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Introduction
I have often felt intimidated by rankings of DACs in popular Hifi magazines. I’ll be upfront with you – sonic differences between various DACs nowadays are miniscule. Older chipsets which includes digital gear made in the 80s or 90s were susceptible to power supply noise and signal jitter. However, with the latest generation of DAC chips from Analog Devices, Texas Instruments (Burr Brown) or Cirrus, manufacturers can build decent digital audio products for a lot less money.
What’s the secret of “better than average” DACs?
Having experimented with digital-to-analog converter circuit development, I know that in order to get good performance it’s not about a single “magic chip” as the killer ingredient. Instead, the real secret lies in designing a circuit that can approximate the chips advertised Signal-to-Noise specifications as closely as possible. Unfortunately, many designs fall short at that critical step. A competent engineer knows how to build a fantastic DAC even with a basic chip. It’s just the sum of experience, clever design decisions, PCB layout and grounding, power supply conception, EMI shielding and components selection. That’s why two DACs based on the same converter chip potentially sound and/or measure different.
See also my article on what the differences between cheap vs expensive DACs are.
If digital technology has reached maturity, what should you be looking for?
Look for features and reliability in the first place. Choose a DAC from a major well-known manufacturer, not a boutique retailer. Make no mistake, a well designed DAC is going to perform better than the latest “flavor of the month”.
I’d personally not put all my money into a digital-to-analog converter. Technology is evolving at a dramatic pace, in just 4-5 years, a well-made Chinese DAC will blow your 3k megabuck converter out of the water (have witnessed this personally).
I personally prefer to buy all my gear from Amazon.com whenever possible because I know I won’t have any headaches with warranty. Plus I can return my purchase within 30 days if I’m not happy.
Computer audio. You need asynchronous USB ports or Firewire connectivity. Many DACs also allow connecting your Android smartphone or iOS device directly. Thats’s great if you want to keep it simple and stream high quality audio from Spotify or even better – directly from Qobuz (lossless FLAC) or Tidal. I just love it when I can keep my Mac turned off while listening to music.
DAC as a preamp. A remote control and multiple digital inputs for all your devices including TV certainly come in handy. We own more devices with Toslink or coax outputs than we believe.
Headphone enthusiast. If you’re planning to use a DAC primarily for headphone listening like me, a decent built-in headphone amplifier should be on your wishlist. For example, the Benchmark DAC2 HGC includes a superb headphone amp.
Here comes the list…
Updates as of August 2019 Which DACs do you want me to review next? Please DM me on Instagram or send me an email. Keep in mind that I don’t get free review samples and I have to buy the products myself so I’d be glad if you limit your wishlist to the more affordable products :)
2019 Updates Not so much has changed but there are some super-interesting DACs that I’d like to talk about this year including the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital. Stay tuned!
Happy New 2018! As time moves on, some DACs are no longer available so I had to clean up the list a bit. However, most contenders are still going strong. Let’s see what 2018 brings for us.
Updates as of May 26, 2017 Some changes to the top performers reflect my recent experiences with some DACs I auditioned at the Munich 2017 High-End show.
Updates as of September 23, 2016 I have added some changes to the DAC ranking. Surprisingly all of the candidates are still going strong and in my opinion deserve their spot in the listing. With the breathtaking performance of the Gustard X20u I had the introduce a Reference category as well
I have divided all my recommended tried and true DACs into separate categories “Reference Class”, “Top Class”, “Value Class” and “Small and Portable” which seems more prudent than bloomy descriptions of sound quality. Excluded are those DACs that I haven’t had a chance to try yet or simply because they don’t measure up to my standards. I’ll keep constantly adding to the list as I review more gear so please be patient.
Most audiophiles would be best served with any Top Class DAC candidate. You need to spend significantly more for real audible improvments. This is where you get maximum bang for your buck.
Note: I’m not selling anything on this blog – these are solely recommendations based ony my personal opinion. You need to visit the appropriate retailers to purchase any of these DACs
Reference Class is for those who already own an end-game setup with speakers and headphones perfectly tweaked.
