{"id":1120359,"date":"2023-03-22T12:30:17","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T16:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1120359"},"modified":"2023-03-22T12:30:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T16:30:17","slug":"the-best-dacs-for-apple-music-lossless-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1120359","title":{"rendered":"The best DACs for Apple Music Lossless in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

The \u201cApple effect\u201d can be as helpful as it is infuriating. A good technology can exist for years, and many won\u2019t care until it gets the Cupertino seal of approval. To that end, a lot of people are about to start caring about \u201chigh resolution\u201d audio as the company launched its upgraded music service<\/a> to the masses.<\/p>\n

But as many were quick to point out, some of Apple\u2019s own products don\u2019t necessarily support<\/a> the higher sample rate and bit-depths on offer. No worries, there\u2019s a dongle for that. (And there are options for Android and the desktop, too.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As hinted, it’s not just Apple in on the hi-resolution game: Qobuz<\/a>, Tidal<\/a> and Deezer<\/a> have been doing it for a while, and Spotify<\/a> is planning on introducing its own version soon. The products in this guide will play nice with any of these services, aside from Tidal’s MQA, which is a little more specific (and we have options for that as well).<\/p>\n

Why do I need new hardware to listen to music?<\/h2>\n
\"The
\n
Apple<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The short answer is, you don\u2019t. You can play \u201chi-res\u201d audio files on most phones and PCs, you just might not be getting the full experience. If your device\u2019s audio interface tops out at 44.1 or 48kHz (which is fairly common and covers the vast majority of music online) then that\u2019s the experience you\u2019ll get. If you want to enjoy music at a higher sample rate and bit-depth (aka resolution), you\u2019ll need an interface that supports it and wired headphones.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth pointing out that \u201clossless\u201d and \u201chi-res\u201d are related terms, but not the same thing and will vary from service to service. Apple uses ALAC encoding<\/a> which is <\/em>compressed, but without \u201closs\u201d to the quality (unlike the ubiquitous .aac or .mp3 file formats). CDs were generally mastered to at least 16-bit \/ 44.1kHz which is the benchmark that Apple is using for its definition of lossless. In audio circles, a general consensus is that hi-res is anything with a sample rate above<\/em> 44.1kHz. Increasingly, though, the term is being used for anything 96kHz and above.<\/p>\n

This, of course, isn\u2019t only about Apple\u2019s new streaming formats. External DACs and audio interfaces are a great way to upgrade your listening experience generally. Especially if you want to get into the world of more exotic (read: pricey) headphones, as they often even require a DAC to provide enough clean signal to drive them. For audiophile headphones, a phone or laptop\u2019s built-in sound chip often doesn\u2019t have the oomph needed.<\/p>\n

Okay, but can\u2019t I just use the headphone adapter for my phone?<\/h3>\n

No. Well, yes, but see above. A Lightning or USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter often is<\/em> an audio interface and most of the ones you\u2019re buying for $7 (or that come free in the box) do not support hi-res audio beyond 48kHz \/ 24-bit. Android is a little more complicated, as some adapters are \u201cpassive\u201d and really just connect you to the phone\u2019s internal DAC like old school headphones. Others (active ones) have a DAC built-in and good luck finding out what your specific phone and the in-box adapter delivers. (Hint: connect it to a PC and see if it comes up as an audio interface. You might find some details there if it does).<\/p>\n

What is a \u201cDAC,\u201d though?<\/h2>\n
\"Best
\n
Billy Steele \/ Engadget<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

A DAC takes the digital (D) music from your phone or computer and converts (C) it into analog (A) sound you can hear. All phones and PCs have them, but since handsets moved to USB-C, Lightning or Bluetooth for music, the task of converting that signal was generally outsourced to either your adapter or your wireless headphones.<\/p>\n

DACs can be used with phones, laptops and desktops but tend to be much simpler than a regular external audio interface. One basic distinction is that DACs are usually for listening only whereas an audio interface might have ports to plug in microphones and instruments (but an external audio interface is also technically a DAC).<\/p>\n

The benefit of DACs is that they tend to be lightweight, making them more suitable for mobile use, although it still gets a little tricky with the iPhone as you still might need to add another dongle to make it play nice with Lightning. Also, not all DACs support all the higher audio resolutions. Most require external power or an onboard battery, though some can use the power from whatever you plug them into \u2014 in which case expect a hit to your battery life. Below are some of our picks for a variety of scenarios.<\/p>\n

