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Rodmunch
179
May 13, 2016
For this price I'd rather just buy a Schiit Fulla, it's made in the USA and is still under $100.
Hucklemuck
5
May 13, 2016
RodmunchHow does $90 USD for the Fulla compare to this thing at $45 USD? Literally twice the price. What is there around the same price point that compares to this thing (I'm not being sarcastic; I really want to know what's at the same price tier for comparison; I'm a complete noob re: DACs)? So far, there's the FiiO K1 that's been mentioned that's at the same price point; everything else has been double, triple, quadruple the price.
Rodmunch
179
May 13, 2016
HucklemuckFor $40 I doubt this thing is any better than a PC soundcard. Maybe I'm wrong, I haven't heard one. But personally I would rather pony up a bit more dough for something made in the USA from a company with a great reputation for bang-for-buck budget products. That's just me and my opinion.
Hucklemuck
5
May 13, 2016
RodmunchI don't think you're wrong -- I think I understand where you're coming from, and it makes sense to me.
However, for me the thing I want is something just good enough to sit between my PC and my headphones to eliminate the constant whine I get from power supply interference, so spending over $50 USD for a glorified power conditioner is suboptimal for me -- and I'm in Canada, so the "made in USA" is not a thing I care about.
I guess, given my particular use case, that's why I'm really into other options at this price, and not at all into things that are 200%+ more expensive.
...at the same time, will the Idol (or the FiiOS for that matter) even make any difference for me?
Rodmunch
179
May 13, 2016
HucklemuckYou should care! LOL.
I can't tell you if it will make a difference or not, sorry. But if you are getting whine in your headphones from your power supply then you should probably try to fix that first. New power supply maybe?
HucklemuckNote that I'm biased, but since you asked, do look at the DACport Slim, which will drop again soon:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/centrance-dacport-slim-amp-dac-combo
Hucklemuck
5
May 13, 2016
CEntranceWasn't the DACport Slim $100 USD? That's all I can find on Google, anyway -- what was the price last time it was dropped?
Hucklemuck$99, but it goes up to 192kHz and has serious output power, enough to drive most headphones out there.
Hucklemuck
5
May 13, 2016
CEntranceWell, that's cool and all, but this Idol is half the price and I'm locked around there due to my use case (explained further up in the thread). So far, the only thing that's been comparable to the subject of this actual drop in this thread has been the FiiO K1.
I mean, it's great and that things that are 200% to 400% the price of this Idol DAC/amp are better, but... I don't see how that's relevant to this specific drop?
HucklemuckOf course. Every product has its customer.
ChaosX
1
May 13, 2016
CEntranceI'm ready for the DACport Slim to drop! :)
Striker579
31
May 13, 2016
HucklemuckViewing your conversation I see you have not stated the headphones you are using so my advice that follows may be somewhat off. If you are looking into DACs in the $40 range just to clear up on board audio hiss and you care less about having more detail and the ability to drive higher volumes on headphones that require more power. The cheapest fix might be a usb sound adapter, it is basically a no frills DAC with no amp. I'll link one below but I have seen them even cheaper on ebay.
I don't think you are looking to get into the audiophile world, I think you are looking to fix a problem on the cheap and that can be done.
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=nav_timeline_asin
Hucklemuck
5
May 13, 2016
Striker579Excellent insight. Thank you.
SenorPlatano
389
May 13, 2016
CEntranceIs the next drop shipping on June 2nd or the last one shipping on June 2nd? I can wait until June 2nd but anything later than that and I don't feel like buying.
GambL
20
May 14, 2016
CEntranceSpeaking of this, is there an advantage to the dacport HD over the slim if I'm not going to use power hungry headphones?
justex07
42
May 14, 2016
HucklemuckI have the FiiO version and love it for the fact that it 100% solved the exact issue you describe. My work laptop was lousy with noise through its build in headphone jack.
I added the FiiO K1 and it solved that for me. It also sounds better but again, work laptop, hardly a great source.
I haven't tried the SMSL but the FiiO does a solid job. No complaints whatsoever. On my Philips X2 & Audio-Technica ATH-50x it gets plenty loud. My Fostex TH-X00 and Sennheiser HD-600 headphones both get to decent volumes but definitely benefit from a more capable amp. Comparing it to my iPhone 6S+ though, definitely a measured improvement.
justex07
42
May 14, 2016
CEntrance450 mW into what impedance? 16, 32, 50, 300, 600 ohm…? do you have specs for each?
userfriendly
27
May 14, 2016
GambLYes, there are a few gains besides power. Generally you can get the HD for $50 more than the Slim. Totally up to you if it's worth it.
Slim VS HD: Max Sample Rate (Slim) 192kHz (Also: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4kHz) Max Sample Rate (HD) 384kHz (Also: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352kHz), DSD Max Resolution (Slim) 24-bit (Also supports 16-bit) Max Resolution (HD) 32-bit (Also supports 16 and 24-bit) Dynamic Range (Slim) 109 dB, re +11.5dBu, max gain Dynamic Range (HD) 112 dB, re +14.5dBu, max gain THD+N (Slim) 0.003% (FS, 1kHz) THD+N (HD) 0.002% (FS, 1kHz) Max Level (Slim) 2.9 V rms / +11.5 dBu Max Level (HD) 4.1 V rms / +14.5 dBu Output Power (Slim) 450mW (total), drives 600 Ohm headphones Output Power (HD) 775mW (total), drives 600 Ohm headphones
LeChuck
0
May 14, 2016
CEntranceAny hint on when we can expect the DACPort Slim to drop next? I'll wait if it's soon enough.
LeChuckIt's live, in case you haven't yet seen it.
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