# DACs and Digital **URL:** https://forum.headphones.com/c/dacs-and-digital/8.md [Latest](https://forum.headphones.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.headphones.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.headphones.com/tags.md) --- ## [About the DACs and Digital category](https://forum.headphones.com/t/about-the-dacs-and-digital-category/40)
**Author:** [@GoldenSound](https://forum.headphones.com/u/GoldenSound)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2026, 11:18am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/about-the-dacs-and-digital-category/40 "2026-01-29T11:18:24Z")
The place for general discussion about digital to analog converters, and other digital products including DDCs and servers. --- ## [Made an interesting discovery](https://forum.headphones.com/t/made-an-interesting-discovery/27417)
**Author:** [@SSN757](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SSN757)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/made-an-interesting-discovery/27417 "2026-09-21T20:26:08Z")
I stumbled upon a discovery that was a bit of a surprise. Have recently started to listen to more optical media of late, as I’ve not been entirely happy with the sound from streaming via PC. For CD’s been using a Audio… --- ## [Headphones.com X Ampsandsound FORGE Tube Amplifier - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphones-com-x-ampsandsound-forge-tube-amplifier-official-thread/12993)
**Author:** [@generic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/generic)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2026, 3:07am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphones-com-x-ampsandsound-forge-tube-amplifier-official-thread/12993 "2026-09-16T03:07:05Z")
Headphones.com collaborated with Ampsandsound to produce the FORGE Desktop Headphone Tube Amplifier. This thread is the place to discuss the product. Description (from the builder) Fully decked out with upgraded… --- ## [Re-Discovering the joys of optical media](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-discovering-the-joys-of-optical-media/27323)
**Author:** [@SSN757](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SSN757)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-discovering-the-joys-of-optical-media/27323 "2026-09-07T15:26:58Z")
Lately, have started to listen to my optical media collection more and streaming less. I had forgotten just how good a CD disc can sound. It’s nice to listen to an entire album and get the feel of what the artist(s) we… --- ## [MusEQ: Audiophile-grade headphone EQ for Apple Music on macOS](https://forum.headphones.com/t/museq-audiophile-grade-headphone-eq-for-apple-music-on-macos/27068)
**Author:** [@AudioTool](https://forum.headphones.com/u/AudioTool)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/museq-audiophile-grade-headphone-eq-for-apple-music-on-macos/27068 "2026-07-22T15:50:29Z")
Allow myself to introduce… er… myself I got tired of the bloat and cost of using Roon + a streaming service on my Mac when all I really needed was a proper EQ solution for Apple Music. Well if I can’t bring Apple Music … --- ## [Bit Depth/Rate](https://forum.headphones.com/t/bit-depth-rate/27268)
**Author:** [@Jg615f](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Jg615f)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/bit-depth-rate/27268 "2026-07-07T22:35:36Z")
Hey guys, I’m new here and can’t find quite the answer to a question I’ve had. If im using a dongle dac, such as the Moondrop Echo B, will turning the volume down decrease the quality of the signal? Will turning down vol… --- ## [Apple Music EQ for iPhones](https://forum.headphones.com/t/apple-music-eq-for-iphones/27235)
**Author:** [@AudioTool](https://forum.headphones.com/u/AudioTool)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/apple-music-eq-for-iphones/27235 "2026-06-30T00:15:17Z")
This is a topic to discuss the current state of using Apple Music with EQ on iOS devices aka iPhones or iPads. I think this needs a dedicated topic because it’s pretty confusing and it’s easy to make a purchase with expe… --- ## [DAC/AMP - USB TYPE-C PD power supply](https://forum.headphones.com/t/dac-amp-usb-type-c-pd-power-supply/27245)
**Author:** [@TRDK](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TRDK)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/dac-amp-usb-type-c-pd-power-supply/27245 "2026-06-23T04:36:14Z")
In a couple off weeks I will get the Lotoo Gungnir DAC/AMP for test. It require: “It is recommended to use a USB TYPE-C PD power supply that supports 20V / 3A with a power output of 60W or higher” A low ripple and nois… --- ## [Haven't been happy with streaming sound until](https://forum.headphones.com/t/havent-been-happy-with-streaming-sound-until/27119)
**Author:** [@SSN757](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SSN757)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/havent-been-happy-with-streaming-sound-until/27119 "2026-05-09T15:30:47Z")
I’ve never been entirely happy with the sound from streaming services, nor with computer based playback. Have had some incremental improvements over time (new computer, improved internet service), but still, not entirel… --- ## [Topping D900 Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/topping-d900-official-thread/26334)
