Hi everyone!
SHORT introduction then to the question.
Took my first step into the world of hifi and headphones for about 4 years ago. Started with the fiio E10k and DT770 80ohm - and my god I as happy.
Fast forward to today and my situation have changed and I am looking to dig deeper down the hole.
For portable use I’ll be using my ATH-MSR7.
For stationary use - MSR7, DT770 and something around the 300$ range.
Now my desk space is REALLY limited and I would prefer small footprint hardware with a clean design. I Do want volume knob. And I want to avoid a stack when moving around, listening to music while making dinner etc.
My budget is absolute max 370$.
I’ve been thinking of three “kits”
Fiio Q1mkii paired with the A5 and BTR3 for portability. Using the Q1 as dac when on desktop with the A5 as amp to manage future headphones and the BTR3 when going light - adding the Q1 as portable amp when travelling for example or when I feel like it (moving around the house for example)
Get the fiio Q5 which covers everything although much more bulky and I’ll loose the BTR3 light load.
Your ideas? Remember, small footprint, portable and don’t want to wire phone. Monolith by Monoprice?
Note: live in Sweden. So if I order from USA - expect to add 100-150$ for shipping, taxes and customs.
Can’t fault my ifi iDSD Black Label…MQA compatible and comes with a balanced 3.5mm output and it managed to drive my DT770 250ohm’s …https://ifi-audio.com/products/nano-idsd-bl/
Thanks for the reply! I have been looking into iDSD Nano, and it would be great for desktop usage. Not so much for walking arround at home though - but i guess i could do with ie a BTR3.
But if i want to sit down in my comfy sofa, and listen to music from the phone, i guess the only option then (if using the iDSD) is to cable it to my phone, since it doesnt have any input.
I use my iFi NiBL as everyday carry in my bag. You can get USB adapters to connect to phones or 3.5 to rca for bigger amps, or speakers. It has a built in battery, which is nice, plus it is small.
I was going to suggest the El Stack or the Element but that added import tax kills those options =(
Another option is the Monoprice portable THX amp…
But at the price point I think the NiBL is hard to beat. Especially if you get IEMs down the road.
the Monoprice Monolith THX amp is in your pricerange
the ifi xCan is also- but misses the USB DAC
I bougt the Fiio Q 1 II for 50 Euros on ebay and used it with DT 770 80 Ohm and Sennheiser 660s/58x balanced and Beyerdynamic DT 1990s single ended. It is ok, but real power and Bluetooth - it is missing.
after a month I bought the Fiio BTR 3 + Earstudio ES100+ ifi xDSD new for 425(instead of 449) at “projekt-akustik” + Chord mojo used on ebay for under 300 - chord mojo was sold after a few months, but the rest stayed and is in use
seems that it never ends…
for you the Earstudio ES 100 + an amp could solve the first problems.
iFi xDSD
I think it ticks all your boxes except prize but it’s not much more…
I have it and it is very good sonically and full of features. Balanced too… I didn’t have the opportunity to use it this way yet though.
I never thought I would appreciate Bluetooth so much until I had it available. Not so good as the wired connection of course but it’s a most convenient feature to have.
I use it with Audeze Sine and Sennheiser HD25 Aluminum. Drives them both quite good. Sine can get much more power though…
The ifi iDSD Black Label does come with two bands to give it that professional Gaffer taped to the phone look so you can use the OTG cable…ok for a bag or jacket but too bulky for trousers etc but it’s not something I use it for.
The only thing I changed was the to get a shorter USB cable to tidy things up a bit as we have limited space due to living aboard a barge lol…
The ifi NiBL seems like a great pick, its just that… I dont want to stack or connect to phone with wire - but for desktop usage - looks great.
All JDS stuff - solid pick, its just that damn shipping, tax and import fee.
The ifi is on the list of what ive got my eyes on.
ES100 has now replaced BTR3 as my choice of BT! Unless i go for something else with BT built in. Thank you!
And yes… The hole is getting deeper and deeper, haha.
Looks interesting but 500usd in Sweden
That´s where it fails me… But, as stated above - for desktop use - killer.
Thank you all so far! I do appreciate it, and keep the ideas coming
At the moment my wife and I sit in the garden and listen over Samsung S10 “Dual” Bluetooth with BTR3 and ifi xDSD to Music with Koss Porta Pro and Sennheiser 660s- what a great solution these days!
Years ago you would use an adapter for 2 connectors with 3.5mm- cable connected
Now I can run around and get a drink out of the kitchen and she pets the dog
As an alternate option the nano black iDSD is a great choice but the xDSD is better.
I have heard them both side by side. It should be though considering the price difference.
Great alternatives are the JDS products too.
I had their old O2 and I can say the best about this company. I wouldn’t choose their usb audio class 1 products though… nowadays usb class 1 is a no no IMO!!
Lastly may be something from the fiio line may be a choice. For example https://fiio.gr/index.php/product/q1-mark-ii/
Above all in my opinion if you don’t mind finding it used the best sound you could have is from the iFi Micro iDSD BL. It’s much more expensive new but it can drive almost everything, it is quite small (not pocket small though) and sounds better than xDSD. No Bluetooth.
Your kit Nr.1 is my everyday driver, Fiio Q1 mkII paired permanently with Fiio BTR3. And BOY, YOU’LL DEFINITELY LOVE AND ENJOY IT! Either for portable use, connecting it with your phone or dap in case you want pretty much amp or as a laptop/pc dac. The combo provides a very volumious and spacious sound with pretty much low frequencies, without getting bloated or muddy, while it provides an impressive clarity in mid and high frequencies. You’ll definitely enjoy the soundstage too. Except for that,vou’ll have the ability to have extra bass boost, if needed, plus an extra balanced 2.5mm output, which doubles the amplification and adds a click of sound quality. After all Fiio Q1mkII got rewarded as a product , when it came out (2017 or 2018 not sure), but keep in mind that BTR3 was initially designed for car use, which means that sound quality was the priority, but not the distance range. So if you like to make some gardening, while listening music from your source, inside the living room, forget it. It’s range, before starting disconnecting is 4m-5m. Buy BTR1 instead. Anyways keep in mind that the sound quality you’re gonna get with these or hugo mojo or ifi or… had the cost of several thousands of dollars/euros 10-15 years ago. Good… buy!
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