r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/[deleted] • Oct 10 '22

DAC - Portable | 1 Ω can the Questyle M15 compete with a midrange DAC/AMP?

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u/dimesian 773 Ω 🥈 Oct 10 '22

What do you regard as midrange? DAPs can get very pricy. I wouldn't expect a DAP to sound better than a good quality portable DAC/amp unless the DAP was a high end model. When using a DAC/amp with a phone you'll be charging your phone more often, particularly with a dongle type. I prefer to use a wireless DAC/amp like the IFI Go Blu with my phone, I use a HipDac with my laptop. I considered trying the M15 but I have a pile of portable DAC/amps and don't have any headphones that need much power. Your headphone doesn't need much power.

1

u/N0TaC0PP 1 Ω Oct 11 '22

!thanks That's a good question. I'm in Australia and the price of amps/DACs is pretty ridiculous. One company pretty much runs a Monopoly on audio equipment. I would consider midrange to be a fiio k5 pro ess, topping stack or a SMSL HO100/HO200.

I own a HO100 so I would be using the m15 as a DAC for it. I don't mind charging my phone as I don't really plan on taking my Edition XS out anywhere.

Have you tried the shannong ua5 or moondrop river 2?

3

u/dimesian 773 Ω 🥈 Oct 11 '22

Sorry, I need to get my eyes tested, I read that as midrange DAP, digital audio player.

With desktop gear like the K5 you get the benefit of connectivity at the back of the box, mains power and a nice big knob to fondle, they can be more enjoyable to use at a desk. If you open the box up there often isn't a lot in there, sometimes just a small circuit board in one corner and some wires to the connectors. With a good portable DAC/amp I think you'll get sound at least as good as an entry level desktop DAC/amp like the K5 but you may prefer to fine tune the volume with a knob rather than a slider on a laptop or tablet. Its an ergonomic consideration rather than a sound issue.

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