I only use my Onix Alpha direct from my PC, works flawlessly with incredible sound. Don't use my JDS Labs Atom 2 that much anymore. Thanks for the recommendation.
I got the r1 for my 80+ year old in-laws as a dedicated Bluetooth source. It is fairly easy for an older person to learn and use. I would consider using it as a digital transport with either a mojo 2 or my dc-elite. I was actually impressed by the unit, but my expectations couldn't have been lower.
The Xduoo might be tempting if one could pay for just their dac chip of choice. The r2r chip will likely cost a bundle. Getting close price wise to Ibasso DC16 maybe. The website mentions swapping op amps but I did not recognize any in their "shop".
Dear Monk, My Twilights got a Mojo 2. Mojo powered by an ifi Power X 5V and Audioquest Carbon USB to my source, a Samsung tablet. All moneys well spent. Best, D. p. s. Got the Twilights for $750 last Aug. back to School sale.
I concur sir!!! I too own a Mojo2 in stock form that competes with DAPs well out of its price range. I will get an updated PS to unlock its max potential. Thx!!!
Hello! I'd like to buy a quality DAP that will still be relevant in the years to come. I'm not sure which one to buy yet...The Shanling Onix Overture XM5 really appeals to me, but there's the FiiO M23 and the CAYIN N3 ULTRA that I've been eyeing... The CAYIN is the cheapest, but I don't know how close it is to the higher-end ones in terms of components... I'm also interested in the ibasso dx260. What do you recommend? I hope it will be with me for years to come! Thank you
@@tonedeafmonk In the end, I opted for the Shanling H7. At 800 dollars, it's the best option in terms of components and technical advances! With an SD card, I'll be able to manage and listen to my music via the app on my smartphone. I'm still waiting for my order... I think this DAC/DAP will go well with my Audeze LCD-2 closed-back headphones... And also with my PC! Have you made a video about this product yet?
I have an Aful P7. What 50-70 USD dongle would you suggest I buy? I don't have much for dongles and I'm a bit hesitant on buying super expensive ones (and 80USD is already expensive to me). What I currently see in online shops in my country is EPZ TP35, Moondrop Dawn Pro, and iBasso Macaron. Honestly, I don't know much about the effects of source to the resulting sound and audio shops is rare here, meaning I can't try anything out. Open to other DAC suggestions in case they're sold here and I just haven't heard of them. (I'm currently using a Jcally JM6 Pro, a 10 USD DAC dongle).
Honestly if you’re talking dongles, then the fiio ka11/ja11 are good enough for the P7. If you’re going more than 32ohms id go for a DAP. Personally i dont like shit dangling from my phone/tablet, so Id go DAP. However that’s onvi more expensive. The find a different video or article on these dongles in this price range tho because for dongles imo the only REAL difference in them is their feature sets and not their sound quality.
@@saucyg6371yeah, I can't afford a DAP at the moment and I'm hesitant about buying one. I'm thinking of upgrading my DAC because I hear harsh noise/crackles in a few songs (The Killers if I recall correctly). I don't honestly know if it's the IEM, the FLAC file, or if it's the source/DAC. I heard that's what DAC is primarily for. Noise reduction. I'm hesitant on buying Fiio KA11 because like my current DAC, it's a budget one. I wonder if I should get a more expensive one with two chips (those I listed uses two CS chips). There was a huge noticeable difference, jump in quality, between the internal DAC on my PC and phones vs the JCally JM6 Pro. I wonder if there's a slight increase in quality (not so much changes in sound but tactility and such) with the slightly above budget DAC dongles. I want to buy one and be done with it (not buying another one). I might buy another one if I buy the Fiio KA11 just because it's 'more' budget if that makes sense 😂. It's sort of an "i want to see for myself" thing I guess.
I only use my Onix Alpha direct from my PC, works flawlessly with incredible sound. Don't use my JDS Labs Atom 2 that much anymore. Thanks for the recommendation.
Happy New Year Monk!!
I'm quite happy with my AFUL Snowy Night and Fiio ja11. And I think these two will serve me well in 2025 too.
I got the r1 for my 80+ year old in-laws as a dedicated Bluetooth source. It is fairly easy for an older person to learn and use. I would consider using it as a digital transport with either a mojo 2 or my dc-elite. I was actually impressed by the unit, but my expectations couldn't have been lower.
