FX-Audio DAC-X6 MKII Bluetooth 5.0 Digital Audio Decoder DAC 24-bit/192kHz USB/Coaxial/Optical Headphone Amp Mini HiFi Pre-Amplifier Black

Good Unit. I have the original which I will first discuss below. The version1 - MKI original is sitting next to my PC and outputs to my main stereo via line out RCA on the back and to my computer speakers using the front headphone jack. The outputs work in tandem and the line out is "fixed" / non-variable to my stereo. The standard "can" volume knob turns about 250 degrees from max low to max high and controls the variable output level to the headphone jack (my computer speakers) which is also nice. These two outputs work in tandem. When I want to turn the unit off, I throw the physical mechanical switch on the front left and it immediately powers off. This new version2 - MKII - is different in a few key ways which I didn't realize. The first thing is that the headphone jack and the line out do NOT work in tandem. If you plug in to the headphone jack, the RCA out is cut off. I should have read reviews more closely as I was not expecting this and it is kind of a downer for my intended setup. Next, the volume knob is digital and can be turned infinitely in either direction. It takes a LOT of turns to get the volume up and down. This means you twist the volume knob as much as your fingers and wrist will allow in one direction, then release and regrip the knob and repeat. To go from min to max or reverse it takes several full turns, release, and repeats. (it takes about 8 full turns) There are MANY volume steps which was not what I was expecting. For this version, the new "click step" volume knob not only controls the volume to the headphone jack, but ALSO to the line out, which I think makes it "not a line-out" but rather a "variable out". Again, this is not what I wanted for my setup, but I should have read other reviews closer. The final thing is the power switch which is a press and hold situation to power off/on, but since it is also the input selector is a bit of a nuisance. I prefer a separate power switch and input selector switch which the first one had. So the DAC is improved and it has the output decoding levels listed on the front and can decode at high levels. The Bluetooth is easy to configure and works well with my 2nd gen SE iphone. CDs are fixed at 44.1 and my itunes comes in at 48 via bluetooth. I'm sure hooking up to a computer via optical or usb could get a higher rate light to illuminate, but this unit is in my garage and not connected that way. Overall the unit is fine, but I should have looked closer. The upgraded DAC is nice, and the bluetooth works great, but I feel that I prefer the originals more "standard feature set" better". For a few bucks more I could have gotten a variant which included an optical cable, which I could have used. All in all a fine unit, but I wish they would have just taken the original's functionality and added the bluetooth and upgraded DAC which is sort of what I was expecting. Unexpected Annoyances compared to Original MKI -RCA Variable Output -Volume knob SMALL click steps -EITHER Headphone OR variable RCA - not both -Power switch multi-second-hold for on off which is also input selector switch

Pros: - Capable of powering 250Ohm headphones - Supports Bluetooth connection - Cheap Cons: - Requires 6–7 full knob rotations to go from 0 to max volume - When using USB, the first 0.5 seconds of the track is muted - Bluetooth occasionally experiences sound dropouts (must pause+play to make it return) Feels more like a raw prototype to me.

I spent a long time shopping around for a DAC/Amp before I landed on this one. I am definitely a fringe user for even needing a DAC/amp to start with, so I didn't want to spend a lot. I mainly needed the safety feature/ability to control volume externally to my PC for my headphones, as I needed protection from sudden changes in volume on my PC that can sometimes occur from simple things such as an accidental flick of the mouse or keyboard, or a driver install, and needed a physical knob to protect my hearing. This is exactly what I needed. This actually has some good safety features I wasn't expecting, like ramping up the volume on a curve over a second instead of hitting my ears with full volume all at once after pressing play. The volume knob does take many spins to reach max volume, I see this as a pro, not a con, as I have excellent control over the volume, I am very paranoid about listening to something too loud, and I like the LEDs that indicates where volume is, that helps me not not get "lost" in volume placement during silence and accidentally blast my ears. In terms of sound quality, this seems to pass the sound through to my headphones just fine, no more no less. I would say this isn't coloring the sound. My headphones sound just as I expect they should plugged into this dac/amp. I'm using this to power a Beyerdynamic DT 770 80 ohm and HD 599 50 ohm and it powers these no issue, lots of headroom for playing around with an EQ, no hiss or crackle at all, the silence is perfect silence for my higher ohm headphones, I am very sensitive to background static/hissing, I'm very grateful there is none. I believe this product is rated for 32-300 ohms on the box. You will probably hear a quiet static noise if you try to power headphones that are below the minimum rated 32 ohm, this was my experience. The Bluetooth is really nice to pass through music to my wired headphones since none of my mobile devices have an audio jack anymore. Overall I feel this is a good value DAC/amp. Nothing about this annoys or offends me. So far it's holding up well. If it breaks before I feel it should I'll update this review accordingly. Sure, there's probably better out there, but for something else with comparable features you're probably going to wind up paying double for a much smaller return. I'm not sure why the MKII doesn't seem as popular as the non-MKII version, this really does seem to be a thoughtful upgrade from its predecessor.

I just wanted to say how much i love this dac amp. It feels a little cheaply made compared to units 10x the price, but otherwise, it sounds really good, perfect desktop size, great features and not very expensive. (no DSD support, but I dont care about that,) Many here complain about the volume knob, but its actually well designed good IMO. First of all, its digital, so you wont get that scratch sound you normally hear with analogue volume pots. The fact that you have to rotate it many times is fine, it gives you good control over the volume range. I use that as the main volume, and then fine tune or lower the volume as needed from the application like Spotify, winamp, etc.. I use streaming as well as lossless FLAC and some HD audio. I have it connected via optical toshlink to my motherboard. The LEDs are perfect! easy to see from across the desk, but not too bright and distracting. They give you the important details, power on and mode (red) and the current signal sample rate (to make sure your settings are correct). When you turn the volume, it then switches to volume meter for a moment then back to sample rate. The brightness is perfect for well lit and dark rooms. The volume knob will last a long time because its a digital encoder. It 98% as good as a unit 10x the price. I'm pairing this with the Audio-technica M50x, also an excellent budget headphone with plenty of base and very clear. I also have E-mu and Denon Ah-d2000 headphones and compared to my other dac/amps like Octavart Champs-Elysees, its hard to tell the difference. The bluetooth is a nice option for connecting to your portable devices like phone and tablet / ipad.

Extra Power supply I ordered met the specs of the mkii and it still was zilch no lights no turn on completely dead disappointed. I also wouldn't recommend fx audio in general unless you wanna take a gamble, it is inventible that a product you buy from them, will die from them... This is probably why the product has so many returns, was really looking forward to keeping/gifting this dac for the holiday guess not. I hate that they're quality is so bad but the sound they make is always so sublime and heavenly for dacs and amps game changing at this price range JUST WORK ON YOUR QA.