USB-C DAC

Cromulent · 28 Jan 2023 at 20:14

I wonder if there is a reasonably good USB-C DAC in the £50 price range. I want to hook it up to my iPad Pro and iPhone (with a USB-C to the lightning adaptor). It would need to power DT 990 Pro 250Ohm headphones. It would be great if the DAC plugged straight in rather than a cable from the iPad Pro / iPhone.

If you need any more info, then please let me know.

englishpremier · 29 Jan 2023 at 17:42

The Apple one (US version) it is highly rated amongst audiophiles. The EU version isn't as good but can't speak for it driving your headphones. Mine are 40ohms and it's plenty loud enough even on Android phones (which have issues with external dacs)

Cromulent · 29 Jan 2023 at 17:55

englishpremier said:
The Apple one (US version) it is highly rated amongst audiophiles. The EU version isn't as good but can't speak for it driving your headphones. Mine are 40ohms and it's plenty loud enough even on Android phones (which have issues with external dacs)

I'm not sure if I can link to the product, but are you talking about the USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adaptor that costs £9, or do you mean something else?

Eddie99 · 29 Jan 2023 at 18:03

englishpremier said:
The Apple one (US version) it is highly rated amongst audiophiles. The EU version isn't as good but can't speak for it driving your headphones. Mine are 40ohms and it's plenty loud enough even on Android phones (which have issues with external dacs)

I believe the only difference is how loud it can get because of some EU law limiting the voltage output to half the US version.

Cromulent said:
I'm not sure if I can link to the product, but are you talking about the USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adaptor that costs £9, or do you mean something else?

Yes that's the one they are talking about.

Cromulent · 29 Jan 2023 at 18:08

Eddie99 said:
I believe the only difference is how loud it can get because of some EU law limiting the voltage output to half the US version.

Yes that's the one they are talking about.

Awesome. Thank you both!

Cromulent · 1 Feb 2023 at 18:28

I ordered the USB-C and Lightning cable adaptors that you recommended, and I'm really impressed with them! They power my 250Ohm headphones perfectly. Well worth the £18 it cost me for both of them.