tanta

I absolutely agree with you. But if I choose to do that I will end up with very very limited choices. At the place where I live there are not many shops where I can try such equipment, but what is even worse, these shops specialize either in very expensive equipment or very cheap. I would really like to have a chance to listen to 5 different same priced DACs/AMPs in one place and make my choice, but that option unfortunately is not available.

Anyone? I would really appreciate receive some comments. Headphonia, for example, has said about DX1 the following: “There around equally priced (or cheaper) home DAC/amps that offer better performance and features, and there are equally price (or cheaper) portable units that offer better performance and features”. I would really like to know what are those DACs/AMPs, because personally I find DX1 the best in sub $500 range.

I am looking for USB DAC + AMP for headphones in sub $500 range. I don’t mind buying a used one. I want it so sound neutral, balanced and detailed. I don’t need it to be portable and I don’t need optical inputs/outputs, line inputs/outputs etc. – USB in, 3.5mm out and a pot is all I need. I have picked Audinst HUD-DX1. Is it a good choice? Is there anything better to consider? My other considerations: LH Labs Pulse, iFi Audio micro iDSD, Audiolab M-DAC, Aune S16.