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Digital Audio Players, DACs and Amplifiers

Table of Contents

1. Digital-to-Audio Convertors (DACs)
2. Digital Audio Players (DAPs)
3. Amplifiers

Digital-to-Audio Convertors (DACs)

1. Apple USB-C Dongle ($9)
2. Tempotec Sonata HD ($30)
3. XtremPro X1 ($30)
4. FX-AUDIO DAC X6 ($65)
5. Topping D10 ($70)
6. Monoprice 111567 ($80)
7. Topping D30 ($90)

Apple USB-C Dongle

Pros:

• Supports in-line microphone and in-line controls, like those commonly found on earphones and not headphones

Cons:

• Poor support for some Android devices

Reviews:

• AudioScienceReview

Tempotec Sonata HD

Also known as the “Hidizs Sonata HD

Pros:

• Supports in-line microphone and in-line controls, like those commonly found on earphones

Cons:

• Too few volume steps

Reviews:

• Degru on Reddit

XtremPro X1

Also known as the Speaka USB DAC

Pros:

• Sometimes hard to find, goes in and out of stock
• Budget alternative to Dragonfly products

Cons:

• Might have power issues while plugged into a phone, depends on phone model

Reviews:

• AudioScienceReview

FX-AUDIO DAC X6

Pros:

• Plenty of reviews available
• Also an amplifier
• Very old, perhaps one of the first popular Chinese headphone amplifiers

Cons:

• Outdated, does not perform well when compared to other options

Reviews:

• AudioScienceReview

Topping D10

Pros:

• Good format support
• Excellent performance

Cons:

• ???

Reviews:

• AudioScienceReview

Monoprice 111567

Also known as the Monoprice DAC/AMP

Pros:

• Also an amplifier

Cons:

• Really bright blue LED on the face of the unit
• Outputs on the back of the unit have high THD

Reviews:

• Reddit

Topping D30

Pros:

• Allows for native DSD playback

Cons:

• ???

Reviews:

• AudioScienceReview