I was looking on the bay for a old soundcard the Xonar DX/XD I was going to use it on a AM4 platform I just put together. Spec is a Gigabyte Aourus elite X570 motherboard using it's onboard sound (it sounds okay to me) but wanted a card. Found out the Xonar might have problems in Windows 11 unsupported ect. Learned these Amp Dac things better. So I found a FIIO K5 Pro ESS boxed sealed for £115. Is this a decent way in to this new world? I'll be using Senhiesser momentum 4 headphones wired into it and either my Edifier R1600T plus speakers or Logitech Z623 THX or soon to buy Edifier MR3.
New to Amp/Dac just bought Fiio K5 Pro ESS did I do good?
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Caporegime
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It would be fine, but it's been on the market for quite a few years and there are more options for similar money.
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Yeah thanks, it's just really to get me started. I bought it as a recommendation from chat gpt. If I like it I may buy something better or similar for my other pc. I'm also a guitar player so I'll be interested how this sounds using my multi effects pedals namely Line 6 pod HD 500X.
Welcome to the hobby. In short it's a nice DAC/AMP.
The original Fiio K5 Pro uses components; AKM 4493SEQ, OP16xx amp chips etc. that are still in products today like the Fosi Audio K7. And the ESS chipset is similar in spec. However the biggest issue is probably the complete lack of balanced headphone output which a lot of the new, even budget DAC/AMPs do now. However if you're never going to use balanced, or don't know what it is then for the price I think you've done well. I sold my well used 5-year old K5 Pro (AKM) for £70 earlier this year, so to get a new/mint one for £115 is fine. The K5 Pro's party trick which very few budget DAC/AMPs do is have RCA inputs. This can be incredibly useful for old video game consoles, connect other DACs etc. It's also not realiant on software, has more power than you'll need and looks nice. Uses switches too which is nice.
The original Fiio K5 Pro uses components; AKM 4493SEQ, OP16xx amp chips etc. that are still in products today like the Fosi Audio K7. And the ESS chipset is similar in spec. However the biggest issue is probably the complete lack of balanced headphone output which a lot of the new, even budget DAC/AMPs do now. However if you're never going to use balanced, or don't know what it is then for the price I think you've done well. I sold my well used 5-year old K5 Pro (AKM) for £70 earlier this year, so to get a new/mint one for £115 is fine. The K5 Pro's party trick which very few budget DAC/AMPs do is have RCA inputs. This can be incredibly useful for old video game consoles, connect other DACs etc. It's also not realiant on software, has more power than you'll need and looks nice. Uses switches too which is nice.
Having set this thing up and tested it I have to say I'm impressed. Now the problem is I need another one for my other pc. Was thinking something with Bluetooth as well as headphones input. Budget I'd say around £100 to £200 is the Topping DX 5.2 or Fiio K11 BT (as recommend by chat gpt but can't find) worth getting or can anyone recommend anything else 
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Caporegime
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Having set this thing up and tested it I have to say I'm impressed. Now the problem is I need another one for my other pc. Was thinking something with Bluetooth as well as headphones input. Budget I'd say around £100 to £200 is the Topping DX 5.2 or Fiio K11 BT (as recommend by chat gpt but can't find) worth getting or can anyone recommend anything else
The Topping DX5II can be "end game" for this price bracket for features and power. The K11 offers the R2R element if you are into that.
I don't know if the K11 has a Bluetooth version though, I thought it doesn't have that.
There is also the Xduoo XA-02 at exactly £200.
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Having set this thing up and tested it I have to say I'm impressed. Now the problem is I need another one for my other pc. Was thinking something with Bluetooth as well as headphones input. Budget I'd say around £100 to £200 is the Topping DX 5.2 or Fiio K11 BT (as recommend by chat gpt but can't find) worth getting or can anyone recommend anything else
I think Bluetooth input will complicate the requirement, but is doable.
There are only two Fiio K11 models the OG and the R2R variant, but neither has BT input. I think the cheapest Fiio DAC/AMP with BT input is the K7 BT (£230). Apart from the aforementioned Topping DX5 II above there is the older DX3 Pro+ (£199) which has BT input.
Also there is the recent Fosi Audio K7 (£170) which springs to mind. More of a 'gaming' orientated DAC/AMP, but very good all-in-one DAC/AMP. Apart from having Mic input it uses the same AKM4493SEQ chipset again, is balanced, lots of power has some nice EQ for bass and treble. Also has BT input.
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The Fosi Audio K7 is probably the stand out unit at this price point.
I love it personally, although mine is permanently connected to the PS5 Pro so I've only used it for music etc. when I first got it and tested it on PC. But it does have some similarities with the Fiio K7 although that does have the slightly better AMP chips/implementation. I haven't heard the Toppings or the Xduoo, but I think the Fosi K7 does a lot for its £170 price.
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Soldato
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The Fosi Audio K7 looks great and I'm sure would work well.
I just want to give a shout out for the iFi Zen DAC v3 (or v2) which is very highly rated and is less of a gaming DAC and more of a music DAC. It's not cheap but it's still a good DAC.
There are many good options out there and I'm sure you'll find one that works well for you.
I just want to give a shout out for the iFi Zen DAC v3 (or v2) which is very highly rated and is less of a gaming DAC and more of a music DAC. It's not cheap but it's still a good DAC.
There are many good options out there and I'm sure you'll find one that works well for you.