Small and Portable is generally a portable device category, not necessarily sounding worse. Here it’s more about versatility. Anything from this category makes a perfect external sound card which is worlds better than your computers built-in soundchip. Start here with a limited budget.
For DIY electronics enthusiasts, Chinese eBay sellers are occasionally offering hidden gems. Some of these DACs easily equal or beat comparable commercial DACs. I have done some careful research to filter out the crappy products not worthy of your time and money.
Tip! You can potentially save huge amounts of money by purchasing used high-end audio gear.It’s not uncommon to see savings of 45% or more if you know where to look. Check out eBay or Audiogon classifieds. Great DACs that were over 1000 Euros just a couple of months ago, often trade for 500-600 Euros on places like Head-Fi.org.
Reference Class – Cost no object
Candidate 1:
The Mytek Booklyn DAC (Amazon DE Link) (Amazon UK Link) (advertisement links) is the most recent masterpiece of Mytek Digital. Although it only comes with the slightly lower speced ESS9018K2M DAC chip, it is 100% my new reference next to the Gustard X-20. Not sure why it sounds so fantastic – probably because of the excellent design and the low-noise Crystek Femto oscillator on the PCB close to the DAC chip. You can supposedly even tweak the sound quality by adding an external 12V power supply such as the SBooster which I haven’t tested yet. If you want to experience the hyped MQA format, the Brooklyn has you covered as well. It’s a tweakers dream machine and has gorgeous build-quality. It definitely represents a lot of value for under 2000 Euros. I’d say if you don’t need a headphone amp or phono stage, buy the Gustard. However, if you need the complete package and a world-class headphone amp, look no further than the Mytek Brooklyn.
- Chipset: Dual ESS Sabre32 9018K2M
- MQA Decoder
- Headphone Amplifier Built-In
- Remote Controllable
- Works as a preamplifier
- Built-in phono stage
- Inputs: 1x USB, 1x coaxial, 1x BNC, 1x optical, 1x AES/EBU
- USB XMOS chipset – no drivers required under Mac OS, Linux (Windows Creators Update – haven’t tested)
Candidate 2:
I’m just recovering from my shockingly good experience with the Gustard X20u. This kills all of the products I’ve listened to so far. Gustard has just released the X20Pro – apparently a successor to the X20u, haven’t heard this one yet but looks just as great.
- Chipset: Dual ESS Sabre32 9018
- Remote Controllable
- Works as a preamplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB, 1x coaxial, 1x BNC, 1x optical, 1x I2S
- USB XMOS discrete daughter board supporting virtally any operating system
Top Class – Top of the line DACs, clearly above average
RME ADI 2 PRO with headphone amplifier- about 2000 Euros on Amazon(Amazon DE Link)(Amazon UK Link)
(advertisement links)
Fully balanced professional unit featuring the beloved AKM DAC chips with premium components, full DSD support and headphone amplifier. While slightly less feature-rich than the Mytek Brooklyn, I’d rate the sound quality about on par with the Mytek Brooklyn but I need some exhaustive comparisons before I can elevate the ADI Pro 2 to my personal reference class. But my initial listening show it to perform better than the SMSL M8. This may be a better buy for European audiophiles as the RME tends to be a bit less expensive than the Mytek Brooklyn.
- Chipset: Dual AKM4490 with DSD256 support
- Balanced Headphone amplifier
- Remote controllable
- Works as a preamplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB, 1x optical, 1x coaxial
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
SMSL M8 DAC – about 239 Euros from Amazon.com(Amazon DE Link)
(Amazon UK Link)(advertisement links)
World-class DAC on a shoestring budget. Top Class rating is only with a separate 9V DC power supply.Read my review here.
