Lots of people began to care about “high resolution” digital audio when Apple launched its upgraded music service to the lots. Name that the “Apple effect,” as infuriating as it might be, however the iPhone maker isn’t the one one within the hi-res audio recreation: Qobuz, Tidal and Deezer have been doing it for some time, and Spotify has been toying with releasing its personal model for some time. Nevertheless, as many had been fast to level out, a few of Apple’s personal merchandise don’t essentially assist the upper pattern price and bit-depths on provide. No worries, there’s a dongle for that, and there are alternatives for Android and desktop, too. We’ve examined dozens of those gadgets and the very best DACs listed on this information will play good with any of the aforementioned companies (other than Tidal’s MQA, which is a bit more particular).
What’s a DAC?
A digital-to-analog converter takes the digital (D) music out of your telephone or laptop and converts (C) it into analog (A) sound you may hear. All telephones and PCs have them, however since handsets moved to USB-C, Lightning or Bluetooth for music, the duty of changing that sign was usually outsourced to both your adapter or your wi-fi headphones.
DACs can be utilized with telephones, laptops and desktops however are usually a lot less complicated than a daily exterior audio interface. One primary distinction is that DACs are normally for listening solely whereas an audio interface might need ports to plug in microphones and devices (however an exterior audio interface can also be technically a DAC). Some high-end DACs even embrace XLR outputs for higher connectivity with skilled audio tools.
The most effective DACs are usually light-weight, making them extra appropriate for cellular use, though it nonetheless will get a bit difficult with the iPhone as you continue to may want so as to add one other dongle to make it play good with Lightning. Additionally, not all DACs assist all the upper audio resolutions like DSD. Most standalone DACs require exterior energy or an onboard battery, although some can use the facility from no matter you plug them into — by which case anticipate successful to your battery life.
Greatest DACs for 2024
HiFiGo
Outputs: 3.5mm singled-ended | Inputs: Out there in USB-C and Lightning variations | Max file assist: 32-Bit/384kHz | Bluetooth: No
When you’re searching for the best technique to take heed to Apple Music Lossless, then the corporate’s personal $8 dongle is difficult to beat in phrases or high quality to cost. But it surely has a most decision of 24-bit/48 kHz. If you wish to break into Hello-Res Lossless then the KA11 from Fiio — with assist for audio at an eye-watering 32bit/384KHz — is the simplest manner. At $30, it’s additionally fairly inexpensive, too.
Fiio’s years of expertise making transportable hi-fi has been distilled into this tiny little dongle. Out there in each Lighting and USC-C fashions (love the colour of the Apple mannequin), the KA11 packs quite a lot of punch for one thing so small. On prime of the assist for terribly excessive audio resolutions, the KA11 additionally has a a lot increased output than most adapters — together with Apple’s. The result’s a lot louder music than your telephone provides for many headphones, and with a greater DAC like this, you’ll discover a big enchancment in your audio system. If you have already got a pair of costly headphones with a low sensitivity (as many increased finish fashions are usually) then the KA11 will probably nonetheless be capable of drive them. You may even think about pairing it with a headphone amp for much more energy.
This little dongle isn’t restricted to telephones: the USB-C mannequin is appropriate with laptops and PCs, too. In actual fact, it’s probably an honest improve over the built-in sound for nearly something you plug it into. That’s true for the entire merchandise advisable on this information, however you is perhaps stunned to search out that one thing this small can provide your PC’s audio system a critical increase. If there was a minor destructive, it could be that the KA11 doesn’t assist headset microphones, so in the event you had been hoping to have the ability to deal with calls along with your headphones then bear that in thoughts.
With the KA11 being so small, there aren’t any bodily controls, so that you’ll modify quantity straight on the telephone or laptop. The one suggestions you’ve is a single LED that can change coloration relying on the audio it’s receiving (yellow signifies Hello-Res). Fiio additionally has a cellular app to entry extra settings for its cellular merchandise which, proper now does embrace the KA11, however solely on Android at time of publication.
- Inexpensive
- 32-Bit/384kHz assist
- Offers loud music output
- Is available in USB-C and Lightning fashions
Inventive
Outputs: Bluetooth | Inputs: USB-C | Max file assist: 24-Bit/96kHz | Bluetooth: Sure | Weight: 0.16 ounces
Whereas most Android gadgets assist some type of aptX, your PC may not. If in case you have an iPhone, it undoubtedly doesn’t assist aptX and neither will any Macs — Apple gadgets solely provide normal Bluetooth with AAC encoding (320 kbit/s max bitrate). If you wish to ensure you’re getting extra bits (as much as 430 kbit/s) out of your music, throughout all of your gadgets, Inventive’s BT-W5 Bluetooth adapter is each sensible and inexpensive.
The BT-W5 provides aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive (which helps as much as 24-bit/96 kHz) and it’ll mechanically select the very best one to your headphones. When you pair them with the adapter you may plug the BT-W5 into any music supply with USB-C for improved Bluetooth audio — there’s even a low latency mode good for streamers or enjoying video games on Swap, for instance, with none lag.
