S8 USB DAC AMP, 384kHz/32Bit USB C Portable HiFi Audio Decoding Amplifier for iPhone iPod Android Computer with Windows/Mac OS/iOS/iPad OS System (4 Interface Cable Included, Black)

Right off the bat, this is not about finding a product that outdoes the DAC quality standard bearers. There are many high end DACS bundled with head phone amps, to say nothing of the separate DACS that one can buy for over $500. If that is your aim, to hunt down the best under $500K DAC solution, I am sure you can go elsewhere and have an abundance of choices of DACS or amps either combos or separates. However, if your aim is to improve the sound of your computer output, and lets face it, look under the hood of most computers sound boards and DAC chips, the stands are almost criminal. Well, maybe that's a little harsh. But truly companies like Apple should have been expected to do a much better job on all their models including high end iMacs and MacBook Pro unites.What the Hidizs S8 gives you is a noticable improvement to the Mac internal DAC which, driving the proper output device, is going to have sound less flat, more open with greater depth and dimension, while delivering a cleaner yet more palpable low end with noticeably more punch. That means, giving the right headphone (let's talk something like any open air Grado headphone) and acceptably enjoyable window for all the music you play on your Apple Computer.The unit attaches to the USB output of one's Mac without the need for any software setup. The only setting is the one you make on your Apple when you select the S8 as your output device. You only need to plug in your headphones into the S8, then attach the one of the four suitable cords provided to the USB out your computer. At that point, you can select "Sonata USB Audio listing". That's all there is to it.Did I mention that the sound is less harsh whole also more open and clear at the same time? Yes, both are true. And the amp in the S8 does provide more breathing room.Did I compare it against my headphone experience using my $6000 PSAudiio DAC into a high end tube preamp, or from my PS Audio DAC into my $500 Rupert Neve headphone amp? No, I didn't do that. I don't think that comparison does anyone any good. If you can afford to by the PS Audio DAC or most any $500 headphone amp, you should consider that. But, if you are one of those people who love music to sound musical, and yet have good punchy low end while still sounding open and excitingly detailed, all for under $100, this product is waiting there for you to try. My advice is to give it a try . I immediately bought a few as gifts for close friends of mine who had MacBooks and love music as much as I do, and I am quite certain that their I MacBooks have never sounded better

As an audiophile with an iPhone I have wanted a reasonably priced lightning dac/amp for portable use with my JHA ciem's. I chose this one based on a review at ASR. It is shockingly small and sounds very good. Relative to other (cheaper) inline dac/amps I've tried it is certainly a punchier & fuller sound. No complaints. Recommended.Update - it no longer works, and is of course now outside the return window. HIGHLY UNRECOMMEDED

Sound quality easily rivals entry level to mid-tier desktop DACs. Well past inaudible noise floor. Great portable design, and the cables it comes with fit very tightly, are very flexible, and feel durable. Great build quality, feels sturdy and solid but still light. Powerful output for such a small device despite running off of USB power—makes my Koss PortaPros too loud for me at max volume when being driven by my smartphone. Works out of the box with my Android Oreo device and works with lossless playback with the PowerAmp and Neutron apps.My only complaint is that the volume buttons are light and easy to press, and the volume steps are large. If there were a way to disable the buttons or lock the volume level, it would be perfect.Additionally, while this listing claims it is USB-C, it's Micro. A USB-C model would be greatly appreciated for better connectivity and connector longevity, though the Micro connector on it does feel solid enough.Despite the few complaints I cannot recommend this enough. It beats all competition as of this posting.

What I like is it came with 3 short cables, one of which was USB to Lightening to use with my iPhone. I thought the sound was just excellent from such as small and light dongle/unit. Then, after a week of use, I find the lightening tip sitting in its proper slot in the iPhone, detached from the rest of the cable. After careful removal using a dental forcep there was no way to reattach to the cable. Unit now useless...for yours truly. I email Hidez, they say they will ship a new one for $15 plus $7 shipping. I wrote back”, are you nuts, it’s 2 weeks old and having had dozens of lightening cables, never, ever had I had one to separate. They then say, send it back to Amazon, I answer, why bother Amazon because of your product defect....you people are a complete and utter disgrace with a worthless warranty.

Switching to this coming from a Dragonfly Red, this unit is so much better and for less than half the price. The Red just had no bass and although it was accurate in the highs the incredible weakness in the bass left it with no "character" with most music sounding thinner than it should. With the Hidiz the sound is just as accurate and detailed as the Red but with none of the thinness. Just better, fuller, and more lively all around. A few minor quibbles- despite it's small size it is clumsy because it requires a separate cable from the device to the computer or phone. The advantage is that it lets you hook it up to anything with a USB plug of any type, and you won't break it if your laptop slips. It has volume buttons on it but to preserve the dynamic range I usually leave it on max and modulate the source material volume. This may not be the right strategy but there isn't enough data that I've found to confirm which method is best to control the volume and preserve the range. I should add that the unit has plenty of power to drive my 300 ohm Sennheiser HD600's so that's good, but using the Sennheisers wasn't the problem with the Dragonfly Red- bizarrely it shows the same bass thinness on my 32 ohm Etymotics.

Volume steps should be a bit finer, but no complaints other than that. This unit is well worth the price.

It would not work with any of my Apple devices iPhone iPads or Mac I plugged in the headphones first then into the device but it keeps telling me accessory not supported would not recommend for iOS devices got frustrated and just returned

Sounds great, comes in a little box with all type of cables needed for your PC, Android phone and iPhone.