Auralic Aries Mini – about 499 Euros from authorized distributors
Full featured music server with a FREE fantastic sounding DAC inside :) It comes with the ESS SABRE 19018K2M chip which is still quite capable. Deserves another Editor’s Choice award and just barely qualifies for Top Class but only with the Auralic PSU which costs extra money. You could also look for an SBooster supply(advertisement link)
- Chipset: ESS Sabre32 9018K2M
- Remote controllable trough Lightning DS app (iOS only)
- Inputs: 1x USB, 1x Ethernet
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
Chord Mojo – about 500 Euros from Amazon
(Amazon DE Link)
(Amazon UK Link)
(advertisement links)
Holy moly! This DAC gives you the Mojo in terms of “more joy” :) I tried the little Chord Mojo at a local headphone meet and it totally blew my mind. It plays almost as good as my Reference Gustard X20u and the Gustard smokes many 5000 Euro units! The Mojo is just a teeny-tiny hair below reference class. Not only is it superbly built (although it looks cheap on photographs) but it drove a Sennheiser HD800S with ease. The Mojo is tiny – about the size of a pack of cigarettes (I don’t smoke but that’s the best size comparison I could come up with, sorry). I had some time for serious comparisons and make no mistake, the Mojo plays very nicely with the big boys in the 1000+ Euro range. It’s fantastic for home use, too. And with the addition of a Roon endpoint dongle, the Mojo even looks more attractive. I’d call it the audiophile Bonsai tree. It’s an all-in-one solution. Just connect it to a STAX electrostatic headphone system for total bliss. Stay tuned for my full review! Chord has announced the amazing Poly add-on music server for the Mojo at the CES 2017.
- Chipset: Proprietary design
- DAC, Preamp and Headphone Amplifier
- Plugs into your iPhone or Android, comes with headphone amplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB, 1x Coaxial, 1x Optical
- Outputs: 2x Headphone jack (works with adapter to connect to your Stereo)
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
- Made in the UK>
Value Class – Performance and value for money. The “sweet spot” for most people
Raspberry PI DACs – from 25 Euros
Told you already I’m an audio-anarchist :) When properly configured and fed from a decent power supply, a Raspberry PI holds its own very well in the Value Class. Unfortunately, you get no digital inputs to choose from but if you just want a streaming solution that sounds great, I’d start here before spending more money.
Schiit Modi 2 Uber – about 170 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Unbelievable value for money from the audio anarchists around Mike Moffat and Jason Stoddard. Made with love in the USA and with the latest chipsets!
- Chipset: AKM4490
- Inputs: 1x USB, 1x optical, 1x, coaxial
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
- DC Wallwart supply
Small and Portable Class – Entry-level / portable DACs
Audioquest Dragonfly DACs
Small USB stick sized DAC with brilliant performance, 2 master clocks for low jitter and TAS1020 controller with custom firmware. NOTE: Audioquest is now offering three models Black, Red and Cobalt with updated specs and the latest ESS Technology chipsets. Please check out my link above to learn more.
- Chipset: ESS Sabre 9023
- Inputs: USB (asynchronous) only 24bit / 96kHz sample rate support
- Outputs: 1x stereo jack L/R (requires RCA adaptor)
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
- Self-powered by USB bus
JDS Labs ODAC – about 150 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Famous open source design by NWAVGUY. Great measured performance and sonics.
- Chipset: ESS Sabre 9023
- Inputs: USB (asynchronous) only 24bit / 192kHz sample rate support
- Outputs: 1x stereo jack L/R (requires RCA adaptor)
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
- Self-powered by USB bus
HifiMeDIY Sabre DACs – about 50> directly from the manufacturer(advertisement link)
Hong-Kong based manufacturer. Mostly based on ESS Technology chipsets, great value for money.
FiiO D3 (D03K) – less than 30 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Chinese speciality manufacturer. For the price just unbelievable. CS8416 SP/DIF receiver.
- Chipset: Unknown DAC chip, CS8416 SP/DIF receiver
- Inputs: 1x optical, 1x coaxial (selectable)
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
- 5V DC wallwart PSU
DIY DAC offerings – For electronic enthusiasts
Check out my favorite eBay sellers “minishow0328” and “Weiliang” and look for “Full-Assembled-WM8740-DIR9001-DAC-Board-Decoder-Board” by the seller “along1986090”. I specifically recommend Weiliang’s ESS901 DAC boards. Both sellers are a pleasure to deal with.
Also check out my WM8740 ebay DAC review. This small DAC rightfully belongs to the Value Class.
