Portable Listening Amplifiers and DACs: First Look

[@AliSamieivafa]

Daniel knows what he's talking about! Can you guys make a video with him comparing high def portable music players please. Thanks!

[@grandmasterjo1]

The best videos on everything musical gear 👌👌👍👍👍👍

[@dachanist]

HPV one... man that's an infectious name. I hear the owners love really them - warts and all.

[@BandH]

+TM Thank you for the suggestion. We will have our team look into this idea. >Mark

[@KyleKehrwald]

I'd like to see some sort of audio comparison, these seem cool, but is the quality really that much better?

[@BandH]

+Kyle Kehrwald The quality among these DAC's and the improvement they lend to your listening experience is beyond words. Listening is believing! We like you suggestion for a comparison and will consider it for a future article/video. Mark S

[@goodboid]

Would love to see Daniel's take on any audiophile grade bluetooth speakers (if there's such a thing) that you guys carry.

[@BandH]

+good boid The B & O Play Beolit 15 are some the best I've heard: bhpho.to/1IBh2OJ Mark S

[@joseluisruiz3789]

I wish they could gone into more detail on the menu settings of the Shure SHA900, like how the Custom EQ settings work etc. Looks like I'll have to look elsewhere for that info. Not even on the Shure website do they show detail screen shots of the OLED screen menu setting to at least see what it offers. I have a cheap FiiO A1 mini headphone amp that actually sounds pretty damn Good for it being so tiny and low cost. But I want to find something portable where I can customize the EQ settings to my liking. The reason I'm interested in the Shure SHA900 is because just ordered some Shure SE846CL IEMs and everyone knows how much those cost so I won't go into details on that but I am also a musician so they will work for me for plenty of stuff.

[@Oceansta]

Should've talked about prices!

[@HiFiInsider]

that guy's nails are finger licking good. 😛 He is incorrect about Sony PHA-3. It works on battery as well. I've had mine since it was released.

[@christophero1969]

I also have owned a SONY PHA-3, for 6yrs now, and can confirm that the battery life in DAC only mode is about 6hrs, while in headphone only mode, is about 3hrs. I do use mine at work every day on battery and listen to it by way of headphones at home. I also can confirm the it beats a Cambridge Audio 200m, as I have just bought a 200M and are returning it after 2-days of listening, the SONY PHA-3 beats it hands down.

[@Spartan117A51]

can you use any type of headphones or stereo headphones? I have Sony MDR-XB95 over ear headphones and they sound good for the price but I love music so I would like to increase my music fidelity

[@BandH]

You might want to consider a similar portable device geared more to your type of headphone: The FiiO Alpen 2 E17K is a compact portable USB and coaxial digital to analog converter as well as an analog headphone amplifier for driving your favorite headphones at work and on the road. Using the unit's SA9027 USB receiver chip, the device can be used as an external sound card for computers with support for up to 96 kHz 32 bit files and DSD decoding (with ASIO driver and SACD plug-in). It features the Texas Instruments PCM5102 digital to analog converter for improved S/N ratio, lower distortion, and more linear digital-analog conversion characteristics than previous generations. It also uses Texas Instruments' flagship OPA1622 low-pass filter, and the OPA1642+LMH6643 chips in an OP+BUF architecture that is often found in higher-end conversion systems. For I/O the unit features a Micro-USB socket for charging, data exchange, and the option of docking with future desktop products. It also features a coaxial digital input with support up to 192 kHz/24-bit PCM input (via the included 3.5mm to coaxial converter plug), as well as a dual-function line in / line out for maximum convenience. Two front panel buttons allow you to power on the unit, navigate menus on the OLED display, select the input, and lock the device. All other controls such as bass adjustment, gain level, and volume control are provided by a side mounted multifunction control wheel. The device's internal rechargeable battery provides more than 15 hours of operation on an approximately 3 hour and 40 minute charge. bhpho.to/2aKVcty >Mark

[@ChristianLampe]

Is there an advantage of using this with a phone over maybe loading music onto a portable recorder such as the zoom h5n that can record and play back higher fidelity audio?

