Encore mDAC Headphone Amp 96kHz USB DAC Black

so stuff I used to review this dacJH Audio JH16FP IEM with toxic cables silver poison cableSurface pro 3 with media monkeyXperia Z2 running CM11, poweramp, google play music, and UAPPI gotta say that for the price this is an incredible amp/dac. In comparison to the HRT microstreamer, Fiio E17, JDS labs C5D, and Fiio E18 this is definetly the best bang for the buck. To my ears this has a similar sound to the microstreamer, albeit a bit more veiled and bass heavy. I caught myself upping the 2khz-4khz as well as the upper 10-12khz to get the sound I like out of it(with the hrt I did no EQing at all). It has a fairly spacious sound stage, much wider than the Fiio's or the JDS C5D. in terms of lushness and musicality the C5D and hrt microstreamer beat it out, but it is more than half the price of either. SQ to SQ I would pick the mDAC over either of the fiio's, with the only disadvantages being the functionality features(no line in, no treble/bass controls.) Overall I am very pleased with the sound, and hope the highs will come in a bit more with burn in.A couple of comments not on the sound - form factor - its much smaller than I thought. The pictures make it seem on par with a RSA tomahawk but its much smaller. Still a bit thicker than I would like for a portable android smart phone rig. The JDS labs C5D is as thick as I can go and still be able to fit it in all in my pocket. - charging - it charges when you are using it with a computer! hurrah! - volume control - +1 for the tactile buttons, makes it a lot harder to accidentally turn up the volume compared to a roller or pot knob. Only downside is theres no way to tell what level the volume of the amp is at except by plugging in phones and listening to it - fit and finish - the mDAC has an aluminum housing and feels really nice and premium. The edges where the ports are are polished giving it a shiny look. The black one I got has a brushed metal finish and looks very nice - haven't tried this yet, but looks like the thing is held together with 4 socket head cap screws, so it can be taken apart and the battery replaced/upgraded - android functionality - works great with xperia z2 running both stock roms and cm11/aosp based roms. Doesn't require UAPP. Though on my HTC one m8 it only works with stock based and GPE based roms or by using UAPP(which is the case with all the other portable amp/dacs I have). No issues with EM interference or excessive battery drainso yeah not really any complaints given the price point. It does exactly what it set out to do: a portable budget dac/amp for IEMS. Oh and it sounds really good. Only issue I can forsee running into the short battery life of 6 hours.

Really a nice product. This little box is just as good (in fact better) than devices at 2/3 times the price.I was a bit skeptical as there were no reviews but decided to give it a trial. All I can say is WOW!!Used with the Galaxy S4 and USB Audio Player PRO the difference between the native player and the combination above, the sound quality is markedly superior; Deeper, cleaner bottom end, fantastic clarity on the upper end and let's not forget an incredible soundstage.Used with the Shure 535 or 846, I would doubt that you'd be disappointed. Even when used withcheaper earbuds or inexpensive cans, the difference is simply amazing. This little box makes yourOEM cheapie earbuds sound great.I'll live with it for a few months and do an update at that time.OCTOBER 8, 2014OK let me start by saying I'm an audiophile and I love my music! In fact the average listener has littleclue as to what really lurks on those little silver platters.I've used this little jewel with headphones, IEMs and played through my big stuff. My reaction is still WOWand I can't see that changing. I believe it's still in the break in period so waiting to see if it opens upmore over the next month or so.Just for grins I disconnected my big DAC and put this in line after some gyrations with cables and whatnot.Simply put, I could not be happier with the Encore. I actually placed it after my CD transport and foundthat it's one of the nicest (for the price point) devices around. While there is still a huge differencebetween the Encore and the Camelot gear, I really was astounded at the output. Clarity, tight bottom end,great sound stage and brilliant separation. Each instrument is audible and clear.All my music ripped in FLAC and is stored on an SSD and plays through passthrough to the digital front end.In short I'm spoiled with the gear in the house. It will make your consumer gear sound way better than itis.I put the Encore in between my S4 and the car audio system and I was knocked out at the difference. Clean,clear and not a hint of noise or artifact to be heard. Makes it fun to listen in the car again!Finding source that's mastered right is becoming more difficult by the day, particularly in popular music.I listen to it flat and don't find that the device is lacking in top or bottom end. Frankly I'd rather havemy bass tight and under control rather than loud and muddy.So there ya have it. At the price, I would not hesitate and am purchasing 3 more for my kids. It's pricedwell below equivalent DACs, the size is OK, but the sound, which is what we're all after, is terrific.

It's compact and it does dad's work but battery life is less then 5 hours... I wish the battery life was longer.

Amazing little DAC!This DAC is amazing, the sound is very very refined and balanced with a lot of head room, makes my phone sound like my $2000 polk setup, it does not color my music and works exactly as advertised, the cable failed in a couple of months but the support team was quick enough to send me a replacement cable!

I'm no audiophile with $300 headphones. I'm just a guy who really likes music. Playing albums I have listened to literally hundreds of times through this little box reveals subtle details I have never heard before. I can't say how this unit compares to the pricier Amp/DAC units, but compared to my phone and my laptop it's a revelation and well worth the money.

The quality of sound and volume output of my tablet were totally inadequate. This Encore DAC is a vast improvement. Now I need to upgrade my headphones. An excellent piece of equipment