**Author:** [@SSN757](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SSN757)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/topping-d900-official-thread/26334 "2026-04-24T20:18:19Z")
Ever since I first heard about this DAC, I have wanted to get my hands on one. When it finally came out, waited a short period of time and picked one up. Sold a well-regarded DAC to fund the purchase. I really didn’t … --- ## [Bottlehead Crack OTL AMP (Kit/DIY) - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/bottlehead-crack-otl-amp-kit-diy-official-thread/1937)
**Author:** [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\ **Replies:** 389\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/bottlehead-crack-otl-amp-kit-diy-official-thread/1937 "2026-04-22T23:10:19Z")
Bottlehead’s basic headphone amplifier kit, the “Crack”, is probably the most well known, and best regarded, kit-based/DIY headphone amplifier there is. It is an all-tube output-transformerless (OTL) design, intended to… --- ## [Golden's HQPlayer Oversampling Guide](https://forum.headphones.com/t/goldens-hqplayer-oversampling-guide/25410)
**Author:** [@GoldenSound](https://forum.headphones.com/u/GoldenSound)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2026, 8:07am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/goldens-hqplayer-oversampling-guide/25410 "2026-03-25T08:07:34Z")
MY HQPLAYER SETTINGS CAN BE FOUND HERE: HQPlayer Settings - Google Drive If you’d just like to import my settings for a particular DAC, you can grab them in a .XML file at the link above. Simply open HQPlayer, then clic… --- ## [Schiit Jotunheim - Headphone Amplifier - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/schiit-jotunheim-headphone-amplifier-official-thread/5231)
**Author:** [@lost33](https://forum.headphones.com/u/lost33)\ **Replies:** 475\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2026, 7:39am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/schiit-jotunheim-headphone-amplifier-official-thread/5231 "2026-03-07T07:39:48Z")
Jason Stoddard approached me the other day and is sending a Jotenheim for me to play with in conjunction with my recently purchased Bifrost2. He thought I might like to see how it compares with the THX AAA balanced amps…… --- ## [EQ for both iOS & Mac](https://forum.headphones.com/t/eq-for-both-ios-mac/4874)
**Author:** [@arrakian](https://forum.headphones.com/u/arrakian)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/eq-for-both-ios-mac/4874 "2026-02-28T18:04:21Z")
Hi all, iOS & Mac users: what are you using to EQ your headhones, for both desktop and iPhone, on a system-wide level? --- ## [Luxsin X9 DAC/amp](https://forum.headphones.com/t/luxsin-x9-dac-amp/26966)
**Author:** [@AudioTool](https://forum.headphones.com/u/AudioTool)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/luxsin-x9-dac-amp/26966 "2026-02-28T00:06:37Z")
I bought one of these a few weeks ago and have been using it at my desk to power my daily driver, the Philphone, ever since. It’s a great system if you like to play around with DSP. I’m not going to review … --- ## [Ferrum Audio - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/ferrum-audio-official-thread/14702)
**Author:** [@hifiDJ](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hifiDJ)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/ferrum-audio-official-thread/14702 "2026-01-30T18:11:36Z")
So I was at CanJam just recently and one of the the booths that stood out to me was the VANA booth, the NA distributor for Atlas Cables and Ferrum Audio products. I’ve heard of their stuff before but haven’t really looke… --- ## [Audiophile and Linux (The Darkside)](https://forum.headphones.com/t/audiophile-and-linux-the-darkside/6582)
**Author:** [@DEXCOM7](https://forum.headphones.com/u/DEXCOM7)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2026, 8:08pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/audiophile-and-linux-the-darkside/6582 "2026-01-19T20:08:45Z")
A thread for sharing Tips and Tricks/Software/Etc… and anything related to making your Linux HiFi experience more enjoyable. A bit of a background: I been working with and using Linux for over 18yrs, I quickly came fon… --- ## [Chord Hugo 2 DAC/AMP - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/chord-hugo-2-dac-amp-official-thread/1021)
**Author:** [@andrew](https://forum.headphones.com/u/andrew)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/chord-hugo-2-dac-amp-official-thread/1021 "2026-01-18T18:08:01Z")
This is the spot to discuss the Chord Hugo 2 --- ## [Anyone have a negative experience with r2r dacs?](https://forum.headphones.com/t/anyone-have-a-negative-experience-with-r2r-dacs/26628)
**Author:** [@NickZ](https://forum.headphones.com/u/NickZ)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 4:21am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/anyone-have-a-negative-experience-with-r2r-dacs/26628 "2025-12-17T04:21:16Z")
Recently I tried the K13 R2R dac and to my surprise it did not go well. I had immediate ear fatigue the moment I pressed play - which is the opposite of what’s supposed to happen with r2r dacs. I had the same sensation… --- ## [DAC Quality: Myths vs Reality](https://forum.headphones.com/t/dac-quality-myths-vs-reality/25445)
**Author:** [@SSN757](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SSN757)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/dac-quality-myths-vs-reality/25445 "2025-12-09T20:22:18Z")
So, I always thought that the difference with DAC’s was more signifigant than what my real world experience has shown. Between R2R and Delta/Sigma DACs, I’ve always favored the sound of the Delta/Sigma. There justseemed… --- ## [Zähl HM1 - Reference Headphone Amplifier - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zahl-hm1-reference-headphone-amplifier-official-thread/17859)
