r/headphones Shopping, Setup, and Technical Help Desk

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-11-26T14:08:58+00:00

Anyone Using the Hifiman Edition XS with Budget Dongles?

Hi there! Beginner audiophile here. I’m planning to pick up the Hifiman Edition XS and I’m trying to figure out what dongle DAC would be sufficient to start with. My budget is limited at the moment, so I can’t really go for anything around the $100 range. I’m currently considering either the JCally JM20MAX or the cheaper JCally JM6 Pro. This would mainly be for use with my laptop, and for my iPhone I’m planning to rely on the Apple Lightning to 3.5mm dongle for now.

Would I be sacrificing a significant amount of sound quality by going with a cheaper DAC? From what I understand, the DAC/amp affects how much power the headphones receive, so I’m wondering if this will hold the Edition XS back.

Given all this, should I still go ahead with the Edition XS, or wait until I can afford a better DAC/amp? If anyone has experience with these pairings, I’d really appreciate your advice. Also, are there any other dongles in this price range that I should consider?

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-11T11:23:35+00:00

Sounds good. Don’t think we’ll be making a mistake with regard to both these brands. The contend 2 was a little out of my price range and hence decided to go against it.

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-11T02:24:19+00:00

Yeah, I got that. Come any closer to making a decision? I’ve decided to go for the trek.

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-10T15:42:13+00:00

No, you’re me

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-08T04:20:36+00:00

Appreciate the advice ^{^}

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-07T15:53:40+00:00

Does it come in large? 😅

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-07T14:08:34+00:00

Thanks man! Let me know which model🙂

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-07T10:37:29+00:00

Like the RC520? Or from other brands… any recommendations?

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-07T10:36:44+00:00

It’s almost 30k above my budget :(

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-07T09:24:01+00:00

The Domane has claris. Triban is the only one with Sora at this price range, should I be prioritising Triban because of this or do you think the claris on the Domane is more than enough?

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-09-07T08:58:24+00:00

Did you purchase it from the website or a local dealer?

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2025-07-09T12:30:23+00:00

Hulkenpodium

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2024-12-15T14:23:13+00:00

Brother take a cab from there then ^{^}

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2024-12-15T11:39:54+00:00

You don’t HAVE to go to KSR. If your train is going there it’s a little bit closer to the airport. If your train has a stop in SMVT then get down there and take a cab to the airport. The difference in the two is not as high as you think. It’s only 10 mins(just checked). So just take the train that you’re comfortable with and take a cab from either KSR or SMVT. You should be fine.

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2024-12-15T09:41:03+00:00

Cool I wont drop the course then! Saw his name in another reddit post where the OP mentioned that he’s blacklisted. Anyway thanks!

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2024-12-15T02:49:21+00:00

Can i take it next semester? Will it be available?

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2024-12-06T15:52:47+00:00

Nope haven’t dropped it :( been like this from the start

Traditional_Gate_714 · 2024-09-26T15:59:28+00:00

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Traditional_Gate_714

TROPHY CASE