Apple Music is likely one of the few streaming providers that gives high-resolution audio (aka “lossless”) at no additional cost. However having fun with that additional high quality in your cellphone often requires some additional {hardware}. That’s the goal of this information, — that will help you discover precisely what you want relying on how you like to pay attention. Each product listed beneath will assist you squeeze extra audio high quality out of your Apple Music subscription. In actual fact, no matter music service you utilize, your listening expertise shall be enhanced. Better of all, most of those suggestions are suitable with Android, Mac and Home windows units, too.
Luckily, as information plans grow to be extra beneficiant and know-how advances, listening to those larger-files of their full glory is much less of a problem. There are nonetheless some {hardware} hurdles although, particularly in case you use AirPods (or any wi-fi headphones) as Bluetooth know-how is theoretically able to delivering some higher-resolution audio, and Apple merchandise don’t assist the required know-how (codecs resembling Aptx, LDAC and so on.). Confusingly, there are additionally completely different ranges of “lossless” on Apple Music, with customary “CD high quality” audio after which “Hello-Res Lossless” information which are recorded at even greater information charges. However don’t fear, we have now an answer for you beneath, irrespective of how you like to hearken to your music.
After all, a DAC or dongle is simply a part of the equation — your headphones or audio system are additionally simply as necessary. So in case you’re searching for the best possible audio expertise make sure to take a look at our information to the finest headphones. Though these choices are wi-fi, many can be utilized with a cable, too, making them the proper pairing for our suggestions beneath.
Finest DACs for 2025
James Trew for Engadget
Fiio’s inexpensive KA11 dongle incorporates a DAC with a most decision of 32bit/384kHz — which is nicely above Apple Music’s top-tier “Hello-Res” lossless format (24bit/192kHz) — so you may ensure that you’re getting each final little bit of high quality out of no matter you’re listening to. Better of all, the KA11 is highly effective, too, with the next quantity output than Apple’s on headphone adapter (extra on this beneath). At round $30, this dongle is the perfect bang on your buck relating to upgrading the audio expertise in your iPhone, Android, PC or Mac. There’s even a Lightning model accessible for these with older iPhones and iPads.
We significantly just like the simplicity of Fiio’s KA11 because it’s plug-and-play without having to cost it. It’s solely barely greater than a typical headphone adapter and it comes with a rugged, woven cable, so it may deal with a variety of put on and tear. There’s even a small LED on the entrance that permits you to know in case you’re listening to plain, excessive, or higher-resolution information so that you will be assured you’re getting probably the most out of your music in actual time.
Apple
Sure, it’s the Apple headphone adapter you understand and (possibly) love, but it surely’s price contemplating if you need one thing tremendous light-weight and much more inexpensive. Apple’s dongle doesn’t assist the bigger, Hello-Res information accessible on its music service, however it may deal with the usual lossless (24bit/48kHz) format no downside. As you’d anticipate, it’s accessible in Lightning and USB-C variations relying on which Apple machine you’re connecting it to.
Certain, probably the most demanding listeners would possibly lament the shortage of assist for the upper resolutions, and it may be somewhat quiet with some headphones which are excessive impedance (sometimes costlier “audiophile” fashions). For the overwhelming majority of customers, although, Apple’s dongle will do the job. In the event you’re unsure, verify the guide on your headphones and search for Impedance (usually listed as Ohms) — something beneath round 150Ohms and you ought to be high-quality. Something above that, and also you would possibly wish to take into account Fiio’s dongle as a substitute.
iFi
Whereas this information is primarily targeted on Apple Music, a lot of the gear right here will unlock lossless audio irrespective of the place you pay attention. If Tidal is your platform of alternative, you is likely to be aware of the MQA codec, which the corporate used for its high-resolution audio till finally switching to FLAC in 2024. MQA won’t be as frequent in streaming anymore, however in case you nonetheless wish to be sure to can hearken to music from shops or providers that present it, the iFi GO Hyperlink could have you coated, together with the usual Apple Music excessive decision audio codecs, and the rest, as much as 32-bit/384kHz.
James Trew for Engadget
Sennheiser’s BTD700 is a wi-fi adapter that plugs into your cellphone, upgrading its Bluetooth capabilities with the newest high-resolution codecs resembling Aptx Adaptive and Aptx Lossless. iPhones don’t assist any of those natively, however with this small dongle, you may unlock the total potential of Bluetooth audio and the upper bitrates (and in concept audio high quality) Aptx Lossless provides. There’s a small caveat, although: you’ll need Bluetooth headphones that additionally assist one in every of these codecs resembling these or these (or verify the product web page of the set you personal or are contemplating).
The BTD700 is easy to make use of, simply plug it in to your cellphone’s (or different machine’s) USB-C port, pair your headphones to it and off you go. An LED on the dongle lets you understand which of the six completely different Bluetooth “qualities” (codecs) you’re having fun with so you’ll know if you’re listening to lossless audio. The useful half? When you’ve paired your headphones with the dongle, you received’t must re-pair in case you join the BTD700 to a PC or Mac. This little adapter successfully provides something with a USB-C port an audio improve, and there’s even a low-latency mode for gaming. Word, there’s no Lightning possibility right here, so in case you’re on an older cellphone you might need to dwell with utilizing an adapter.
James Trew for Engadget
In the event you’re seeking to take issues to the subsequent degree with out spending “high-end” cash, there’s rather a lot to like concerning the Melody DAC from Snowsky. Not like a easy dongle, the Melody has onboard controls and two headphone jacks. A type of is for normal 3.5mm headphones, however the different is for 4.4mm “balanced” headphones, which implies the Melody can develop with you in case your audio journey takes you deeper into the world of audiophilia.
