2023 PS5 DAC Roundup and Audio Guide - Wired Audio Bliss for ANY Budget

In this video I explain the advantages of using a DAC or upgraded headphone amp, how to get the best sound out of your PS5, and more. From controller to Hi-Fi gear, this will get you started!

DACS/Amps (in order of appearance):

Microphone Systems:

Cables/Adapters:

Headsets/Headphones Mentioned or Shown:

Support links (no special benefits/gatekeeping, added this per viewer requests!):

Want us to review something? Contact us!

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
01:01 - What is a DAC, Tempest 3D Audio
02:09 - The DualSense Controller
03:38 - Do You Need It?, UAC1 Meaning
04:27 - Fosi Audio K5 Pro
05:18 - Science Lesson on TRRS!
06:40 - Fosi Audio K5 Pro (continued)
09:15 - EPOS GSX 300
10:15 - iFi Zen Air
11:33 - Astro Mixamp Pro TR
14:03 - SteelSeries GameDAC G2
16:26 - Creative G6
19:06 - EPOS GSX 1000
20:07 - Schiit HEL 2E
21:57 - JDS Atom Stack
23:19 - Creative X5
26:56 - Antlion Mod Mic System
28:09 - Top Picks, Final Thoughts

DISCLAIMERS:
The links above charge you the same price as finding it on Amazon. However, purchasing through the links above would support this channel for future product reviews. We appreciate any support, but please feel free to purchase though any means you feel comfortable with.

#ps5 #gamingaudio #hifi

[AntlionAudio]

As always, thanks for bringing up our mic! Any questions about the ModMics can be dropped here and we'll answer!

[mattmisanthropy.]

I was today years old when I learnt about the existence of DACs. I only have an older surround sound system that doesn't support 4k, and I really want to utilise the PS5's 4k capabilities. So this will solve that issue. HDMI directly into my 4k monitor and the sound running through the DAC and into my surround sound system. Thank you!

[willy]

In case you’re wondering, the dualsense edge has a better microphone amplifier than the standard dualsense.
I tested this with my iem headphones

[cszyuyx]

Awesome video. I’m using the G3 with hd560s and with the pre-amp near max it works really well. Made a massive improvement to sound quality, depth. Like a different pair of headphones. Before that I wasn’t impressed with HD560S. Now I know why people love it.

[Simon_Hawkshaw]

A really comprehensive and informative review. Thank you so very much for all this great information, your time, and effort sharing this with us all. Much appreciated, Sir.

[OrcCorp]

An audio noob here. I have the B&O Beoplay Portal (the updated Playstation version). To my understanding the audio quality it offers on PS5 is excellent, and I can agree to that with my experience with it. Sounds great. I never play with friends online, as I play exclusively only single player games or with friends in the same room on my PS5, so I never use a mic with it.

Q: Why would I spend more money on a DAC? Would it actually make any real difference? Or is this purely an audiophile thing, where the effort and cost is more important than an actual difference in sound quality? I feel there is a strong bias towards the mentality of "I spend $700 so it's obviously better sound quality", even though almost no other human can hear, feel or measure the difference. I've had these moments with some of my audiophile friends, where they play me samples and try to convince me that the difference in sound quality is massive, and I can't tell any difference in any of it. Is it just me, or is it the "sunk cost fallacy" or something? I do understand that there are major sound quality differences in many products, but at what point does it really matter anymore? Spending hundreds of dollars for 4% better sound quality (how you could measure that is beyond me) doesn't seem smart to me.

[Svt]

Jds labs element III also works with ps5. U can use optical cable connected to gaming tv or switch between UAC1 or UAC2 in element 3 menu & use included usb cable. Using HD800 s with antlion mod mic wireless on ps5.

[Justmeandmycents]

Thanks for this amazing video.
I was just looking into using a DAC for my PS5 Pro.
I own an Ever Solo DMP A6, do you think it will work with it?
Thanks for all your videos! Merry Christmas and Happy new year!

