It is mind-boggling how good the Apple dongle is, that something that tiny contains a good DAC and a headphones amplifier. I switch back and forth multiple times a day between the Apple dongle and a Universal Audio interface that cost many times more and I have never heard a difference.
However I hear a big difference with my laptop onboard audio and off brand dongles, they have an audible noise floor.
To the OP I would recommend getting the Apple USB-C dongle before spending big bucks on something else because for listening it's likely to be good enough.
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It is mind-boggling how good the Apple dongle is, that something that tiny contains a good DAC and a headphones amplifier. I switch back and forth multiple times a day between the Apple dongle and a Universal Audio interface that cost many times more and I have never heard a difference.
However I hear a big difference with my laptop onboard audio and off brand dongles, they have an audible noise floor.
To the OP I would recommend getting the Apple USB-C dongle before spending big bucks on something else because for listening it's likely to be good enough.
Somewhere here on HN a few years back there was a submission regarding a tear-down of the Apple Lightning to 3.5mm headphones adapter.
The findings concluded the product was insanely good value for money and was on par with mid/high end DAC.