---
product_id: 249445478
title: "Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad"
brand: "maktar"
price: "R3331"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Maktar"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/249445478-spectra-x2-portable-dac-headphone-amplifier-lightning-to-3-5mm
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# Powers headphones up to 150Ω 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res ESS Sabre DAC Ultra-light 15g portable design Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad

**Brand:** maktar
**Price:** R3331
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎶 Elevate your iPhone audio game—because ordinary sound is so last year.

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad by maktar
- **How much does it cost?** R3331 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/249445478-spectra-x2-portable-dac-headphone-amplifier-lightning-to-3-5mm)

## Best For

- maktar enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted maktar brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Powerful Amplification:** Drive high-impedance headphones up to 150Ω for richer bass, clearer mids, and sparkling highs.
- • **Immersive XTRASOUND Tech:** Unlock a 3D soundstage that transforms your music into a live, spatial experience.
- • **Studio-Grade Hi-Res Audio:** Experience pristine 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 playback that reveals every sonic detail.
- • **Featherweight & Travel-Ready:** Slimmer than a pen and lighter than two coins—carry premium sound anywhere with included pouch.
- • **Seamless Apple Lightning Plug & Play:** MFi certified for instant, hassle-free connection with no apps or drivers needed.

## Overview

The Maktar Spectra X2 is a compact, MFi-certified portable DAC and headphone amplifier designed exclusively for Apple Lightning devices. It delivers studio-quality Hi-Res audio up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 via an ESS Sabre 9118 DAC, powers headphones up to 150Ω, and features proprietary XTRASOUND technology for an immersive listening experience—all in a sleek, ultra-light 15g form factor perfect for on-the-go audiophiles.

## Description

desertcart.com: Maktar Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad : Electronics

Review: A must buy for Hi-Res AUDIO from your iDevice - I have only had this device for a few days and have yet to take it through it’s paces with my tougher to drive headphones. So far, I’ve logged a lot of time on the Westone W80. These IEMs are really efficient and sound surprising acceptable connected to the basic iPhone DAC cable; they are absolutely stunning running through the X2. The design is simple, smaller than a fountain pen and built rock solid. I’ll spare you the audiophile jargon and simply say if you listen to Hi-Res audio through an iOS device you cannot go wrong with the Maktar Spectra X2. While the X2 is nearly perfect, my only grip is that a device with this form factor and at this price point should really have an app to dial in the EQ. That said, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. EDIT: I tried this device with my HD 650. These headphones are notoriously power hungry. While the sound was clean there just wasn’t enough power to drive them. If you are expecting to use the X2 to push 300Ω, you are going to have a bad time. The description says as much. Not the reason I purchased this. My 5 star rating still applies. EDIT 2: A month in, I love this more than ever. I bought a right angle lightning adapter as I was afraid the attached cable may eventually fray and wear out. There was no evidence that this was the case but it was giving me anxiety. I’ve output the X2 to my primary desktop headphone amp. Pure audible bliss with the HD 650. My greatest fear now is that Apple will replace the lightning port on their phones.
Review: Maktar Spectra X2 is cool, if a bit of overkill for most casual listeners - After getting a few notes from audiophiles, I revised this review. The DAC is good for up to 32bit/384KHz, and the Spectra X2 claims to be an amplifier that can power up to 150 Ohm headphones. I'm using these with some 16 and 32 Ohm earphones so there's plenty of juice flowing, the volume on them can get very loud without distorting. Frankly this dongle is overkill for my purposes, there are plenty of cheaper DAC dongles like this that would work just fine. For example, the $10 JSAUX dongle I was using before does just as good a job as this $170 Spectra X2 dongle. Be advised, if your music isn't the greatest quality you should consider using a cheaper dongle anyway, these audiophile gadgets tend to give music more clarity, but also tend to reveal all the little "defects" in the music. Stick with codecs like FLAC, or at least the best MP3 you can get, so you aren't distracted by hisses or random popping and crackling from low-quality audio files. The two sets of earphones I'm using have different sound signatures; the Focal Sphear are clean and neutral while the KZ ZS6 are clean with punchy bass. The Spectra X2 does make my music sound better while leaving the natural sound of the earphones alone for the most part. I use this dongle mainly with a laptop, if using Dolby Atmos for Headphones in Windows the maximum audio bitrate level it can output is 24/96, instead of 32/384. Windows recognizes the dongle when plugged in and can be switched to like any other output source via the sound control panel. You can get the max sound quality by using a device that will actually let you use it (WTF, Windows?). I don't often use the Spectra X2 with my phone or tablet because it's very power hungry, draining my devices way faster than other powered dongles I've used, even if there's no sound being played. (Another reason to stick with cheaper dongles if possible.) I've read some people say theirs doesn't drain power like that, so I don't know what's up with that. Maybe it likes to suck some devices harder than others. [UPDATE] I've been using this daily for a few weeks and now there is a muted static hiss whenever a music track stops playing. It's not an audio quality issue, it does it with anything, from FLAC music to podcasts. On podcasts the hiss happens even between words. It happens with any device, so maybe the connector is messed up now. Also, you may have issues using this dongle with desertcart Music or external USB hubs. If I plug the Spectra X2 into the USB hub connected to my laptop, it causes desertcart music to freak out and freezes Windows. If I plug it into the laptop's USB-C port, it works fine.

