[c0rp1]

Hey guys,
 
currently eyeing the Monoprice DAC/AMP (https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-111567-Desktop-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00KVVX2QW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479031897&sr=8-2&keywords=Monoprice+dac), but would definitely like to know if there are any other alternatives that would do a better job, and cost less than $100.
 
Thank you !

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 

Pangea HP101 - $100, USB input works with my Note3, S3, and S5 (smoother than Windows7 too) up to 24/96 (I don't have any 24/192 files to test).

 

Sound-wise it's slightly to the warm side of neutral, midrange tonally similar to my Cantate.2 (both using their own USB inputs), but not as much "slam" on the percussion in the lower frequencies. Also not up to par with the Cantate's non-existent noise levels - the Meier can be set to full volume and zero noise comes through, the HP101 only goes up to around 1:00 on the dial. In practice though that doesn't matter, 12:00 is good for louder than safe listening levels. For extended listening periods I'm only at around 10:00 on my HD600, and then crank it up to 12:00 for my favorite tracks.

 

If anything the one downside is noise rejection - as neat as it would look I can't stack the phone on it as it adds noise. Keep it some distance to the side, and better to the other side with a horizontal dock like this to keep the antennae away, and it's fine. Although of course with the Cantate.2 I just set the dock right on top of the amp.

 

[c0rp1]

Any more suggestions anyone?

 

[zdrvr]

I've not heard it, but there is a good review of the SMSL M3 at youtube made by Z Review.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QwD5Byp1AU

 

[Roderick]

Xiangsheng Dac 01a. $87.97 but after shipping fees it might be bit over your budget. I had one paired with hd600 and it was great. As an amp I think xiangsheng is bit on the bright side but imo it was a good thing with darkish headphone like hd600. Modi/vali combo was better but not by a much. And that is a $250 set. I highly recommend stretching your budget slightly because for a few extra dollars you get a lot more. Dac-01 can operate as a tube or normal preamp, has optical, usb and coax inputs and two rca inputs so you can build a whole entertainment center around it. That means it doesn't automatically become obsolete if you decide to upgrade your system later. If you are a diy kind of person you can do all sort of upgrades to it too. I think dac-01 is pretty much the same as maveric audio tubemagic d1 which is one of the most liked units on head-fi. Read the reviews here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/maverick-audio-tubemagic-d1
 
And here is a 51 pages long thread:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/470639/maverick-audio-tubemagic-d1-dac-amp-condensed-faq-and-info-thread
 
Edit: forgot where the amp is sold for $87.97 : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/XiangSheng-DAC-01A-DAC-Tube-24Bit-192Khz-USB-Decoders-Headphone-PreAmplifier/32284450858.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.18.OmNclw&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_116_10065_117_10068_114_115_113_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10060_10061_10062_10056_10055_10054_10059_10078_10079_10073_10096_10070_423_10052_10050_424_10051,searchweb201603_1&btsid=e4719374-4615-4a71-8876-3a04912088de

 

[c0rp1]

  Xiangsheng Dac 01a. $87.97 but after shipping fees it might be bit over your budget. I had one paired with hd600 and it was great. As an amp I think xiangsheng is bit on the bright side but imo it was a good thing with darkish headphone like hd600. Modi/vali combo was better but not by a much. And that is a $250 set. I highly recommend stretching your budget slightly because for a few extra dollars you get a lot more. Dac-01 can operate as a tube or normal preamp, has optical, usb and coax inputs and two rca inputs so you can build a whole entertainment center around it. That means it doesn't automatically become obsolete if you decide to upgrade your system later. If you are a diy kind of person you can do all sort of upgrades to it too. I think dac-01 is pretty much the same as maveric audio tubemagic d1 which is one of the most liked units on head-fi. Read the reviews here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/maverick-audio-tubemagic-d1
 
And here is a 51 pages long thread:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/470639/maverick-audio-tubemagic-d1-dac-amp-condensed-faq-and-info-thread
 
Edit: forgot where the amp is sold for $87.97 : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/XiangSheng-DAC-01A-DAC-Tube-24Bit-192Khz-USB-Decoders-Headphone-PreAmplifier/32284450858.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.18.OmNclw&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_116_10065_117_10068_114_115_113_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10060_10061_10062_10056_10055_10054_10059_10078_10079_10073_10096_10070_423_10052_10050_424_10051,searchweb201603_1&btsid=e4719374-4615-4a71-8876-3a04912088de

 
Thanks for the great suggestion. Sadly price bumps to over $150 with shipping, which is definitely out of my budget currently (not a US citizen so TNT costs a lot).