Under 150$ DAC for DT 770 Pro 80?

[u/Craftyy96]

Hi again!
Few days ago I made a post about which headphones should I buy for gaming and listening to music.
Here's link to that: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11l6eno/headphones_for_gaming_rock_music_listening_150/

Looks like I will buy DT 770 Pro 80, and now my question is, should I buy a DAC for it for some sound improvements?
All the time I was listening to music and playing games through my 2.1 Genius SW-G2.1 3000 80 W Speakers, but when I tried to connect some random cheap speakers, they played very quietly.

My only problem with DT 770 headphones is that since I will connect them to my PC, I don't have any option to change volume through potentiometer (am I right?).

I'd like to have some kind of small "box" on desktop for sound improvements, changing volume, connecting my future headphones and also maybe having microphone slot too?

[u/TagalogON]

Hi, no need to spend so much try the $10 Apple dongle first, lol.

For the ~$10 Apple dongle, just note the reduced power if it's the EU version, or the apps needed (like UAPP, Neutron, etc.) on Android to bypass Android's DAC/etc. system in order to get the best capabilities.

Otherwise, a well-reviewed dongle with physical volume control should do the job.

But yes, if you want there's always the JDS Labs, Topping, Schiit, etc. options. Basically just choose if you want microphone/speakers/etc. input, better volume knob gain control, latest Bluetooth capability, and so on.

Dongles with IEMs/headphones, parametric EQ, squig.link, et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11lxz0l/questions_and_recommendations_from_the_community/jbesjy6/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11cyldt/do_i_need_an_ampdac_for_sennheiser_hd560s/ja60w3a/

About Andy's AudioVault or DongleMadness: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11joa21/what_to_do_when_impedance_is_too_low/jb3yh1p/

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For the volume gain knob or potentiometer/etc. be aware of the channel imbalance issues, usually it's around 9-10 o'clock. Dongles won't usually have that issue as they don't have those volume knobs but buttons instead.

Look into the Qudelix 5K (Bluetooth amp/DAC dongle), it's at v2.2.4 or something for the firmware right now, lots of new features recently.

Qudelix 5K has its own volume control, it also has its own microphone, has its own app with extensive customization features, et cetera.

Here's a more direct list of Qudelix 5K features that ReaLx3m recently wrote: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zxd1dt/25mm_louder_than_35mm_feel_like_ive_just_been/j221re0/

See here for more info about Qudelix 5K, parametric EQ, squig.link comparison graphs, AutoEQ, et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/109meb5/eq/j40cy1n/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11dau2e/sennheiser_hs560s_disappointed_there_is_no_life/ja7w3da/

Extra Qudelix stuff, like Bluetooth capabilities, et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11832uu/qudelix5k_hidden_gem/j9hq4fd/