[mattlovric]

The ifi hip dac works as well. Nice and loud and is also portable double usage .

[Juice_VI]

Thanks for keeping console on your radar!

[nighthawk]

Fantastic video! You’re editing has grown a lot and Improved over time 😊.

[NateWolfKira]

I ordered the Hel2 for the premium audio output and plan to use it with PS5's 3D Audio. However, I still have my G6 which I plan to continue to use for older consoles or games that don't have their own form of directional audio, using the G6 to interpret 5.1 for headphones.

If the G6's optical ouput retains the 5.1 processing and outputs it as 2.0 for other devices, I'll likely plug that into the optical input of the Hel2 and leave my headphones plugged into the Hel2 at all times.

That may seem overkill to many, but I really like Hel2's form factor and simple controls. I also expect it will drive my headphones better than G6. I'll just set my G6 once to the settings I enjoy most then leave it. It is a hassle to have to keep plugging it back into a PC to toggle virtual 5.1 and direct stereo. I've developed a preference to use PS5's 3D Audio when its available.

I've found that PS5's 3D Audio is significantly more accurate to judge the location of a sound in a game than you get from virtual 5.1, at least in the case of Resident Evil 4 remake.

I'd be interested to know people's thoughts on PS5's 3D audio vs virtual 5.1. Or even other forms of directional audio for headphones. Does anyone else favor a game's indigenous directional audio over virtual 5.1 when its available?

[kermitpurcell]

Love your channel! You've got a lot of the same interested and tastes that I do so the content is always perfect!
I'd love to see a PC setup where you doing an amp/dac combo and a dedicated mic. I've been trying to figure out good combinations that will work with streaming but still have game chat with my party and a no-latency sidetone.

[CyCoAnGuS]

can we get an updated version please :)

[happyjunki]

Subbed! What an excellent video and it was exactly what i was looking for. Thank you

[mtnmankeith]

Great video! I appreciate all the work you put in.
End game cheat code is sound blasterx g6 connected to chord mojo 2 through the optical. Basically only using the g6 dsp .You can then use mojo as your main amp/dac or upgrade to a better amp in the future. Extra bonus you can bring the mojo with you on the go to listen to music or game on almost any device.

[Pinkfloyd]

Dude what a great video!!!! I really learned alot, about to get some new cans now with the wireles mic!!! 👍👍👍

[SARCASTIKKism]

I'm using the Emotiva Big Ego plus running to a Topping a30 Pro. You need to set the Big Ego to UAC1 mode every time you turn the PS 5 into rest mode but it's a small price to pay for being able to use whichever amp you want.

[Giordy]

This is the most professional video i have watched, you deserve more visibility! i have a question: does exist a device that simply merge different audio sources? i desire to have something for listening to PS5, PC and smartphone all together in my headphones

[digfoxuk]

Useful guide and interesting to watch, thank you. The biggest issue with PS5 isn't the UAC 1.0/1.1 limitation it's the '50%' power/volume drop (I believe this measures around -15.75db). This is why any compatible DAC/AMP will get much louder on PC or Switch as they aren't limited. My G6 with high impedance headphones; i.e. DT 770 Pro (250 ohms) has to be run at much higher volume & high gain with the PS5 and just sounds flat in comparison to using with PC or anything over optical.

I know the Qudelix 5K is a great option for PS5 because it specifically has the 'Host Volume Override' feature for PS5. Also the Shiit Hel 2 & JDS Atom stack in UAC 1.0 mode might be avoiding the 50% issue. Although if they get louder on PC and I've read that in places then they also suffer.

I wish Sony would support 3D audio for headphones over HDMI in the same way Microsoft do as that would open up other options.

Whilst PS5 and Series consoles have great support for 3D audio this gen, the fact that neither fully support UAC 1/2 standards, or have any direct optical connection (an open standard used by most headphone DAC/AMPs) is the biggest fumble with either machine this generation imho. Although I own a G6 and other DAC/AMPs with PS5, I've just settled on PC38X or H6Pro via the controller as it's the easiest solution.