Any good DAC headphone amps out there?

[mikmas]

Have been looking at DAC headphone amps for a while as a solution to a particular set up problem.

Quite interested (price wise) in offerings from Douk Audio and Topping but a bit wary given some conflicting user reviews re. reliability.

Anyone have experience of their products they'd like to share (or other suggestions)?

[struth]

Been using an smsl m6 for quite a while with no issue. Sounds pretty good as well

[jandl100]

I use a Topping VX1 - looks great, sounds good.

Inputs are USB for digital and L/R RCA for analog.
It's also a 25wpc integrated amp. I use the latter to drive Stax SR3 electrostatics and the headphone jack for Philips Fidelio X2.

Very pleased with it, had it a year or so with no issues.

https://i.imgur.com/AzSLAaD.jpg

[mikmas]

Thanks for the suggestions chaps - appreciated :)

Unfortunately I should have said that USB input is not an option - I only have SPDIF output options to use for this set up.

Also keen to hear from anyone who has had bad experiences with Douk/Topping/SMSL devices. particularly if this involves sending back to China for replacement/repair.

[struth]

m6 has all three inputs. not tried coax tbh but used the other 2.. also has rca out if wanted. only thing is getting used to the multifunction switch/joystick button. once mastered it works very well tho. mine is on 8 hrs a day every day and has been flawless. with my planar's its super but was also great with my a technica's

[mikmas]

m6 has all three inputs. not tried coax tbh but used the other 2.. also has rca out if wanted. only thing is getting used to the multifunction switch/joystick button. once mastered it works very well tho. mine is on 8 hrs a day every day and has been flawless. with my planar's its super but was also great with my a technica's

So it has - sorry Grant.... must've done a dodgy Goggle search first time around :doh:
Looks very smart for the money too. Also good to hear the toggle works OK, looked a bit off-putting (once I found the right one on Amazon...)

Will add it to my list :)

[jandl100]

With regard to Chinese gear reliability, the only issues I can recall having was with several XiangSheng DAC-01A DAC/headphone amps. Great sound but prone to partial failure ime, particularly individual inputs dieing.

I have had several Topping and SMSL DACs/amps over the last few years and they have performed flawlessly.

[Sherwood]

I use a Topping VX1 - looks great, sounds good.

Inputs are USB for digital and L/R RCA for analog.
It's also a 25wpc integrated amp. I use the latter to drive Stax SR3 electrostatics and the headphone jack for Philips Fidelio X2.

Very pleased with it, had it a year or so with no issues.

https://i.imgur.com/AzSLAaD.jpg


Are your headphones wearing a wimple? :scratch:

[jandl100]

Are your headphones wearing a wimple? :scratch:

Ah, the Stax?
I'm experimenting with various configurations of earpad. :)
Current favourite is a pair with segments chopped out to make them more open.
:mental: :lol:

[mikmas]

Just to set the context - this is the set-up I want to use it for:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1948/45534477254_f7f80f37ca_o.jpg

The Vena does have a headphone output but I have a better result using either one the two analogue headphone amps i have (MF V-Can or modified Akafugu C-Moy).
Problem is that the Vena doesn't have the 'tape-out' option I am used to with pre-amps and is limited to 'pre-out' controlled by the Vena volume in parallel with the speakers.
What it does have is SPDIF out (coax or optical) which would be an ideal option if used with a DAC headphone amp.

I could use the Saffire DAC for this but it's a bit of a faff in this particular set up and also doesn't behave itself if connected to the Mac at the same time as the Vena - also the onboard hp output on the Saffire is not great.