Best DAC/AMP under $200

[Pogre]

This is not under 200$ but this is most likely only dac/amp combo you will ever need https://jdslabs.com/product/objective2-odac-rev-b/

My son is looking at getting a nice set of cans and dac/amp since he currently doesn't have the room for a full system. I know nothing about the headphone world. Would that unit cover everything he'll need? I see there's a USB input, is that where he'd hook his phone up to it or could he use the headphone jack on his phone? Is that pretty much a starting point price-wise for an amp/dac combo?

 

[John Parks]

My son is looking at getting a nice set of cans and dac/amp since he currently doesn't have the room for a full system. I know nothing about the headphone world. Would that unit cover everything he'll need? I see there's a USB input, is that where he'd hook his phone up to it or could he use the headphone jack on his phone? Is that pretty much a starting point price-wise for an amp/dac combo?

The Objective 2+ODAC is strictly a desktop unit, designed for hookup to a computer. I do not believe it has OTG (On the Go) capabilities. For something to connect to a phone, the Audioquest Dragonfly series might be a better option.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

My son is looking at getting a nice set of cans and dac/amp since he currently doesn't have the room for a full system. I know nothing about the headphone world. Would that unit cover everything he'll need? I see there's a USB input, is that where he'd hook his phone up to it or could he use the headphone jack on his phone? Is that pretty much a starting point price-wise for an amp/dac combo?

If you are in budget 02SDAC combo could be nice as well. These are more of desktop setup how ever. I'm not so much on the go stuff.

 

[Pogre]

If you are in budget 02SDAC combo could be nice as well. These are more of desktop setup how ever. I'm not so much on the go stuff.

Okay, thanks guys. I need to ask him a few more questions then. I'm assuming a desktop setup because he's shooting for something to listen to at home. He's the one who asked about hooking his phone into the JDS Labs unit (he knows less than I do about headphones, lol).

Can he get something pretty good for $250 - $300 total, cans and all? We don't even have a budget, but I don't see him able to afford much more than that.

 

[Truthslayer]

I would avoid something like this that comes with any kind of booster, especially from company never heard of. If you are in budget you should look for O2SDAC instead.

You seriously never heard of ifi audio.