FiiO

FiiO K11

A small desktop DAC/amp with a proper balanced output and enough power for planar headphones, at an entry price.

Best budget balanced desktop amp

PRICE $$ Check price on Amazon → View at Sweetwater

Specs

Inputs	USB-C, coax, optical
Outputs	4.4mm balanced, 6.35mm, RCA line out
Formats	PCM to 384 kHz, DSD256
Power	DC adapter

Measured score

Sound 83

Build 84

Value 90

Features 80

PRICE $$

Check price on Amazon → View at Sweetwater

Pros & cons

Balanced 4.4mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs
Coax and optical inputs beside USB-C
Clean, neutral sound

No Bluetooth
Display is small

How it compares

FiiO K11 vs iFi Zen DAC 3K11 for coax and optical inputs and a neutral sound; Zen DAC 3 for the bass boost and a warmer, easier listen. Full comparison →

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01RANK

FiiO

FiiO K7

Best overall desktop

A desktop DAC/amp with serious power and balanced output for shockingly little - drives almost anything.

Sound 88

Build 84

Value 90

Features 78

PRICE $$

Check price on Amazon → Full breakdown →

02RANK

iFi

iFi Zen DAC 3

Best desktop DAC/amp for the money

The desktop DAC and headphone amp most people should start with, now with USB-C and a 4.4mm balanced output.

Sound 84

Build 82

Value 88

Features 78

PRICE $$

Check price on Amazon → Full breakdown →

03RANK

iFi

iFi Zen DAC V2

Best starter DAC/amp

The popular starter stack-in-a-box - balanced output and a tasteful 'TrueBass' boost for headphones.

Sound 84

Build 80

Value 88

Features 74

PRICE $$

Check price on Amazon → Full breakdown →

FiiO K11

Specs

Measured score

Pros & cons

How it compares

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