Cheap chi-fi DAC buy (<30 USD)

[eljoantonyn]

Originally Posted by CharlieLaub

The cheapest USB DACs I can recommend will use the SA9023 USB RX chip and an ESS 9023 DAC.

For example, two that I own and have measured:
Hifimediy ES9023 USB DAC - it's small, cheap ($35), and good. You can also order it from HiFiMeDIY.com
SA9023+ES9023 USB decoder 24bit/96KHz USB DAC WLX - there is a pic of the PCB, and you can sometimes find that bare for a little less. Performance is great for $30!

Excellent suggestions
I thought they were out of budget.

Btw, found this one on AliExpress

SE1 ES9018 ES9018K2M USB decoder HIFI audio card DAC headphone amplifier earphone amp-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

[eljoantonyn]

Originally Posted by abraxalito

I'd guess you'd end up needing a PSU board too as the PhiDAC needs 9V, the headamp 7V and you're running from USB (5V). I'd give a ballpark for 3 PCBs (DAC, headphone buffer, PSU) at $110. Quite a bit beyond your budget I'd hazard.

On second thoughts I can probably mod the PhiDAC to drive headphones direct, so long as they're above 50ohm impedance. Are yours? I'd want to try it out first though before confirming you could dispense with the buffer board.

110 USD is a huge ask, at the moment.
No offense to you but I would rather get a used high-end dac for that price from my local hi-fi forum.

Regarding the headphones, I just don't know. It's a low quality flea market one. I want to get a better one as mentioned in my original post.

[abraxalito]

Wow, which high end DACs can you get used for $110? I'm intrigued. Or perhaps we have different meanings of 'high end' ?

[eljoantonyn]

Haha yes ! It's just that I don't like international shipping and customs except if it's from AliExpress

Regarding the hifimediy Dac Charlie posted, it doesn't ship to my country !

[eljoantonyn]

Here some dacs I found on AliExpress.
Please let me know your favourite.


USB External Sound Card DAC Decoder Amplifier Headphone AMP Amplifier Dual Chip Sound Quality-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

HIFI ES9018K2M SA9023 USB DAC Decoder board External Sound Card Support 24Bit 92k for audio Amplifier-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group


Mini Integrated USB DAC Audio Decoder Stereo Headphone Amplifier HiFi Sound Card-in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

ES9028Q2M ES9028 Hi Fi DAC SA9023 24bit Mini USB DAC Sound Card AD823 Opamp W/ 3.5mm Headphone Output,Successor Of ES9018K2M-in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group


2018 New KGUSS Q2 Breeze Audio ESS ES9018K2M + AD823 + SA9023 USB DAC Decoder External Sound Card Amplifier Beyond ES9023 DAC-in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/GH8-...6-2acecd8042d5

[phase]

I can’t comment on any of those specifically, but I know that the pcm2707 usb chips aren’t as good as the sa9023, and xmos chips.

[eljoantonyn]

Originally Posted by phase

I can’t comment on any of those specifically, but I know that the pcm2707 usb chips aren’t as good as the sa9023, and xmos chips.

Ok, thanks for the opinion.

Out of those I posted, this one seems to have the latest DACs and opamps ?
ES9028Q2M ES9028 Hi Fi DAC SA9023 24bit Mini USB DAC Sound Card AD823 Opamp W/ 3.5mm Headphone Output,Successor Of ES9018K2M-in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

[phase]

It would appear so, is still usb powered however, maybe the more recent usb3 specification gives a substantial boost in juice to make a difference, I haven’t tried that.
Probably the best plug in ready unit for that price, but I haven’t tried it either, so take that for what it’s worth I guess.

[eljoantonyn]

Originally Posted by phase

It would appear so, is still usb powered however, maybe the more recent usb3 specification gives a substantial boost in juice to make a difference, I haven’t tried that.
Probably the best plug in ready unit for that price, but I haven’t tried it either, so take that for what it’s worth I guess.

Yeah, seems like a better option.



By the way, if I increase the budget further to like 50-60 USD, can I get a decent DAC which can rival my Xonar DX ?
Would be great if it has a headphone out option too !

hifi decoder XMOS U8 + AK4490 AMP NE5532 USB DAC Sound Card Headphone Output Support for PCM 192kHz-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

EDIT:

One more

NEW K.GUSS XMOS U8 + AK4490 AMP NE5532 USB DAC Decoder Sound Card Headphone Output Support for PCM 192kHz DC9V, Free shipping-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

There is more...

SA9226 ES9028Q2M DSD USB Decoder DAC 3.5mm Audio Output 32Bit 192KHz for PC Android Phone Pad HIFI amplifier G8 011-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Original XMOS+ PCM5102 + TDA1308 USB decoder board USB DAC 384KHZ/32bit New | eBay

Its seems like going for an optical input DAC is better interms of electrical noise reduction!

Originally Posted by eljoantonyn

Its seems like going for an optical input DAC is better interms of electrical noise reduction!

Nope, my on-board audio card doesn't have a digital out option

There's more !

2018 New FX AUDIO MINI DAC X3 Digital Audio Decoder Input USB/Coaxial/Optical Max 24Bit/192KHz Headphone Audio Amplifier -in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Nobsound Mini HiFi Sound Card DAC TDA1387 USB 8X Audio Decoding Headphone Amplifier DTS/AC3 Coaxial Optical Digital Output-in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group


Lee L1969 DAC pure class a USB decoding headphone amp one machine, Android OTG for apple PC portable headphone amplifier-in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Dilvpoetry DAC X6 Hifi USB DAC Headphone Amplifier Home Portable Headphones Amplifier DAC Audio Amplifier Headphone Amp USB-in Headphone Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Dilvpoetry DAC X6 Home DAC Amplifier Audio Decoder Portable USB DAC Audio Amplifier Headphone Amp Optical Hifi Amplifiers-in Digital-to-Analog Converter from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

[abraxalito]

The 2nd link is a Lee's Audio designed TDA1387 DAC with great modding potential.

The 3rd link is by the same guy but uses a TDA1305, I haven't gotten good sound out of one of those yet. Some bypass the internal opamps and say it sounds great when so modded, not something I've tried. Steer well clear unless you love 'electronic-y' sound.