If in case you have an iPhone with a Lightning connector, the BT-W5 received’t work with out an adapter, nevertheless it’s a neat technique to get essentially the most out of your headphones with out having to improve every little thing else. The BT-W5 can keep in mind as much as 4 units of headphones, too, so if in case you have a pair for the commute and one other set for the gymnasium, simply plug within the dongle and also you’re all set.
- Designed to be used with Bluetooth headphones
- Low-latency mode to be used with gadgets like Nintendo Swap
- Is not going to work with Lightning iPhones with out adapter
Fanmusic
Outputs: 1x 3.5mm single-ended, 1x 4.4mm balanced | Inputs: USB-C | Max file assist: 32-Bit/384kHz | Bluetooth: No | Weight: 1.1 ounces
Whilst you can squeeze a powerful quantity of audio tech right into a headphone adapter, a barely larger system affords an honest step up in each specs and options. Moondrop’s Moonriver T2i DAC is barely bigger than a pack of gum, and it has a classy design that doesn’t appear like a boring, generic dongle.
Importantly, the Moonriver T2i builds on the success of the corporate’s Moonriver 2 DAC. The “2” partly refers to using twin DAC chips right here, which delivers a “balanced” sign. Every channel can deal with as much as 32bit/384KHz decision and there are two headphone ports. One for normal 3.5mm headphones and one other for 4.4mm connections — making use of that balanced output. If that is your first step into the world of Hello-Fi DACs, you’re completely wonderful with 3.5mm headphones, however some desire the 4.4mm connector because it offers extra energy and potential sign advantages, particularly in the event you’re utilizing a headphone amp.
With the Moonriver T2i you’ve a pair extra sensible benefits. For one, there are bodily quantity controls on the system itself. When you ever felt that the 16 ranges of loudness on the iPhone (I simply counted) weren’t sufficient, then the 100 steps of adjustment on the Moonriver T2i (through companion software program) remove any worries about setting the music to the proper stage. In case your headphones have an in-line microphone, the excellent news is that this dongle will move that by way of to your telephone or PC so that you received’t want a separate system for calls.
Most significantly, the sound that comes out of the Moonriver T2i is shiny and daring. You’ll hear audiophiles discuss sound stage, element and width, all you could know is that this DAC ticks off all of the buzzwords and serves up shiny, strong sound that’s going to make any lossless/hi-res music actually shine.
- Fashionable design
- 32-Bit/384kHz assist
- Onboard quantity controls
- Nice sound high quality
CHORD ELECTRONICS
Outputs: 1x 3.5mm singled-ended, 1x 4.4mm balanced | Inputs: 1x microUSB, 1x 3,5mm coaxial, 1x optical, 1x USB-C | Max file assist: 32-Bit/768kHz | Bluetooth: No | Weight: 10.8 ounces
When you’ve had some expertise with DACs and wish to ratchet issues up a notch or three, then the Mojo 2 from British firm Chord needs to have a phrase. At $650, that is undoubtedly within the high-end worth vary, however the expertise and options it provides make it value contemplating for critical audiophiles. However the brains behind the Mojo 2 have been making digital to analog converters just about since there was digital music to even convert. That have is what makes the Mojo 2 a favourite amongst music followers.
Most choices on this information are designed for cellular gadgets first, the Mojo 2 is extra of a hybrid system. The cellular dongles above all take their energy from the participant you join them to, which is handy, however clearly is much less sort to your telephone’s battery life. The Mojo 2 has an inner cell so received’t tax the one in your telephone or laptop computer. It’s sufficiently small to be transportable, however substantial sufficient to dwell in your desk.
In contrast to most DACs that use off the shelf chips to deal with the digital-to-audio conversion, the Mojo 2 makes use of area programmable gate array (FPGA) know-how to create its personal customized “chip.” It’s additionally highly effective sufficient to behave as each a DAC and a preamp, driving even power-hungry headphones with ease. We’ve seen FPGA achieve reputation in gaming circles for its potential to mimic varied consoles, however that very same flexibility is what makes it fascinating to the audio engineers at Chord.
When you want one thing that’s capital L loud, then the Mojo 2 won’t disappoint. Proceed with warning right here. It’s really highly effective sufficient to drive two pairs of headphones on the similar time and has two 3.5mm ports so you are able to do precisely that. The curious round buttons can be used to alter sound profiles with an excruciating stage of element.
The Mojo 2 has normal USB-C, microUSB, optical and coax inputs so it’s extra versatile than quite a lot of its competitors on this regard. Though it’s value noting that you could solely cost the Mojo 2 through microUSB. In fact, there’s a cable supplied for this, however in the event you’ve totally made the change to USB-C, it’ll imply you must guard the charging cable carefully.
- Offers loud music output
- 32-Bit/768kHz assist
- Onboard controls to alter sound profiles
- Costly
- Should cost system utilizing microUSB
FiiO
Outputs: 1x 3.5mm singled-ended, 1x 4.4mm balanced | Inputs: 1x USB, 1x optical, 1x coaxial, 1x AUX | Max file assist: 32-Bit/384kHz | Bluetooth: No | Weight: 2.51 kilos
When you do most of your listening at dwelling, the K7 from Fiio is a superb place to start out. The world of desktop DACs and headphone amplifiers might fill its personal information, however the K7 is each succesful, feature-filled and fairly priced. It features as each a DAC and a headphone amp, making it a stable all-in-one answer for audiophiles constructing a house audio system.
