FX-Audio DAC-X6 Headphone amp Mini HiFi 2.0 Digital Audio Decoder DAC Input USB/Coaxial/Optical Output RCA/Headphone Amplifier 24Bit/96KHz DC12V (Black)

Alright - so right off, allow me to say that I gave it 5 stars due to two factors - the price (which is only $69.95 as of this writing - a pittance really) and the audio performance that punches a bit above its weight.To set up this review, I am reviewing this DAC mostly as a result of listening to various self-powered active speakers around my desktop PC. I am not a headphone user (as of yet). The speakers I am using are the Edifier S3000 Pro's, the Edifier R2000DB's, the Edifier R1850DB's, the Edifier S350DB's, and the JBL 1 Series 104's. I also have 5 to 6 other DAC units that I switch back and forth thanks to the likes of the most excellent manual (lossless) GoHiFiAudio S1 RCA audio switcher (sold here on Amazon). Cables used were: 1) USB cables were the Audioquest Pearls, Kabel Direct cables, and Amazon basics cables. 2) RCA cables were the World's Best Cables and the Blue Jeans Cables LC-1's. In addition, just recently I added the unbelievably superb iFi Purifier 3.0 USB conditioner which really cleans up and reclocks your dirty USB lines.Since I spend a good 6 - 8 hours daily working, communicating, and photo processing in Photoshop (yes, in addition to being an audiophile, I'm a photographer also). While there, I listen to a variety of music centered around classical, big band, jazz, Latin jazz, and other larger orchestral styles. And I'm quite serious about the quality of the music to be sure.Now enter the FX-Audio X6. So why in the heck would I buy such a budget unit if I'm an audiophile? Quite simple, and that involves cost vs performance ratio measurements. I wanted to see how low you can go price-wise and still get relatively superb sound. I also purchased another DAC unit which I've come to enjoy and that is the similarly price ($69.99) SABAJ D3. So between the two, some interesting comments can be made.Sound-wise, the FX Audio X6 has an expansive sound quality to it, with more of a laid back sound stage, yet at the same time handling dynamics quite skillfully and providing that sense of "immediacy" that transports you to the live performance. The SABAJ unit has a more up front sound and although it also has a good depth profile, the FX Audio's depth goes further back from front to rear. Additionally, the imaging (instrumental separation) is quite good in both units and I cannot fault either unit. I must say however, that periodically - depending on recording - the imaging on the FX-Audio can be a bit strange (but only rarely). In one recording that I was listening to - Schubert's Trout Quintet - there was a passage where the violin on the left of the stage sounded as if it was recorded in a separate booth all by itself and sounded quite unnatural (when compared to the rest of the musicians playing the piece). I had wrongly assumed it was just the recording, but when I played the same piece through both my Schiit Modi 3 and the SABAJ D3 DAC's, all sounded well and the instrumental placement was where it was supposed to be.Bass reproduction was exemplary with tight bass - not bloated at all. Bass transients were tight, although presented a bit further back on the soundstage. Again, the other DAC units I use had a more up-front sound quality to them. The only other DAC that I currently have that has a more laid back signature (similar to the FX-Audio X6) is the Soundavo HP-DAC1. Mids and highs are exceptional and the full crescendo of a symphony orchestra is presented with both weight and clarity, whereas some other DAC's I've tried in the past got a bit muddy when that occurred. And things sounded even better once I added the awesome iFi Purifier 3.0 USB conditioner into the mix - remarkably so.Now, I can't go any further without stating that any good audio gear benefits by a warm-up/break-in period. The sound I'm hearing now (having owned the FX Audio for over a month now) sounds much better (warmer) than it did when I first turned it on. So whatever you do, don't make any judgements until your unit has been warmed up for several days to a week. I keep my DAC's on all of the time and that can make a world of difference. It has been my experience that most budget DAC's tend to sound a bit bright or harsh, if you will, upon first turning them on. So just give it some time.There are so many DAC's out there now - I'd say almost a 100 or so and many are budget DAC's. What ever you do, don't assume that budget equates to below standard, as that is most certainly not the case. There are some excellent units out there for well below $100 - those being the likes of the FX AUDIO X6, the SABAJ D3, and a half dozen others. It's uncanny really. Also please note that many budget DAC's sound very, very familiar. It is only as time goes on and the units become properly broken in that small differences begin to arise. And such was the case with the FX AUDIO and the SABAJ units. Other than the depth scenario, they pretty well sound very similar.Typically once I acquire and evaluate different DAC units, I wind up selling those were just so-so, or less than stellar, but I must say that both the FX AUDIO X6 and the SABAJ D3 are worthy "keepers," and they will be staying in my system. In fact, as I write this personal review, I am listening to my Edifier S3000Pro active speakers fueled by the FX AUDIO X6 - to Beethoven's Piano Concerto 5 - and the sound is absolutely sublime. I feel as though I'm there in the symphony hall. And isn't that one of the best compliments you can pay to a unit?As is usually the case, YMMV and I can only discuss experiences I have with my system.

