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.

Do your headphones need more power? Are you looking for super clean audio, at a great price? If so, the FX-Audio DAC-X6 may be what you're looking for. The DAC-X6 has an understated, clean design. In terms of inputs, you have optical, coaxial, and USB. If your motherboard supports it, I would recommend the optical connection. For my setup, I went with USB, which FX-Audio was nice enough to include a cable in the box. Once the connection to your computer is made, it's as simple as selecting that connection on the front of the unit using the manual toggle switch. On your desktop in Windows, you will also need to select the unit and set it as your default output. For me, it shows up as DAC-X6 in the sound manager. That's it, plug in a set of headphones and you're up a running with amazing sound. I've used the X6 with a lot of different cans, including my Astro gaming headset and the Grado SR60e. But, my favorite set is the Superlux 668B. These are 52ohm headphones. While they run fine on a standard connection, they sound even better with a little extra power. What I like most is the X6 doesn't color the audio, just amplifies it. The result is a punchier, richer, sounding audio. It really adds depth to what you're listening too. For me, I set the volume to 100 in Windows, then use the manual knob on the front of the X6. The volume knob has very satisfying steps as you rotate it, without harsh clicks. This makes adjusting the volume a lot more convenient, especially when you're in a game. If you are someone who loves to tune your audio, adjust the sliders in an EQ, there are some great free programs you can use. I went a different direction and have had great luck with Dolby Atmos for Headphones. It is a paid app with a full EQ to play with, but Dolby throws a little magic in the mix. There are pre-tuned settings for music, movies, and of course... gaming! With the X6 pumping out plenty of power and Dolby Atmos tuning the audio to enhance environmental sounds, you really get an advantage in competitive shooters. Footsteps and gunfire become positional, allowing you to hone in on your targets. Watching movies is equally enjoyable. The DAC-X6 really brings out the soundtrack. Watching Tron Legacy was a whole new experience; the electronic beats of Daft Punk come to life and immerse you in the film. All in all, I have been extremely please with the DAC-X6. Its simple design gives you just the features you need, plenty of connections and plenty of power, without coloring the audio. It really is a great addition to your PC setup and will definitely be enjoyed whether you're into music, movies, or gaming. If this unit is your first foray into the world of external DAC and amps, you will certainly be pleased. If you found my review helpful, please press that button.

Since I only had this unit for a day it's a very subjective review. The unit is very compact which is nice to have if your desktop space is limited. Overall build quality of the DAC is very decent. I connected it with optical cable directly to my B450 motherboard. Headphones are 6XX. The sound is good, loud and clear, listening to Amazon MU with lossless files is fun. Amazon library is very inconsistent with different bit rates and sampling, however most tracks are of acceptable quality. Buying this unit on sale for under 60$ is not a bad deal. I will update this review in a few months to report back on how this unit has held up over time. Update 02/16/24: Its a good thing it broke a week before return window closed. Basically the sound is still there but even with volume maxed out it's barely audible. It went down 3 weeks after the purchase exactly like another buyer reported here earlier. It's a shame since I really liked the unit. I will do some additional testing with different outputting equipment just to be safe, but as far as I can tell right now it's broke. Update 02/18/24: After my previous critical review and before I got a chance to request a refund, seller was kind enough to reach out to me and provide me with a new device driver to install and use. I have followed sellers instructions and unit works fine for now. So, I will bump up my stars to 3 now, since the seller went an extra mile to help me out. If the unit works fine for the next few days I will return 2 more stars and make it a 5 star review again. Its good sounding unit for the money and drives my 6XX's just fine. I did not and do not want to return it , if I don't have to. I suggested to seller they need to provide this driver info in the unit's packaging materials to avoid bad rep. Update 03/06/24: I kept the unit, it works fine now. It produces a good sound and I will revise my review to 4 stars now. One star off because developer/seller did not originally provide the driver info at point of sale. Otherwise good customer service and good unit.

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.