With phono, coaxial, optical and USB inputs, the K7 from Fiio is ready to deal with music and audio from virtually any excessive constancy supply. Most conventional desktop audio interfaces assist playback of as much as 24 bit/48 kHz, the K7 can deal with recordsdata all the best way as much as 384 kHz at 32-bit – good for individuals who demand a greater DAC for high-resolution recordsdata, whether or not you are listening through headphones or a full audio system.
On the entrance you’ll discover two inputs: a 1/4-inch jack and a 4.4mm balanced headphone port together with an enormous ol’ quantity dial. Whereas its Hello-Fi aesthetic may not be essentially the most razzle-dazzle, it does have an RGB LED across the dial to present it a pop of coloration (it additionally modifications coloration relying on the “quality” of your audio supply).
There are two variations of the K7, and in the event you plonk down one other $50 you get Bluetooth receiver performance. This doesn’t imply you may join wi-fi headphones, moderately you may take heed to music from wi-fi sources, equivalent to your telephone whereas sustaining a bodily connection to your PC. In case your telephone can serve up music in higher-resolution codecs like aptX HD, aptX Adaptive or LDAC (or if it could’t, learn concerning the BT-W5 above) you may take heed to it by way of the K7.
- A superb number of inputs
- 32-Bit/384kHz assist
- Just for desktop use
- Should pay further for Bluetooth connectivity
DAC FAQs
What does DAC stand for?
DAC stands for digital to analogue converter. It’s a tool that takes digital recordsdata, saved on a laptop computer, laptop, and many others., and converts them into audio that we will take heed to with higher readability and depth. Units that present sound, like a CD participant, Blu-ray participant, TV field, and so forth, require good DACs in order that the digital recordsdata might be decoded as a way to output audio. More often than not, a DAC is built-in to those gadgets, however generally they’re exterior and require an influence provide.
Why do I want new {hardware} to take heed to music?
The quick reply is, you don’t. You possibly can play “hi-res” audio recordsdata on most telephones and PCs, you simply may not be getting the total expertise. In case your system’s audio interface tops out at 44.1 or 48kHz (which is pretty widespread and covers the overwhelming majority of music on-line) then that’s the expertise you’ll get. If you wish to get pleasure from higher sounding music at a better pattern price and bit-depth (aka decision), you’ll want an interface that helps it and wired headphones, doubtlessly utilizing a headphone amp for an enhanced expertise.
It’s value mentioning that “lossless” and “hi-res” are associated phrases, however not the identical factor and can range from service to service. Apple makes use of ALAC encoding which is compressed, however with out “loss” to the standard (in contrast to the ever-present .aac or .mp3 file codecs). CDs had been usually mastered to no less than 16-bit / 44.1kHz which is the benchmark that Apple is utilizing for its definition of lossless. In audio circles, a basic consensus is that hi-res is something with a pattern price above 44.1kHz. More and more, although, the time period is getting used for something 96kHz and above.
This, after all, isn’t solely about Apple’s new streaming codecs. Exterior DACs and audio interfaces are an effective way to get the very best sound and improve your listening expertise usually. Particularly if you wish to get into the world of extra unique (learn: dear) headphones, as they typically even require a DAC to supply sufficient clear digital sign to drive them. For audiophile headphones, a telephone or laptop computer’s inner sound chipset typically doesn’t have the oomph wanted to ship a hi-fi expertise, that means a greater DAC might make all of the distinction in sound high quality.
Okay, however can’t I simply use the headphone adapter for my telephone?
No. Properly, sure, however see above. A Lightning or USB-C to three.5mm headphone adapter typically is an audio interface and a lot of the ones you’re shopping for for $7 (or that come free within the field) don’t assist hi-res audio past 48kHz / 24-bit. Android is a bit more difficult, as some adapters are “passive” and actually simply join you to the telephone’s inner DAC like old-fashioned headphones. Others (energetic ones) have a DAC built-in and good luck discovering out what your particular telephone and the in-box adapter delivers. (Trace: join it to a PC and see if it comes up as an audio interface. You may discover some particulars there if it does).
What about Bluetooth headphones?
Chances are high that over the previous few years you’ve migrated from wired to wi-fi headphones (thanks, Apple). The world of Bluetooth headphones modifications issues a bit relating to looking for higher audio efficiency. What issues right here is twofold, the headphones you’re utilizing (as these will technically be the “DAC”) and the codec — the strategy used to ship the musical knowledge over to the headphones. It’s value checking to see in case your headphones assist aptX and which model — aptX HD, aptX Adaptive are higher than normal and turning into extra widespread. Different programs exist, like Sony’s LDAC, however Qualcomm’s AptX has wider assist because of its prevalence in Android gadgets. Some high-end wi-fi headphones may even include a headphone jack for wired connections when higher-quality audio is required.
