USB-C to 3.5mm adapters (DAC) - Let's find the best

[OspreyAndy]

Questyle M12​

November 2021 Update: Questyle released a new update for M12. Link here: LINK

With this new update, what was already a great sounding unit now exhibited even better sonic qualities. There’s marked improvements with the top end sparkle and extensions with smooth decays (as tested with FOSTEX T40RP MK3). The overall presentation remained organic and richly textured with amazing technicalities. With this new development, M12 has now jumped over to 5 Star performers in my book. Probably the most well balanced tuned of all ESS Sabre dongles that I have ever listened to

 

[CarlosBryant]

maybe someone knows a good usb dac for s10 \ s20?

i want some kind of usb dac
the size of a phone
with AKM dac on board
with discrete power supply, this is important
and with sound quality higher v30
maybe there is already something in 2021
what I have not seen yet

 

[OspreyAndy]

maybe someone knows a good usb dac for s10 \ s20?

i want some kind of usb dac
the size of a phone
with AKM dac on board
with discrete power supply, this is important
and with sound quality higher v30
maybe there is already something in 2021
what I have not seen yet

There's a few options if you check in AliExpress for AKM based. You can check out HAA FEE, Kuang Pai and HAC (all of them discrete 4 Vrms capable). Yes they may not be popular but they are among the best for AKM based tuning. Otherwise there's also Lotoo PAW S2 (weaker power) if you prefer a more established name. For me personally I love CEntrance DACport HD which uses AKM4490 + Class A amplifier, practically a miniaturized desktop DAC/Amp with a whopping 775 mW of sheer fidelity with 4.1 Vrms output - totally a top dog

 

[Nas Volokin]

Hello everyone!
I'm looking for a nice portable dac with balanced output to go along with Fiio FD5!
I'm currently considering Fiio's BTR5 or KA3! Any other considerations will be much appreciated
Thanks!

 

[MagicNinjaPotato]

Hi everyone.
I've searched for a little on this forum bit didn't manage to find DACs that cost in the range of €10 to €20 but still manage to deliver somewhat good performance.

I've recently got myself an apple usb-c to jack DAC and I was really surprised of it's quality, especially coming from the one bundled with my Google pixel. The only problem is that the max volume is extremely low and about half of what I usually listen my music to.
(This is a problem with all Android phones, which don't give the apple DAC all the necessary power).

I've read of some very good price/quality price DACs in here, but those aren't available in Europe neither through Amazon or AliExpress.

What would you recommend as the best entry level DAC which is deliverable to Italy? I tend to prefer warmer and softer sound with an emphasis on mids signature rather than a highly detailed and harsh signature.

P.S.: my phone is a Google Pixel 3 XL so I need a powered DAC in order for it to work.

 

[PlantsmanTX]

This dongle, the Lavaudio DS100, has a CS43198 dac chip. The shell looks quite similar to one of the dongles Andy evaluated. It's $50.00 from Amazon.

 

[artpiggo]

Hi everyone.
I've searched for a little on this forum bit didn't manage to find DACs that cost in the range of €10 to €20 but still manage to deliver somewhat good performance.

I've recently got myself an apple usb-c to jack DAC and I was really surprised of it's quality, especially coming from the one bundled with my Google pixel. The only problem is that the max volume is extremely low and about half of what I usually listen my music to.
(This is a problem with all Android phones, which don't give the apple DAC all the necessary power).

I've read of some very good price/quality price DACs in here, but those aren't available in Europe neither through Amazon or AliExpress.

What would you recommend as the best entry level DAC which is deliverable to Italy? I tend to prefer warmer and softer sound with an emphasis on mids signature rather than a highly detailed and harsh signature.

P.S.: my phone is a Google Pixel 3 XL so I need a powered DAC in order for it to work.

ifi hip dac

 

[chamath]

I'm curious about Nillkin DAC. Has anyone ever tried it? I'm hearing some good reviews from whoever brought it, not sure if they're good audiophiles.
Does anyone at least know the chip they've used?

I'm asking this because the company is a phone accessories manufacturer and not a dedicated audio related company.

 

[Matias]

I'm curious about Nillkin DAC. Has anyone ever tried it? I'm hearing some good reviews from whoever brought it, not sure if they're good audiophiles.
Does anyone at least know the chip they've used?



I'm asking this because the company is a phone accessories manufacturer and not a dedicated audio related company.

Meizu is also a phone company and their dongle is quite good. This one has average specs though.

 

[chamath]

Meizu is also a phone company and their dongle is quite good. This one has average specs though.

Do you really think these are compatible of delivering 32bit audio quality with a price tag of $25?

 

[emad]

I'm curious about Nillkin DAC. Has anyone ever tried it? I'm hearing some good reviews from whoever brought it, not sure if they're good audiophiles.
Does anyone at least know the chip they've used?



I'm asking this because the company is a phone accessories manufacturer and not a dedicated audio related company.

I use it. my mobile is HTC U11.
Does not change the sound
I also have Fiio E10k, dragonfly black, and finally zen dac 2 I have not seen a surprising change in sound.
None of them are close to the cowon J3 in sound.
The cowon is king in the world of sound

 

[G33dubz]

So i somehow managed to break the usb c connector on my dc03. Instead of just buying a new one (the price has gone up drastically) i am planning on replacing the broken connector. Has anyone done this before? If so, what is the exact connector type? Is it 3.0 or 3.1? If it is 3.0, would it be possible to switch it to 3.1? Would there be any benefit to switching it? Am i barking up the wrong tree? Should i be posting this elsewhere? Do i need to stop this stream of consciousness buffet of questions? Please advise.

 

[Ichos]

Vioelectric Chronos , the most natural and organic USB DAC/amp that has come in my way till now.

 

[emusic13]

Vioelectric Chronos , the most natural and organic USB DAC/amp that has come in my way till now.

I've been wondering why the Chronos isn't talked about much. It sounds great!

 

[lushmelody]

I've been wondering why the Chronos isn't talked about much. It sounds great!

Price and availability I guess