Discontinued but still great value buys
Emotiva Audio XDA-2 – less than 300 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Can’t believe this is less than 300 bucks! Professional DAC, very well built with excellent components including OPA2134 dual operational amplifiers replacing the veneral NE5532 found in competing products. No cheap wallwart but a real built-in power supply.
- Chipset: Analog Devices AD1955, AD1896 Sample Rate Converter
- Headphone amplifier
- Remote controllable
- Works as a preamplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB, 2x optical, 2x coaxial, 1x AES/EBU
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
- Internal PSU – no external wallwart
Musical Fidelity V90 DAC – less than 300 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Decent cheap no-frills DAC for those who don’t need a plethora of features or gimmicks. Update 2018: Unfortunately, the V90 appears to be no longer on sale. Anyway, I think many Chinese units or my recommendations above are currently better value
- Chipset: Texas Instruments PCM1795
- Remote controllable
- Works as a preamplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB (asynchronous), 2x optical, 1x coaxial
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
- 12 V DC wallwart PSU
Retired from the list
These were previously Category A or B components but they aren’t great deals anymore if you buy them new at full prices. I’d look for pre-owned units.
Benchmark DAC 2 HGC with headphone amplifier- about 2000 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Benchmark DAC 2 L without headphone amplifier- about 1800 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)Fully balanced, sophisticated hybrid analog/digital volume control. Headphone amp featuring 0 Ohm output impedance (excellent match for Sennheiser HD650).Premium quality electronic components. NOTE: There’s a new version out with the latest ESS DAC chips – waiting to get my hands on one unit.
- Chipset: ESS Sabre32 9018 (Quad DA)
- Headphone amplifier
- Remote controllable
- Works as a preamplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB, 2x optical, 2x coaxial, 2x analog
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
Weiss DAC 202 – about 8000 Euros from US distributor
Fully balanced, ultra-low noise voltage regulators and torodial transformer.
4-layer PCB boards minimizing noise and distortions, EMI shielding,
careful component layout for extreme performance.
- Chipset: ESS Sabre32 9018
- Headphone amplifier
- Remote controllable
- Works as a preamplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB, 1x Firewire/Thunderbolt, 1x AES/EBU, 1x optical, 1x coaxial, 1x wordclock
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
Audiolab M-DAC – 600 GBP on Amazon UK(advertisement link)
Unbelievable value for money. Egineered by John Westlake. High quality components, excellent PCB layout. Balanced design with discrete J-Fet output stage. Beautiful 2.7″ OLED display and packed with geeky features. Almost Category A quality!
https://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=160432
https://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=161214
- Chipset: ESS Sabre32 9018
- Headphone amplifier
- Remote controllable
- Works as a preamplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB (asynchronous 96kHz max.), 2x optical, 2x coaxial
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
- Powered by AC wallwart
Arcam irDAC – about 700 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Excellent engineering and design, premium electronic parts. Connects directly to your iPhone. Clean power supply. 112db Signal to Noise ration.
- Chipset: Texas Instruments BB PCM1796
- Remote controllable
- Inputs: 1x USB (asynchronous), 2x optical, 2x coaxial
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
- Powered by 12V DC wallwart
Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus – about 500 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Excellent budget DAC with tons of features and a nice headphone amplifier. Optional bluetooth streaming module available.
- Chipset: Dual Wolfson (Cirrus) WM8740
- Headphone amplifier
- Works as a preamplifier
- Inputs: 1x USB (asynchronous), 2x optical, 2x coaxial
- Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
- USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
- 12V DC wallwart PSU
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OMG! You are god sent. None of the audiophile grade equipment companies are present in India at this time except Fiio. And my last amp E11 was not upto my taste. Just bought a Meier Audio Stepdance from another guy and was looking for a decent DAC. First choice being dragonfly and second ans cheaper Fiio E07k. But, now thinking of ordereding the HiFiMeDIY. I am short on money and only care about SQ. Besides importing from US attracts huge customs.
Saw both your cheap alternatives a.k.a
1. WM8740 based Chinese chipset and
2. HiFiMeDIY
While both are based on very good chips. Which sounds better? HiFiMeDIY costs twice as much but I can pay for that.