[@BandH]

+Chris Lampe For listening purposes. simply connecting this to your mobile phone's headphone output is the simplest and most elegant solution. Going the portable recorder route seems excessive and redundant and I strongly doubt if most people could hear any appreciable difference. Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: [e-mail] >Mark

[@rickowensforever3301]

Is shure sha900 a suitable choise for both byer xelento & westone w80？

[@Ratseeker]

What is the limit of the hi gain switch on the Fostex hp-v1 in terms of headphones it can drive? Can it drive 300ohm headphones like a Seinhesser hd800s?

[@TMM6900]

can you do a video on some desktop amp and dac combo?

[@pjwillsr]

How do i use a headphone amp to my Sennheiser Px550 wireless headphones. I bought the Creative E3 soundblaster thinking I could connect wirelessly, but no such luck

[@johnarganaut6282]

Great review--thank you! Can you please review the Peachtree Audio Shift?

[@BandH]

We'll look into it. Thanks for watching!

[@junits15]

that fostex amp can be replaced by an equalizer on the phone

[@davidhrzenjak]

What about the Sound Blaster E5

[@navinbabji]

Oh...fuck i didn't realize this video was about headphone amps, i was too intently gazing at the magnificient beard...next time get a guy who looks like a nerd, so that we can focus on the product more...😁😁😁

[@KojiCO-ConvinceM]

I am about to pick up theOppo HA2 i'm doing as much research as I can, anything better than what I've chosen in my price range of £250? The device seems exceptional but if anybody else has any better recommendations I would appreciate it. Are use the shore SE846 in ear monitors The beyer DT 250 and if necessary will be using it as an output for my MacBook Pro,. I also use the Mackie HR824 monitors with a analogue Mackie desk,

[@BandH]

It's a beautiful product and should sound great with your other components. Enjoy!

[@KojiCO-ConvinceM]

Thank you👍

[@slang1968]

I wanna use one of these for simply riding in a vehicle with my headphones while fam is using car stereo and I need to power it from the cig lighter. Which one of these is best suited for that?

[@BandH]

The Teac HA-P50will get the job done but will recharge from your car's USB or 12VDC source (cigarette lighter). it cannot be powered directly. bit.ly/TeacHA-P50 >Mark

[@GiannhsDaskalakhsLASER]

great video !

[@KS_1990]

can u recommend a portable dac and amp that best drives the HD 650?

[@BandH]

The FiiO Alpen 2 E17K is a compact portable USB and coaxial digital to analog converter as well as an analog headphone amplifier for driving your favorite headphones at work and on the road. Using the unit's SA9027 USB receiver chip, the device can be used as an external sound card for computers with support for up to 96 kHz 32 bit files and DSD decoding (with ASIO driver and SACD plug-in). It features the Texas Instruments PCM5102 digital to analog converter for improved S/N ratio, lower distortion, and more linear digital-analog conversion characteristics than previous generations. It also uses Texas Instruments' flagship OPA1622 low-pass filter, and the OPA1642+LMH6643 chips in an OP+BUF architecture that is often found in higher-end conversion systems. For I/O the unit features a Micro-USB socket for charging, data exchange, and the option of docking with future desktop products. It also features a coaxial digital input with support up to 192 kHz/24-bit PCM input (via the included 3.5mm to coaxial converter plug), as well as a dual-function line in / line out for maximum convenience. Two front panel buttons allow you to power on the unit, navigate menus on the OLED display, select the input, and lock the device. All other controls such as bass adjustment, gain level, and volume control are provided by a side mounted multifunction control wheel. The device's internal rechargeable battery provides more than 15 hours of operation on an approximately 3 hour and 40 minute charge. bhpho.to/2cGBsHz >Mark

[@davethum4421]

No Prices? Please include in the future - it's part of the decision

[@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv]

David Thum they change drastically, day to day. Google them.

