LET ME SAVE YOUR MONEY!!! BUDGET DAC Buying Guide

Best Budget DAC for IEMs on PC | Affordable DAC/Amp Options Tested!
Looking for the best budget DAC/amp for IEMs on PC or mobile? In this video, I dive into a detailed comparison of popular DACs, ranging from the Apple Dongle to Audiocular D07, Fiio KA11, and more. I’ll debunk common myths about DACs and explain why you may not need an expensive setup to get great sound from your IEMs.
We’ll cover:
* DAC basics: Do you really need one for your IEMs?
* Real-world tests: How each DAC performs, including measurements for tonality and power.
* Surprising findings: Can a DAC change the sound of your IEMs? Spoiler: No, and I’ll prove it.
Stick around to see which DACs come out on top for both budget and performance. Plus, I’m giving away some of these DACs—so don’t forget to subscribe and enter the DAC giveaway! Winners will be announced starting October 1st on my Discord, Twitter, and Instagram. 🎧
Make sure to join the channel membership for exclusive giveaways and discounts on premium IEMs!

DACs tested: Audiocular D07, Audiocular D08, Headphone Zone X DDHiFi Hie Res DAC, Fiio KA11, Fiio JA11, Jcally JM30, Apple Dongle, 7hz 71

DAC Buying Guide with GIVEAWAY

#BestBudgetDAC #BudgetDAC

0:00 Intro
0:34 Why do you need a DAC?
1:03 Myths around DAC
3:10 The Experiment and the Guide
7:43 Which one’s right for you?
9:50 Membership

STORY:

Alright, buckle in for a hobbit's tale! Now, imagine this: the Shire, all peaceful-like with rolling hills whispering secrets to the trees. In this haven of second breakfasts and prime napping hours, there lived a hobbit by the name of Finnel Took. Now Finnel, unlike most hobbits who treasured those things above all else, had a peculiar fancy for something quite unheard of in the Shire - portable DACs!

One crisp morning, as the sun dappled through the leaves like butter on toast, a curious package arrived at Finnel's round, green door. This wasn't your everyday delivery; it was wrapped in this shimmering elven cloth, tied with a silver ribbon that seemed to glow with a faint light. Finnel's heart thumped a little faster than usual as he fumbled with the ribbon, revealing a polished wooden box with strange markings etched all over it.

With the care one gives to a prized pipeweed, Finnel opened the box. And wouldn't you know it, inside lay a treasure trove of the finest portable DACs a hobbit could ever imagine! First up was this sleek contraption called the Audiocular D07, smooth as a river stone they say, and rumored to make elf music sound even sweeter. Then there was the Audiocular D08, supposedly forged in the fires of Mount Doom itself, promising bass so deep it could rattle the very bones of Smaug (nasty dragon that hoarded all the good loot, you see).

Finnel's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw the next one - the Headphone Zone X DDHiFi Hi-Res DAC. Whispers say it was enchanted by the wizards of Isengard, can you believe it? Fiio KA11 and JA11 shone next to it, gleaming like mithril (precious metal that hobbits love), promising sound so clear it could rival the Valar's own singing (powerful beings, like super-elfs). There were even the Jcally JM30 and the legendary Apple Dongle - simple but known for its power, like a hobbit with a good punch. And finally, there was the mysterious 7hz 71, said to capture the very essence of Middle-earth in every note!

Finnel wasted no time plugging his favorite earphones into each DAC, and with every sound, he was swept away. He felt like he was waltzing with elves, marching with dwarves, and even standing right at the edge of Mordor itself (dangerous place, but the stories, oh the stories!). In that moment, Finnel knew his adventure into the world of amazing sound had just begun, and a thrill ran through him more exciting than second breakfast on a rainy morning! ..
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[SatyaS_Pradhan]

I feel Apple users should stick to native apple DAC anyway as Apple created their product for their own devices be iphone or iPad or Macbooks, Also these are quite a bit cheaper than the ones sold by HeadphoneZone and all I wish the cable was braided just like their typeC cables these days... A friend of mine who is a musician said the same thing what you said.

[omjadhav]

this was my first time watching a technical video on DACs as im new to this audio community and im convinced that it doesnt matter which source you are using to power your IEM as it uses far less power than a typical headphone.thanks for clearing the myths.I think fiio KA11 is a good DAC

[saikandula]

It’s good that an Indian YouTuber taking technicalities clearing myths about audio products helping in taking informed buying decisions for Audiophile community, most welcome brother worth subscribing to your channel keep the good work going. By the way I use Apple dongle plain and simple

[thoutaaditya]

"Knowledge shoud not be paid" its the best line. quality of content 🔥

[nithinyr]

best tech content on DAC .. bursted the myths sold by the product companies and resellers on the internet.. All the best .. looking forward for more.

[balajiksk]

Finally, a decent review on DACs explained clearly. It is not easy to get clarity on DACs as the research done is not extensive.

[rightwingguy]

i really like the Audiocular D07 because it is giving the same piwer as HPC ddfi HI-Res DAC within the budget

[ltg]

Thank u so much .. this months during festivals sales i am trying to get a new IEM with dac. I am gonna buy Audiocular DO7. At first i thought of buying DD hifi because of build quality. Genuinely thank you for introducing Audiocular dac since they are cheap i thought they are not good but now i am pretty sure that is what i was searching for.

[elderman]

As someone who hasn't ever used these chi-fi IEMS or a DAC, i think I'll just go with the Fiio Ja11. Thanks for the help!

[bestieee]

My personal favourite DAC is Fiio KA11.
Been using the 7hz zero two ever since it came out, but could never use it on my newer phone or my laptop due to the 3.5mm jack.

[dhanush.priyan]

Wonderful video, it removed a lot of confusions I had and I gained substantial clarity about DACs. We need more no BS, straightforward content creators like you in every category :)

My favourite DAC is FiiO KA11

[WayneReynolds.]

You earned my sub only because you answered my question ive had for so long .. which was the hfz ddhifi vs d07 ... And soo many youtubers just ignored the question by many like me .... I guess due to sponsorship by hfz ... The only thing i can see is the headphone zone one looks like its stronger ... Thanks bud

[KKSbv]

Audiocular D07 and Fiio KA 11 is the dac I was looking to get...

Btw you once again explained very great man. I got to know that dac will not change sounding experience. 💙

[gfreymann]

Thank you! I have a basic DAC for my cellphone and I was thinking about buying a Fiio KA11, so you just saved me some money 😊

[justsomegameplay]

Thanks a lot for making this video and helping us saving some money!

There's so much confusion about iem dac and amp in this audiophile market. It's good to see honest people giving clear cut and honest reviews

[sasivignesh.c]

Audiocular DO7 is my favourite, Been using Audiocular CS-PRO with Cirrus Logic Chip, Similar sounding as an Apple DAC.

[Sjithms]

I was confused between d07 and HZ ddHiFi, well I know both uses same ICs but I was worried about build quality, Thanks for your video

[ei..]

Ordered a couple fiio ja11's a few weeks ago, and was scared i could have gotten something better when I saw this video get recommended, but glad they're really good!

[Karthii]

One thing the very few i saw on dacs they only compared the dacs but you telling myths about the dac has changed my whole perspective about the dacs 🤝

[curious_]

I'm new to this hobby. Eyeing myself on Fiio JA11 for the time being as Audiocular D07 is not available. Thanks for clearing my confusion on DACs.