Audioengine D1 headphones amp & DAC overview and impressions

[@DanKlar]

Got th after seeing the unboxing. I have had no complaints at all and some friends and family, some much more into audio than I am, said it is fantastic, especially for the money. Thanks and keep up the great work. Always a pleasure.

[@AlumarsX]

I've had this for about 3 months. I love the amount of features it has. it sounds better if you use optical instead of usb for the source, but unless you try them side to side you won't notice the difference. It's a brilliant little device.

[@bertlegion683]

Thanks for the reply, its good you're really interactive with you're subs

[@willmatiq]

GREAT vid, Mike.

[@itserix]

According to the Audioengine website, the D1 does have Asy USB.

[@TechRefreshed]

Nice review, looks like a good product. I'll be shopping for a DAC in the near future... might look more into this one. ~Robert

[@VisualFixation]

Your reviews are great. Thank you!

[@nuttimilk]

I ended up getting a dap. I figured with a portable dac amp I can only listen to it why laptop is on... Which I can already do with my home rig. I ended up buying colorfly c3 instead for more portability. Thanks

[@103959770979]

Much better to any external sound card, the DAC dont need drivers and going to work with any future computer or computer upgrade just need SPDIF connection to the mainboard, TV, studio gear, etc.

[@theodoro89]

Can this dac/amp give enough power to beyerdynamics DT 990 250ohms?

[@darkhero101010]

I'm using it right now to drive my 600ohm DT880s and I find I can get to more than I need as far as listening levels go, I'm sure more expensive amps would make the headphones scale up, but I really like the sound of the 600ohm with the D1... it of course depends on how loud you like to listen, all the way it's still listenable but too loud for me, my mom thought it needed more power. I like it at around 60% though...

[@Jayesama]

Great review as always.

[@derbigpr500]

Awesome video. Cute DAC. :P

[@rainerss]

Nice work.

[@dokanyon]

Hello mate. I just switched to the A5+ , coming from Edifiers Luna Eclipse. I was kinda disappointed because I didn't notice and difference in sound quality etc.. If I buy that thing you have there , the D1, you think I will notice any difference in sound quality?

[@driftwood89]

hi mike. im wondering if you own beyerdynamic 250 ohm headphones? if so, does the audioengine d1 drive them to sufficient volume in your opinion? to be specific, i own dt770s and i often play around with software equalization, boosting bass between 3-10 db, which means i need a device that can offer more power than actually necessary, because of the subsequent loss of volume on other frequencies and paying 170$ for a dac, only to plug it into a portable amp (e11/cmoy) sounds kinda silly to me.

[@rajanuk9841]

Would be nice if the review shows some sound difference with or without using audioengine d1

[@Icelake84]

+hifiguy528 One simple question : considering the imputs, there's no switch between sources. How is it possible?

[@AlumarsX]

I can't listen to music on a computer without a DAC. Maybe I got used to the noise-free sensation it creates. If you don't notice the noise from your computer, then going to a DAC might be less impressive. You also have to have in mind if your headphones need more power than the D1 has to offer. For example, the D1 just can't drive most orthodynamic headphones to their full potential.

[@deza42]

Why not crank the format to 9600.0HZ

[@UnstoppableBird]

would the creative sound card on G1 assassin's motherboard be enough to drive a sony MDR 7506 headphone??? cuz the r eviews say that they have onboard headphone amp which I am not too sure.... also, would the sound be different if i connect my headphone to the quarter inch jack on my studio monitor which is connected to my soundcard or do i have to plug it into the actual line in port to get the sound that the soundcard offers???

[@MineTwine45]

Even without the DAC, I have an 11.1" MB Air aswell, and changing the sampling rate helped a lot. I still need a DAC, but I'm happy so far. How well does the D1 pair with the 518s?

[@SchoonyMyBoy]

How do you think this would pair with the Sennheiser hd 598s? Would it give the bass a little boost in impact?

[@Thomasvegeta]

We can see his face in 2 or 3 unboxing videos. You just have to check the reflections on the packaging =)

[@scumpuppies]

Great, thanks hifiguy. I'm currently using a 2011 macbook pro, so I'm thinking an optical cable with a toslink to side headphone port to the d1, which would be connected to my A5+ would produce the best sound?

[@nuttimilk]

I have a question. What is the best portable dac for your laptop (and possibly iPod/ipad) AND what would be the best value portable dac? If

[@bertlegion683]

Why will you not make a video of you're whole collection of headphones

[@rdaffon23]

Is the "audio midi" setting only on a specific Apple OS? Good review btw.

