DACs and AMPs

Audio is purely subjective, your tastes may vary! These are just some popular options that are well-reviewed online!

Combo DAC/AMP

• under $100: Topping DX1 ($99)
• under $200: Fiio K11 ($129) or K7 ($199) / Topping DX3 Pro+ ($199) / SMSL DL100 ($179) or DL200 ($189) / Schiit Magni Unity ($189)
• desktop streamer: Fiio R7 ($699)

The Fiio R9 ($1499) has a much better DAC and AMP than the R7, but is quite a bit more expensive

Dongles

• under $10: Apple dongle / CS46L41
• under $15: CX319993+MAX97220 (e.g. Jcally JM6 Pro)
• under $30: CS43131+SGM8262 (e.g. Jcally JM20 Max, Fiio KA11)

Note thaat the CS43131+SGM8262 dongle DACs are very powerful, they are able to drive HD 800s! This means they drain battery quickly and get very hot

• under $60: Moondrop Dawn Pro (dual CS43131 chipset, $59)
• under $100: Fiio KA15 (dual CS43198 chipset, $94)

The dual chipset dongle DACs have a removeable cable, and due to having two chips, their power is effectively doubled.

Bluetooth

• under $100: Fiio BTR13 ($69)
• a bit over $100: Qudelix 5K ($109)

The Fiio BTR15 ($109) is also a good option

DAC/AMP Stacks

• Schiit Modi + Magni
• JDS Labs Atom 2
• Topping E30 II + L30 II
• Topping D50 III + A50 III

DACs

• under $100: SMSL SU-1 ($79)
• under $150: Schiit Modi ($129) / JDS Labs Atom 2 ($149) / Topping E30 II ($149)
• under $250: Topping D50 III ($229)

AMPs

• under $100: Aiyima A07 Max ($79 $65)
• under $150: Schiit Magni ($119) / JDS Labs Atom 2 ($129) / Topping L30 II ($149)
• under $200: Topping A50 III ($199)

Other

• input switch: Schiit SYS ($49)
• equaliser
  • analog
    • 4-band: Schiit Loki Mini+ ($149)
    • 6-band: Schiit Lokius ($299)
  • software: Equalizer APO