🟥EVERY 2021 Dac/Amp Combo _(Z Reviews)_

[@ZReviews]

Want to see these Reviews Early, Get in on Monthly Yard Sales, Hear Sound Demos? Check out... ⚔️www.SubscribeStar.com/Zeos -- Subscribe Star 🥇www.Patreon.com/Zeos -- Check out the Patreon

[@IntelligentElephant]

Please review SUCA AUDIO M98E-PRO. it's much better than SMSL DA9. AND ONLY $89

[@ZReviews]

@@teachonlywhatiseasy already pay

[@MrRods]

This whole video is just “this is stax it doesn’t count”

[@IntelligentElephant]

@@ZReviews please review the SUCA M98E-PRO and maybe the pre-amp too. You'll be shocked and so will your viewers. But maybe you won't because it's so cheap, so why would you?

[@MissyKrystal]

love your video's.. so the app, your using on your phone for your song list.. what is it?

[@eldeanogrande]

Your Zen DAC review sold me instantly when I was looking for my first DAC/AMP a few months ago and I'm damn happy. I'm hoping the mt604 that's arriving next week will add a whole extra level of fun to the Sundaras.

[@Rosanjo9]

Why not zen can? Think mt604 will be better?

[@eldeanogrande]

@@Rosanjo9 Someone was selling it cheap, so I figured I may as well give it a go.

[@PastorwithoutaPulpit]

@@Rosanjo9 It's just a Tube Amp and not a DAC so he'll be feeding it from the Zen Can. I have the MT602 with a Zen Can and that tooby goodness is awesome...

[@eldeanogrande]

@@PastorwithoutaPulpit It arrived early... Can confirm Zen Dac into 604 into Sundaras is a win. I still sorta want a Zen Can... There's a part of me that wants to run Zen Dac>604>Zen Can... Just for the fun of it.

[@siddharthjaiman4712]

@@eldeanogrande Idw be a buzzkill but its an utter waste of money.

[@flixilux]

Absolutely happy with the Loxjie A30. I have a pair of old Yamaha rear channels that i sought to replace, but since my last amp (knock-off Lepai) died, i had to make a decision. The difference in clarity at high volume is incredible, and i have yet to make it past 70% volume, but there is still absolutely no distortion. Its also replacing my FiiO e10k headphone amp and the difference in volume there is also astonishing Recommendation for sure!

[@chicken133221]

I thank you for your videos. Helped me with choices for my pc sound. Sometimes I just sit there stunned with how great things sound. There is music i hated growing up but hear through my stuff now and am amazed to what i have been missing all these years. Most everyone i know says speakers are just speakers and amps are just amps. Again thank you for your good work.

[@hamedshahr]

That's the first time I see Asuna as the wallpaper in the channel. That's a great Christmas gift for me. Tnx.

[@skrounst]

I don't always use my ifi Zen dac's true bass. But when I do, I SMILE. It feels like it's a 8-10dB increase to 0-300Hz and it is hilariously entertaining. As a bassist, I appreciate a button I can press that pushes the bass into my ear holes first.

[@Fvu31]

I would love to see a yearly recap of headphones and speakers that you've added to your collection each year.

[@artofwar420]

Loving the Khadas Tone 2 Pro. A feature I LOVE is the auto switching of inputs when it recognizes audio. I can do my TV audio seamlessly back to PC audio by just pushing play on the video/app/game. It’s also got a full balanced circuit. Yeah the knob is weird but it kinda makes it fun to use.

[@TheIpadfanatic]

I completely understand your arguments for combos. And I have 1 combo myself. My lingering concern is a combo is only as good as what the manufacturer chose to put inside. Maybe they are an AMP centric company and they skimp on the DAC. Just listing what chip they used leads you to believe it is a s good as a standalone DAC. My 2 cents worth.

[@rdyramos]

You had my subscription after “covered in some fancy oil” 20:45

[@blackdragon44]

I have a few of these myself and overall I have to agree with this list. I'd say honorable mention to the Schiit Hel also

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

true its very monitor, im starting to think its actually an odac

[@jeb4eyes]

Nice. Also second comment. (first if you don't count zeos himself) Also thanks again in advance for a nice video zeos

[@danjenkins1234]

Happy new year Z boy. Thanks for burning a whole in my pocket legend! Xx

[@The_Hipster_Cow]

42:30 Damn zeos you're looking slimmer, nice job man!

[@outofvideos]

Slimmer and sexier?

