Best digital to analog converters in 2024

Most likely, you have not even thought about the fact that you use digital-to-analog converters every day. They are used everywhere - in personal computers and laptops, tablets and smartphones, etc. The fact is that the human hearing is not able to perceive a digital audio signal, for this it is necessary to convert it to analog. For this, so-called DACs are used. This article will help you understand the types of such devices, the criteria for their selection, and will introduce you to the most popular models in 2024.

What are digital-to-analog converters?

Without the use of sound converters, the user will not be able to enjoy digital music recordings. The problem is that most of the on-board DACs found in virtually all media-enabled electronic devices are not good enough for playback. Simple DACs will add a high level of noise, will not be able to read high-resolution files, etc. That is why using an additional device is an important upgrade of any high-quality audio system, regardless of its composition.

There are many varieties of audio converters from digital to analog format, depending on the shape and dimensions, functionality and number of inputs and outputs. First of all, there are:

• portable devices;
• desktop or stationary DACs.

Portable converters are connected directly to a computer or phone, are compact in size and relatively inexpensive. They do not require a separate power supply and, as a rule, only have a headphone jack and a line-out jack for connecting to an audio system.

A more functional and expensive option is desktop or stationary converters. They are much larger, require separate power connections, and have a wide variety of inputs and outputs. Connection to the source with a digital device can be carried out using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. These converters support many kinds of audio files and have a built-in volume control.

Besides, DACs are divided depending on the maximum bit depth, which characterizes the number of signal levels at the output. The higher it is, the better the sound quality. There are models with bit depth:

• 16 bit;
• 24 bit;
• 32 bit;
• 64 bit.

Among the other parameters that can be used to classify a DAC, it is worth highlighting the number and type of device inputs and outputs, the maximum sampling rate, the type of signal coding (DSD or PCM), etc.

How to choose a digital to analog converter?

Which DAC should you buy? Quite complicated, at first glance, the question is easily resolved if you follow the recommendations below. Before making a purchase, you need to clearly define the purpose of the new device and expectations from it. Should you think about purchasing a professional converter without an equally high-quality audio system? Does it make sense to buy a budget converter and expect high-quality sound from it? The modern market offers a wide variety for the selection of the required model with various characteristics and costs. The selection criteria are quite simple. What you need to pay attention to first:

1. Number and type of digital inputs.

This parameter directly depends on the devices that are planned to be used as a sound source. Modern converters are most often connected to a computer using a USB port. In addition, optical and electrical (coaxial) connection types are used. Professional devices also use "advanced" AES / EBU connections using balanced cables that are not subject to environmental interference. Recently, more and more models appear with the ability to connect to external devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

2. Optimal bit depth and sampling rate

These characteristics determine the quality of reproduction, since they are responsible for the accuracy of signal conversion. Bit depth is an indicator of the number of signal levels at the output of the converter. For audio recordings on CDs, the bit depth is 16 bits, and for high-resolution audio (Hi-Res) it is 24 bits or higher. Sample rate is the number of reports per time period when digitizing. For a CD audio track, this figure is 44.1 kHz, DVD - 48 kHz, Hi-Res - 96 kHz or 192 kHz, etc.

3. Type of analog outputs

The type of outputs is determined by the speaker inputs. For example, to connect to an audio system with balanced inputs, the DAC must have such outputs. Most converters are equipped with one or more headphone outputs (jack or mini-jack).

4. Dimensions

The dimensions of the device, first of all, depend on its purpose. Recently, models with compact dimensions are gaining popularity. Such devices easily fit in your pocket and are most often used to convert an audio signal from a smartphone or tablet. For especially demanding connoisseurs of high-quality music, more voluminous stationary options with extended functionality are more suitable.

5. Additional functions

Among the additional functions that can be very popular, it is worth highlighting:

• availability of analog inputs and the ability to adjust the output signal (using the device in preamplifier mode);
• the presence of a lamp output;
• the presence of a headphone output;
• the ability to connect to the device using wireless networks;
• remote control, etc.

6. Device cost

In this case, the marginal price of the device is determined not only by the financial capabilities of the buyer, but also by what sound equipment and digital signal source will be used. It makes no sense to buy an expensive DAC if you use a weak audio system. At the same time, one should not save money if in the future it is planned to replace it or modernize it to a higher quality level.

