Table top DAC and Amp advice needed


Hi guys,

Please help me with some table top DAC and AMP advice as I don’t have much table space and I am hoping to reuse my pair of Q Acoustics 3020i and a subwoofer for my pc and also use it for audio to my gaming headphones.

I was advised to consider this setup:

Zen Air DAC and Schiit Gjallarhorn

As someone with zero experience with any of these items I have only read that stuff from Topping, Icepower or Aiyima may be a better buy.

Many thanks for any advice and a low-ish budget.

128x128mawashi01

Showing 4 responses by mawashi01

Hi ghdprentice,

Many thanks for your reply and after a bit of research I have selected a couple of different items.

DAC:

Topping DX3 Pro +

 

Integrated Amp:

Rogersound Labs iA255.1

SMSL AO200MKII

Topping PA5 II

Fosi V3

 

The reviews of the Gjallarhorn on this and other forums seem to suggest it is rather expensive and slightly behind these other in terms of performance. 

I'm leaning towards the RSL iA255.1, the AO200MKII is a little large for a desktop amp as this setup will be purely used for my pc entertainment (gaming, movies and music), the V3 is seriously interesting at that price range too and I'll want a test for the PA5 II

 

Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

Hi freediver,

ROFL! Many thanks for that recommendation I'll certainly check it out. My only concern is the real estate it'll take up and I am in Singapore so I need to make sure it can accept 230V.  I'm a newbie so even if an AMP is the top of it's class I'll be hard pressed to say how good it is cos I have almost nothing to compare it again but I'll surely provide a tone deaf review with whatever I get lol!

Aliexpress has it at USD $190 however, it is no longer available... is there a newer version?

www.aliexpress.com/item/32675756694.html

Cheers,

 

 

 

 

The issue with the Douk Audio HiFi Pure Class A Power Amplifier Home Stereo Single-ended Amp 15W×2

Is it doesn't have a sub out.

 

Douk Audio has a aliexpress store

https://doukaudio.aliexpress.com/store/813423?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.367bB1yHB1yHsZ

I'm not sure if the link will be visible but from my earlier post, the link could then be used to the manufacture's page.

And I stumbled into their Vaccum tube page, long story short, I am now wondering how these guys will sound with the DX3 pro +

 

Douk Audio Vacuum Tube Amplifier Bluetooth 5.0 Receiver Coaxial / Optical Audio Power Amp Headphone Amp USB Player 35W+35W

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004978995104.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.3.30954ad5lzeZ7c&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21SGD%21SG%24%20244.14%21SG%24%20170.90%21%21%21173.73%21121.61%21%40211b88f116990860691782594e033c%2112000031220990975%21sh%21SG%21176238292%21

 

Douk Audio HiFi Valve Tube Amplifier Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo Receiver COAX/OPT Integrated Amp Audio Processor USB Music Player

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002010547736.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.35.30954ad5sFovLx&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21SGD%21SG%24%20387.76%21SG%24%20271.43%21%21%21275.93%21193.15%21%40211b88f116990860691782594e033c%2112000029450265327%21sh%21SG%21176238292%21

 

Then there is the Dayton HTA200  and HTA100 for considerations too.

 

If the Douk Audio HiFi Pure Class A Power Amplifier Home Stereo Single-ended Amp 15W×2 are some of their offerings 

 

Even this guy looks interesting:

Douk Audio HiFi Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo Receiver USB DAC COAX/OPT Digital Audio Amp VU Meter 100W+100W

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003166879691.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.17.560f7b0bqEkCMo&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21SGD%21SG%24%20176.74%21SG%24%20114.88%21%21%21125.77%2181.75%21%40211b88f116990871212544871e033c%2112000029300028563%21sh%21SG%21176238292%21

 

Sorry if I know so little that my enthusiasm for ChiFi and cheap amps might offend some folks here.

Hi freediver,

I just got a message from Douk that the model you have recommended is discontinued so getting replacement parts etc will be an issue.