Have you tried any of the Geshelli labs headphone amps?
I'm pretty happy with my Snowy Night and Fiio Ja11.
The Xduoo might be tempting if one could pay for just their dac chip of choice. The r2r chip will likely cost a bundle. Getting close price wise to Ibasso DC16 maybe. The website mentions swapping op amps but I did not recognize any in their "shop".
Maybe you start listen Fiio? For comparrisons. Is very important to have a wide view of dac market....
Dear Monk, My Twilights got a Mojo 2. Mojo powered by an ifi Power X 5V and Audioquest Carbon USB to my source, a Samsung tablet. All moneys well spent. Best, D. p. s. Got the Twilights for $750 last Aug. back to School sale.
Oh sweet love that set so much!
I concur sir!!! I too own a Mojo2 in stock form that competes with DAPs well out of its price range. I will get an updated PS to unlock its max potential. Thx!!!
shanling eh1 vs ua6, which one do you recommend for iem only (or another sub $200 dac/amp any form factor) ? thanks and happy new year
UA6 FOR PORTABLE USE IS GREAT
Hello!
I'd like to buy a quality DAP that will still be relevant in the years to come. I'm not sure which one to buy yet...The Shanling Onix Overture XM5 really appeals to me, but there's the FiiO M23 and the CAYIN N3 ULTRA that I've been eyeing...
The CAYIN is the cheapest, but I don't know how close it is to the higher-end ones in terms of components...
I'm also interested in the ibasso dx260.
What do you recommend?
I hope it will be with me for years to come! Thank you
DX180 better sounding than the 260 , it has a replaceable battery and no tubes clear winner in the sound quality department as well as newer android
@@tonedeafmonk How is this possible? The 260 costs double...
And which sounds better between the XM5, the M23, the N3 ULTRA and the sr35?
Thanks
@@tonedeafmonk
In the end, I opted for the Shanling H7.
At 800 dollars, it's the best option in terms of components and technical advances!
With an SD card, I'll be able to manage and listen to my music via the app on my smartphone.
I'm still waiting for my order... I think this DAC/DAP will go well with my Audeze LCD-2 closed-back headphones... And also with my PC!
Have you made a video about this product yet?
You mentioned the Shanling m5u, but in your summing up, you left it out. In your opinion, should I be saving for the dx180 instead of the m5u?
Yup the DX180 over the M5 U because of the on board memory and full android makes it a better choice.
@tonedeafmonk ok thanks..
I have an Aful P7. What 50-70 USD dongle would you suggest I buy? I don't have much for dongles and I'm a bit hesitant on buying super expensive ones (and 80USD is already expensive to me).
What I currently see in online shops in my country is EPZ TP35, Moondrop Dawn Pro, and iBasso Macaron. Honestly, I don't know much about the effects of source to the resulting sound and audio shops is rare here, meaning I can't try anything out. Open to other DAC suggestions in case they're sold here and I just haven't heard of them. (I'm currently using a Jcally JM6 Pro, a 10 USD DAC dongle).
Honestly if you’re talking dongles, then the fiio ka11/ja11 are good enough for the P7. If you’re going more than 32ohms id go for a DAP. Personally i dont like shit dangling from my phone/tablet, so Id go DAP. However that’s onvi more expensive. The find a different video or article on these dongles in this price range tho because for dongles imo the only REAL difference in them is their feature sets and not their sound quality.
@@saucyg6371yeah, I can't afford a DAP at the moment and I'm hesitant about buying one. I'm thinking of upgrading my DAC because I hear harsh noise/crackles in a few songs (The Killers if I recall correctly). I don't honestly know if it's the IEM, the FLAC file, or if it's the source/DAC. I heard that's what DAC is primarily for. Noise reduction.
I'm hesitant on buying Fiio KA11 because like my current DAC, it's a budget one. I wonder if I should get a more expensive one with two chips (those I listed uses two CS chips).
There was a huge noticeable difference, jump in quality, between the internal DAC on my PC and phones vs the JCally JM6 Pro. I wonder if there's a slight increase in quality (not so much changes in sound but tactility and such) with the slightly above budget DAC dongles. I want to buy one and be done with it (not buying another one). I might buy another one if I buy the Fiio KA11 just because it's 'more' budget if that makes sense 😂. It's sort of an "i want to see for myself" thing I guess.