We recently tested 15 DACs – and here are 6 we highly recommend

We recently tested 15 DACs – and here are 6 we most highly recommend
(Image credit: Future)

You might not realise this, but you probably use a DAC as much as you do underwear. Every single day, right? (Right?) Digital-to-analogue converters, to use their unabridged name, are found in most audio sources today, including phones to laptops, and perform the vital role of transforming digital music (a bunch of 1s and 0s) to the analogue form (an audio waveform) that headphones and speakers can understand. (Want to nerd up on DACs? Then right this way to our DAC explainer).

So if you have DACs already in your devices, why should you consider buying another? Well, for better sound quality. DACs – essentially tiny chips that convert the audio before it is output through the device’s, say, 3.5mm audio port – often aren’t high quality in such multi-tasking devices, so getting yourself a good, dedicated external DAC device that can more accurately convert digital to analogue, and thus savour more of a stored music file or stream’s data in the process, will make a huge difference to the music listening experience.

In many cases, external DACs can play ball with phones, laptops and even hi-fi systems, though some have been designed more for one purpose than the other. For the What Hi-Fi? Awards, our team of review experts first-time-tested or revisited 15 DACs from the biggest brands in the business – AudioQuest, iFi, Chord Electronics, Cambridge Audio, FiiO and Helm Audio – and these are the six we’d most heartily recommend for portable phone, desktop and hi-fi system use.

For portable phone use

iFi Go Blu

(Image credit: iFi)

Just over 10 years ago, AudioQuest more or less founded the portable USB DAC. Its groundbreaking DragonFly Black arrived in 2012 to a sea of raised eyebrows with its unassuming USB memory stick form, which could plug straight into laptops/computers at one end (yes, just like a USB storage key) and accommodate 3.5mm wired headphones at the other. This magic middleman is still available (albeit in a more updated version), though it was soon followed up by the superior DragonFly Red, and now the popular line tops out with the DragonFly Cobalt, a multi and current What Hi-Fi? Award winner. 

It’s a little more than double the price of the Black, but those who can afford it over the Black and Red siblings will be rewarded with a very worthwhile jump in audio quality over their phone or laptop. In our minds, it represents the biggest performance-per-pound value of the lot. The Cobalt still takes the form of a USB stick, but while that may seem a little outdated for laptops and phones that increasingly adopt USB-C connectors, you can just use it with a USB-A-to-USB-C adaptor, which is included in the box. 

The world isn't short of portable DACs nowadays as an increasing number of dongle DACs (like the Helm Audio Bolt) in particular hit the scene, but the AudioQuests remain the strongest propositions we've heard.

Alternatively, a more contemporary and convenient option is the five-star iFi Go Blu DAC. Like the AudioQuests, headphones plug into one end, but the very pocketable Go Blu can connect to your phone/laptop wirelessly over Bluetooth, essentially taking one cable out of the equation if you so wish. Whether connected over Bluetooth or via its USB-C input, the Go Blu will give your source device a real top-to-bottom boost in not only clarity and weight but also openness and detail. You’ll get better performance for your money going wired with the AudioQuests, but, to quote our review, “when portability is paramount and convenience is key, you cannot currently better the iFi Go Blu”.

For desktop laptop use

Chord Mojo 2

(Image credit: Chord)

As mentioned before, the above four examples can be just as easily paired with laptops as they can with phones. That said, if portability isn’t a priority and you’d like something more substantial that can be a mainstay on your desktop, our entry-level pick is undoubtedly the iFi Zen DAC V2, another What Hi-Fi? Award winner. 

With more outputs (6.3mm, RCA and balanced 4.4mm) and an asynchronous USB Type B input, plus customisation sound modes, full MQA audio decoding (beneficial for Tidal Hi-Fi Plus subscribers) and the ability to work in a budget hi-fi system as well as with a computer/laptop, the Zen DAC V2 doesn’t only sound excellent but is also more versatile than its aforementioned peers.

Going up in price doesn’t necessarily mean you get more features and flexibility, though – as the best-sounding DAC so far demonstrates. The Award-winning Chord Mojo 2 is a few rungs up the ladder when it comes to performance – and yes, price – offering a great deal of the performance of the thrice-the-price, also Award-winning Chord Hugo 2. Our pick of the desktop DACs, the Mojo is truly exceptional when it comes to the sound quality that can be offered from something at this level, though be aware that it doesn't have the ease of use of the iFi or the flexibility of something price-comparative like the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M.

The palm-sized device can significantly boost the sound of pretty much any kind of digital source thanks to its USB-C, optical, micro USB and 3.5mm-coaxial inputs – even mid-range hi-fi systems if you are willing to get around its omission of RCA outputs and consequently navigate an alternative cable solution.

