HELM Audio Bolt DAC/Amp Review - Is this all you need?

The HELM Audio Bolt DAC/AMP is a tiny USB-C dongle that packs a punch! It delivers clean sound and works on most platforms with minimal fuss. Is this all your headphone or IEM needs?
If this is the right DAC/Amp for you, you can purchase it here (and support channel): amzn.to/3DwslXJ
Otherwise, check out HELM Audio directly in case they have a sale!
helmaudio.com/products/boltdac
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[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I recommend the Play4 over this by miles , the specs and software alone , and fact it drives my BD770Pro 80ohm way loud and absolutely clean 24/192 up to 150ohms Works on my Samsung phone too USB-C
And it is only $25 , 1/4 the price.

[@eLcHiNoChannel]

Hey Joe, great review as usual! I listened to this review on my new Penrose X (thanks again for the recommendation) and those 14 seconds at the end sound awesome! I literally reacted when your closing faded into music.
In my search for a portable DAC, I came across the THX Onyx. I see a big price difference (2X vs the HELM Bolt). Sems like the DragonFlys are closer to the Onyx (in price) than to the HELM Bolt. Nothing stands out (to me) in the printed specs. I wonder if I'm missing something. Thoughts?

[@danielh12345]

Not in the market for this stuff currently, but good review regardless!

[@davidgavrun5630]

So quick question, i just subscribed to Qobuz, and am rocking the Technics eah-a800, is it worth to buy this bolt or should i just stick to wireless?.

[@texasbassranger]

Great review man. This is good news. I'm glad to see the price of dongles like this coming down. I received the THX Onyx as a birthday give a couple of years ago and fell in love with it. I had purchased the Dragonfly Red Cobolt on ebay for 120.00 and thought I was happy with it until I compared it to the Onyx. Sold the Cobolt and I carry the Onyx with me everywhere I go. If the Helm even comes close to the performance of the THX Onyx, this is a fantastic opportunity for those on a lesser budget to experience the advantages of portable DACs. Had I not received the Onyx as a birthday gift, I would have never been able to afford it.
I suppose the technology will continue to drop in price as time goes by and that's a good thing. The difference this technology makes on a phone is astounding. Good on Helm for making it accessable to more people through affordable prices. At first glance, it seems to at least come close to what the Onyx offers.

[@phantomlord3280]

Nice review! Considering this for my iPhone 13 Pro to try listening to lossless/hi res lossless audio. Would you recommend this over just the apple dongle? I’ll be running it through Philips audio, 50mm driver, open back headphones that were like $150 so nothing too crazy. Im just trying to enjoy my music plain and simple.

[@ghajik.]

any DAC would be appreciated over the apple dongle, considering you cannot play hi-res lossless with the iphone's inbuilt DAC.

[@AdrianAK6]

Hi you mentioned using this with Spotify, but what about Amazon !

[@MertLDN]

Does this work on the PS5?

[@byrondelavega9690]

Do you think I would get more sound clarity from a DAC? Not power because power is enough getting of a apple dongle.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Yes by miles , a 25dollar Play 4 is better.
If you look at spectrum analyzer results comparing Apple or any other on-board audio , compared to say a Soundblaster Play4 or Play3 even , there is a HUGE difference and I can hear it.

[@davidponce6132]

Damn, I just got my kima classic for 110 dollars 2 days ago and now I gotta buy these extra 100 dollar dongle just to make them sound like they’re supposed to.

[@OrganicBaseBeing]

Sorry to say the DB12 is not working for me and it looks like I'll be returning it soon.
1 Every time I tap the volume-up button it turns down the sound volume
2 Tapping twice only replays the current song and does not play the next song
3 Tapping the volume-up button increases sound more than needed and lacks finesse
4 Tapping 3 times to play the previous song does not work
5 Control buttons lack design maturity and have a feel of a lower tier
iPhone x IOS 16.1.1