Well now that’s a word we don’t often see in the audiophile world lol
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The only portables I know (That I’ve heard positive feedback on) that can work as a “standalone” dac are the Chord Mojo and iFi Audio micro iDSD Black Label.
If you want the Mojo, there’s a really good deal on a “used” one here:
Crutchfield has a 3-payment plan.
I see it as a user name all the time! 
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You can get a idsd nano Black label which would suit @MaynardGKs price range better lol, line out for the dac. The mojo isn’t ideal either because it’s not a true line out
I haven’t really heard much feedback on it, that’s why I didn’t list it.
That’s a really good deal on the used Mojo, just sayin’…
Forgetting about stand-alone DAC ability for a moment. How does the Audioengine D3 rank compared to the DFs for SQ? Available and inexpensive here in the barren northern wastelands.
Meh from my experience, I liked the sabaj da3 better
I haven’t heard the d3, but I really like the Cobalt (as long as you match it with an efficient headphone). It’s a good implementation of a SABRE chipset. Very detailed, very resolving, and not too bright like many SABRE dacs.
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the one issue i feel about the cobalt is that its way too expensive (you can get a dragonfly red for 160 bucks now so why not drop the price of the cobalt at least to 250)… only 96K, MQA but only for stuff like tidal and roon, no other support like DSD… you aren’t getting much features for a price that you can get a solid IFI product with more features or even a used chord mojo
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DSD isn’t a very prevalent format, but I agree that it’s priced rather high.
$250 would be a better price point. 
agreed… but if your DAC is costing more than 150 or so DSD is standard in most DAC
Really want to thank Luke, M0N and Duke. Got the message – my idea isn’t going to fly. The DF Red is $250 and the Cobalt is $400 in these here parts. The Sabaj is $160 but it’s not the thumb-drive type gadget I was envisioning.
Yep, I’ve certainly put lots of thought into the Mojo, Micro and their brethren over the past couple years. Don’t rule this out but I’m frightened by all the reliability reports on the Mojo, and feel IFi would be a gamble as to whether I’d be fine with the house coloration. What I’m more inclined to consider along that line would be the A&K Kann DAP. Don’t need portability/battery, but the Kann would be a true AIO option for me. A presumably quality amp, plus DAC, plus file management, plus an actual usable EQ in a single unit.
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Try and find a lotoo paw gold (or paw gold touch, they are eq kings and absolute units imo)
Also you might like the cayin n6ii where you can change dac and amp cards in the unit (also apparently they are working on a card that would have a tube in it)
If you wanted something extremely solid as a dac amp combo, look for a used chord hugo 2 imo, that sounds super up your alley for sound but most likely not price
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Lotoo is $2400US and has tiny screen but looks fascinating. Cayin does not show anything about having EQ on its web page. Do you or anyone have any impressions, even reports from acquaintances, of the Kann? The few reviews seem favourable.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/f-s-lotoo-paw-gold.897842/
If you look used you can find them for more reasonable prices, reason I mention it is because it has a Blackfin 514 DSP processor (I think the gold touch has an even better one) that’s really nice
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I haven’t heard the Kann, but this thread might be useful.
Thanks. Found a review of the Lotoo Touch that shows the EQ. It’s parametric but only 5 bands. The Kann has 31 bands, so is much more attractive to me.
IAC, DAP with some amp power heft and usable EQ is only one of the paths I’ve been considering. FWIW, if I were to upgrade to a Clear (Pro) I could swear off EQ and wouldn’t need as much amp oomph, both of which in turn would open a lot of other doors.
Thanks! It is indeed. Did you ever settle on a DAP?
I just went with the Cobalt for now. It’s been good for my early morning/late night listening.
My review is linked in this thread.
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Correction, crank the volume to 100% on the cobalt and the amp shuts off putting it into line out mode.
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tbh the red might actually be useful for me because i have no need for DSD and more a use for MQA as i might join tidal (yeah i know its lossy but it could be a good experience). its about 160 bucks on amazon, unanimously loved, and i can get a OTG cable for USB C… plus no files i have are 192
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