Hey all, I'm looking for help and suggestions for a DAC/Amp I want to use at my desk with headphones.
Also, if anyone is able to help me figure out how I could potentially run passive speakers with my computer desk setup and not need an amp that takes up a heap of space? Again, cheaply.
Please let me know if I've missed anything.
Thank you in advance.
For space saving D class amps take a look at Fosi Audio eg. https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-xr-d5-dac-amp-16-300-ess9018k2m-decoder-headphone-amprefurbished-unit
Thank you. Do you have this? The model you have linked is a DAC/Amp but I would need a separate module if I wanted to run speakers right?
I have a couple of 2 channel Fosi amps, but they don't have headphone outputs. You would need a different amp to drive passive speakers, with the above you'd use the RCA output into a second amp with speaker outputs.
There are some integrated DAC amps that have both speaker and headphone outputs, like the Topping MX5, but it costs more: https://www.amazon.com.au/TOPPING-MX5-Amplifier-ES9018Q2C-Headphone/dp/B09NXR86B9
Thank you, I was looking at that. I just read that there is a hiss people experience when in headphone mode, so maybe not.
Why did you go with the Fosi?
Thanks for the info.
@RossRoss: No worries, Fosi fare pretty well in reviews and local availability is good, which translates to deals. This one was too good, surely a price error.
Separate headphone and speaker amps seem like the way to go for the best of both on a budget.
@heysi: Yeah, wow, that's epic, I missed that one. Did you get it?
I agree, that's seems the way to go. I have a dragonfly cobalt which should work. I couldn't find specs on whether it could drive the 250ohm headphones I just bought but apparently they do so well which is a win.
In the future I am planning to maybe use my klipsch r50m speakers for the desk and hook a sub up too, so I found the SMSL A50pro that has a sub out which will be handy. Will have to plan that for the future though.
I was lucky enough to get one, looking forward to testing it out with a pair of QA 3030i's on my desk.
The dragonfly cobalt looks great, the r50m A50pro combo sounds good too, even better with a passive sub, we're in the golden age of hi-fi!
That's awesome, let me know how it goes.
Esp for smaller form factor!
hey saw your post yesterday but wanted to let the experts respond first.
I'm always on a budget too and don't need one right now, but if I was in a similar position I would look at the Fosi Audio SK02 which is $109 right now.
actually didn't know this until I looked for it after reading one of your comments, but yes it has speaker out on the back too. (not sure how it works though, does it mute the speaker out on the back when you plug headphones? that's what you would want right, otherwise you will be hearing the same thing from speakers which might have a weird effect, also night time you want headphones only)
I recently found it for a user asking for something in the $100 range. it's well reviewed, well one review said they got no sound but it was quickly replaced.
I saw one other DAC/AMP posted on ozb, this Topping DX3 Pro+.
seems to be very popular on reddit but it's priced $250~$300 and no way I would spend that much.
I also prefer the aesthetic of the Fosi SK02, it just looks compact and neat on a table with a volume dial on top. looks pretty easy to find where to plug too.
Yeh, you missed the s in desktop