For hi-fi system use

chord qutest

(Image credit: Chord)

While the Chord Hugo 2 is, like the Mojo 2, battery-powered, its price, performance and connectivity make it just as suitable for system environments as desktop ones. This is essentially the Mojo 2 on steroids, offering one of the most transparent and musical performers on the market. “There isn’t another DAC around at anywhere near this sort of price able to communicate so torrentially, so unambiguously or so effortlessly,” we concluded in our review of the multi-award winner. (That said, those with bigger budgets and sonic ambitions can go up a model to the Chord Hugo TT2.)

There are hi-fi system-friendly inputs – namely coaxial, optical and aptX Bluetooth – but while RCA outputs are onboard for hooking it up to an amplifier in a loudspeaker-fronted system, much of the Hugo 2’s design is, like every other DAC mentioned so far, geared towards feeding headphones. If you aren’t a big fan of headphone listening, however, and would be satisfied by a DAC that can purely sit between a digital source and amplifier to make a sonic difference in a hi-fi speaker system, then we would point you to another Chord (yes, Chord Electronics largely dominates this market) – the Qutest.

Essentially a Hugo 2 without the headphones stage, built-in battery and Bluetooth (and the extra cost that goes into those things), this multi-Product-of-the-Year winner sets the benchmark before you get to true high-end territory.

MORE:

Read our longer shortlist of the best DACs you can buy

What is a DAC? And do you need one?

7 reasons why a DAC could be your music purchase of the year

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine. During her 10+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

  • Jasonovich
    The Topping DACs provide an excellent alternative to the usual actors in your review. The E50 (DSD/PCM and MQA audio decoding balanced and non balanced outputs) or it's cheaper sibling E30 are great budget DACs.

    I have my DAC feeding into a pair of active ADAM Audio TV5 studio monitors with pseudo ribbon tweeters (mono amplified on each speaker). The best duo since Bonnie met Clyde, incredibly dynamic with a great presence of depth. There is soul in those bookshelf speakers. Chord USB cable provides the highest DSD data output.

    I get much of my music from the excellent NativeDSD (link removed by moderation) website and brings me absolute delight when hearing high resolution 512 DSD through the E50, really is sublime, neutral sounding with a tinge of warmness. Shades of 'When Harry Met Sally;...Yes, Yes, Yes.......God I'm old!

    I urge you WHAT HI FI to be a little adventurous with your reviews, we all know about the Chord, ifi ZEN, the Cambridge et'al, boring and pricey compared to what's out there in the market.
    Anyway my 2 cents..................
    Reply
  • nopiano
    Jasonovich said:
    I urge you WHAT HI FI to be a little adventurous with your reviews, we all know about the Chord, ifi ZEN, the Cambridge et'al, boring and pricey compared to what's out there in the market.
    Anyway my 2 cents..................
    Do Topping even have a UK importer? If so, you need to persuade them to send WHF one to review. But why would they when ASR say they’re perfect?
    Reply
  • MrReaper182
    I would love to upgrade my Cord Mojo to an Chord Hugo 2 (that's my next hi-fi upgrade) but right now I can not afford to which makes me sad.
    Reply
  • Jasonovich
    @ nopiano
    SHENZHEN AUDIO sells them directly from China.
    I'm UK based and there are many computer or electronic outlets that sell them. https://www.scan.co.uk/shop-by-brand/topping sells them for £269. Also https://www.electromod.co.uk/products/ . See the YouTube videos where the Topping is compared and benchmarked against the competition. I purchased mine from Amazon (check the reviews from customers). I understand eBay sells them or if you wish to buy cheaper and don't mind waiting, there's also AliExpress.
    I also purchased from AliExpress UK design 5v linear power supply with quality copper toroid transformer for my E50. It's a difference between night and day, it makes a great difference to the sound (not just Topping but all DACs).
    Reply
  • Friesiansam
    Jasonovich said:
    @ nopiano
    SHENZHEN AUDIO sells them directly from China.
    I'm UK based and there are many computer or electronic outlets that sell them. https://www.scan.co.uk/shop-by-brand/topping sells them for £269. Also https://www.electromod.co.uk/products/ . See the YouTube videos where the Topping is compared and benchmarked against the competition. I purchased mine from Amazon (check the reviews from customers). I understand eBay sells them or if you wish to buy cheaper and don't mind waiting, there's also AliExpress.
    I also purchased from AliExpress UK design 5v linear power supply with quality copper toroid transformer for my E50. It's a difference between night and day, it makes a great difference to the sound (not just Topping but all DACs).
    Based on what I read on computer forums, Scan have a reputation for terrible customer service and, if you are buying directly from China, you do not benefit from our consumer protection laws.
    Reply
  • Combat
    Can anyone actually tell the difference between a low to medium cost DAC (£100-300) (or a built in DAC in an amp) vs a high end DAC like the Chord? From what little I read, it would be extremely difficult to say that one is better than the other in a double blind test.

    What HiFi and other publications used to say that you should split you budget between source, amp and speakers but I feel that there should be an upper limit to you budget for the source and amp that is much lower than speakers.
    Reply