Best for Android users looking for a simple, affordable option: Ugreen USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter<\/h2>\n

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Okay, you were expecting serious outboard gear and we start by showing you a basic adapter? Yes, because this one<\/a> supports 96kHz audio (24-bit) and is about as straightforward as you can get. Simply plug into your USB-C device (or USB-A with an\u2026 adapter), connect your headphones and away you go. There are no buttons, no controls, nothing to charge.<\/p>\n

While this dongle doesn\u2019t support 192kHz, the move up to 96kHz is still firmly in the \u201chi-res\u201d audio category, and its super low profile and ease of use make it a great option for those that want an audio quality bump without going full-bore external DAC.<\/p>\n

Of course, this dongle is best suited to devices with a USB-C port such as the iPad Pro, MacBook or most Android phones. As noted earlier, it\u2019s possible your Android already supports hi-res audio and a simple passive dongle is all you need, but given the price and quality of this one, at least you know what you\u2019re getting, as the specific details of audio support for every Android phone out there are often hard to find.<\/p>\n

The downside is that this adapter won\u2019t do much to help drive higher impedance headphones, so it\u2019s less suited to audiophiles who really need more power to drive their favorite cans. I used this on both an Android phone and an iMac and it worked just fine, although with Apple computers you need to head to the Audio\/MIDI settings first to make sure you\u2019re getting the highest quality available.<\/p>\n

Best for streamlined desktop use with high-end headphones: Apogee Groove<\/h2>\n

\n

Apogee gear is usually found in the studio. The Groove<\/a> takes the company\u2019s decades of audio experience and squeezes it into a highly portable DAC that\u2019s perfect for those who want a lightweight option for their desktop or laptop. We\u2019re stepping up the sound quality here with support for 192 kHz (24-bit), which will cover everything from Apple\u2019s new lossless service.<\/p>\n

Connecting your iPhone to the Groove is a little more complicated. It works just fine, but you\u2019ll need something like the Apple Camera kit<\/a>, as it needs external power. In short, it gets a bit \u201cdongly\u201d but it works if you want something for your desktop first, that can do double duty on iPhone. Android support is a little hit and miss, though you would still need a way to feed it power while in use.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re set up, just plug in your headphones and you\u2019re away. The rubberized base of the Groove stops it from shifting around on your desk, and the large buttons make controlling volume a breeze, with LED feedback to show you volume levels.<\/p>\n

Audio sounds dynamic, with a generous bump in gain over whatever you\u2019re plugging it into likely offers. The frequency response is flat meaning you get out exactly what you put in audio-wise, making this a great choice if the connectivity (and price) matches your specific use case.<\/p>\n

Best for power and portability: AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt<\/h2>\n

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Bar the Ugreen dongle, the Dragonfly<\/a> is easily the smallest, most portable device on this list. And better yet, it almost certainly works with your phone, PC or laptop and won\u2019t require a dedicated power supply (despite the lack of a built-in battery). You\u2019ll still need an adapter for phones (USB-A to Lightning or USB-A to USB-C for Android) but otherwise, it\u2019s plug and play. There\u2019s no volume control, just one 3.5mm headphone jack and a color-changing LED (to tell you what sample rate the track you\u2019re listening to is using).<\/p>\n

At $300, it\u2019s a pricey proposition, but the cable spaghetti of some devices or the sheer heft of others, means the Dragonfly\u2019s small footprint and rugged simplicity make it refreshingly discreet and simple. AudioQuest also offers two cheaper models, starting at $100<\/a> that are likely more than good enough for most people.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let the Dragonfly\u2019s size and lack of controls fool you, the Cobalt throws out some serious, high quality sound. According to AudioQuest, the maximum resolution has been intentionally limited to 96kHz for the \u201coptimal\u201d experience, and that\u2019s plenty enough to cover what you\u2019ll get from most music services.<\/p>\n

The output from the in-built headphone amp will make your phone\u2019s audio feel positively wimpy by comparison, and the powerful internal sound processing chip delivers great quality audio with a wide soundstage across a range of genres and formats.<\/p>\n

One extra trick up the Dragonfly\u2019s sleeve is native support for Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files. This is the preferred format of Tidal, so if that\u2019s your service of choice, the Dragonfly is ideal.<\/p>\n