## Features

- HI-RES AUDIO WITH ESS SABRE 9118 DAC — Transform your iPhone or iPad into a studio-grade audio source. The Spectra X2 decodes PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 at 11.2MHz sampling rate, delivering audiophile-quality sound that reveals hidden details, textures, and layers in every song you love. Hear your music the way the artist intended.
- PLUG & PLAY LIGHTNING CONNECTION — Designed exclusively for Apple Lightning devices. No app downloads, no driver installations, no external power needed. Simply plug into your iPhone or iPad and instantly enjoy professional-grade audio. Apple MFi certification guarantees seamless compatibility with all iOS updates and Lightning devices.
- ULTRAPORTABLE 15-GRAM DESIGN — Thinner than a pen and lighter than two coins, the Spectra X2 disappears into your pocket or bag. Includes a protective carrying pouch for travel. Perfect for commuters, travelers, and music lovers who refuse to compromise sound quality on the go.
- POWERS HEADPHONES UP TO 150 OHMS — The built-in amplifier drives high-impedance headphones that sound weak or flat when plugged directly into your phone. Experience deeper bass, clearer mids, and extended highs that your stock Lightning adapter simply cannot deliver. Make good headphones sound extraordinary.
- EXCLUSIVE XTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY — Maktar's proprietary signal processing creates a wide, immersive soundstage that places instruments and vocals in a three-dimensional space. Discover nuances in your favorite tracks you never knew existed — like hearing a live performance instead of a recording.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B08GLY69G9 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #126,571 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #205 in Headphone Amps |
| Brand | MAKTAR |
| Color | Black |
| Customer Reviews | 3.6 out of 5 stars 139 Reviews |
| Item Dimensions | 0.44 x 0.44 x 3.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 15 g |
| Item dimensions L x W x H | 0.44 x 0.44 x 3.5 inches |
| Manufacturer | マクター(Maktar) |
| Mfr Part Number | MKSPX2L |
| Model Number | MKSPX2L |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Plug Format | Type L |
| Plug Type | Type L |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** MAKTAR
- **Color:** Black
- **Item Weight:** 15 Grams
- **Item dimensions L x W x H:** 0.44 x 0.44 x 3.5 inches
- **Plug Format:** Type L

## Images

![Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fZaPMyweL.jpg)
![Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Nvu-IboPL.jpg)
![Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Jy+ObAptL.jpg)
![Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/611IdHYwyCL.jpg)
![Spectra X2 Portable DAC Headphone Amplifier | Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter | Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz ESS Sabre | MFi Certified | Lossless Audio for iPhone iPad - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71UqVgrVrLL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Color, Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Will it work with The airpods max?**
A: Thanks for the question. The Spectra X2 requires a wired headphone connection so the airpods max will be unsuitable.

TrueToSource Customer Care

**Q: Am i missing something? i plugged this into my iphone 12 pro using tidal hifi and it just sounds the same if not a little quieter.**
A: I have been using this with TIDAL as well. I found the biggest boost came when using low impedance IEM’s (my Shures really sing and get a great bass boost, plus the soundstage opens up nicely). Larger headphones need more power than this thing will put out and Apple headphones wouldn’t be a good match either. It’s a great little AMP/DAC for travel.

