Showing 1 of 49 conversations about:
jaybattle
78
Jun 1, 2020
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Hmm. If this contained a DAC, I might pull the trigger on it...maybe. I typically use a Schiit Fulla on the go with my laptop.
This might be a good option if you are using it with a phone with a nice internal DAC like the LGs, but most phones don't have great DACs. I hope someone compares this the Audioquest trio-specifically the Red and/or Cobalt.
(Edited)
DrewChowen
115
HELM Audio
Jun 2, 2020
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I'm sure you've seen the other comments regarding the Bolt USB DAC (https://helmaudio.com/products/boltdac) so I won't repeat myself here, but we've been pretty amazed by what THX AAA tech does with "average" 3.5mm audio outputs on mobile devices. What we've experienced is that the DB12 AAAMP really improves the performance of headphones almost independent of the source. (In a layman's perspective the DB12 AAAMP might turn the focus away from headphone audio signal "quality" and put it onto poor headphone output signal power. Once you fix the distortion issues by reducing the required output of the device's stock headphone amp, said amp does a better job of producing a signal and from there the DB12 AAAMP can provide clean power and better load matching.) Obviously if your smartphone has a higher quality DAC you're going to be better off signal-wise, but many models of high quality headphones just require more juice in general and phones aren't designed for that kind of load.
jaybattle
78
Jun 2, 2020
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Okay, thanks for the reply. I will take a look and do some additional research.
jaybattle
78
Jun 3, 2020
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Is it your primary phone, or are you using it as a DAP. I've been thinking of buying one to use as a DAP for awhile now.
Alltheheadphones
45
Jun 3, 2020
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I don't have a phone plan so in a way it's a DAP? But I did once have a phone plan on it and it's my only phone. I mean for what you can pick one up for on the used market and get all the usability of a smartphone it's the best value DAP on the market, but if you wanted to get the full potential out of it all the time and you use cans that are less than 50Ohm you'll need to root it or get a resistance adapter
(Edited)