Best for super high resolution: Fiio Q3<\/h2>\n

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Fiio has been a popular name in the portable DAC scene for a while now, and for good reason. The products deliver solid audio quality, support all manner of resolutions and are compatible with a wide range of devices. The Q3<\/a> is bigger than the previous options on this list (it\u2019s about 1cm shorter than an iPhone 4), but remains fully portable. There are even some goofy silicone bands so you can strap it to your phone, rather than have a flappy, heavy appendage.<\/p>\n

For users on the go, the Q3\u2019s built-in battery (good for about eight hours) means you won\u2019t need to drain the power on whatever you\u2019re plugging it into. It also means mobile users won\u2019t need a dreaded second cable. Throw in support for three<\/em> different size headphone jacks (sadly, \u00bc-inch isn\u2019t one of them) and you have a DAC that will serve you souped-up sounds wherever you are and whatever you\u2019re listening to.<\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t a display, which you might expect for something this size, but there is an LED that changes color when you\u2019re listening to something higher than 48kHz, so you can tell which tracks in your streaming service\u2019s library really are higher-res. The dedicated volume control doubles as a power knob and there\u2019s also a \u201cbass boost\u201d switch just like the good old days. On top of the USB-C input, there\u2019s also the option for analog audio sources via the 3.5mm port.<\/p>\n

Even if you\u2019re not listening to high sample rate music, the Q3 sounds fantastic. The difference in volume, punch and dynamic range that comes through in songs that sounded flat and dense when listening directly through a phone or laptop was remarkable. Throw in support for all the hertz and bit-depths that you\u2019ll likely ever need and what\u2019s not to like? Especially as the Q3 comes in cheaper than some of the less capable options in this guide (the slight extra heft will be a key factor here).<\/p>\n

Best for high resolution \/ fans of Tidal: iFi Hip Dac<\/h2>\n

\n

If this were a spec race, it\u2019d be a photo finish between Fiio\u2019s Q3 and iFi\u2019s Hip Dac<\/a>. Like the Q3, the Hip Dac blows right past support for 192kHz right up to 384kHz. It also offers balanced output via 4.4mm headphones which is rare to find on consumer headphones, but some higher-end cans offer it for those who want to eliminate any potential interference. There\u2019s also an internal battery, bass boost and a very similar form-factor to the Q3.<\/p>\n

For anyone interested in either of these two it might come down to a single feature. Be that the highest sample rate it can support (Q3 wins) or its ability to decode Tidal\u2019s MQA files (in which case, you want the Hip Dac).<\/p>\n

The sound out of this thing takes on the Q3 blow for blow and even the same knurled volume control is here. But let\u2019s be honest, the fact it looks like (and was named after) a hip flask is clearly also a major selling point. Though it’s worth mentioning the Hip Dac takes a female USB cable, supplied in the box. But this does mean you’ll need to use the Camera Kit to get into the iPhone, whereas the Q3 works with one single provided cable.<\/p>\n

Regardless, it\u2019s another robust option that will more than cover most bases for most people. As with the Q3, the internal battery means you won\u2019t need to feed it power while in use (estimated eight hours) and connecting it to your phone or computer is the same; as long as you can pipe a USB cable into it, you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n

Best for desktop warriors: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2<\/h2>\n

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Only looking for a desktop option? Then a good old fashioned audio interface might be the best choice for you. Focusrite\u2019s Scarlett<\/a> series has near-legendary status at this point and an eye-wateringly high review ratio on Amazon for a good reason: It does what it does very very well.<\/p>\n

Most current laptops and desktops can probably handle at least 96kHz audio, but with the Scarlett you can be sure you are getting the full 192kHz when available and the dedicated audio processors and headphone amps will do a much better job of it.<\/p>\n

The main benefit here is the general upgrade you will be giving to your PC. Not only will your listening experience be enhanced, but you\u2019ll be able to plug in microphones and instruments if streaming or recording are your thing, all in one device and all for about the same price as some of the more mobile-oriented devices on this list.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/the-best-dac-for-lossless-high-resolution-music-iphone-android-160056147.html?src=rss
\n
\nSource: Engadget – The best DACs for Apple Music Lossless in 2023<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The \u201cApple effect\u201d can be as helpful as it is infuriating. A good technology can exist for years, and many won\u2019t care until it gets the Cupertino seal of approval. To that end, a lot of people are about to … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99,110],"tags":[98],"class_list":["post-1120359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-engadget","category-unfiltered-rss","tag-engadget"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1120359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1120359"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1120359\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1120359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1120359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1120359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}