The wooden end provides it a cultured really feel and though it’s mild, it nonetheless delivers that high quality “Hello-Fi” really feel. As for sound high quality, there’s assist for 384K/32bit pattern charges, which covers every little thing Apple Music can ship. The built-in amplifier can simply go louder than you need to in all probability ever pay attention and there are different luxuries, too, resembling assist for inline microphones — so you may nonetheless deal with calls and take conferences in your cellphone. We additionally love that you may tailor the sound to your desire by way of the Fiio Management companion app.
Fanmusic
When you can squeeze a powerful quantity of audio tech right into a headphone adapter, a barely greater machine affords a good 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 traditional 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 high-quality with 3.5mm headphones, however some want the 4.4mm connector because it supplies extra energy and potential sign advantages, particularly in case you’re utilizing a headphone amp.
With the Moonriver T2i you will have a pair extra sensible benefits. For one, there are bodily quantity controls on the machine 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) remove 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 via to your cellphone or PC so that you received’t want a separate machine for calls.
Most significantly, the sound that comes out of the Moonriver T2i is vivid and daring. You’ll hear audiophiles speak about sound stage, element and width, all it is advisable know is that this DAC ticks off all of the buzzwords and serves up vivid, strong sound that’s going to make any lossless/hi-res music actually shine.
FiiO
Who stated a DAC must be a dongle? In the event you’re searching for one thing somewhat extra all-in-one then the SP3 BT energetic audio system from Fiio are a fantastic possibility. We like that, for a similar value as many standalone DACs, you will have every little thing it is advisable decode high-resolution music from nearly any supply with USB-C and Aux inputs for telephones together with customary Hello-Fi connections resembling optical, RCA and coaxial.
These audio system didn’t make it to our testing bench, however the SP3 BTs recurrently obtain reward for his or her sound and premium construct high quality at an affordable value. For Bluetooth listening, there’s assist for each Aptx Adaptive and HD together with Sony’s rival LDAC making these audio system one thing of an audio swiss-army knife. Whereas these audio system will make an ideal companion to your property workplace or workspace, they will simply discover a residence in your front room or den connecting to another music gamers you might need (for vinyl you’ll nonetheless want a pre-amp).
James Trew for Engadget
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 needs to have a phrase. At $650, that is undoubtedly within the high-end value vary, however the expertise and options it provides make it price contemplating for severe 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 cell units first, the Mojo 2 is extra of a hybrid machine. The cell dongles above all take their energy from the participant you join them to, which is handy, however clearly is much less type to your cellphone’s battery life. The Mojo 2 has an inside cell so received’t tax the one in your cellphone or laptop computer. It’s sufficiently small to be moveable, however substantial sufficient to dwell 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 area programmable gate array (FPGA) know-how 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 acquire recognition in gaming circles for its capacity to mimic numerous 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 is not going to disappoint. Proceed with warning right here. It’s really highly effective sufficient to drive two pairs of headphones on the similar 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 a variety of its competitors on this regard. Though it’s price noting that you may solely cost the Mojo 2 by way of microUSB. After all, there’s a cable offered for this, however in case you’ve totally made the change to USB-C, it’ll imply you must guard the charging cable carefully.
DAC FAQs
What does DAC stand for?
DAC stands for digital to analogue converter. A digital-to-analog converter takes the digital (D) music out of your cellphone or pc and converts (C) it into analog (A) sound you may 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 usually 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 an everyday exterior audio interface. One fundamental distinction is that DACs are often for listening solely whereas an audio interface might 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 gear.
The perfect DACs are usually light-weight, making them extra appropriate for cell use, though it nonetheless will get somewhat difficult with the iPhone as you continue to would possibly want so as to add one other dongle to make it play good with Lightning. Additionally, not all DACs assist all the upper audio resolutions like DSD. Most standalone DACs require exterior energy or an onboard battery, although some can use the facility from no matter you plug them into — during which case anticipate a success to your battery life.
Why do I would like new {hardware} to hearken to music?
The brief reply is, you don’t. You may play “hi-res” audio information on most telephones and PCs, you simply won’t be getting the total expertise. In case your machine’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 the next pattern fee and bit-depth (aka decision), you’ll want an interface that helps it and wired headphones, doubtlessly utilizing a headphone amp for an enhanced expertise.
It’s price stating 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 (not like the ever present .aac or .mp3 file codecs). CDs have been usually mastered to at the very least 16-bit / 44.1kHz which is the benchmark that Apple is utilizing for its definition of lossless. In audio circles, a basic consensus is that hi-res is something with a pattern fee 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 an effective way to get the perfect sound and improve your listening expertise usually. Particularly if you wish to get into the world of extra unique (learn: dear) headphones, as they usually 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 usually doesn’t have the oomph wanted to ship a hi-fi expertise, that 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 usually is an audio interface and a lot of the ones you’re shopping for for $7 (or that come free within the field) don’t assist 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 would possibly 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 somewhat relating to in search of 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 information over to the headphones.
It’s additionally price checking to see in case your headphones assist aptX and which model. Look out for aptX HD, aptX Adaptive and (for the best high quality) aptX Lossless that are all higher than customary and turning into extra frequent, albeit slowly. It’s price noting that each your cellphone or media participant and your headphones must assist the identical aptX codec. At present, no iPhone helps any kind of aptX, although dongles exist that may provide that performance.
Different higher-resolution Bluetooth codecs exist, like Sony’s LDAC, however Qualcomm’s AptX has wider assist due to its prevalence in Android units. Some high-end wi-fi headphones would possibly even include a headphone jack for wired connections when higher-quality audio is required.
