At Last…The Ultimate DAC Buyers Guide (2018 Edition)

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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.

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…

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 (advertisement) 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.

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Reference Class – Cost no object

Candidate 1:

The Mytek Booklyn DAC(advertisement) 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. 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- $1,999 on Amazon(advertisement)

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 – $239 from Amazon(advertisement)
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 – $499 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)

• 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 – $529 from Amazon(advertisement)
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 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+ 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
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 – $179 on Amazon(advertisement)
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 – $150 on Amazon(advertisement)
Small USB stick sized DAC with brilliant performance, 2 master clocks for low jitter and TAS1020 controller with custom firmware.

• 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 – $150 on Amazon(advertisement)
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 – $50> from Amazon(advertisement)
Hong-Kong based manufacturer. Mostly based on ESS Technology chipsets, great value for money.

FiiO D3 (D03K) – $29.99 on Amazon(advertisement)
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 Weiliang and along1986090(advertisement) I specifically recommend Weiliang’s ESS901 DAC boards. Both sellers are great 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 – $299 on Amazon(advertisement)
Can’t believe this is less than $300! 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 – $299 on Amazon(advertisement)
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- $1,995 on Amazon(advertisement)
Benchmark DAC 2 L without headphone amplifier- $1,795 on Amazon(advertisement)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 – $7,700 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)

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!

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=160432
http://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 – $699 on Amazon(advertisement)

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 – $499 on Amazon(advertisement)

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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