Lots of people began to care about “high resolution” digital audio when Apple launched its upgraded music service to the plenty. Name that the “Apple effect,” as infuriating as it could be, however the iPhone maker isn’t the one one within the hi-res audio sport: 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 have been fast to level out, a few of Apple’s personal merchandise don’t essentially help 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 units and the perfect DACs listed on this information will play good with any of the aforementioned providers (except for 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 cellphone or laptop and converts (C) it into analog (A) sound you possibly can 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 typically 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 often for listening solely whereas an audio interface may need ports to plug in microphones and devices (however an exterior audio interface can be technically a DAC). Some high-end DACs even embody XLR outputs for higher connectivity with skilled audio tools.
One of the best DACs are usually light-weight, making them extra appropriate for cellular use, though it nonetheless will get slightly tough 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 help all the upper audio resolutions like DSD. Most standalone DACs require exterior energy or an onboard battery, although some can use the ability from no matter you plug them into — through which case count on a success to your battery life.
Finest DACs for 2024
HiFiGo
Outputs: 3.5mm singled-ended | Inputs: Accessible in USB-C and Lightning variations | Max file help: 32-Bit/384kHz | Bluetooth: No
In the event you’re searching for the only strategy to hearken to Apple Music Lossless, then the corporate’s personal $8 dongle is difficult to beat in phrases or high quality to cost. Nevertheless it has a most decision of 24-bit/48 kHz. If you wish to break into Hello-Res Lossless then the KA11 from Fiio — with help for audio at an eye-watering 32bit/384KHz — is the simplest means. At $30, it’s additionally fairly inexpensive, too.
Fiio’s years of expertise making moveable hi-fi has been distilled into this tiny little dongle. Accessible 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 high of the help for terribly excessive audio resolutions, the KA11 additionally has a a lot greater output than most adapters — together with Apple’s. The result’s a lot louder music than your cellphone affords for many headphones, and with a greater DAC like this, you’ll discover a major enchancment in your audio system. If you have already got a pair of pricy headphones with a low sensitivity (as many greater finish fashions are usually) then the KA11 will seemingly nonetheless be capable of drive them. You may even contemplate pairing it with a headphone amp for much more energy.
This little dongle isn’t restricted to telephones: the USB-C mannequin is suitable with laptops and PCs, too. In actual fact, it’s seemingly an honest improve over the built-in sound for nearly something you plug it into. That’s true for the entire merchandise beneficial on this information, however you may be stunned to seek out that one thing this small may give your PC’s audio system a critical enhance. If there was a minor unfavorable, it will be that the KA11 doesn’t help headset microphones, so in case you have 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 regulate quantity immediately on the cellphone 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 further settings for its cellular merchandise which, proper now does embody the KA11, however solely on Android at time of publication.
- Reasonably priced
- 32-Bit/384kHz help
- Offers loud music output
- Is available in USB-C and Lightning fashions
Artistic
Outputs: Bluetooth | Inputs: USB-C | Max file help: 24-Bit/96kHz | Bluetooth: Sure | Weight: 0.16 ounces
Whereas most Android units help some type of aptX, your PC may not. In case you have an iPhone, it undoubtedly doesn’t help aptX and neither will any Macs — Apple units solely provide customary 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 units, Artistic’s BT-W5 Bluetooth adapter is each sensible and inexpensive.
The BT-W5 affords aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive (which helps as much as 24-bit/96 kHz) and it’ll mechanically select the perfect one on your headphones. When you pair them with the adapter you possibly can 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 taking part in video games on Swap, for instance, with none lag.
In case you have an iPhone with a Lightning connector, the BT-W5 gained’t work with out an adapter, but it surely’s a neat strategy to get essentially the most out of your headphones with out having to improve all the pieces else. The BT-W5 can bear in mind as much as 4 units of headphones, too, so when 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 units 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 help: 32-Bit/384kHz | Bluetooth: No | Weight: 1.1 ounces
Whilst you can squeeze a formidable quantity of audio tech right into a headphone adapter, a barely larger gadget 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 to be a boring, generic dongle.
Importantly, the Moonriver T2i builds on the success of the corporate’s Moonriver 2 DAC. The “2” partly refers to the usage of 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 superb with 3.5mm headphones, however some desire the 4.4mm connector because it offers extra energy and potential sign advantages, particularly in case 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 gadget itself. In the event 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 (by way of companion software program) get rid of any worries about setting the music to the proper degree. In case your headphones have an in-line microphone, the excellent news is that this dongle will move that by to your cellphone or PC so that you gained’t want a separate gadget for calls.
Most significantly, the sound that comes out of the Moonriver T2i is vibrant and daring. You’ll hear audiophiles speak about sound stage, element and width, all you should know is that this DAC ticks off all of the buzzwords and serves up vibrant, sturdy sound that’s going to make any lossless/hi-res music actually shine.
