Review on HIDIZS S8 USB DAC AMP: High-Fidelity Portable Audio Decoder for iPhone, iPod, Android, Windows, Mac OS – 384kHz/32Bit by Angie Anderson

Right off the bat, it's not about finding a product that exceeds DAC's quality standards. There are many high-quality DACs that come with headphone amps, not to mention individual DACs that can be purchased for over $500. If your goal is to find the best DAC solution under $500,000, you can certainly go elsewhere and have many DAC or amp options, both combos and standalone. However, if your goal is to improve your computer's sound output, and let's face it, look under the hood of most computer sound cards and DAC chips, stands are almost criminal. Well, maybe that's a little rough. But in reality, companies like Apple should have done much better with all their models, including high-end iMacs and MacBook Pros. What the Hidizs S8 gives you is a noticeable improvement on the Mac's internal DAC, which, by driving the right output device, sounds less flat, more open, with more depth and dimension, while delivering a cleaner but more noticeable low-end with noticeably more punch. . That means you have the right headphones (let's talk about Grado outdoor headphones) and a acceptably nice window for all the music you're playing on your Apple computer. The device connects to your Mac's USB port without any software setup. . The only setting is what you make on your Apple when you select the S8 as the output device. All you have to do is connect your headphones to the S8, then plug one of the four matching cables into your computer's USB port. At this point you can select List Sonata USB Audio. That's all. Did I mention that the sound is generally less harsh, but at the same time more open and clear? Yes, both are correct. And the amplifier in the S8 offers more room to breathe. Have I compared it to my headphone experience using a $6,000 PSAudiio DAC in a high-end tube preamp, or my PS Audio DAC with my $500 Rupert Neve headphone amp? No I haven't. I don't think this comparison is helpful. If you can afford to buy a $500 PS Audio DAC or headphone amp, consider it. But if you're one of those people who loves to make music sound musical while still having good, punchy bass, but still sounding open and stunningly detailed, and all for less than $100, this product awaits sure you try it. My advice is try it. I immediately bought a few as gifts for my close friends who had MacBooks and love music as much as I do, and I'm pretty sure their I MacBooks have never sounded better.