FX-Audio DAC-X6 Headphone amp... I bought an FX-Audio DAC in November, 2020, and it has been stellar. So you can imagine how upset I was when a couple weeks ago it just stopped working! Here’s the story: I needed a way to get Toslink audio into my system from my HDMI switch, while simultaneously having independent headphone out. This had pretty good reviews and the price was right, so I gave it a shot. As a bonus, it also has USB so I can connect it to my computer, separately if I wanted to. A couple of weeks ago it just stopped receiving the Toslink signal - while I was listening! This was bad. So I went on Amazon, looked in my history to quickly find another and what do you think I got… “this item is currently unavailable “. Disheartened, I started searching for suitable alternatives. One of the things I love about this one is the simple design and functionality. I got one from another highly rated brand, and wouldn’t you know? I could EITHER listen to my speakers, OR my headphones! You have to select what you want with a switch, and that killed everything else! AND, it took a long time 3-5 seconds!) to switch between inputs! Ridiculous. So I get back on Amazon and type FX-Audio in the search box and BAM! There it was! Huzzah! I returned the other one and immediately ordered the FX. It arrived and IT didn’t work either! Grr. Turns out, they sent me a returned or previously opened unit that was not 100%. I could tell because the wire tie for the power supply was not tied on the power supply and the USB cable was missing. I sent it back and they sent me a new one and it was plug and play, all the way. I am very happy with this unit. It shouldn’t be this difficult to get such simple satisfaction. I’m thinking maybe I should get another one if this one only lasts ~5 years. I’m not an audiophile and I’m not a tech nerd, tho some might argue that last point. I can’t speak to the numbers, but I never turned it off and it ran 24/7 for nearly five years without complaints. Simple design. Small footprint. Fires on all outputs. Fixed unbalanced line out (RCA). Variable headphone out. Simultaneously. I don’t ask for much. This delivers. (Until it doesn’t). Even if it does break again, I will still get another. Check it out.

Any of these are going to greatly improve the sound over plugging your headphones directly into the mini-jack on a computer. Listening was done with a few different headphones but mostly with beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones. Music source was a laptop connected to the DAC/Headphone Amp via USB. If an external power supply was included, I used that. If not, power came via USB. I've kept notes on my impressions brief and included comparisons amongst the DAC/Amp's in this list. They are listed below in my order of preference with my favorites at the top. If you want flowery vocabulary I'm sure in depth reviews are available out there on the web. Headphones make the greatest difference in sound - spend more on them, if necessary. The DAC/Amp is secondary but does add its own flavor to the music. --- iFi Zen DAC V2 | Desktop Digital Analog Converter (Listening only with "TRUEBASS" off.) Very good. Slightly better than the FiiO K7. Better vocal clarity and slightly fuller bass. I ended up comparing this with the FX-Audio DAC-X6 head to head, which continued to surprise me as I put it up against significantly more expensive competitors. Across several hours and many pieces of music, I prefer the iFi... but the difference is infinitesimal. Possibly the iFi has a little more punch to the bass? Maybe a bit more space ans separation? If you're working to a budget, get the FX-Audio and put the extra cash towards better headphones. FX-Audio DAC-X6 Mini HiFi 2.0 Digital Audio Decoder DAC This thing is good. Surprisingly good. I ended up putting it head-to-head with amps costing three times its price. Slightly warmer sound, with slightly less detail in the vocals than the iFi Zen Air, but more space in the music, and more enjoyable to listen to. Slightly better clarity than the Topping. FiiO K7 Full Balanced HiFi DAC Headphone Amplifier This is indeed better than the K5 version. Vocals are more lifelike. And a particular emphasis on the mid-treble heard in the K5 is absent. There is more separation between the instruments. Very close call with the iFi V2, with my preference going to the iFi for better vocal clarity and slightly fuller bass. iFi Zen Air DAC Not quite as good as the V2, but close. Closer than the FiiO K5 is to the K7. There is, again, a comparative emphasis in mid-treble and the vocals get a bit lost. The sound is slightly thin compared to rivals at this price point. FiiO K5 Pro Headphone Amps Portable Desktop DAC and Amplifier Not quite as good as the K7, but at half the price one cannot really complain. Vocals are not quite as lifelike and there is more mid-treble - but not in a good way. Topping DX1 Mini Stereo DAC Headphone Amplifier Combo Very good little unit. Bass is slightly overemphasized. Fosi Audio K5 Pro Gaming DAC Headphone Amplifier I thought this unit was DOA. Turns out that you must long press the volume knob to turn it on. (Short press to select input.) Not terrible, but not as musical as the others in this test. Also, the only one with bass and treble knobs. And only a mini-jack - no 1/4" jack. Pro-Ject Head Box S2 Digital This DAC/Amp had an issue that makes it unlistenable. The sound is very nice... but... there's some faint static. Only in the music, not in silence. A faint crackling.... Can't have that.