[@scumpuppies]

Thanks. Do you think this will provide the best possible sound? Or an optical cable?

[@SoledOutReviewss]

well these go well with ath-m50 ?!!

[@IPpainting]

SoledOut apparently you didnt listen what the guy said in the video.. ouch

[@sto1tz]

Do you know if this would outperform my Asus Xonar DX soundcard i have in my pc? I am more then happy how it performs(asus card), but i get really bad static noise(bad earth problem) whenever i use a microphone. So if the D1 is better or just as good i will go out and buy me one. Iam using sennheiser 558 headphones.

[@Thomasvegeta]

It's a pretty small headphone amp-DAC, Thanks and nice review :)

[@darkhero101010]

thanks a lot, it's that I want to build my first nice desktop setup, my budget is small but I'm thinking the biggest I would go is HD600 and Nuforce icon hd, or maybe it's a better idea to get a separated amp and dac? like this first and then a nicer amp and just use this as a dac.

[@ivanrodriguez4602]

I have the Sony V6 like you mention pair up great with the D1 but I was wondering if a combination of those two are good enough to tell the difference between 256KBPS AAC and a Lossless format like ALAC?

[@Sayounaraful]

what about comparing this to the combo of FiiO E9 and E7, it is a huge difference in soundquality? (ofc, If you have tried it yet)

[@darkhero101010]

does it have enough power for AKG K550, Q701? and also, what is a better deal, K550 for $200 or the Q701 for almost $300?

[@ElMagoRob]

Why is it advertised as a dac only?

[@yoohoosk8r]

Have you used the HiFiMan EF2A, its the same price as this dac amp, if you have, which one would u say is better.

[@meatwad74]

Hey, I have a Fiio E9/E7 amp combo plugged into my laptop PC. How can one tell if a USB is shared and which is the best one to plug in ur dac ?

[@Physicalmediainsider]

Hey hifiguy what amp/dac are you currently on your home system?

[@dirtbikelover067]

how would this compare the the Hi-Fi Man EF2A Tube USB DAC

[@ankitpasi]

How does this compare to Halide devilsound dac?

[@SaZooCaballero]

The macbook air has a optical out, from the headphones. Is that not better than the usb out?

[@ThaHeadphoneJunkie]

yes, because the RCA jacks are audio out

[@MrJacksjack]

would you recommend the the Audioengine A5+ ?

[@watchit2341]

is this setup possible? ipod - audioengine d1 - digiziod zo2 - ATH-M50s ?

[@EGsynergy]

Did you ever find a response to this? I am in the market for an amp/dac for my Q701 and I am strongly considering this, but cannot find a solution. I would greatly appreciate a response from anyone on this, as I know Q701's can be difficult to properly drive.

[@darkhero101010]

It should make sense

[@darkhero101010]

how do you think it pairs with the v moda M80?

[@RoyalTutorial]

wtf 3:17?

[@scumpuppies]

How would I connect this to my A5+ speaker system?

[@Apocalyptical789]

Would this pair well with the Sony XB1000?

[@AzureProdz]

How would this perform with Grado RS1i and Q701?

[@2ndglow]

@hifiguy528 i know you can't do all this but it would be very helpfull for me if you could review the fiio e17

[@diajobo]

is the hifiman ef2a or this better?

[@AusiMoney]

what would power the q701's?

[@mikahebat]

will this be good for an AD-700X?

[@RoyalTutorial]

can u do this setup with speakers?

[@JustMusicbyRogelio]

Can this run a pair of Sennheiser hd6 mix headphones?

[@HiFiInsider]

yes

[@AlumarsX]

I have a Macbook and the optical out on it is not that good, so I suggest just using it with USB.

[@matthewfrost8536]

Will this work well with speakers or just headphones?

[@Boomtrack13]

This device works with both with speakers and headphones.

[@richardmurphy9006]

I will purchase used to listening AKG `s thru the Amp the computer just doesn`t give me Icky Thump

[@M0d3rator]

cute macbook ^^

[@volikoto]

what? It would drain my laptop's battery life! I need a DAC that has a seperate power chord.

[@mrdavester]

Just wondering why you wouldnt plug in your laptop, if you can plug in the dac to an outlet too

[@MrJacksjack]

just for a blurry second though :P

[@julieyoung3069]

I have an Audioengine D1, wasn't that impressed, I have added a Fiio E12 to it and they sound awesome together.

[@MrJacksjack]

show your face?

[@RailManSD]

How does this compare to the Fiio e17 ?

[@Zillamp3z]

this for jdslabs 02/odac combo?