[@chicuongtran5389]

Alexa them

[@etyrnal]

Will the Shure amp drive 250 ohm headphones to LOUD levels? Can the Shure amp be used WHILE charging (while battery is completely dead)?

[@BandH]

Given that the Shure SHA900 offers a headphone impedance range of 6 to 600 ohms and multiple output gain structures, the SHA900 is optimized to power any model earphone or headphone. A 250 ohm set of headphones should perform loudly and well. It will operate while charging. >Mark

[@jacobkeller29]

Cost $999.99 dollars

[@demetrispaschali5547]

Guys does anyone knows if the sha900 can be used as a hardwired bodypack as well?? i know its not intended application of it but am just curious

[@harrylks]

That beard is fkin magnificent

[@deluxelex9056]

needs to clean his nails though

[@ejitp6cl6]

should include chord mojo

[@zennologyofeverything7265]

Dr. Xavier, is that you?

[@123eya8]

any amp recommandation for ultrasone edition 8?

[@BandH]

The silver Benchmark DAC2-HGC Digital to Analog Converter is a two-channel preamplifier with built-in headphone amplifier and digital to analog converter system. It is capable of conversions of Direct Stream Digital (DSD) signals as well as Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) files up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Designed as an output device for computer-based media, the DAC2-HGC can be used with home media servers, digital audio workstations, desktop audio editing applications, and computer-based radio broadcast systems. The DAC2-HGC boasts a number of features not found in its predecessor, the DAC1, including native DSD conversion, asynchronous USB 2.0, 32-bit internal processing, and increased I/O options. The DAC2-HGC follows sample-rate changes initiated by your computer or software and uses a multi-mode asynchronous USB system for data transfer. This allows the unit to act as the clock master, reducing jitter by first transferring the audio data from your computer to an internal buffer then to the digital to analog subsystem. The dual data transfer uses Benchmark's proprietary UltraLock2 jitter attenuation system reducing jitter noise and distortion to at least 140dB below the level of the audio. The 32-bit internal Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is used in tandem with the DAC2-HGC's active analog gain control and passive low-impedance attenuators for the unit's Hybrid Gain Control, or HGC. The HGC provides you with the dynamic range of an analog system and the accuracy of digital control. All analog inputs are controlled in the analog system and digital inputs in the digital system. The 32-bit DSP also provides up to 3.5dBFS of digital headroom. The DAC2-HGC features a variety of input and output options. It includes two stereo unbalanced analog RCA inputs, two optical TOSlink digital inputs, two coaxial digital inputs, one USB digital input, two stereo analog unbalanced RCA outputs, and one stereo analog balanced XLR output. bhpho.to/2ahvSgd >Mark

[@alilacherruse]

This is like a time capsule.

[@xzone454wd7]

Can't I just use my vape box?

[@KingKong-os7iv]

Vinyl kids, vinyl!

[@miltonwilliams2399]

are any of these bluetooth? they are way to clunky to be portable. I use my dac amps at work I clip then to my shirt and the rest is magic. bluetooth are they??

[@BandH]

These DAC/headphone amplifiers have embedded Bluetooth receivers: bhpho.to/3EgTlu1 >Mark

[@Pablo-T]

XDuoo XD-05 is also great.

[@shimtest]

epic beard off!

[@g0at3]

I want that sony so bad.............

[@ericthomas2388]

$999

[@CriticalThinkerUK]

I thought they were digital analogue converters

[@hi-fidude6670]

Oppo HA2-SE would likely beat them all.

[@Dr23rippa]

don't get fooled by numbers

[@agfdsa123]

They're all $1 m.

[@ihalloway]

his hair is strange ... is it M J front look ? lol

[@fwlweb5803]

They need a better speaker. It's painful listening.

[@michaelsdadj33]

What would be s good dac/amp for me. I will be using my iPhone 6 and massdrop 6xx headphones made by sennheiser. I am really confused about what cables I will need to connect phone to amp.