Best "Portable" DAC? Oppo, JDS Labs, Audioquest Dragonfly, others?
I’ve narrowed it down to these possibilities for a portable DAC to use direct with my iPhone:
Oppo HA-2
Oppo HA-2SE
JDS Labs Standalone DAC (w/ RCA option)
Audioquest Dragonfly Black or Red
If anyone has any to add, please go for it. I’m using an old iPhone 5 for music playback via Apple Music into my 2-channel stereo. I’ve deleted everything I can off the phone. Also, since there is no phone plan connected to this phone anymore, I’ve turned off every function I can, except WiFi (so I can use Apple Music). I also have it in Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb (not certain if any benefits there or not). My current connection is via the Apple A/V Composite Cable. System consists of a Creek 4330SE integrated, Micromega Stage 3 CDP and Vandersteen 2C speakers.
Anyone have experience with all of these DACs? As for price, The cheapest of the line-up is the Black at $100, then the ODAC at $175 shipped, the Red at $200, and the most expensive being the Oppo at $300 for the HA-2SE. I rarely use headphones. When I do, it’s when I’m on a beach or sometime when mowing the lawn.
Oppo HA-2
Oppo HA-2SE
JDS Labs Standalone DAC (w/ RCA option)
Audioquest Dragonfly Black or Red
If anyone has any to add, please go for it. I’m using an old iPhone 5 for music playback via Apple Music into my 2-channel stereo. I’ve deleted everything I can off the phone. Also, since there is no phone plan connected to this phone anymore, I’ve turned off every function I can, except WiFi (so I can use Apple Music). I also have it in Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb (not certain if any benefits there or not). My current connection is via the Apple A/V Composite Cable. System consists of a Creek 4330SE integrated, Micromega Stage 3 CDP and Vandersteen 2C speakers.
Anyone have experience with all of these DACs? As for price, The cheapest of the line-up is the Black at $100, then the ODAC at $175 shipped, the Red at $200, and the most expensive being the Oppo at $300 for the HA-2SE. I rarely use headphones. When I do, it’s when I’m on a beach or sometime when mowing the lawn.