**Author:** [@taronlissimore](https://forum.headphones.com/u/taronlissimore)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/zahl-hm1-reference-headphone-amplifier-official-thread/17859 "2025-12-08T00:36:17Z")
This is the official thread to discuss the Zaehl HM1 Reference Headphone Amplifier. From the Zaehl website. " Reference Amplifier with unprecedented transparency and precision, attention to detail and massive power … --- ## [EQ DSP Equalizer for dummies](https://forum.headphones.com/t/eq-dsp-equalizer-for-dummies/26653)
**Author:** [@Klute](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Klute)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2025, 7:37am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/eq-dsp-equalizer-for-dummies/26653 "2025-11-27T07:37:08Z")
I can’t remember if I made a post like this but it’s not easily searchable due to EQ being to short. But where do I start for EQ? How do I apply it to all audio? Not just downloaded files? I have at least one DAC capab… --- ## [\[Guide\] Is I2S really better than USB?](https://forum.headphones.com/t/guide-is-i2s-really-better-than-usb/25413)
**Author:** [@GoldenSound](https://forum.headphones.com/u/GoldenSound)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/guide-is-i2s-really-better-than-usb/25413 "2025-11-17T02:18:37Z")
TLDR: USB is typically the best option for most modern DACs and you should probably use it even if you have an I2S DDC as you’ll likely get better jitter performance. If you’ve gone down the rabbithole a bit when it com… --- ## [Luxury & Precision W4 and W4-EX DAC/AMP](https://forum.headphones.com/t/luxury-precision-w4-and-w4-ex-dac-amp/21808)
**Author:** [@pennstac](https://forum.headphones.com/u/pennstac)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2025, 4:28am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/luxury-precision-w4-and-w4-ex-dac-amp/21808 "2025-11-04T04:28:13Z")
Looks like it’s time for an official place for this DAC/AMP. @Torq was one of the first to comment on his, and after reading his comments, I succumbed and ordered one also. The W4 is the new flagship model and the W4-EX… --- ## [Headphone/Audio & Music Library "Power" Tools](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-audio-music-library-power-tools/17788)
**Author:** [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-audio-music-library-power-tools/17788 "2025-10-22T22:19:39Z")
This thread is intended to provide for capture, catalog and discussion of various headphone or audio related software tools. These can be downloadable applications or webpages/sites, and can be as simple as basic db/SPL… --- ## [Mac Music Players - An Incomplete Summary (OS X/macOS & cross-platform)](https://forum.headphones.com/t/mac-music-players-an-incomplete-summary-os-x-macos-cross-platform/1421)
**Author:** [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/mac-music-players-an-incomplete-summary-os-x-macos-cross-platform/1421 "2025-10-17T23:13:55Z")
Introduction This is a summary of some “primary” applications for Music Playback on the Mac (OS X and macOS, as well as some cross-platform applications … but I can’t comment on how the non-Mac versions are). “Primary” … --- ## [Using Sonarworks with CD Playback](https://forum.headphones.com/t/using-sonarworks-with-cd-playback/26456)
**Author:** [@SSN757](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SSN757)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/using-sonarworks-with-cd-playback/26456 "2025-09-30T01:00:03Z")
I’ve been wanting to try the Sonarworks Sound Reference ID for headphones with my CD collection for some time. Decided to use a dedicated Blu Ray Drive connected to the computer via USB using Foobar2000. This allows th… --- ## [RME ADI-2 DAC fs - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/rme-adi-2-dac-fs-official-thread/1540)
**Author:** [@Fishcommander](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Fishcommander)\ **Replies:** 696\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/rme-adi-2-dac-fs-official-thread/1540 "2025-09-20T17:13:25Z")
I’d like to start a discussion about RME’s consumer offering the ADI-2 DAC. I’ve recently purchased one and it came in the mail yesterday. I don’t have a lot of experience with it yet but, I have first impressions. Befor… --- ## [HeadAmp GS-X Mini Balanced Headphone Amplifier/PreAmp](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headamp-gs-x-mini-balanced-headphone-amplifier-preamp/5763)
**Author:** [@angstorms](https://forum.headphones.com/u/angstorms)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headamp-gs-x-mini-balanced-headphone-amplifier-preamp/5763 "2025-09-05T17:09:14Z")
HeadAmp GS-X mini Balanced Headphone Amplifier/Pre-Amp The HeadAmp GS-X is a desktop amplifier for use in the home or office. GS-X mini amplifier supports the class-A audio circuit from its bigger brother, the GS-X mk… --- ## [iFi audio - xDSD Gryphon](https://forum.headphones.com/t/ifi-audio-xdsd-gryphon/15362)
**Author:** [@SebastienChiu](https://forum.headphones.com/u/SebastienChiu)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2025, 9:28am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/ifi-audio-xdsd-gryphon/15362 "2025-08-23T09:28:58Z")
xDSD Gryphon: birth of a ‘head-fi’ legend Delivering remarkable versatility, state-of-the art technology, and class-leading sound quality with digital and analogue sources, iFi’s latest DAC/headphone amp is a portable m… [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/c/dacs-and-digital/8.md?page=1)