- Fashionable design
- 32-Bit/384kHz help
- 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 help: 32-Bit/768kHz | Bluetooth: No | Weight: 10.8 ounces
In the event you’ve had some expertise with DACs and want to ratchet issues up a notch or three, then the Mojo 2 from British firm Chord desires to have a phrase. At $650, that is undoubtedly within the high-end worth vary, however the expertise and options it affords make it price 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 units first, the Mojo 2 is extra of a hybrid gadget. The cellular dongles above all take their energy from the participant you join them to, which is handy, however clearly is much less variety to your cellphone’s battery life. The Mojo 2 has an inside cell so gained’t tax the one in your cellphone or laptop computer. It’s sufficiently small to be moveable, however substantial sufficient to reside in your desk.
Not like most DACs that use off the shelf chips to deal with the digital-to-audio conversion, the Mojo 2 makes use of discipline programmable gate array (FPGA) expertise 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 recognition in gaming circles for its capacity to mimic varied consoles, however that very same flexibility is what makes it fascinating to the audio engineers at Chord.
In the event you want one thing that’s capital L loud, then the Mojo 2 won’t disappoint. Proceed with warning right here. It’s truly highly effective sufficient to drive two pairs of headphones on the identical time and has two 3.5mm ports so you are able to do precisely that. The curious round buttons will also be used to alter sound profiles with an excruciating degree of element.
The Mojo 2 has customary 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 price noting you could solely cost the Mojo 2 by way of microUSB. In fact, there’s a cable supplied for this, however in case you’ve totally made the swap to USB-C, it’ll imply it’s a must to guard the charging cable carefully.
- Offers loud music output
- 32-Bit/768kHz help
- Onboard controls to alter sound profiles
- Costly
- Should cost gadget utilizing microUSB
FiiO
Outputs: 1x 3.5mm singled-ended, 1x 4.4mm balanced | Inputs: 1x USB, 1x optical, 1x coaxial, 1x AUX | Max file help: 32-Bit/384kHz | Bluetooth: No | Weight: 2.51 kilos
In the event you do most of your listening at dwelling, the K7 from Fiio is a superb place to begin. The world of desktop DACs and headphone amplifiers may fill its personal information, however the K7 is each succesful, feature-filled and fairly priced. It capabilities as each a DAC and a headphone amp, making it a stable all-in-one resolution 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 help playback of as much as 24 bit/48 kHz, the K7 can deal with recordsdata all the way in which as much as 384 kHz at 32-bit – good for many who demand a greater DAC for high-resolution recordsdata, whether or not you are listening by way of 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 adjustments coloration relying on the “quality” of your audio supply).
There are two variations of the K7, and in case you plonk down one other $50 you get Bluetooth receiver performance. This doesn’t imply you possibly can join wi-fi headphones, reasonably you possibly can hearken to music from wi-fi sources, akin to your cellphone whereas sustaining a bodily connection to your PC. In case your cellphone can serve up music in higher-resolution codecs like aptX HD, aptX Adaptive or LDAC (or if it may possibly’t, learn in regards to the BT-W5 above) you possibly can hearken to it by the K7.
- A very good number of inputs
- 32-Bit/384kHz help
- Just for desktop use
- Should pay additional 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 hearken 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 will be decoded to be able to output audio. More often than not, a DAC is built-in to those units, however typically they’re exterior and require an influence provide.
Why do I want new {hardware} to hearken 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 gadget’s audio interface tops out at 44.1 or 48kHz (which is pretty frequent 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, probably utilizing a headphone amp for an enhanced expertise.
It’s price declaring 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 have been typically mastered to a minimum of 16-bit / 44.1kHz which is the benchmark that Apple is utilizing for its definition of lossless. In audio circles, a normal 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 a good way to get the perfect sound and improve your listening expertise typically. Particularly if you wish to get into the world of extra unique (learn: expensive) headphones, as they typically even require a DAC to offer sufficient clear digital sign to drive them. For audiophile headphones, a cellphone or laptop computer’s inside sound chipset typically doesn’t have the oomph wanted to ship a hi-fi expertise, which means a greater DAC may make all of the distinction in sound high quality.
Okay, however can’t I simply use the headphone adapter for my cellphone?
No. Properly, sure, however see above. A Lightning or USB-C to three.5mm headphone adapter typically is an audio interface and many of the ones you’re shopping for for $7 (or that come free within the field) don’t help hi-res audio past 48kHz / 24-bit. Android is a bit more sophisticated, as some adapters are “passive” and actually simply join you to the cellphone’s inside DAC like old fashioned headphones. Others (energetic ones) have a DAC built-in and good luck discovering out what your particular cellphone 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?
Likelihood is that over the previous few years you’ve migrated from wired to wi-fi headphones (thanks, Apple). The world of Bluetooth headphones adjustments issues slightly relating to searching 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 tactic used to ship the musical knowledge over to the headphones. It’s price checking to see in case your headphones help aptX and which model — aptX HD, aptX Adaptive are higher than customary and changing into extra frequent. Different programs exist, like Sony’s LDAC, however Qualcomm’s AptX has wider help because of its prevalence in Android units. Some high-end wi-fi headphones may even include a headphone jack for wired connections when higher-quality audio is required.
