The dreaded ‘what headphone DAC?’ question

[Revolutions]

Seeing as I’ve got two pairs of semi-decent headphones & my preamp doesn’t have headphone out, I think Black Friday would be a good time to explore this absolutely terrifying looking rabbit hole.

With so many brands, each having multiple units, the choice paralysis is astounding. And there really seems to be little information around direct comparisons when it comes to sound.

My plan is to keep it simple, and I’ve got a shortlist of 2 units: Topping DX3 Pro+ or FiiO K11 R2R

Still, I thought it prudent to throw it out it here for any suggestions from the streamers. I’m well-aware that I know little, and just want to check I’ve not made an error in judgment for my criteria: cheap, simple, sounds great.

 

[abacus]

Make sure whichever you choose is compatible with your headphones, as some only work best with either low or high impedance headphones, however if you go for an upmarket (And expensive) unit than they will normally do both.

Bill

 

[Jasonovich]

Hifiman Store are doing some great deals right now, their EF500 R2R headphone DAC is a real bargain and you can get directly from them or AliExpress.

The EF400 R2R headphone with the more conventional format, is also another option see reviews below. I believe Hifiman store selling cheap on eBay and AliExpress see links below.

HIFIMAN EF400 Review

Today, we review the HIFIMAN EF400 which is an integrated balanced headphone amplifier and DAC featuring the new Himalaya R2R DAC. It is priced at $599. Disclaimer: This is a sample sent to us in

headfonics.com

https://www.bing.com/aclk?ld=e8IGNJ2mMzChJEo0foyqaQXjVUCUzQsNSDIm2lxTRKG3WQaCXAWmjR56gQF6QhoMtB7yZ4HOTt-Sgwow7ijRhZKx8YB-AJDGLjk_6YuvjVz6gk-BsJPuSD7I8iUeE2mVXMDWwOSkhhvtq5P4G_OaNQbJ-9Fibqf3jb0fBcwfo_95GxqnKpGj8_W9L6_7qiUk1Ox-PcZg&u=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&rlid=57689c5f3d2517dcec88fb1b6d7872bb&ntb=1&ntb=1

Original hifiman ef400 desktop symmetrischer kopfhörer dac & verstärker mit r2r dac, 3.5/4.4/6,35mm 4,4 w ausgang für home audio - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

HIFIMAN EF500 DAC/Verstärker/Kopfhörerständer mit Streaming Media und Hymalaya LE R2R DAC - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

I also like the FiiO. It has the excellent K9 headphone DAC amp and has more features than the Hifiman - comes with Bluetooth - see link below

Fiio k9 desktop kopfhörer verstärker amp usb dac hi-res audio es9068as * 2 chips bluetooth thx aaa 788 ldac dsd512 - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

The Exploration version has this glass panel at a slightly higher price - pretty neat!

(Erkundung auf Lager) fiio k9 Desktop-Kopfhörer verstärker amp usb es9068as * 2 dac Bluetooth Hifi Audio thx aaa 788 ldac dsd512 - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Also I'm very happy with my XDUOO TA-66 tube headphone amp, doesn't have built in DAC but the sound is so lush and full of tubey loveliness. You would require high Ohms headphones for OTL tube amps, >60ohms. Sounds even better when you tube roll with high quality tubes

 

[Gray]

I’ve got a shortlist of 2 units: Topping DX3 Pro+ or FiiO K11 R2R

Just had a quick look at those.
One thing's for sure, you'll be getting great value with either.
I paid more for a Topping A50S and that's purely an amp (you're getting a lot with that DX3).
Not sure how volume is done on the DX3, but I see the Fiio makes the point that it has electronic volume control - which means no chance of tracking error and possibly greater long-term longevity.
And it's an R2R DAC, which is desirable to some people 😍

Some might say your best option (if possible) is to get both, try, then return the one you like the least.
That always seems a bit of a dodgy practise, but if the retailer offers it......

 

[Vincent Kars]

Topping DX3 Pro+

Have a look here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pping-dx3-pro-review-dac-headphone-amp.27148/
Excellent specs, all distortion products are way below audible level.
Looks like the headphone amp can power almost any headphone including high impedance ones.