7. Brand influence

Which company's converter is better? According to buyers, it is better to focus on brands proven over the years. Among the recognized world leaders in the production of digital-to-analog converters are Japanese company Teac, British Cambridge Audio, Austrian Pro-Ject and many others. These are the manufacturers who were able to gain popularity all over the world and will certainly not allow a potential buyer to be disappointed in their products.

8. Listening

It is imperative to hear the potential acquisition before buying it live. If this is not possible, then it is imperative to read the reviews of the real owners of such devices or experts.Below is a rating of popular models of digital-to-analog converters with a description of their technical characteristics, as well as advantages and disadvantages.

Best portable DACs in 2024

Portable converters are gaining popularity. They are extremely convenient to use, since they are often a USB-module or a miniature block, slightly larger than a matchbox. Such devices are usually relatively inexpensive - their average price does not exceed 10,000 rubles, there are models that cost up to 2,000 rubles. True, their functionality is very limited and focused on the most unassuming user.

	Fiio Taishan-D03K	Pro-Ject DAC Box E	M-Audio Micro DAC 24/192	Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS	M-Audio Super DAC
Max bit depth	24	24	24	24	24
Max sampling rate, kHz	192	192	192	192	192
Signal to noise ratio, dB	95	-	114	103	117
Line-in	-	-	-	-	1
Coaxial input	1	1	-	-	1
Optical input	1	1	-	-	1
Linear output	2	1	-	-	1
Optical output	-	-	1	-	-
Headphone connection	mini jack 3.5	-	mini jack 3.5	mini jack 3.5	jack / mini jack
USB	Yes	Not	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dimensions, mm	62x21x49	120x32x100	71x23x10	30x53.5x10	90x30x90
Weight, kg	0.05	0.25	0.03	0.1	0.21
Average price, p	2200-2500	6600-7000	8000-9800	9600-14000	16000-20000

Fiio Taishan-D03K

A real hit of sales and a leader in price-quality ratio. So compact and discreet that it can be hidden anywhere. The stuffing of the device is packed so compactly that one gets the impression that it consists of only connectors. There are several of them at once: optical and coaxial - at the input and two line ones plus a mini-jack for headphones - at the output. But you won't be able to connect to a PC via USB - the port is used only for power supply. The audio chip significantly improves the sound quality, the gain reaches 3.5 dB, and the harmonic distortion does not exceed one hundredth of a percent - a very decent indicator for a portable device.

• coaxial and optical inputs with a switch;
• support for audio signal up to 24 bit / 192 kHz;
• simple and easy to use;
• miniature sizes;
• signal presence LED;
• inexpensive price;
• mini jack 3.5 mm headphone output;
• cable and power supply included.

• using Mini-USB, not Micro;
• inability to adjust the input signal;
• not the best sound when using headphones.

Project DAC Box E

Inexpensive converter with minimal functionality. Despite its low cost, it has a fairly high quality sound when used with a completely different audio equipment. All RCA connectors have gold-plated contacts, leadless SMD components are used inside the structure, additional electronic shielding is provided - all this minimizes the level of noise and interference and makes the device work stable. The output connectors of the device are absolutely not demanding on the quality of cables due to their high linearity, and a high signal level allows using any amplifiers. Its compact size allows it to be hidden in the equipment rack and not disconnected from the network due to its high energy efficiency. In terms of sound quality, the device is far ahead of players with standard sound cards, so the DAC Box E will be an excellent addition to any stereo system, even an entry-level one.

• stable operation and low noise level due to the use of SMD technologies;
• reduction of noise and interference of the output stage due to the use of gold-plated RCA connectors;
• compact overall dimensions;
• no cable problems due to low input impedance;
• reduced power consumption when using Standby mode;
• high quality signal processing and filtering.

• lack of headphone output;
• lack of connectivity via USB.

M-Audio Micro DAC 24/192

A tiny device that looks like a regular USB flash drive. Some refer this type of DAC to external sound cards, but this is not entirely correct. There are two outputs on the case - digital optical and 3.5 mm mini-jack. The device is equipped with a gain control that allows you to use headphones with different impedances.To reduce pickup and interference, the USB plug and mini-jack are gold-plated. Additional protection against noise is provided by SMD components, the use of which significantly influenced the price of this model, which cannot be called democratic.

