What would be a good portable Dac/Amp to use with my HD6xx and Sony Xperia 1 V cell phone?
I am new to this hobby. I purchased a HD6XX and plan to use it with my Sony Xperia 1 V cell phone, that has a 3.5mm jack. I was wondering if I needed a portable dac/amp or just a portable amp and if so what would one recommend? Any assistance one could provide, would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Haz
Mar 7, 2024
As I’m sure you know as an Android user, my iPhone 8+ doesn’t support Apt-X (much less Apt-X HD). However, it does have Bluetooth 5.0, and so does my GET. Bluetooth’s advancements allow either a huge range boost (like, line of sight, up to 200 feet!), or double the data bandwidth.
From a user standpoint, what I’ve noticed so far is the GET sounds more full and properly amped than similar Bluetooth receivers from Creative Labs (E3, in fact I dont even use my E5 hardly anymore either). I’ve used it with my Sennheiser IE 80 S, PXC 480, But most often I use it around the house and in bed with my preproduction HD 58X Jubilee.
The sound quality is surprising given it‘s small size, which fits in the watch Pocket of jeans (the 5th pocket) or is “unclunky enough” that I have no qualms about clipping it to my shirt (and looping the excess down my shirt) or belt. I like that there are two positions you can screw the clip into, so you can have the clip on the right or the left side. The size makes it an excellent contrast to my FiiO X7 DAP, so I use the GET when I’m streaming from my iPhone or apple watch, at the gym or riding my bike, or if I’m walking in a city and I want to change tracks without showing my big phone.
I got the GET (from IndieGoGo, I think) about a month before going from my iPhone 6S (I was holding out because it still had a headphone jack) to the iPhone 8+, and the lightning dongle is still in the original packaging. The GET has been indispensable for me with my phone, and firmly part of my Every Day Carry.
Edit: TIDAL HIFI subscribers get higher bitrate files (up to 1,411 kbps transmission) than Spotify Premium (320kbps), and these sizes hold true for “offline” modes of downloaded songs. Tidal also offers a 320kbps streaming option at the same $9.99 price as Spotify Premium. Tidal HiFi streams over FLAC/ALAC, ”normal” Tidal streams over AAC, which is more advanced and better sounding than MP3.
LDAC sends up to 990 kbps, though more typically 660 kbps to maintain a strong connection. Bluetooth 5 can technically support up to 1400 kbps, though again longer range (hundreds of feet!) will reduce this figure to maintain a good connection. Bluetooth 5 is the best Bluetooth transmission technology I’ve seen yet, and the GET already supports Bluetooth 5.
I would like LDAC too, just for potential compatibility. HOWEVER, I don’t have any other LDAC devices, and right now the Amp and DAC built into the GET already contributes to better sound than I used to expect from portable devices. Transmission speeds are only a part of the equation and there is debate on how much it contributes over quality components.
Sources used, for the curious: https://www.highya.com/tidal-hifi-reviews https://www.sony.net/Products/LDAC/ https://www.bluetooth.com/bluetooth-technology/bluetooth5/bluetooth5-paper http://www.ibtimes.com/bluetooth-50-heres-why-new-wireless-standard-matters-2383305 https://www.androidauthority.com/bluetooth-5-speed-range-762369/
@OneLove Indeed. I have a FiiO X7 right now, and aptX still sounds good (wired connection to my AM2A amp module even better), but both DAPs cost more than the GET, are quite a bit larger, and don’t efficiently connect to my smartphone to stream over LTE cellular. I use the DAP on airplanes and by my bed, but the GET when I’m out for a walk or when I know I’m going to have a busy day with lots of errands. The GET is my “Make my headphones have Bluetooth!” converter and the quick way to connect audio to my phone, and it’s a good starter DAC/Amp as well for fullsized headphones.
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Thanks!