The 5 most AMAZING sounding Audiophile DACs under $200!

Buy these DACs below:

top 5 DACs
top 5 DACs under 200
top 5 DACs under $200
top DACs under 200
best DACs under 200
Best DACs under 500
top DACs under 500
dac comparison
smsl su-1
topping e30ii
douk q11
fiio k11 r2r
schiit modi
best audiophile dac
top audiophile dac
best dacs of 2024
top dacs of 2024
top dacs of 2025
best dacs of 2025

[SteelRiderCarl]

This is just outside the price range, but I love my Cambridge DacMagic 100! It's got USB, two coaxial, and one optical input and RCA output. Accepts sources up to 24 bit/192 KHz, and brings lots of new life to an older stereo. But most importantly, it gave me more inputs and I was able to stream from Tidal just by plugging my phone into it!

[bigd]

As someone who has no idea what a DAC is, this video is very helpful. thanks for the video !

[MattCoykendall]

I like the new backdrop, that Pothos is living the good life.

[Jahwobbly]

The emergence of external DACs is the best thing to happen to home audio since 1984.

[OldGuyHifi]

I really like the Douk DAC Q-11 on the AKM side. Good video. BTW, Velvet Sound is an AKM technology. Let's talk next week.

[mrew]

SMSL C200. Got this due to its feature set. COAX, Optical, usb and LDAC Bluetooth. Drives my HIFIMAN Edition XS headphones to perfection from my PC via optical, laptop via usb and Pixel 8 Pro via Bluetooth. Excellent for my use case

[gwine]

As someone who has wasted a lot of money on "new" things, over the years, I now tend to get in slowly, just in case. When I decided to try streaming, I got a WiiM Mini. Then, I added a SU-1. Now, I am contemplating the FiiO K11 R2R. Of course, I could also go with a bigger WiiM, etc. but I am very interested in how the FiiO sounds as I have always loved analogue.

[raymondchan]

I used legacy obsolute Musiland MD10 which is a CS4398 based, I heavily modifed it with two seperate Talema transformers for digital and analog stage, swapped some capacitors, opamp, and most importantly the connectors to high quality connectors like Cardas's and KLE, and the internal wires to OCC silver wires as well. Also, the clock were chaged to 0.1ppm tcxo. As the input, I use Amanero USB interface to convert to Coaxial as input, that sound way better than it outdated USB interface. I think it can beat many DACs that sold multiple times even in todays latest market.

[WhoaMykey]

Thanks for sharing brother solid picks. I’m a Marantz / Brown Buring tech guy. I miss analog audio as with great dacs and preamps make such a warm feeling sound especially with vacuum tubes 😅

[chrisk]

I really enjoy your videos. You are giving all the information in a very comprehensive, easy to follow way whilst describing your personal experience with every product with just a few words! I also appreciate the fact that you answer to almost all the comments! I would love to hear your opinion on the new Aiyima A80 should you manage to get your hands on one, since I constantly see it as "sold out" online. Keep up the good work! Best regards from Greece!

[exjw]

i just bought a new K11 r2r from ebay for 109 dollars and free shipping. I cannot wait to get it and hear it

[OrdinaryAverageGuy-zw]

Can't say enough good things about Schiit products. I have been using the Modi 3E and still am in love with it. If it ever craps out I will update with the next generation, though as it's built like a battleship I don't see that happening any time soon.

[markmccormack]

YES, to all your questions! It's maddening.

[s.daniel]

Great video. Presentation is spot-on as always.

[grechka]

FX-Audio DAC X6 MK2 for about USD 50-55 works perfectly for me and provides USB, optical and coaxial input.

[adventureswitherice]

I just switched from the S.M.S.L SU-1 to the Douk Audio. It is amazing! You forgot to mention that the Douk Audio can run both chips at the same time.

[earthoid]

I also used the Schiit Modi 3+ for a couple years because it sounded better than the DAC in my $2500 integrated amp. I have since moved on to an even better sounding DAC but at several times the the cost of the 3+.

[keith]

I use the Modi as digital analog converter from Samsung 65" TV to old analog 2 channel receiver. Gain level is perfect.

[AG-bpll]

SMSL SU-1 is all 99% of people need. Transparent and under $100.

[hobbespal]

Loooking to upgrade from SMSL Su1 - plus just to have another one available.