Small (maybe portable) DAC/amp advice needed

Equipment / Electronics / Gear / Accessories Portable DAC/AMPs & Dongles
1

Hi all:

I want to buy a DAC/amp to drive my Meze 99 Classic, Moondrop Starfield and the probable upcoming purchase of either HiFiMan Sundara, HiFiMan HE400i (2020) or Sennheiser 560s. Yes, I know the 99 Classics and Starfields don’t NEED amplification, but I think both would benefit from it.

Anyways, I’m looking for something small that I can use to drive those cans with Spotify at 320 kbps (CD Hi-fi soon!) from an iPhone 12, MacBook Air and Lenovo ThinkPad laptop. I’m trying to stay at $150 USD or lower. I want something that doesn’t color the sound that much and has low noise, enough power to drive some hungrier cans I may buy in the future.

I’m not wed to either the dongle or small, portable box form factor. Bluetooth capability isn’t essential, either, but would be nice. Here are the models I’m considering, and why:

iFi Hip: Excellent reviews from numerous professional and consumer sources. The ability to run balanced, if desired. But not as truly portable as a dongle. Will need to buy USB-to-Lightning adapter cable or Apple Camera Connector to use with iPhone. No app. Most expensive on list.

Zorloo Ztella: Good reviews from numerous professional and consumer sources. Love the small form factor and that you can buy with Lightning adapter. Can’t run balanced, though. No app. Moderate price.

Tempotec Sonata HD Pro: Good reviews from numerous professional and consumer sources. Cheapest price on list. Love the small form factor and that you can buy with Lightning adapter. Quality control problems reported, though. No app. Enough power for higher-impedance cans?

Qudelix 5K: Excellent reviews from numerous professional and consumer sources. The ability to run balanced, if desired. Plenty of power. Great app with parametric EQ. Will need to buy USB-to-Lightning adapter cable or Apple Camera Connector to use with iPhone. Does Bluetooth work that well with AAC – iPhones don’t have LDAC. A bit quirky with setup? Toward the high end in price.

Which of these models do you think would suit me best, all things considered? Any other models I should consider?

Thanks for your help!

2

Lotoo PAW S1 small balanced and versatile :+1:

2 Likes
3

I have no advice on apple products except what I’ve heard from trusted reviewers who suggest the camera dongle. I just picked up a Qudelix 5k and really like it. You have to play with the app and dongle a bit to get used to it. It sounds amazing. I am stuck in a rehab facility with a serious heal and bone infection since September 30th…nearly six months now. My cans and items have kept me sane. We have similar tastes in headphones. I have the Sundara, 6xx, 560s as well as many others+a plethora of iems and all sound fantastic and I’m still learning how to use it. Zeos from Z reviews suggested I come here for an additional warranty for posting. I’d like to add I just received my set of Hifiman HE6SE(a well known hard to drive headphones…the Qudelix 5k with 2.5 balanced input makes them sound fantastic
Don’t get me wrong I can’t wait to get out of here to hear them played on my monolith 887 amp and smsl 9mqa

3 Likes
4

Before the Qudelix 5k I ran them all except the HE6se V2 on my old LG V 30 with quad dac via 3.5 single ended and they all sounded good but not Qudelix 5k excellence. I realize this post is a couple years old but comment still holds true. I am a noob but with good equipment I am learning much with the help of YouTube reviews and forums like hifiguide etc. I stand behind the 5k for clarity, separation, spacial sound and just good old take with you, kick a$$ sound. Thanks Zeos for sending me here…

2 Likes
5

Welcome Bigman. I’m sorry to hear you’re laid up in a rehab facility , but Im glad you have your cans with you! I was looking at the Qudelix 5k when I first got into the hobby. I went with the FiiO BTR7 instead. I can drive all my iems well from it. I especially like the EQ built into the app.

6

I looked at the br7 also. I can’t walk so I’m always at home where I have a nice amp and dac.bi just needed something to make my music sound a bit better without breaking the bank after my HE6se V2 purchase. It is a bit difficult with all the settings but as I grow accustomed to it, I really like the sound it puts out with the presets and 10 band EQ. If I were leaving the house more the btr7 would had been my choice but not unhappy with the qudelix 5k by any means. I would recommend it without hesitation. Enjoy that bad a$$ DAC you have. I been trying out the chifi iems and must say am truly impressed. I have the quarks dsp, the ling long, the 7hz zero with the waaner in route. Amazing the sound laid down by $12-20 iems.

1 Like