Very clear sound, did exactly what I needed it to... for as long as it worked. The 1/4 female plug started going out and would no longer produce sound out of the right channel. It worked for maybe a month and a half and got unplugged and plugged back in a few times a week. If it is going to be something that you never unplug, you should be good to go but the durability of the jack is lacking. That said, the setup on a Windows 11 computer couldn't be easier. Whether it is via the USB or the coax connectors, the sound is great with very little discernable background buzzing or extra noise. The EQ balance stayed true to the original audio and using DTSx for headphones made directional audio phenomenal. I tried soldering a spare 3.5mm jack onto the board after removing the original jack but the audio is no longer balanced. I'm going to have to try and sort that out. Overall, I'd buy again, I'd just leave everything plugged in and make sure that the setup did not move to give that mechanical connection in the jack the best chance at surviving.

I’d like to first start of this review by saying I’m not an audiophile nor am I a professional when it comes to audio in any kind of capacity. What I am, however, is a techie which just means over the years I’ve dealt with audio receivers, mp3s, PCs, media players etc.. At some point, I came to learn about Free Lossless Audio Codec better known as FLAC and what FLAC offers is true CD quality something mp3s do not. Why am I mentioning this? Well, if you own a receiver and connect an hdmi signal to it from a device via your TV or use the 3.55mm output from your PC, you are most likely listening to digital audio and from what I understand, there is some loss when going this route. This is where the FX Audio comes into play as it’s a digital to audio convertor or DAC for short. As you may have already guessed, using a DAC guarantees your audio will be lossless. The question, or curiosity which lead me to purchasing this DAC was does it make a difference as I could never get a definitive answer on using a DAC vs the receiver or the audio card that is built into my pc’s motherboard. I decided to do two tests one using an Nvidia Shield which is connected to my TV and the other my PC. I was surprised to find the Nvidia Shield was compatible with the DAC so much so the moment you connect it, power on or off, it instantly picked up the device. It was a simple setup which was just plugging the usb into the Nvidia shield and the RCA cables into the reciever CD Input. I have two large front speakers that I play sound from. I played a few of my favorite tunes which were formatted in the FLAC audio codec at a 40 volume level on the reciever. I first played the audio through the DAC and then through the HDMI. Sadly, I found no real difference in the two. I’ve never been able to confirm whether the receiver has its own DAC ; I just know that the audio plays through the HDMI which is a digital signal and not an analog one. There is also not a pass-through indicator like there is for dolby digital or DTS. Next I did the PC. I set audio at the full volume available on the PC. I decided to use my $60 headphones to see to test as I figured they’d be a bit of higher quality than a cheaper pair. This time, I definitely heard a difference in quality with the FX audio having a higher level of bass and just had a richer sound overall. From my experience, the FX Audio DAC-X6 can certainly enrich your audio experience when using it with a PC but I would be weary of using this if you already have a receiver. With that being said, I feel like adding a tube pre-amplifier may have made a big difference in comparison when it came to using a hdmi connection versus the DAC but this of course would have come at a greater cost. There is also the fact that this DAC, in particular, was budget friendly as many DACs on the market are pretty pricey and I can’t speak to the difference in quality of DACs that are considered higher end. I definitely think it works as a great desktop companion and I certainly would recommend it if you want to get the most out of the FLAC format if you prefer listening to your music through headphones.

This thing is excellent, robust, great sound quality and being able to leave the headphones plugged in all the time and still have it go to the speakers is a really nice touch. I just turn the speakers off when they aren't wanted. I love the look too, it matches my silver 70s amp stack nicely

I connected it to my old Luxman CD player and Linsoul XDUOO MT-602 6J1 Tube Transistor Headphone Amplifier and it worked great.

Really happy with this DAC. Using it with my computer and some Sennheiser HD 599 SE headphones. Sounds great, feels solid, and meets my needs perfectly.

excellent

I got this DAC headphone amp to drive my high impedance Sennheiser HD600 (300 ohms) and vintage HD414 (2000 ohms) headphones. These are audiophile phones and demand more from amps than typical device headphone jacks offer. I like this device. It's not too big, the most used controls are up front and clearly marked. There's a handy green signal LED that lights to let me know when my iMac is driving the headphone amp via USB. One issue I find a bit annoying is that the volume changes in overly large dB steps when I change it from the macOS level control. I don't know if this is a Mac/USB issue or if it's internal to the FX-Audio device. The volume changes smoothly in small dB increments from the front mounted volume knob.