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

[D1N0]

Trying to decide between two dac's. I know nothing about the Eversolo, but their Z8 Desktop dac is getting very good reviews. There are two reviews for the iBasso on youtube, one of which looks like a commercial (Yuri). Based on the specs it looks like the iBasso is the better DAC it also costs more (119 vs 85). Would you guys think so too? I've translated the Vrms from the iBasso to mW (well ChatGTP did it for me) in orange. It looks like the iBasso beats the Eversolo on measurements if not on maximum decoding bit rates 384Khz vs 768 (I will never play anything above 192) and DSD (256 vs 512) probably never. The Balanced output of the iBasso is 4.4mm vs the 2.5mm In my experience in look at mobile dac's (which is about three days) I would say the iBasso is probably the better choice. There is nothing about an app in the Eversolo info but there is one in the Google Play store.

 

[marekm]

I hear, the iBasso DC04 is power hungry. If true, would be a "no go" for me, if planning to use with a phone.

 

[D1N0]

I hear, the iBasso DC04 is power hungry. If true, would be a "no go" for me, if planning to use with a phone.

I guess that will depend on the headphones you are driving with it. When you need long battery life use sensitive IEM.s when not you can drive more difficult headphones with it. You can also disable the opamp stage and put it in eco mode.

 

[marekm]

I guess that will depend on the headphones you are driving with it.

Yes, but power efficiency is inherent to the design. Some dongles are less, some are more efficient.

If used with a notebook, a dongle's power consumption is not an issue, but if used with a phone, rate of power drain is indeed important, IMHO.

 

[D1N0]

Yes, but power efficiency is inherent to the design. Some dongles are less, some are more efficient.

If used with a notebook, a dongle's power consumption is not an issue, but if used with a phone, rate of power drain is indeed important, IMHO.

It depends on how you use it. If power is a real issue then better go with a battery dac like the FIIO BTR5 or BTR7

 

[lushmelody]

I hear, the iBasso DC04 is power hungry. If true, would be a "no go" for me, if planning to use with a phone.

Its regular drain for 4 Vrms dongles. If you want more efficiency, go SE 2 Vrms like DC03 Pro

 

[marekm]

Its regular drain for 4 Vrms dongles.

Are you saying that all dongles on the market have the same power consumption at 4 Vrms ?

 

[lushmelody]

Are you saying that all dongles on the market have the same power consumption at 4 Vrms ?

No, there is a margin of difference. Its inside a spectrum

 

[marekm]

Exactly, some are more power efficient, some are less (true for any design).

Some reviewers do actually test this parameter, and the results vary significantly.

 

[Ichos]

I have measured the iBasso DC04 Pro with a USB power consumption tool.

Idle without load is 0.12A and 0.60W.

With the Sennheiser HD660S (150Ω) streaming 24/96kHz is 0.13A and 0.69 to 0.71W with the phone volume set to maximum, DC04 Pro volume 86/100 and high gain, Turbo mode and eco mode off.

Pretty efficient.

 

[marekm]

I have measured the iBasso DC04 Pro with a USB power consumption tool.

Did you measure any of the other dongles, that you have reviewed ?
How did they fare ?

 

[ApaucalyptiK]

I have measured the iBasso DC04 Pro with a USB power consumption tool.

Idle without load is 0.12A and 0.60W.

With the Sennheiser HD660S (150Ω) streaming 24/96kHz is 0.13A and 0.69 to 0.71W with the phone volume set to maximum, DC04 Pro volume 86/100 and high gain, Turbo mode and eco mode off.

Pretty efficient.

And for comparison this review states 0.078A and 0.397W for the ddHifi TC44C.

I'm curious to know how the little TC44A stands in the matter of power consumption.

 

[ApaucalyptiK]

And 0.1A and 0.510W for the iBasso DC06 :

He also has a review of the Truthear Shio but unfortunatly there is no mention of the power consumption for this one.

 

[ApaucalyptiK]

And 0.81A and 0.413W for the Moondrop Dawn.


0.139A and 0.707W for the FiiO KA3


0.143A and 0.727W for the Dunu DTC500

 

[Ichos]

@ApaucalyptiK

As you can understand all these measurements are a rule of thumb because they don't use the same parameters.