• high-quality sound;
• high-quality aluminum body;
• the ability to convert an audio signal up to 24 bit and 192 kHz;
• optical output and 3.5 mm headphone jack;
• gold-plated USB plug and mini-jack;
• the presence of gain control;
• digital optical cable included;
• good build and components;

• problems with Windows drivers;
• a small number of outputs.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS

A miniature DAC that acts as a telephone amplifier or converter for connecting a tablet or laptop to a stereo system. Lightweight and compact thanks to its aluminum body (smaller than a matchbox). The signal is received via the USB connector. The main distinguishing feature of this device is the ability to adjust the volume (as much as 54 levels!), And this happens immediately when connected to the source. The device is powered directly from the device to which it is connected. This affects the level of its charge, though not very significantly. DacMagic XS is renowned for its good audio path - almost all interference and noise are filtered. Therefore, this DAC will be an excellent solution for those who like to listen to music from mobile devices.

• compact size;
• excellent sound quality with subtle emphasis on instruments;
• unusual design;
• powerful output signal 105 MW;
• transferring the volume control function to the device when connected to a computer;
• ultra-precise volume control;
• elimination of noise and interference due to high-quality filtering.

• frequent problems with the micro-USB connection;
• heats up periodically during use;
• quite high price

M-Audio Super DAC

A compact model for advanced users from the American company M-Audio. The converter is compact and does not take up much space. The top panel houses the volume control and LED indicators that display the operating mode and the current sampling rate. Thanks to multiple inputs and outputs, the device can work with multiple devices at the same time. The selection of the device for playback is carried out using a special switch. The Super DAC features two headphone jacks - a 3.5mm mini jack and a gold-plated 6.3mm full-size jack. The converter can be powered via a USB cable when connected to a computer.

• attractive appearance;
• a choice of 6 different sampling rates;
• two headphone outputs;
• convenient control;
• compact dimensions;
• three types of inputs: optical, line and coaxial;
• excellent chip from Wolfson;
• the presence of a power supply unit in the basic configuration.

• high price;
• the need to install drivers.

Top Best Stationary DACs in 2024

Stationary converters are designed for the more sophisticated user - those who can truly appreciate sound quality. Their price can vary from several tens of thousands of rubles to several hundred. The cost of individual stationary DACs is comparable to the cost of a new car. Therefore, it is especially important not to be mistaken at the stage of choosing a new device - a wrong decision can lead to large financial losses.

	Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100	Arcam irDAC-II	Denon DA-300 USB	TEAC UD-301	Maranz HD-DAC1
Max bit depth	24	24	24	32	24
Max sampling rate, kHz	192	384	192	192	192
Signal to noise ratio, dB	113	117	112	105	106
Line-in	-	-	-	-	1
Coaxial input	2	2	1	1	2
Optical input	1	2	2	1	1
Linear output	1	2	1	1	2
Balanced output	-	-	-	1	-
Headphone connection	-	Mini jack 3.5 mm	Jack 6.3 mm	Jack 6.3 mm	Jack 6.3 mm
USB	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Not	Yes	Not	Not	Not
Dimensions, mm	106x46x130	194x44x124	170x57x182	215x61x238	250x90x270
Weight, kg	0.5	1.1	1.5	2	5
Average price, p	12500-17000	40000-45000	35000-38000	50000-60000	80000-90000

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100

High quality and reliable converter from English Cambridge Audio. You can connect to any sound source - from a game console to a music player. The connection uses two coaxial and one optical input, as well as a USB connector. Although the Wolfson audio chip is quite "level", it still falls short of the top-class processors. At the same time, the device provides good quality and sound detail for its price range. However, the main thing in this DAC is build quality and durability. This device will definitely last for many years without a hint of unusability.

• robust metal housing that minimizes pickup and noise;
• compact and pleasant appearance;
• convenient buttons and LED indicators;
• many connectors, including USB-B with the ability to convert audio signals up to 24-bit 192 kHz;
• the ability to work simultaneously with four external devices;
• support for a variety of audio formats;
• six sampling rates to choose from;
• Proven Wolfson chip for superior processing quality, detail and sound depth;
• relatively affordable cost.

