Reddit mentions of FX Audio DAC-X6 24BIT/192 Optical/Coaxial/USB Digital Audio Amplifier DAC Decoder (Silver)

I will leave a note here for those wondering what a DAC/Amp is and when they are needed.

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DAC

A DAC is simply a digital to analog converter. A good DAC will minimize the amount of noise that is introduced into the system, noise being hissing, buzzing, ringing, etc. In more technical terms this would be errors made by the DAC when converting a stream of bits coming from your computer to an analog signal.

It doesn't cost much to produce an accurate DAC. Most on-board DACs are good enough that you won't notice any noise. If you do notice noise it's likely because of interference from other components on the motherboard. In that case a cheap external DAC, such as the Fiio D03k, should clean up the signal.

TL;DR: Don't notice any noise, don't buy an external DAC

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AMP

An amplifier does what the name implies, it amplifies the analog signal going to the headphones. Some headphones are easier to power than others. The SHP9500s are just fine running off your motherboard, which probably has a relatively weak amp, but something like the HifiMan HE-6 requires a lot of power. My recommendation would be to try out the headphones without an amplifier first, then purchase an amp if you aren't reaching the listening volume you would like.

Let's say you need an amplifier, which one do you get? First you should know that there are two major types of amps: solid state and tube. Solid state amplifiers aim to provide clean power to the headphones. Tube amplifiers intentionally introduce distortion to the sound to make it sound more natural. This tends to cut down on harsh treble.
You want to make sure the amp you purchase has enough power for your headphones and will provide clean sound. A great entry level amplifier would be the FX Audio DAC X6 which also happens to have a built in DAC. If you require more power than that the Schiit Magni 3 is exceptional. Anything beyond that, I would recommend heading over to /r/headphones.

TL;DR: Happy with your listening volume? Don't buy a separate amplifier.

I recommend the FX Audio DAC, it has USB and SPDIF inputs, it sounds very clean and has been my favorite DAC. If you look on YouTube there's a channel called ZREVIEWS, he reviews it and shows how well it performs. https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Optical-Coaxial-Amplifier/dp/B01HERNVQQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1542196326&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=dac+usb&dpPl=1&dpID=41LGTJ6EsML&ref=pl

I liked the Monoprice unit when I had it. I enjoyed the line in, line out, and pre-amp out functions. It is limited to 24/96 files so if you have files in higher bit rates, it can't decode them. It had plenty of power for my K7XX but felt a little under powered for the HE-500.

I have not used it but the FX Audio DAC-X6 looks good on paper:

https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Optical-Coaxial-Amplifier/dp/B01HERNVQQ/ref=sr_1_53?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1499244939&sr=1-53&keywords=headphone+amplifier

These are powered speakers with USB inputs - $350/Pr Retail -

https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-15pm-powered-monitors

How important is USB to you? That's a nice feature, but only if you need it.

I think these might be the latest version (R-51PM - $500/pr) -

https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-51pm-powered-speakers

If there is a replacement model that means there are probably very good deals on the Older Version.

These are 5" speaker, and to make a determination, you have to consider what else you can get for a similar price.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR305MK2--jbl-305p-mkii-5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MR524--mackie-mr524-5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

Edifier S2000-Pro, DAC, Remote Control, Bluetooth 4.0, etc... - £399/pr -

https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-S2000pro-Bluetooth-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0725GZQFZ/

https://www.edifier.com/us/en/speakers/s2000pro-bookshelf-speakers-studio-monitors

There is nothing wrong with the Edifier, assuming they do what you need done.

The one advantage the Klipsch do have is that they have a USB input for direct connect to a computer. That is probably the feature that is the deciding factor. However, if you computer has an Optical or Coaxial Output, then something like the Edifiers 2000 might be a good choice.

Or, if you are not connecting to a computer, then USB becomes less valuable. In the case, the Edifier with Optical/Coaxial/AUX and Bluetooth is a better choice, simply because it has a Remote Control.

The various Mackie and JBL in 5", 6.5", and 8" could be a good choice as they are highly rated and are less money, but they would require you to buy a USB DAC. Though these can be had in the range of $100.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_703DGNFLYB/AudioQuest-DragonFly-Black-v1-5.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_772D3DAC/Audioengine-D3.html?tp=59309

https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/

https://www.amazon.com/Q1-Mark-II-Native-Amplifier/dp/B0757MH46M/

https://www.amazon.com/CREATIVE-LABS-70SB173000000-Sound-Blaster/dp/B06XBZ38ZJ/

https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Optical-Coaxial-Amplifier/dp/B01HERNVQQ/

Some of these are USB DACs and Headphone Amps.