**Q: Has anyone else had this stop working after upgrading to iOS 17? It’s no longer recognized now.**
A: We're sorry to hear about the issue you're experiencing. The Spectra X2 should work just fine with iOS 17. If you find that it's not being recognized after the upgrade, please don't hesitate to contact us.

**Q: How do I get the iem firmware?**
A: You won’t need firmware for this product (or your IEM’s) if you are plugging into an iPhone.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A must buy for Hi-Res AUDIO from your iDevice
*by H***F on December 29, 2020*

I have only had this device for a few days and have yet to take it through it’s paces with my tougher to drive headphones. So far, I’ve logged a lot of time on the Westone W80. These IEMs are really efficient and sound surprising acceptable connected to the basic iPhone DAC cable; they are absolutely stunning running through the X2. The design is simple, smaller than a fountain pen and built rock solid. I’ll spare you the audiophile jargon and simply say if you listen to Hi-Res audio through an iOS device you cannot go wrong with the Maktar Spectra X2. While the X2 is nearly perfect, my only grip is that a device with this form factor and at this price point should really have an app to dial in the EQ. That said, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. EDIT: I tried this device with my HD 650. These headphones are notoriously power hungry. While the sound was clean there just wasn’t enough power to drive them. If you are expecting to use the X2 to push 300Ω, you are going to have a bad time. The description says as much. Not the reason I purchased this. My 5 star rating still applies. EDIT 2: A month in, I love this more than ever. I bought a right angle lightning adapter as I was afraid the attached cable may eventually fray and wear out. There was no evidence that this was the case but it was giving me anxiety. I’ve output the X2 to my primary desktop headphone amp. Pure audible bliss with the HD 650. My greatest fear now is that Apple will replace the lightning port on their phones.

### ⭐⭐⭐ Maktar Spectra X2 is cool, if a bit of overkill for most casual listeners
*by H***E on January 12, 2024*

After getting a few notes from audiophiles, I revised this review. The DAC is good for up to 32bit/384KHz, and the Spectra X2 claims to be an amplifier that can power up to 150 Ohm headphones. I'm using these with some 16 and 32 Ohm earphones so there's plenty of juice flowing, the volume on them can get very loud without distorting. Frankly this dongle is overkill for my purposes, there are plenty of cheaper DAC dongles like this that would work just fine. For example, the $10 JSAUX dongle I was using before does just as good a job as this $170 Spectra X2 dongle. Be advised, if your music isn't the greatest quality you should consider using a cheaper dongle anyway, these audiophile gadgets tend to give music more clarity, but also tend to reveal all the little "defects" in the music. Stick with codecs like FLAC, or at least the best MP3 you can get, so you aren't distracted by hisses or random popping and crackling from low-quality audio files. The two sets of earphones I'm using have different sound signatures; the Focal Sphear are clean and neutral while the KZ ZS6 are clean with punchy bass. The Spectra X2 does make my music sound better while leaving the natural sound of the earphones alone for the most part. I use this dongle mainly with a laptop, if using Dolby Atmos for Headphones in Windows the maximum audio bitrate level it can output is 24/96, instead of 32/384. Windows recognizes the dongle when plugged in and can be switched to like any other output source via the sound control panel. You can get the max sound quality by using a device that will actually let you use it (WTF, Windows?). I don't often use the Spectra X2 with my phone or tablet because it's very power hungry, draining my devices way faster than other powered dongles I've used, even if there's no sound being played. (Another reason to stick with cheaper dongles if possible.) I've read some people say theirs doesn't drain power like that, so I don't know what's up with that. Maybe it likes to suck some devices harder than others. [UPDATE] I've been using this daily for a few weeks and now there is a muted static hiss whenever a music track stops playing. It's not an audio quality issue, it does it with anything, from FLAC music to podcasts. On podcasts the hiss happens even between words. It happens with any device, so maybe the connector is messed up now. Also, you may have issues using this dongle with Amazon Music or external USB hubs. If I plug the Spectra X2 into the USB hub connected to my laptop, it causes Amazon music to freak out and freezes Windows. If I plug it into the laptop's USB-C port, it works fine.

### ⭐ Don’t bother
*by A***R on November 9, 2023*

Slightest bit of movement and it disconnects and stops the music playing. Sounds good but design is bad for iPhone.

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-09-09*