Best laptop DAC.

[Jac459]

My Astell&Kern SR25 just died on me...
I was using it a bit as a DAP, a lot as a DAC to mix and master on my laptop with my focal plugged into it.

If I want a replacement, the FIIO M11S seems nice, with Roon support and a 2.5mm balanced output (I have earplugs in this format).

But now, looking on the fact that I am using in fact not very often a "DAP" to listen to music but most often my .... phone. I am wondering if I couldn't have much better for a cheaper price. The M11S is 500 USD roughly.
Is there better pure DAC option at max 300 USD price range?

Thanks !

[lokio]

I have a few Hidizs products and they've all been extremely good value. I've used their sonata DAC both with a phone and with some vintage JBL monitors someone gave me and it performed admirably. Here's someone with measurements of their S9 Pro. Perhaps a little cheaper than what you're looking for but they're worth a mention.

[Jac459]

Oh, I love your idea actually.

1 - I don't mind cheaper, I am OK to lose DAP if it is much better value for money.
2 - I used dongle in the past but the cable was attached to the DAC and it damaged in about 3 months so I thought never again. In your case the usb c is not attached, I love that.
3 - This DAC also has a 2.5mm, that's exactly my need.

2 questions:
What about the XO? I see it has MQA (I use TIDAL, I have a ton of MQA)
Will it be able to drive headphones (I have focal elegia)?

Thanks!

[Jac459]

Sorry, an additional question, where did you buy it from? Directly from their site? It seems cheaper..

[lokio]

I'd probably go for the S9 Pro (slightly better specs, less lights, less power draw) over the XO, especially with the current 34% discount off the S9 P vs 13% off the XO, however there's not a lot of difference.

There are certainly more powerful DACs out there however there should be ample SPL, especially with the balanced output.

Focal elgia: 35 ohms and 105 dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1 kHz
Hidizs XO: unbalanced 78mW+78mW@32Ω / balanced 195mW+195mW@32Ω, 8...300Ω
Hidizs S9: ubalanced L&R 100mW@32Ω / balanced L&R 200mW@32Ω, 8-300Ω.

All three Hidizs products I have I bought directly from them. They do regular discounts and at least once did free shipping.

[Jac459]

I'd probably go for the S9 Pro (slightly better specs, less lights, less power draw) over the XO, especially with the current 34% discount off the S9 P vs 13% off the XO, however there's not a lot of difference.

There are certainly more powerful DACs out there however there should be ample SPL, especially with the balanced output.

Focal elgia: 35 ohms and 105 dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1 kHz
Hidizs XO: unbalanced 78mW+78mW@32Ω / balanced 195mW+195mW@32Ω, 8...300Ω
Hidizs S9: ubalanced L&R 100mW@32Ω / balanced L&R 200mW@32Ω, 8-300Ω.

All three Hidizs products I have I bought directly from them. They do regular discounts and at least once did free shipping.

Thanks a lot man.

I was one centimetre to buy the S9 Pro but then a friend offered me his FIIO BTR5. It has 2.5mm and do DAC also.
So I went from buying a 500USD DAP to keep my whole money.... That's a very good day for me haha.

(anyway I know I'll spend this money in VSTs).

Thanks again !