Was listening to the FIIO K3 review with zeos and someone in the comments asked that one or the K2? The prior one. Someone else commented saying that the prior one is powered so it’s better for portable use etc. So I guess 2 questions. Self powered, but is the sound a noticeable downgrade? And 2 what portable amp dac combos are good in that price range? It would be sick if I could use it for BOTH speaker and headphones
The fiio q1 mk2 is pretty good at this price imo
3 Likes
Portable dac amp isn’t that great for speaker use. Sure it’s portable but you lose out on power and quality. Their is a reason to separate a dac and amp which from my knowledge is to reduce noise/distortions.
Be like Zeos and stick a DAP and Xudoo 05 plus together to get a powerful portable DAC amp combo for the POWER ! or be reasonable and just buy the atom and some other DAC undder 150$ to power your headphones if it’s not those hard to drive ones.
1 Like
As long as it has a line out you are pretty much fine for feeding a speaker amp tbh. Not everyone wants to commit to a desk setup (or can). I do think that if you mainly plan on using it for a desk then go for a desk solution
1 Like
The EarStudio ES100 is on sale at Amazon right now. It runs balanced or single-ended headphones, and can be used wired or with Bluetooth.
3 Likes
Going to link this since this is relevant to the topic
if you speakers need power and you want a portable dac amp
Fiio BTR3 for your portable needs
Nobsound Little Bear G5 for powering your speakers
if your speakers don’t need power
Fiio Q1 Mark II
OR
Fiio BTR5
OR
Earstudio ES100
Kinda, but if someone just needs a dac. None of those can power headphones, and not fitting in the dac/amp category
FiiO Q1 Mark II Native DSD DAC & Amplifier for iPhone, iPod, iPad and Computers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0757MH46M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8E69DbBV4KKGF
Is this the one mon?
The thing is I do have an amp for my speakers. Just need a dac. So if I could connect this to the speakers and my headphones it would be nice
Yeah, pretty nice unit tbh. For a dac/amp combo the q1 mk2 and the es100 are hard to beat under 100 imo. The mk2 has a line out which is good for speakers
1 Like
I did hear about this. And this is just possible ignorance on my part lol but isn’t the fiio ones better? Because they are bigger I just assume it has something better. I do have a fiio btr3 already too
Oooooooh nice to hear l! I can use it on my headphones too right? It’s not a deal breaker if not. Just curious and would be cool
It depends, both are solid units, but the es100 has some pretty neat features
1 Like
Yah it has 3.5 and 2.5 Bal headphone out and has a variable line out in the middle when connected as a dac, or can act as a line in to use just as an amp
1 Like
I guess the real question is. Better Soundstage haha. That’s all I really care about
Oh niceeeeeeeee! I think imma get it then!
Well I think they are on similar terms in that department, I think you would want to step up to something like a ifi idsd nano bl (which is great) or an xd05 with swapped op amps (also great) for an improvement in spatial recreation
1 Like
Yeah the thing is I decided that I will use all of my stuff portable. So I’m not gonna get desk stuff like desk amps dacs n stuff. Just stuff I can hook up to my phone. Also decided on not getting a dap since they don’t allow the n7 player which is my fav
Oh quite pricey. Guess I’ll stick to smaller Soundstage lol