[@dontpokethebear3893]

Still use the Mayflower Arc MkII. Very happy with it and have zero issues.

[@docgify]

You waxing poesy ,erudite ,animated an interesting allegedly intelligent reviewer….so thankyou mr zeos for being you….thankyou sir

[@daveelgee2008]

Got the Topping EX5 on your recommendation and I'm very happy with it. I use it to drive my XDuoo MT-604. I want a second unit and will be buying the Zen DAC + Amp (preferably an original, 'cos f*ck MQA) for a second listening station. Keep up the good work Zeos.

[@mastersingleton]

Dac/Amp combo makes the world of HiFi audio way more affordable and accessible than going the stack route.

[@kevinyee9550]

Definitely appreciate the simplicity of dacamps, feel like I'll return to these after playing around with stacks a bit more

[@SweetLead]

Zeos: I hate standing ! Standing is the enemy ! Me as a gamer: You are goddamn right !

[@ianmcsherry5254]

Absolutely love my Zen DAC v2, with Sennheiser 560s'. Now, all I need is for Spotify to pull their finger out and enable their hifi tier, which was supposed to be with us by now.

[@Unknown-jh5jy]

The sound this zen dac v2 with 560s is warmer? Because this Headphone are so bright.

[@yamikirin]

Bought the Ifi Zen Dac and love it with my Hifiman HE400Se

[@jazzandcocktails7]

Happy New Year Zeos! Just got the new version of the Audio-Gd R28. Wanted something that sounded different and better than my old Benchmark HDR1. Checks both boxes.. Very few reviews out there if you can get a hold of one.

[@beezlebub3955]

IFI has recently scratched my itch, I wasted hundreds trying to find that sound, buttery oomphy sound, subjectively

[@veeclash4157]

Where's the Topping DX3 Pro+ It probably beats most of the dacs in this lineup in terms of measurements for half the money, but how does it sound, Zeos?

[@IntelligentElephant]

I'm SO GLAD THIS IS THE NEW VIDEO. Z you GOT to review the SUCA M98E-PRO, IT TOTALLY destroys the $250 SMSL DA9 @ $89. Please please please review the SUCA M98E-PRO. It also has a pre-amp that REALLY works Thanks

[@lolzifer]

I'm very happy with Zen Dac + Amp. I just wish they were designed in a way that made them a bit easier to stack without having to worry about potential scratches.

[@ZReviews]

Big Wad of blue tac in between

[@nakedsnake4248]

@@ZReviews Very good fix.

[@omeee]

@DifferentEra eeeh you are buying the wrong headphones then mate. That bass boost is significant.

[@eric7497]

Yes, i using zen dac with ath msr7b, really good combo for me haha

[@danielthakorlal9425]

Great roundup mate, nice vid. I've been eyeing the Schiit Hel v2 released earlier this year. Hmmmmmmm that counts as a "combo", right?

[@johnbuscher]

It does, but Schiit seems to have a higher failure rate than other companies. For my Magni/Modi stack, in particular, leaving the stack on for too long causes a high pitched noise through my headphones (probably a ground loop issue but why the hell wouldn’t Schiit have protection built in?) And there is a greater number of reports of poor solder jobs on their products. They can be abrasive in Customer Service for some people (supposedly), but many others have all chimed in to say that they were treated pretty well if you follow the overall RMA request procedure. If you get one that works, you’ll probably want for nothing else for gaming, especially on PC and even on PS5.

[@FalseNihil]

I don't show up in here for a good while. nice wallpaper.

[@SpedeFace]

I'm tempted to buy the rme adi 2 dac fs. It has so much in it, even too much to be honest. I'm just worried that i'll waste too much time with it's eq and other functions.

[@GLORD5782]

Fiio k9 pro powering my hifiman he4xx thanks for your channel and the porsche instrument cluster on wall of fame .

[@thebludragon8353]

You really just made a review of Dac/Amps a day after I just bought an Audeze Deckard. I cri evri tim

[@narcoleptic-insomniac4663]

I can’t find a single review on the mayflower arc mini?! Why the fudge not?

[@DBHHellhound]

Still have my Schiit Modi+Magni from when you first recommended them.

[@nakedsnake4248]

Yay I get to reinforce my opinion on the ifi zen DAC I bought.

[@Belemrys]

Sad you left out the XDUOO TA-10R...I bought mine because of your review and love it!

[@ZReviews]

wasn't sure if I was gonna add all the Tube amps into these.

