SetupReady Guide
How to read a DAC/amp spec sheet
A DAC converts digital audio to analog; an amp gives it the power your headphones need. Specs here are mostly solved problems — the sheet tells you about power and features, not sound quality.
Output power — match it to your headphones
The spec that matters. Power is quoted into an impedance ("300mW @ 32Ω"): compare it at YOUR headphone's impedance. Easy loads (32Ω, high sensitivity) need almost nothing; 250–300Ω or planar headphones want hundreds of milliwatts. If the amp lists a high-gain mode, that's for the hard loads.
DAC chip — stop worrying about it
ESS Sabre, AKM, Cirrus — every modern chip measures beyond human hearing. Chip names are marketing shorthand, not sound quality. Implementation (noise floor, output stage) matters, and the sheet can't tell you that.
Resolution numbers
"32-bit/768kHz, DSD512" describes maximum file formats, not audible quality — streaming tops out at 24/192. Nice to have, never a reason to spend more.
Connections
Outputs: 3.5mm single-ended is standard; 4.4mm "balanced" usually doubles available power — useful for hard-to-drive headphones. Inputs: USB-C for the desk, optical for consoles. A preamp/line-out lets it feed powered speakers too.
The 10-second cheat sheet
- Match power to impedance — that's 90% of the purchase decision.
- 32Ω headphones: any $50+ dongle/desktop DAC is transparent.
- 250Ω+/planar: desktop amp, check mW at your impedance, prefer balanced out.