The JBL 306 and the Mackie MR624 are both 6.5" speakers, which are TWICE as big as a 5" bass driver. They are about $200 each, which with a DAC would run in the neighborhood of $500/set.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR306MK2--jbl-306p-mkii-6.5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MR624--mackie-mr624-6.5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

You can check reviews on line and you will find nothing but positive for both the JBL and the Mackie MR Series.

All that said, nothing wrong with the Klipsch, just make sure they do what you want, suit your application, and fit your budget.

Just a range of possibilities

They're fine on your laptop but suck on your phone, so you want something for your laptop?

Well anyway, for portable use I'd say try out the Fiio K1. $40

If you'll use it only on your laptop then there's the FX-Audio Dac X6. $65

If your motherboard doesn't have an S/P DIF optical audio output, add a sound card that has one ($30).

Optical audio cables are usually not included ($6).

If your speakers and/or headset don't have an optical input, you'll need an external DAC/AMP. There are models for all budgets from $12 for a simple converter, no Amp, to $70 for a DAC+AMP, to $toodamnhigh for an audiophile solution.

Note that an external DAC can have a USB port for your PC but don't use it since it would create an electrical connection. Only use the optical cable, and plug the DAC's power cord preferably in a different wall socket than the one used by the PC.

Recap:

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price

----|:----|:----
Sound Card | Asus - Xonar DG 24-bit 96 kHz Sound Card | $29.57 @ OutletPC
Custom | PROZOR Digital to Analog Converter DAC Digital SPDIF Toslink to Analog Stereo Audio L/R Converter Adapter with Optical Cable for PS3 XBox HD DVD PS4 Home Cinema Systems AV Amps Apple TV | $12.99 @ Amazon
Custom | FX Audio DAC-X6 24BIT/192 Optical/Coaxial/USB Digital Audio Amplifier DAC Decoder (Silver) | $64.99 @ Amazon
Custom | Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers - Optical Input - Wireless Studio Monitors - 4 Inch Near Field Speaker - 42w RMS - Wood Grain (Black) | $129.99 @ Amazon
Custom | AmazonBasics CL3 Rated (In-Wall Installation) Toslink Cable - 6 Feet | $5.99 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $253.53
| Mail-in rebates | -$10.00
| Total | $243.53
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-23 20:45 EDT-0400 |

If it's not enough you can add a potentiometer but it's not recommended unless it really annoys you. It will remove any remaining white noise at the cost of lower volume. Lower volume means you will have to increase the volume to hear at the same level, and it will kill part of the spectrum: there's quality loss.
Example: you're a watching a movie scene where nobody speaks and everything is silent but the microphone still detects and records the natural ambient noise that air makes or people quietly breathing. The potentiometer would kill that.

Is the little silver box under the TV this thing? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HERNVQQ/

If so, how do you like it? Nice sturdy build quality, everything plugs in snugly, satisfying to turn volume knob? Sounds decent?

I ask because I'm thinking of getting a friend a cheap dac/preamp for the active monitors on his desk and this box is like $65, and I'm used to being a dumb audiphile buying much more expensive stuff so I was wondering if it was too good to be true.

Neither of those have an amplifier, I'd suggest spending a little more and get the fx-audio dac x6: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HERNVQQ . You can use a 1/4 to 3.5mm converter to plug in your headphones(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005E2Y0KK).

Don't get a soundcard. Get a amp/dac combo, such as this. The X2s are not hard to drive so you should not be having trouble with them, though. I'm confused by what you mean by something that has an input for a mouse.

I bought the FX Audio DAC-X6 DAC/Amp a few months back and it has been working great.

Also, Zeos seems to like it, link

get this

https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Optical-Coaxial-Amplifier/dp/B01HERNVQQ

dac and amp combo

65usd compared to evga asking 250usd for their sound card - evga is definitely not worth almost 4 times the asking price..

review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17d5L5bcKvA

I have it paired with sennheiser 558 and am completely satisfied

Thanks for the reply! Would the FX Audio DAC-X6 do the job?

I may not be seeing this the right way, but I went about it like this;

Polaroid 7" tablet. This functions as your hub. Running VLC Direct lets you stream from anything on your WiFi network. By itself it's not all that great. Average internal DAC. low storage. Crap battery life. Bad display. But it's just a touchscreen that runs PowerAmp. $5. Supports virtually all audio formats. Well known and versatile. It's no JRiver, but it doesn't need to be.

https://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-P700BK-Quad-Core-Lollipop-Bluetooth/dp/B0181OME4Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522041116&sr=8-3&keywords=polaroid+tablet&dpID=51nKdLSJnAL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

We are up to $60 at this point with the paid version of PowerAmp.

