Views 30,579 JDS Labs El DAC II+ Balanced is a $299 USD DAC designed by JDS Labs and part of their Element series of products. It will be compared to other high-end DACs, including SMSL DO200 MKII (469 USD), HIFIMAN EF400 (599 USD), Pro-Ject Dac BOX DS (430 USD). …
DAC or Digital To Analogue converter is a class of device that does just this – converts the data from the digital domain, or files, to the analogue domain, or variations of voltage and power that a transducer or IEM / Headphone can further convert to sonic waves.
You can find my reviews on DACs below, and also the best DACs here: https://amzn.to/3r3NuCj
B. DAC
SMSL DO200 MKII MQA DAC – Exploring The Upgrade
Views 30,307 SMSL DO200 MKII is a 469 USD DAC, fully upgraded version of the original SMSL DO200 DAC that I reviewed previously on Audiophile-Heaven. A big part of today’s review will focus on what’s been changed from the original DO200, especially as the release dates are only months apart, …
HIFIMAN EF400 Balanced DAC/AMP – The R2R Music Magician
Views 51,549 HIFIMAN EF400 is a 599 USD balanced DAC/AMP with an R2R DAC inside, the Himalaya recipient of 2022 VGP Technology Award in Japan, and with a fully balanced design for the headphone output part. It will be compared to the best DAC/AMPs I reviewed on Audiophile-Heaven in the …
SMSL C200 DAC / Headphone AMP – Super Resolution
Views 25,807 SMSL C200 is 219 USD a DAC / Headphone AMP / Bluetooth Receiver with Hi-Res and DSD Playback abilities, sold and supported by Aoshida Audio, with both a 6.35mm and a 4.4mm output, Hi-Res Wireless Audio support, and with 4 x OPA 1612A OP-AMPs to support the headphone …
Hiby FC4 Dongle USB DAC/AMP – Balanced Driver
Views 24,830 Hiby FC4 USB DAC / AMP is priced at 99 USD, and it is a dongle with MQA support, as well as two headphone outputs, one that’s 4.4mm and balanced, and one that’s 3.5mm in size and single ended. It will be compared to other high-quality dongle DAC/AMPs …
iBasso DC06 Dongle DAC AMP – Square Performance
Views 38,490 iBasso DC06 is a 119 USD Dongle DAC / AMP, with Dual ES9219C DACs, 320mW in 32 OHMs, Balanced output and support for decoding MQA as well as DSD up to 256x. It will be compared to other popular Dongle DAC/AMPs in the price range including ddHIFI TC44C …
Aune X1S GT BT DAC / AMP / Streamer – Flow Of Music
Views 39,285 Aune X1s GT is a 349 USD DAC/AMP with LDAC Bluetooth, Balanced 4.4mm Headphone Output, and Hi-Res decoding. Given the price and design, it will be compared to the Soundaware A1X (700 USD), iFi xDSD DAC/AMP (400 USD), and Palab M1 Mini (500 USD). Introduction Aune Audio …
S.M.S.L SMSL DO100 – DAC Done Well
Views 33,543 S.M.S.L SMSL DO100 is a DAC priced at 284 USD, with DSD support, Type-C USB Input, LDAC Bluetooth, and Hi-Res JAS certification, and will be compared with Khadas Tone2 PRO (250 USD), allo Audio Revolution DAC (260 USD), and Pro-Ject DAC BOX DS (430 USD). Introduction S.M.S.L …
Matrix Audio Element i Streamer / DAC / Headphone AMP – Music Connections
Views 38,696 Matrix Audio Element i is a Streamer with a headphone output, DAC output, and much more, priced at 1150 USD, and will be compared to some of the best streamers, DACs and headphone amplifiers in the price range, including Cyrus One Cast (2000 USD), cocktail N25 Music Streamer …
Questyle M15 Dongle DAC / AMP – Window To Music
Views 33,574 Questyle M15 is a Dongle DAC / AMP priced at 250 USD, sporting an ES9281AC Sabre DAC Chip, with two headphone outputs, one 3.5mm SE and one 4.4mm Balanced, and with two gain levels. It will be compared with the best DAC AMPs around the price point, including …
Jade Audio FiiO KA1 Dongle DAC / AMP – Tails Of Sonic Speed
Views 42,151 Jade Audio / FiiO KA1 is a dongle DAC / AMP priced at 49 USD, with a type-C connector, Type-A adapter included in the package, RGB status indicator, and with an ES9281AC PRO DAC Chip. It will be compared to other entry-level Dongle DAC / AMPs in the …
Auris BluMe PRO – Receiver, DAC, Bluetooth, OLED & LDAC
Views 56,376 Auris BluMe PRO is a high-end Bluetooth Receiver / DAC priced at 169 USD, with Bluetooth 5.0, LDAC support, and with RCA Analogue, Coaxial and even optical output, perfect for giving wireless abilities to literally any system out there. If you’re the kind who likes good deals, you …
Hiby FC5 MQA Hi-Res DAC/AMP – Small Package, Tons Of Power
Views 23,538 Hiby FC5 is a DAC/AMP with MQA Decoding, priced at 159 USD, and has one balanced output in the form of 4.4mm, 125MW of power per channel at 32 OHMs, a LED data rate indicator, and a type-C USB port. It will be compared to other DAC/AMPs in …
Khadas Tone 2 PRO DAC/AMP – Musically Abundant
Views 27,779 We have an interesting guest today, in the Tone 2 PRO, from Khadas, priced at 250 USD, and with a 4.4mm balanced headphone output, and a Class A amplifier design. It will be compared to other DAC/AMPs, and the list includes Pro-Ject Head Box DS (400 USD), iFi …
IKKO ARC ITB05 Bluetooth Necklace Cable – Cyber Musician
Views 50,116 If you’re into necklace style Bluetooth IEMs, ITB05 should be cool for you, as it has a pocket-friendly price of 129 USD. It will be compared to the Shanling MW200 (120 USD), FiiO UTWS3 (80 USD), and 1More Dual Driver ANC PRO EHD9001BA (150 USD). Introduction IKKO …