Short answer: the Yulong DA10. It ranks #14 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos by measured performance, rated 4.6/5, at $1,092; the Chord DAVE ranks #18, rated 4.5/5, and costs $14,900, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Yulong DA10: Audio Science Review measured 112 dB SINAD, clean for nearly all listening. The tradeoff: The Fosi Audio ZH3 rates higher with slightly better measured SINAD for much less.
Why pick the Chord DAVE: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 110 dB, so noise and distortion stay clean for nearly all listening. Watch for: It costs vastly more than the Fosi Audio ZH3, which rates higher and measured cleaner in Audio Science Review’s tests.
Buy the Yulong DA10. It is rated higher than the Chord DAVE and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yulong DA10 | Chord DAVE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,092.00 | $14,900.00 |
| Ranked | #14 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #18 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp | DAC and headphone amp |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 110 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 3,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 1,400 mW into 33 ohms (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 460 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 154 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | Yes (XLR line out) |
| Inputs | USB, AES/EBU, coaxial, optical | USB-B, 4 x coaxial (BNC), 2 x optical, AES/EBU |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| DAC Chip | AK4497 | Custom FPGA (Xilinx Spartan 6) |
| Volume Control | Digital (99 steps) | Digital (rotary encoder, remote) |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 2.4” x 8.3” (248 x 60 x 210 mm) | 13.2” x 3.1” x 6” (335 x 78 x 152 mm) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4 kg) | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
How Yulong DA10 compares with other leading options:
- D&A Alpha Pro vs Yulong DA10
- JDS Labs Element IV vs Yulong DA10
- Benchmark DAC3 HGC vs Yulong DA10
- SPL Phonitor x vs Yulong DA10
- Yulong DA10 vs Chord Hugo 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Amps and DACs In Full
Yulong DA10: $1,092.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured 112 dB SINAD, clean for nearly all listening. Yulong rates it at 3,000 mW into 32 ohms and 460 mW into 300 ohms from the balanced 4-pin XLR jack, enough for nearly any headphone, and it accepts USB, AES/EBU, coaxial and optical with RCA and XLR outputs.
Cons: The Fosi Audio ZH3 rates higher with slightly better measured SINAD for much less. It is a large, heavy 4 kg box with no Bluetooth input.
Full Yulong DA10 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| DAC Chip | AK4497 |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 2.4” x 8.3” (248 x 60 x 210 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | USB, AES/EBU, coaxial, optical |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 460 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 3,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Digital (99 steps) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Chord DAVE: $14,900.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 110 dB, so noise and distortion stay clean for nearly all listening. Chord rates it at 1,400 mW into 33 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones, and it doubles as a full DAC preamp with USB, four coaxial, two optical and AES/EBU inputs plus RCA and XLR outputs. A remote and digital volume control make it easy to run as the hub of a desktop or speaker system.
Cons: It costs vastly more than the Fosi Audio ZH3, which rates higher and measured cleaner in Audio Science Review’s tests. Its only headphone jack is a single 6.35 mm socket with no balanced headphone output, and at 5 kg it is a large desktop unit.
Full Chord DAVE review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| DAC Chip | Custom FPGA (Xilinx Spartan 6) |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 13.2” x 3.1” x 6” (335 x 78 x 152 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm |
| Inputs | USB-B, 4 x coaxial (BNC), 2 x optical, AES/EBU |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 154 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 1,400 mW into 33 ohms (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 110 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Digital (rotary encoder, remote) |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons