DAC/Headphone amp/speaker amp recommendation

Soldato
Joined
6 Sep 2016
Posts
11,199
Looking for

USB DAC - to work from a PC
Headphone amplifier
Integrated amplifier (volume knob)
Speaker outputs
Possibly subwoofer pre out
Bluetooth receiver

Any recommendations? Anything £100 or less?
 
Requirements 1 to 4 are fairly easy to check off on many entry level DAC/AMPs. Caveat being most will include RCA outputs for speakers. Fiio K11 (£120) springs to mind, or it's Fiio K11 R2R variant for £150 (this one is difficult to get hold of atm). The K11 is a fantastic budget DAC/AMP with USB-C input, optical input, RCA outputs, external power supply, single-ended and balance headphone output. UAC 1 & 2 modes. Very clean/analytical, neutral and powerful little unit. Bought one soon after they came out and would definitely recommend. The R2R version provides a slightly warmer sound that some might prefer.

BT input is more common on more expensive DAC/AMPs, such as the Topping DX3 Pro+ (£200) or Fiio K7 BT (£230). Possibly cheaper units I'm overlooking just can't think of any.

I can't recall having seen sub output on anything other than separate amplifiers, but this feels like the hardest requirement to meet. I know if looking at external sound cards, like the Creative Soundblaster X4 (£100), this will have PC 3.5mm outputs for speakers (similar to what you find on motherboards). More gaming features and therefore dependant on software and isn't going to produce as high quality sound as the earlier examples.

Hope that helps.
 
You're going to need to go chi-fi for that.

SMSL DS100 MQA is worth a look, no sub out but you can jury rig if necessary, no bluetooth either but that's easily added via a sperate device for £20-30 with aptX support.
 
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Topping MX3S is superb, has everything you need.
 
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The Topping MX3S as mentioned is all you will need and is better than the NAD 3020 having owned it and the NAD 3045 and NAD 7050.

It's at ~£200 though but well worth it for what it offers.
 
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