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

Couldn't look (getting seasick) but a seriously good listen :D

[@kevinchoi8076]

Hi, your review is reaaly professional. But the camera on your head makes me feel dizzy, so shaking. Please fix the camera so that I can focus your comments. Thanks 😊

[@kevinc8827]

Just purchased the IFI Zen Dac Ver.1 , waiting for it to arrive.

[@ChristyOFaghan]

really useful video, Zeos

[@twanhazel1055]

I'm a fan of ifi equipment, have an older product that I enjoy, I can't help but wish Zeos did a review on the ifi gryphon and zen blue products. They seem to be answers to his complaints on some of his reviewed ifi products. I myself am quite curious to know if the dac in the zen blue is the same dac in the zen dac. I'm sure by now some may see me as an ifi fanboy, so be it, I accept.

[@hekcik666]

Will Aune X1S GT play well with Hifiman HE-400SE? I still have my eye on the Xduoo T-10R. Or maybe something else for these headphones?

[@chrisnyc3641]

"The monolith is sorta like the high end crown jewel of dac/amp combos". The DCS Bartok would beg to differ.

[@HANK_SCORPI0]

I'd love for you to review the Fiio k9 pro

[@Goodmanperson55]

I wonder how the new FiiO K3s compares. It still seems to be the absolute cheapest amp/dac combo.

[@Yiannis2112]

Certain models of Swiss army multitools do have a flashlight.

[@wemustgo]

I planned to buy a iFi Zen Dac. Finnally I decided to buy FX Audio DAC-M1 instead. It is the better buy for me. It has newer DAC, more powerful headamp, much better measurement.

[@marc6650]

Love my ifi Neo DSD. Sound quality is excellent. Just wish it had a bit more power

[@johngladwaller2436]

Would love to see Z get a DCs Bartok in for review just for fun

[@nottusleinad]

I love my (original) Zen DAC - bought purely on your recommendation... it sounds awesome on my HD560S :) 🎧

[@krislamlika7627]

Same setup!

[@brobocop6800]

Plot twist, the Liquid Gold X is 699.99 USD with 5 left in stock as of this comment.

[@darrellross8609]

I have had the Fostex hp4 for about 10yrs. If your headphone suck you know it. It is on my wife's computer.

[@joshswanedits]

Please review the Burson Audio Playmate 2!! I beg, I cannot find a decent review anywhere. I need that Zeos trust factor

[@brandonyoung7413]

Great video. Got the Zen Dac v2 because of your video. Plan on reviewing the Fiio K9 Pro anytime? I have one , but would love to hear your thoughts on it. Can send it to you if you'd like to review it.

[@MarkDavidMcCoskey]

Yes, One and Done. After moving, starting over, just wanted something simple, streamlined, SO... iFi Zen DAC V2 with the Sennheiser HD 560S. Total under $400.

[@Unknown-jh5jy]

This ifi Zen DAC v2 is warm? Beacuse 560s are so bright?

[@marmar3579]

@@Unknown-jh5jy Yea iFi products tend to be on the warm side. They pair really well with bright headphones and IEMs

[@brydon10]

The FiiO K5 Pro has way more clean power than the Zen Dac. Check Audio Science Review. It also has digital channel balance.

[@bloodindark]

yeah i do not know why it is not on this list

[@BlurredWolf]

Stillll waiting for Zen Dac with output switch (or equivalent competitor)

[@docgify]

I have an IFI iDSDle which is an interesting IFI device possibly”portable”…3.5mm headphone out and rca output and only input is the USB3…..interesting but the sound quality rapes them all…..

[@PastorwithoutaPulpit]

Great video that's a list but not a list. Sad face though because my new Topping EX5 is on it's way to me now and sadly it didn't make the final table...😮‍💨 Bought it based on your review and others, I hope I'm happy with it's sound coming out of my A30 Pro...

[@ZReviews]

it would have but I sold that one in the yard sale.

[@Sarevok_Wins]

What can work with 600 ohm high impedance headphones though? 😢

[@dukies0799]

Given the zen dac price increased from $159 to $189, there are more options in that price range. Would you still recommend it over anything else around $200?

[@wemustgo]

FX Audio DAC-M1. It has more powerful headamp, new ESS Dac chip, bluetooth, much better measurements ...

[@CorvusCorax12d]

@@wemustgo Bluetooth Omfg

[@Ross-fo2vw]

Is this jack black ?

