DAC/AMP $100-$200 Range

Equipment / Electronics / Gear / Accessories DACs
21

I strongly recommend the JDS Labs Atom+ stack. The amp is $100; the DAC is $120. A smidge over your price range, but there’s ample, clean power for the Elegia and most other headphones.

The advantage of a stack over an all-in-one is that you can upgrade pieces individually. Want a different-sounding DAC? You don’t need to replace your amp, too.

But the advantages of an all-in-one are more desk space and fewer wires. Still, the Atom stack has a very small footprint.

One caveat: The case of the Atom+ amp and DAC is hard plastic, not aluminum or some other metal. It’s sturdy plastic, not cheap, and that decision helps JDS keep the price down on what is a superb-measuring DAC and amp. Thought I’d lay that out there, though, as the plastic build bothers some people. Not me! Love my Atom stack!

Edit: Oops. This is the second time I’ve recommended this stack in this thread. Apologies. I need to pay better attention to previous posts!

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22

Zen DAC is pretty good heard the Topping DX3 is good
Could do something like a FIIO BTR7 as well

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23

The only knock I have heard is that the firmware for it needs work. I really like my BTR5.

I am guessing you meant the Topping DX3 Pro+, which is their sub $200 all in one. It has a remote, and does Bluetooth input too.

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