# Desktop setup with XLR output **URL:** \ **Category:** I need advice!\ **Created:** [July 3, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366 "2020-07-03T15:07:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Minjun\_Kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minjun\_Kim](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Minjun_Kim)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/1 "2020-07-03T15:07:20Z")
Hello again, everyone! With my headphones stuck at customs because they won’t accept any of the purchase receipts I have emailed them, I have decided to get myself a desktop setup. The only requirements I have for this is that it be under $500, have a 4-pin XLR headphone output, and be from a Chinese company(I really don’t want to deal with international imports again). Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![tmarshl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tmarshl/32/13119_2.png) [@tmarshl](https://forum.headphones.com/u/tmarshl)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/2 "2020-07-03T17:05:15Z")
> [@Minjun\_Kim](#): > > I have decided to get myself a desktop setup. Hi there. Could you be more specific about what you desire in a desktop setup? (all-in one, computer sourced, DAC/AMP, etc?) Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Minjun\_Kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minjun\_Kim](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Minjun_Kim)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2020, 5:07pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/3 "2020-07-03T17:07:49Z")
It doesn’t matter if it is a DAC/amp or a standalone DAC and a standalone amp. No soundcards or any computer-related audio equipment, though. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![tmarshl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tmarshl/32/13119_2.png) [@tmarshl](https://forum.headphones.com/u/tmarshl)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2020, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/4 "2020-07-03T17:19:19Z")
You might want to look into the Topping line (China): TOPPING DX7 Pro ES9038Pro Bluetooth DAC / Headphone Amp 768kHz DSD1024 Decoder. They are pretty close to your price range and have XLR outputs. I haven’t heard them myself, but perhaps other on this forum might have. ---
**Author:** ![Minjun\_Kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minjun\_Kim](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Minjun_Kim)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2020, 3:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/5 "2020-07-04T03:06:24Z")
Thank you! I’ll put it on my list of possibilities. I hope you have a great day! ---
**Author:** ![all24bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@all24bits](https://forum.headphones.com/u/all24bits)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/6 "2020-07-04T22:03:07Z")
The SMSL SP200 headphone amp is incredible for the price (about $250-$279 USD). ---
**Author:** ![Minjun\_Kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minjun\_Kim](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Minjun_Kim)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 1:51am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/7 "2020-07-05T01:51:09Z")
Do you also have any DAC recommendations, or would any DAC for ~250USD do the trick? ---
**Author:** ![all24bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@all24bits](https://forum.headphones.com/u/all24bits)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 2:05am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/8 "2020-07-05T02:05:19Z")
Do you want to control it from your PC or would you be OK with a standalone player? ---
**Author:** ![Minjun\_Kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minjun\_Kim](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Minjun_Kim)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/9 "2020-07-05T04:12:10Z")
Both are fine, as long as I have an option to connect the standalone player to my computer or phone to stream music. ---
**Author:** ![mshenay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mshenay/32/47271_2.png) [@mshenay](https://forum.headphones.com/u/mshenay)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 4:28am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/10 "2020-07-05T04:28:00Z")
Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooodius XLR out and I’m DIGGIN mine, USB with Android isn’t too difficult to get running either. ---
**Author:** ![Minjun\_Kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minjun\_Kim](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Minjun_Kim)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 6:52am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/11 "2020-07-05T06:52:45Z")
I would love to buy Schiit products but unfortunately every piece of Schiit audio gear on Taobao has its price increased by a large margin. ---
**Author:** ![mshenay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mshenay/32/47271_2.png) [@mshenay](https://forum.headphones.com/u/mshenay)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/12 "2020-07-05T13:47:48Z")
Ahh when you mentioned Chinnnesse Company [an no imports] I did not put two and two together The DX7 pro will likely do you well, overall the Topping DACs are pretty clean ---
**Author:** ![Minjun\_Kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minjun\_Kim](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Minjun_Kim)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/13 "2020-07-05T14:48:45Z")
Thank you for the recommendation! Did you get the pun? 🙃 On an unrelated note; I have realized that I can just by 4-pin XLR adaptors and do not need to restrict my audio setup to XLR, thus sadly making this topic unnecessary. Thanks everyone who replied, it was a great help though it did not result in anything. Goodbye! ---
**Author:** ![transmaster](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/transmaster/32/34169_2.png) [@transmaster](https://forum.headphones.com/u/transmaster)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/14 "2020-07-06T14:51:45Z")
I would go with FiiO. Excellent line of DAC/Amp’s. I have the FiiO E17K (E17) Alpen 2 Portable FiiO i1 Portable DAC and Amplifier FiiO BTR5-384K/32Bit Native DSD256 Hi-Res CSR8675 Bluetooth5.0 Receiver/USB DAC/DSD… None of the FiiO equipment uses the XLR connector but they have optimized the 3.5mm port for a balanced feed cable on many of their devices. The E17K will drive my AKG 240 Mk II’s to ruinous volume levels. The BTR5 with my Etymōtic ER3SE, and Shure SE-215 sound better than plugged directly into my iPhone. ---
**Author:** ![Minjun\_Kim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minjun\_Kim](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Minjun_Kim)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-setup-with-xlr-output/7366/15 "2020-07-06T14:54:21Z")
Thank you for the advice. I’ve noticed that FiiO has a new desktop DAC/amp lined up for release in fall, which I may get if my patience holds. Have a great day!