[@ralphsantos6251]

Hye Zeos do you plan on checking out the Toping DX3 Pro+?

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

This was informative for a cheap bastard like me

[@jb678901]

Almost bought the Ifi ZEN DAC V2 for about $150 on Amazon...almost pulled that trigger. Then I looked at the pile of $8 to $25 dongle DACs I had just bought (ALC5686, CX31993, CS43131) and decided to first try a Jitter filter ($30) paired to each of these dongle DACs. I imagine the ZEN V2 purchase is inevitable...but I have to try all of these friggin dongles first!

[@BillyKueekSG]

Zeos, do one on what’s on your rack?

[@Max45090]

Interesting which sounds better zen dac or the x1s gt

[@bloodindark]

will you review fiio k5 pro ESS edition/also why isnt fiio k5 pro in this list?

[@saundersjones3095]

As far as I can tell, this is the Headphone Channel. What I want to know is: can you hook up active speakers to these DAC combos? Can you hook up passive speakers to the same? Do I need a pre-amp for either? Do you have intro stuff for those of us trying to put all this together? BTW, I have a little Swiss Army knife with one blade, one filer and screwdriver, scissors, a pen, and a flashlight! No tweezers or toothpick.

[@humblegreek4982]

@zeos is cd quality or DVD quality better to use in windows sound? And what is your thoughts on steeleseries dac/amp where you can go up to 98 or 96 kHz forgive my ignorance I'm just not aware of the difference

[@FromPlsNerf]

I love my JDS El 2 stack but I would get an IFI Zen Dac in a second if it had optical in.

[@conniggit]

You've done a butter tier list and root beer tier list. Probably a hotpocket tier list is next. Sooooo...

[@endrizo]

hi. have you ever reviewed the creative XG5 portable sound card amd headphone amp? . thanks

[@ChrisPBacon-fx3ut]

Hey zeos, what is that stand that you are using to display them combos?

[@ZReviews]

Linked on the description, grovemade and monoprice

[@mr.nobody8739]

who else is just looking for the most affordable ones to buy but still watches everything even though you know you cant buy it, cuz its z.

[@Waloshinblog]

Smsl ao200 vs Loxjie A30? $100 price difference

[@nikokomac3185]

good review Zeos, i have sennhesier hd50 and i m inndecise between ifi zen dac v2 or aune x1s Gt ...which will be be fit for hd650..i prefer lush no fatigue sound and more thicker one with better sounstage verticality which i like morte then width..? please help me

[@nikokomac3185]

sorry have sennhesier hd650

[@nikokomac3185]

which have thicker more body sound with better verticality soundstage and lush less fatigue in your face sound ?

[@hellsoul0]

IF i would want to use my 3.5mm kz-zex or linsoul tin t2 with the ifi zen dac, do i just need to buy a 4.4mm to 3.5mm adapter and i'm good to go?

[@burkaanc]

Zen dac sounds great, but for me they dont last, 2 died within a year, had v1, went wind noises in one ear, replaced with v2 it went one ear first on 4.4, few weeks later wind noises in one ear on unbalanced, first was covered by warranty, will soon see how it goes with second one, hopefully they will replace this one as well Using them with sundaras.

[@ZReviews]

Same usb source? Think of did something to them? Over voltage?

[@burkaanc]

@@ZReviews Usb power from same pc, asus mb so not some random cheap stuff, no powerbrick, the only thing i can think of might be static from clothing or something, when 4.4 died it was right after plugging it in, in both cases unbalanced seemed to simply die as far as i remember, dont think i was touching the unit then.

[@何冠葦]

Hi Zeos, I'm using HD660s to listen to acg music and Jpop. In this situation, you will recommend ifi neo idsd or other dac/amp combo, like topping dx7pro? (700 dollars budget) Because I live in places very hard to go to the shops to listen to dac and amp, so I'm struggling in choosing dac/amp combo. Sorry, I'm not very good at English, so it may have some grammar mistakes in my sentences.

[@rashedsaif4759]

what did you get ?

[@stalyoni]

Crack

[@zergbong]

and yet I've managed to buy a combo you didn't review. dx3 pro+ represent.

[@suncani]

Please share with us your thoughts about your dx3 pro+ God bless. Sani

[@zergbong]

@@suncani it is powerful enough to drive T20 fostex. it has decent dac with USB drivers. gets hot. Plenty of power for Senn HD650. Can be used as preamp. Good buy overall. For two weeks of usage I got strange error saying "HP Err" and when you reset it is back to ok. I haven't found any other reference about that error on the internet. It is probably one step before A90.

