA6120
TILEAR/AIYIMA DAC-D5 (I couldn't find a website for this product, but it's available on AliExpress, see for example item 1005006871406052) - Bluetooth: CSR8675, DAC: ES9038Q2M, Op Amp: OPA1612. Not sure if this one supports aptX Adaptive.
Another option is to buy a FiiO BR13 BT receiver/DAC (for about $50) and attach some headphones amplifier to it, but I'm not sure if there's anything worthwhile for the limited ~$50 that's left in the budget. Edit: I already own a Creative Sound Blaster E1 which I could use and I actually quite like. I also have an old FiiO X3 II DAP that I no longer use and that supports DAC/Amp functionality, but only with USB input which I don't think any BT receiver can output.
Is the BTR15 the "safest" option for my use case, or should I take a bet and go with one of these lesser known products? One additional thing that I like about the BTR15 is that I can disconnect it from power and walk around my living room (and well, kitchen) while continuing to listen to audio. Hence the semi-permanent terminology instead of permanent. It's not a must though. If the desktop products are clearly better, I can live with permanent solution.
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