Audio Engine D1P Headphone Amp & DAC

Headphone Amp and DAC:portable USB digital-to-analog converterESS Sabre ES9219C 32-bit/384kHz DAC chip with Hyperstream® II QUAD DAC™ architecturesupported sample rates:PCM: up to 32-bit/384kHz; optical up to 24-bit/192kHzDSD: up to 11.2 MHz (DSD256)MQA renderer up to 8xworks with most USB-C devices, including iPhone®, Android™ smartphones, and Windows® and Mac® computersLightning® adapter also included (for a compatible iPhone)Other info:2.05-volt RMS output3.5mm output for connecting DAC to headphonesstereo analog RCA output for connecting to receivers, amplifiers, and moreoptical digital input for connecting TVs and home theater componentsno battery; uses USB source device for poweronboard volume knob for smooth level adjustmentssampling rate indicator verifies source qualitywhite: PCM 32kHz-48kHzgreen: PCM 88.2kHz-192kHz; DSD64blue: PCM 352.8kHz-384kHz; DSD128purple: MQAheadphone/speaker output switchfrequency response: 20-40,000 Hz ±0.1 dBsignal-to-noise ratio: 121 dBDimensions and warranty:3"W x 1"H x 2-1/2"Dweight: 0.85 lbs.warranty: 3 years60-day returnsMFR # D1PItem # 772D1PThe D1P has the same compact profile of its predecessor and an even lighter weight, making it the perfect audio companion whether you're at the office or lounging on the couch. It's built around a powerful ESS Sabre DAC chip that does a fantastic job of cleaning up digital 1s and 0s and turning them into detailed, nuanced sound.The headphone amplifier inside also does a great job of powering just about any cans you might use. I threw everything at it from entry-level Grados to high-end Focals, and it made every pair I connected open up nicely.Supports a plethora of file typesSource compatibility is often a concern for me when I'm shopping for DACs, so I was happy to see that the D1P supports PCM, FLAC, DSD, and MQA. An LED indicator on the front visually confirms the audio quality when you're playing something.Portable PowerThis DAC is also powered by your device, instead of requiring a separate power supply or internal battery. I've connected it to my home computer, my wife's laptop, and both of our smartphones with fantastic results. No matter what source we connected the D1P to, it played beautifully. It's also pretty efficient with its power drain when connected to smartphones.Connections and switchesThe connections on the D1P are straightforward. There's a 3.5mm headphone output on the front, as well as a USB-C input. The rear has a stereo pair of analog RCA outputs and an optical digital input. The front panel also has an output switch that lets you tell the DAC whether it's connected to a pair of headphones or speakers, and it adjusts its output accordingly.Hands-on (and ears-on) with the D1PThe D1P arrived for me to audition in a well-packaged box. After breezing through the owner's manual, I connected it to my PC first, then my phone. Next, my wife let me try it on her phone and her gaming laptop. I experienced zero hiccups across the board.Fantastic sound reproduction on different headphonesI'm a headphone fanatic, so I wanted to see how the D1P did with everything from entry-level headphones to high-end pairs. I'm pleased to report that this little-DAC-that-could exceeded my expectations on everything I tried. It delivered spectacular sound on the easy-to-drive Grado SR125X all the way up to the beefy Cleer Next and some higher-end closed-back Focals that I own. For the purposes of this hands-on review, I decided to stick with the Cleers since I enjoyed their airy, open-backed performance.