[@lkibbler]

I got 9ne and love it. I sold my dx5 because it doesn’t do anything better than the half price dx3 pro+

[@lucasbadault]

Where do you get those sticker from XD

[@beezlebub3955]

For me, if it ain’t got the bluetooths, it isn’t “patiently portable” for me, really the only situations where I would need portability I can’t deal with two chOnks cack ringed together in a pocket, so my BTR3K fills the hole, and “TWS” buds, which I couldn’t find a set that could truly satisfy my need to bleed, until this year, that I could afford at least, otherwise I tell ya, my wallet is suffering because of this addiction

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Yeah, qudulik 5k is my next purchase, rather than ifi dac amp

[@blackviper9392]

Is the Mayflower Arc Mk2 still relevant in 2021?

[@noidsuper]

IFI Zen DAC price jumped to $190. Not sure if its worth it anymore at that price.

[@ZReviews]

Gotta be a chip shortage issue. Balancing supply and demand

[@AtinNaya-g9h]

Hello sir do younhave liquid spark dac sir?

[@ZReviews]

I use to. Not anymore.

[@andreloureiro8127]

I have a Motu m2 which is an interface but the headphone out is actually pretty fucking good and I have the plus that I have 1 device for mic/headphones/speaker (powered so I don’t have to buy an amp) and it has pretty cool features as an interface, also is type-c which for some is a bonus, I’d prefer a Chonky connection cuz it happened to fuck a usb c cable by accident, at least the connector wasn’t damaged

[@Wab0walrus]

Can I run a pair of speakers (SX50s) off of the IFI Zen Dac alone?

[@pauld4238]

@z reviews, I have one question regarding the iFi Zen Dac v2. Is the external power supply they recommend for a consistent power delivery, especially if one has a lot of usb things already connected to the pc? The damn thing is 1/2 the price of the DAC.

[@eldeanogrande]

I don't use it and it works amazing without it. Thinking about building a linear power supply that can supply it 5v while also feeding 12v to my mt604 when it arrives though... But that's more of a why not than a need.

[@ZReviews]

Try without, if you have issues it may solve them. Or get any other 5 power supply to try

[@Goodmanperson55]

If you want consistent power without the external power supply, you need to plug it into a USB 3.0 port using the weird USB 3.0 Type-B cable (or just get a longer aftermarket cable if the stock cable is too short) in order to get consistent power. The USB 3.0 port out of a motherboard is capable of reaching 5v 1.5 A which should be enough to to power the Zen DAC at full load. As long as you don't plug it into a hub where it has to share power with other devices, it should be okay.

[@pauld4238]

@@Goodmanperson55 Well, I don't have a whole lot of ports. As long as the hub is powered by AC from the wall it should be fine, I have one of those already.

[@pauld4238]

@@ZReviews Thanks for the reply Z! Love the channel, can't wait to see what next year brings us from you.

[@MrVanalen]

IFi Kind remind me of vape mods the way they function💁‍♂️

[@ScottPutman]

Will the shandling em5 power the Adam t5v speakers?

[@ZReviews]

It will push signal to them and control the output.. so yes.

[@flicktorxt]

Hi zeos.....newbie here. Is zen dac capable using the in build mic for pc38x? Or must get those gaming amp dac like fulla?

[@ZReviews]

Yeah it can't pass through

[@Vaxalic]

Just gonna say: JDS Labs January 2022

[@ZReviews]

Ooooooooooooooo

[@Waloshinblog]

Yes please!

[@jmm2226]

11 days left and I’m holding off on a new setup to see what’s being released.

[@FreakPC]

Dang, another tier list video this week. Z has fallen asleep at the wheel. Fart

[@ZReviews]

I'm on covid vacation

[@FreakPC]

@@ZReviews hang in there bud. Quick question, btr5 vs k3, need something cheap for PC gaming audio and only want single USBC connector. Driving everything from t50rp's to quarks

[@dougquesnel5613]

Can't believe you missed out on the RME ADI-2 Dac FS :)

[@ZReviews]

not reviewed in 2021

[@stuka78]

how would it stand now, against those reviewed in 2021?

[@krucacing]

watching review for thing i dont need and have no budget for

[@RoemaatPiet]

Topping dx3 pro?

[@EverythingisFire]

Fiio K9 Pro review when?

[@ajrofficial06]

Bluetooth Portable Dac amp Round-up Please