[rockfan1972]

Can I use DC03PRO between ibasso dx90 and Fiio A5?
Can any improvement be expected?

 

[Robster1958]

Any update on your opinion of the AK HC3 Someyoungguy? Also what is your source,,,,and how does the volume control work if not Android, if you know?

 

[Robster1958]

Also...any thoughts of what I thought was the leader: AQ Dragonfly Cobalt? It annoys me that there has been no re-design, as USB A is hardly cutting edge. And the Dragon Tail just seems to introduce a weak link.

 

[dumpsterfire]

Guys with your knowledge of the topic about portable DAC/AMP or experience of owning of the following below, which one would you go for and what would be your reasoning? My main goal will be getting 4.4mm balanced cable in future to run these with the HD 600, desktop use mainly.
I would like to get clear and detailed sound, for instrumental songs and when playing Valorant to get accurate image or whatever the right term would be.

• Colorfly CDA M
  -(Custom “Alpha” ESS Sabre based,RT6863 high-performance independent Op-AMP, 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512 natively, DSD256 - DoP.)
• iBasso DC06 (Double ES9219C, 32bit/384kHz PCM, DSD256)
• TANCHJIM Space (Double DAC CS43131, 32-Bit/768kHz PCM, Native DSD256)
• iBasso DC04 4.4.mm BL (Double DAC CS43131, 32bit/384kHz PCM, Native DSD256)
• BGVP T01s 4.4mm BL (Single CX31993 chip, 32bit/384kHz PCM, DSD64/128)
• FiiO JadeAudio KA2 (Double DAC CS43131, 32bit/384kHz PCM, DSD256)
• FiiO JadeAudio KA3 (ES9038Q2M, 32bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512)

Thanks in advance.

If it’s for desktop use, look for full size DAC/amps like the xDuoo or ifi iDSD Signature. The HD600 is not going to sound its best from any dongle, IMO.

The one exception may be the Apogee Groove which I believe used to be sold in a bundle with the HD600.

 

[bassct]

Also...any thoughts of what I thought was the leader: AQ Dragonfly Cobalt? It annoys me that there has been no re-design, as USB A is hardly cutting edge. And the Dragon Tail just seems to introduce a weak link.

I thought Dragonflys were top of the line, but unfotunately they are overpriced and underperform. The market now has a lot of sub 100$ dacs w great specs and performance. E1DA dacs are well priced and have honest specs with stellar performance. Paw s1-s2, Ibassos dc03 04 05 06, hidizs has several, Truthear Shio seems good as well.
I personally own E1DA 9038D (3.5mm ), Thx Onyx, Qudelix 5k. Interested to try Shio.

 

[bassct]

Can I use DC03PRO between ibasso dx90 and Fiio A5?
Can any improvement be expected?

I doubt it, seems redundant. Ibasso is already a good DAP.

 

[baskingshark]

I thought Dragonflys were top of the line, but unfotunately they are overpriced and underperform. The market now has a lot of sub 100$ dacs w great specs and performance. E1DA dacs are well priced and have honest specs with stellar performance. Paw s1-s2, Ibassos dc03 04 05 06, hidizs has several, Truthear Shio seems good as well.
I personally own E1DA 9038D (3.5mm ), Thx Onyx, Qudelix 5k. Interested to try Shio.

If you already own the E1DA 9038D, I think it is better technically than the Shio. Shio is a bit too coloured and warm, and isn't as technically proficient as the E1DA 9038D.

Shio has a 4.4mm port which can give more power though, so perhaps if you need to drive more demanding gear (eg low sensitivity and/or high impedance), then this may come into play. FWIW, Truthear recently released a firmware update that gives more fine tuned volume steps + independent volume control, which is a very nice touch.

 

[bassct]

If you already own the E1DA 9038D, I think it is better technically than the Shio. Shio is a bit too coloured and warm, and isn't as technically proficient as the E1DA 9038D.

Shio has a 4.4mm port which can give more power though, so perhaps if you need to drive more demanding gear (eg low sensitivity and/or high impedance), then this may come into play. FWIW, Truthear recently released a firmware update that gives more fine tuned volume steps + independent volume control, which is a very nice touch.

Thanks for the input. Shio seems like a nice price/perf option. I dont have anything that is hard to drive so dont really need the power. Thx Onyx is the most powerful dongle ive come across, a few volume steps and it is loud. Qudelix is great and E1DA is a top performer as well.

 

[OspreyAndy]

Fresh from the mail man, iBasso DC04Pro side by side with DC03Pro, will plug it in soon and find out how it performs. Hoping to do a full review next week by Friday on my YouTube channel

 

[dumpsterfire]

Fresh from the mail man, iBasso DC04Pro side by side with DC03Pro, will plug it in soon and find out how it performs. Hoping to do a full review next week by Friday on my YouTube channel

A little tough to tell from the angle of the pic, is the DC04 Pro thicker than the DC03 Pro or the same thickness and just longer? One of the things I love about the DC03 Pro is how compact it is.

 

[OspreyAndy]

A little tough to tell from the angle of the pic, is the DC04 Pro thicker than the DC03 Pro or the same thickness and just longer? One of the things I love about the DC03 Pro is how compact it is.

It's not just the angle, DC04Pro is literally double the size of DC03Pro

 

[dumpsterfire]

It's not just the angle, DC04Pro is literally double the size of DC03Pro

Thanks for confirming! That would make it bulkier than I would want for portable use. Would be great for plugging in to a laptop, though.

 

[Nada]

HiBy FC6 USB Headphone R2R DAC/AMP with Darwin Architecture $300 USD https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-fc6 ​

New #1?

"One very special dongle that will be hard to beat."

https://andyaudiovault.com/dongle-reviews/

 

[GiRA]

If it’s for desktop use, look for full size DAC/amps like the xDuoo or ifi iDSD Signature. The HD600 is not going to sound its best from any dongle, IMO.

The one exception may be the Apogee Groove which I believe used to be sold in a bundle with the HD600.

Any recomendation of DAC/AMP combo in EU for 60-200 USD then? I do not know what to get. Schiit and ATOM labs is not a option after all the fees and import cost.

 

[rocketron]

Any recomendation of DAC/AMP combo in EU for 60-200 USD then? I do not know what to get. Schiit and ATOM labs is not a option after all the fees and import cost.

Second hand Chord Mojo.