USB-C to 3.5mm adapters (DAC) - Let's find the best
Oct 13, 2020 at 5:58 AM Post #1,591 of 6,526
Looks like the highly anticipated E1DA 9038D is released:

https://hifigo.com/products/e1da-9038d-usb-headphone-amp-3-5mm-jack-unbalanced-output-dac-hpa

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001559736630.html

E1DA.png

Specs:
- Class-leading ES9038Q2M decoding chip.
- High-performance OPA1622, OPA1602 amplifier chips.
- PCM decoding up to 32-Bit/384kHz, DSD up to DSD256 natively.
- Premium components including Susumu resistors, Murata COG capacitors, AVX tantalum capacitors, Taiwanese connectors.
- Sandblasted black anodized aluminum housing.
- 3.5mm headphone output.
- Output Power: 180mW @ 32 Ohms.
200mw @ 40 Ohms.
120m@ @ 16 Ohms.
- SNR: -125dB.
-THD+N: <0.00018%.


I hope it will be discounted enough on 11/11, been waiting for a single ended variant since the good reviews of the 9038S.
The D is a welcome addition but the one I’m waiting for is the next version of the PowerDAC, which will retain the balanced 2.5mm jack but will be usable with a 3.5 SE adapter.
 
Oct 13, 2020 at 3:08 PM Post #1,592 of 6,526
Got the E1DA 9038s since a week, it sounds so good... I hear something very musical and technical at the same time. I was afraid of something fatiguing and in your face but its the opposite.
Was using meizu DAC pro before.
 
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Oct 14, 2020 at 12:28 AM Post #1,593 of 6,526
I recently bought Xduoo Link 2. It has got enough power to send 100% of IEMs and most Headphones into the stratosphere. Nice and clean sound, bass boost was the selling point for me, works great!!! Using as a dac/amp on my PC feeding Senns HD518.
And got a Qudelix 5K, which is not exactly a dongle dac/amp but can certainly be used as one with both 3.5mm and 2.5mm outputs. Has a very robust EQ and tons of options in the app. Very versatile device.
 
Oct 16, 2020 at 6:07 AM Post #1,595 of 6,526
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Oct 18, 2020 at 4:41 PM Post #1,599 of 6,526
My thoughts on the Meizu HiFi Audio Pro are over here on Headfonia.
 
Oct 20, 2020 at 7:05 AM Post #1,601 of 6,526
Tell me, is it worth getting an E1DA - 9038s or PDV2 - to use with a powerbank or a simple Tempotec Sonata HD Pro can it give you more or less the same sound quality with less complication? I mainly use iems.
 
Oct 20, 2020 at 7:13 AM Post #1,602 of 6,526
Tell me, is it worth getting an E1DA - 9038s or PDV2 - to use with a powerbank or a simple Tempotec Sonata HD Pro can it give you more or less the same sound quality with less complication? I mainly use iems.

If your iems are not planars or something like a Final Audio E5000 then the tempotec sonata hd pro is sufficient. It can't drive well stuff like power hungry headphones eg 300 ohm cans, but most other iems are driven sufficiently with it

I don't have the 9038S but my friend says it isn't a good pairing with high sensitivity iems as they can get very loud or blow drivers if accidentally played at loud volumes. They came out with a 9038D which is single ended and has less power, i think that may be worth looking into for iems.
 
Oct 20, 2020 at 8:02 AM Post #1,603 of 6,526
I don't have the 9038S but my friend says it isn't a good pairing with high sensitivity iems as they can get very loud or blow drivers if accidentally played at loud volumes. They came out with a 9038D which is single ended and has less power, i think that may be worth looking into for iems.

There's an IEM mode that basically you drop the internal to gain to -30dB, so it plays safer, though.
 
Oct 25, 2020 at 3:14 PM Post #1,604 of 6,526
Hi,
Anybody did some comparison of hilidac beam 2 vs lotoo paw s1? I’d like to buy one of them for Hifiman Ananda and Moondrop Blessing2. I need mqa and that’s why I only have those two options. Thank you in advance!
Edit: Primary use iMac with Ananda, iPhone with Blessing2.
 
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