• powered from an external source;
• no DSD support;
• there is no adjustment of the output signal;
• no headphone amplifier.

Arcam irDAC-II

Excellent DAC from Arcam, one of the leaders in its class. A true representative of a new era in the development of converters. Outwardly similar to a router - indicator line and antenna at the back. Connection to sound source devices is carried out not only through standard inputs, of which there are as many as four, but also using Bluetooth and Wi-fi using Apple AirPlay technology, which will certainly please iPhone and iPad owners. The device is configured using a special interface. A high-quality TI PCM179 processor provides a high conversion quality, even in spite of not the most top-end "strapping" of microcircuits. The device sounds crisp, lively and detailed. Quite worth the money, especially with the most advanced connection options available.

• compact device with unobtrusive design;
• advanced features and high definition;
• the ability to work in wireless mode;
• playback of DSD stream without conversion;
• excellent control of depth and perspective of the soundstage;
• headphone output and bluetooth support;
• clear and dense sounding, clear separation of instruments;
• remote control included.

• lack of 6.3 mm headphone jack (adapter required);
• no DSD support;
• no balanced output.

Denon DA-300 USB

A quality model from the Japanese leader in the field of audio equipment - Denon. DA-300 USB is equipped with the best "stuffing" and provides excellent sound. The highlight of this model is the ability to install both horizontally and vertically. At the same time, the characters on the OLED display also change their orientation. The device has the most simplified control - only a tuning knob and a power button. There is a 6.3 mm headphone jack on the front panel - no adapter is required for them. The device has two optical and one coaxial inputs and one line output. An additional plus is support for the DSD standard.

• clear open sound with excellent treble reproduction;
• excellent detail;
• large selection of audio inputs;
• minimalistic design with OLED screen;
• the possibility of horizontal and vertical installation;
• reliable construction;
• the ability to convert audio files of various formats;
• the ability to use as a headphone amplifier;
• DSD support.

• lack of cables in the package;
• rather sluggish low frequencies;
• when headphones are connected, the line-out continues;
• the need for an adapter for 3.5 mm headphones.

TEAC UD-301

A true leader in its class. A high-quality PCM 1795 converter, compact body, 24/192 support and DSD standard - this is not a complete list of the advantages of this DAC.The UD-301 is equipped with a powerful headphone amplifier, balanced output and the ability to adjust the use of each audio output as a preamp. The device has a built-in power supply and jitter minimization tools. Well, and most importantly, for which this model has earned immense popularity - gorgeous sound quality. This indicator is at the highest level - absolute detail, complex timbre structure, stunning depth of the scene. In general, this is a real find for music lovers, which deserves the highest marks.

• high quality sound;
• convenient control, the presence of all the necessary indication;
• good built-in headphone amplifier using CCLC technology to reduce noise;
• DSD support;
• APS power saving mode with automatic shutdown after 30 minutes of inactivity;
• the ability to increase the sampling rate up to 192 kHz;
• excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

• high price.

Maranz HD-DAC1

A quality device with a delightful design. The appearance of this device gives off some nostalgia, the body is made in the colors of precious metals, and the side panels are stylized like lacquered walnut. Inside is a motorized volume control, a powerful power supply, jitter minimizers and a Crystal Semiconductors audio chip. The device provides a fundamentally new level of sound, previously characteristic only of models from the top class, which differ in price several times. The Maranz HD-DAC leaves the user alone with the music for a truly immersive experience. Ideal for professional audiophiles.

• clear sound - well-developed bass and bright high frequencies;
• the ability to work with headphones with high impedance;
• quality to the smallest detail;
• the ability to play DSD;
• original design;
• convenient remote control panel;
• high-quality audio processor and other "stuffing" of the device.

• high cost;
• lack of balanced output.

Brief conclusions

The audio market abounds in various options for converting a digital signal to analog. They differ in their purpose and functionality, as well as cost. Simple budget models do not differ in the highest quality music conversion, however, they are practically indispensable for listening to audio files from digital gadgets and other devices. Well, professional models costing from 20 thousand rubles and to infinity will become a real boon for connoisseurs of high-quality sound. The main thing in this case is to correctly approach the choice of a suitable device and find exactly the device that is needed.