This DAC/Amp is a lifesaver. I travel for work sometimes, and since I've gotten some nicer headphones, (Hifiman HE-400i), I realized that my computer could not properly drive them enough to get any appreciable sound, which doesn't work for me if I'm watching movies or playing games in my hotel room.Also, I do not like using the hotel TV's built in speakers, as they usually sound terrible and the noise might disturb other guests. Most hotel TVs might have a speaker output jack, or an A/V box mounted to the rear of the set, but they typically don't allow volume control since they're geared towards an external amplifier to control the volume. This means headphones will get the full power output at all times, since the TV sound option for external speakers typically disables the volume control. There are some tvs that might have an actual headphone jack which means you can still control the volume, but even so, the output might not be sufficient, depending on the type of headphones you have.This DAC/amp is very well made--surprisingly so, considering the price. The body appears to be brushed aluminum, with a front plate that is nearly 1/4" thick. It has a nice bit of heft to it, and the 1/4" headphone jack is a definite plus. The toggle switches for power and input selection are sturdy with no jiggle whatsoever. Best of all is the volume knob. The knob is a big deal for me, and one reason I returned a different model before finding this one. It's large enough to be comfortable to turn, the unit is tall enough so that the knob isn't too close to the table, desk, or whatever surface the device is sitting on, and finally, it is detented. It's not a continuous smooth turning pot, but rather it has a light satisfying notched detent at each degree of adjustment. It's very satisfying, and for me, is an indication of a well made device. Opinions on this feature may vary, but it does it for me. This means the volume stays where you set it, so if you do pick up the DAC/amp to move it for whatever reason, your hand is unlikely to accidentally adjust the knob.The device also comes with a seemingly well made, sturdy USB cable and a power supply. I don't recall if it came with an optical cable, but I have my own. The only downside, which is a small one, is that the power adapter has a blue LED that is incredibly bright. I like the room to be dark as possible when I am sleeping, and this LED is so bright that it lights up the area of the room where it's plugged in, and is distracting. It's a simple fix--I would toss a sock over the adapter, or move my power strip behind a suitcase or curtain and then. I could sleep. A band-aid or small piece of electrical tape could also do the trick. That is my one and only complaint, but it's worth mentioning so you can be prepared to deal with it if it's a problem. The unit also has power and input signal indicator LEDs which are on the front, but they are very small. They're easily visible, but not overly bright as to cause a distraction during use. These lights turn off when the unit isn't being used, and there is no annoying standby power LED on the device to stay illuminated when it's turned off.The sound is excellent. There is absolutely no noise (another issue I had with another model from a different brand that I returned), and the volume is more than enough to drive my planar magnetic headphones. It doesn't color the sound, there is no lifting of veils, widening of sound stages, or any other nonsense, it just works. It accepts the digital input, whether it's optical, digital coax, or USB, and can make it as loud as you could reasonably want it to be, cleanly. If you've been considering a DAC or headphone amp, or may have to travel and stay in a hotel, you might want to consider getting this if you plan to take corded headphones, even if they're not difficult to drive. You still might find yourself needing some volume control, and simply plugging headphones into the hotel/AirBNB tv, if it eveb has a headphone jack, might not work.In the included pics, it's setup at home, although my surround sound receivers can drive my headphone just as well. I just like using it because it's a great device, and again, the volume knob is so satisfying with its subtle but well-defined detent.I have not used the preamp output section, so I cannot comment on its performance.