Powered USB hub. We need connectivity. $19.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQFGJR4/ref=twister_B00FB50S0Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

A decent DAC. Best I could find for the money;

https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Optical-Coaxial-Amplifier/dp/B01HERNVQQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1522041945&sr=1-2&keywords=fx+audio+dac-x6

Up to $145, for what I would consider a better way of playing digital files than the DigiOne. I added an 8TB portable HDD for another $150, and for under $300 I have a digital media player that provides excellent sound, ease of use, and is extremely upgradable as far as storage, which is shouldn't need any time soon. Every part of the chain can be upgraded as well. Bigger faster tablet? More storage? Better DAC? All can be swapped out with ease. And it can access all the music on my gaming rig as well. And it's a total touchscreen solution.

You might try this Fosi DAC/headphone amp

https://www.amazon.com/Fosi-Audio-Headphone-Digital-Analog/dp/B07VDQQY95/

Or this FX audio DAC/headphone amp

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01HERNVQQ/

I believe Amazon has free returns for them (check), so there's little penalty in trying one of them.

This is the DAC/ amp I use and it has decent reviews.
FX Audio DAC-X6 24BIT/192 Optical/Coaxial/USB Digital Audio Amplifier DAC Decoder (Silver) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HERNVQQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_K1nRDbZ59D9AA

I recently bought an FX-Audio DAC-X6 and I have gotten to test it a bit while I wait for the main headset I bought it for to arrive. It sounds pretty good, but I noticed something that has me perplexed. On the product page it says:

"Power supply/adapter output voltage:Dc12V more than 1A"

more than 1A. It came with a 12V 1A adapter. Does that just mean that it requires a 1A or higher (what I understood it as), or does it mean that it would benefit from a performance standpoint by putting a higher amperage adapter on there? I remember reading a snippet somewhere of someone saying they were planning on doing just that, but they never updated about what happened.

I will be driving DT 990 600 ohm headphones. I'm not entirely sure how headphone DAC/AMPs make use of their power, but I thought voltage was more important for high impedance headphones over amperage.

EDIT: Link to Amazon product page for reference.

EDIT2: Forgot to mention, but I swapped out the opa2134 op amp for the lme49720 (for the PDIP op amp). I don't know if that makes a difference or not in power requirements.

Will the one I linked below work also? I like the idea of the volume control knob and that it looks pretty stylish as well as the RCA’s are in the back of the unit.
Does it matter that it is also an amp as well as a DAC? My audioengine speakers are powered with a built in amp.
Thanks. FX Audio DAC X6

You're going to have to make some compromises.

You could go with a decent headset such as the Sennheiser PC37X, and use your on-board audio, which is probably what I'd recommend for your budget, and just add a dac/amp later on when you can afford it. This will give you the best value for your budget.

Alternatively you could go with a cheaper pair of headphones and a $5-10 mic (I'm not too familiar with ones sub $100 though, so can't help you there.) and something like an FX-Audio Dac X6 or a used Dragonfly Black. I see them on Craigslist every now and then for around $50.

Personally, with your budget I'd start with a decent pair of headphones and a cheap mic, or headset, and save for a schiit stack.

Schiit Modi Dac & Schiit Magni Amp

> FX-Audio DACX3

I would go for the X6 not the X3.. and for a beginner setup it should sound leaps and bounds better than what you are experiencing now.

Also, if you go with a DT990 or DT770, consider replacing the ear pads with aftermarkets ones. I put these on my DT990s.

As far as install, plug the power into the wall, and plug a USB cable into your PC. Your operating system will automatically create a new output source.. typically it will be called "USB Audio Codec" or something similar. Select that as your default playback, plug the headphones into the DAC/Amp, and you are good to go.

dumb question, but if I get a DAC, like sayyy this one
then would I still need the Preamp? what extra would the preamp do for me? I'm just getting into this whole shebang and kinda wondering if I need ALL the pieces or if I just need to get a decent DAC and call it a day.

I'm looking for desktop speakers in the 200-300 range. I currently use a FX Audio DAC-X6 for my Sennheiser CX300 and have a HifiMan HE-400 on the way.

You may have guess given my headphone choice: I'm more of a basshead than full audiophile. And I'm looking for the same in desktop speakers.

THE BIG CATCH: No dedicated sub. My downstairs neighbor is a **** so I'd like to get a pair of speakers that have decent bass out of the box.

I've been eyeballing the Kanto YU4 and the Audioengine A5+ because I'd rather not get a separate amp, but I'm not sure and wanted to hear some opinions.

thanks

It is the FX Audio DAC-X6

+1 to this. Pretty much all onboard motherboard audios are junk because they rarely have a mechanism for isolating electrical noise. Plus, conversion chips suck too. Industry standard D/A conversion chips are AK4440, burbrown, CS8416 & Sabre ES92xx. You will never find them on your motherboard. This does not say you have to spend 2 grand to buy a great DAC. I would say $100-500 is plenty for a DAC, depending on your taste. For beginners, try it out FX audio dac x6. You will need an amp to power passive speakers from this DAC, which does D/A.