The best digital-to-analog converters on user reviews

Many people still do not know how useful devices are digital-to-analog converters( or, as they are also called, external DACs).This device converts a digital audio signal into an analog one, transferring it to a headphone or an acoustic system. At the same time, he copes with his task better than, for example, a blu-ray player. This allows you to enjoy a quality sound, to which there will be no complaints. Especially if you use very good speakers, and the DAC itself did not disappoint. On the best digital-to-analog converters read below.

Digital-to-analog converter of which company to choose

with sound is extremely difficult. There are many algorithms for its processing, thanks to which digital music turns into an analog one. To implement the most high-quality of them, very expensive components are required. Need I say that some manufacturers refuse them, trying to save a few dollars on each device?

If you do not wish to be disappointed with the purchase, then pay attention to the goods of the following companies:

1. FiiO

2. DENON

3. Arcam

4. Cambridge Audio

5. S.M.S.L.

These producers of the dog ate on the creation of high-quality audio equipment. In their products, you can not doubt. Although disappointing with its quality products still come across - mostly it concerns the cheapest DACs.

The best compact digital-to-analog converters

M-Audio Super DAC

This device is a relatively small box, most of the top panel of which is occupied by the rotary controller. There are also several LED indicators, indicating the status of the work and the sampling frequency chosen.

M-Audio Super DAC can communicate with a wide variety of devices. On one of its ends there is a miniature switch. With it, you can choose what is now connected to the converter - headphones or speakers. In the second case, the strength of the sound will be increased. Also buyers should please two headphone jacks: a mini jack and a full 6.3 mm jack. The second connector is gold-plated, it is used to connect the most expensive headphones without the use of an adapter. The DAC receives power from the USB connector.

Advantages:

• Includes power supply;
• Cute appearance;
• Six sampling frequencies to choose from;
• Two headphone sockets;
• Convenient switches;
• Optical, coaxial and line outputs available;
• We use a high-quality audio chip from Wolfson;
• Miniature dimensions.

Disadvantages:

• Before the first use you will need to install the driver;
• Everyone will like the cost.

Arcam miniBlink

A very small digital-to-analog converter that does not look like any other model. When you look at it, there are associations with a black egg or a flying saucer. Unlike most competitors, the device has a wireless Bluetooth module with support for aptX.If the same digital codec is endowed with your smartphone, then at the output you will get a wonderful sound quality, close to CD-Audio. Among other supported codecs are AAC and SBC.

The device can only be used in wireless mode. On its body, you can find only two connectors - micro-USB and mini-jack. The latter is connected to headphones or small speakers. The purchase of Arcam miniBlink is recommended only for those who have support for aptX technology in their smartphone, but do not have a wireless headset that can decode such a signal.

Advantages:

• The harmonic coefficient does not exceed 0.002%;
• Stylish design;
• Support for the codec aptX;
• Wireless reception method;
• Quality central audio processor PCM 5102;
• No serious settings;
• Very small size.

Disadvantages:

• No power button;
• High cost;
• Does not receive sound on the wire.

FiiO DO3K Taishan

The dimensions of this device are 62 x 21 x 49 mm. Sometimes it seems that most of the converter is occupied by connectors - so compact here is built-in electronics. The device can easily be hidden somewhere for the TV, so that it does not come to mind once again. You can connect to it a variety of techniques - the same TVs, or mini-systems( music centers), or even game consoles. Coaxial and optical inputs are used for connection. The USB connector is used only by the power supply, it can not be connected to the computer using the DAC.

The digital-to-analog converter can significantly improve the sound. The gain is 3.5 dB.The harmonic coefficient here does not exceed 0.01%, which is quite good for such a compact device. Among the outputs there are RCA and mini jack. So, you can listen to music and headphones. Perhaps, FiiO DO3K Taishan is the best value for money.

Advantages:

• Signal support up to 192 kHz / 24 bit;
• Miniature dimensions;
• There is a place for coaxial and optical input;
• Power adapter included;
• There are gold-plated connectors;
• There is a signal reception light;
• Relatively low price tag.

Disadvantages:

• In headphones, sound may not seem the best;
• No adjustment of the output signal.

Best digital to analog converter for PC

M-Audio Micro DAC 24/192

This gadget can be considered an external sound card. It connects to the USB-port, and its size hardly exceeds the size of an ordinary flash drive. Thus on the case it is possible to find out some light-emitting diode indicators. At the end, there are two connectors - a mini-jack and a digital optical output. The cable for the second connector is already included in the kit - it's nice, as buying it separately is quite expensive.

The device has a gain switch. This allows you to connect to it a variety of headphones, differing in their resistance. The USB plug and the analog 3.5mm jack are gold plated. This should eliminate interference and improve the stability of the electrical connection. External interference is protected by SMD components. In part, their use has affected the value of the product, which can not be called low.

Advantages:

• Aluminum case, pleasant to the touch;
• Audio signal support up to 24 bit / 192 kHz;
• The body has an optical output and a 3.5 mm jack;
• The gain switch is used;
• Includes optical cable;
• Works with Windows and MacOS;
• Compact dimensions;
• USB and mini-jack are gold plated.

Disadvantages:

• The price tag seems overpriced;
• The number of audio outputs does not suit everyone.

The best stationary digital-to-analog converters

Atoll DAC 100SE

Very expensive Hi-Fi component, which will give music depth and saturation. The body of the device has passed through a special treatment, as a result of which it is completely protected from vibration and external interference. Stability is facilitated by the rubber feet on which the device stands. The front panel here is a haven for several buttons and indicator lights. The connectors are on the back side. Among them, one can detect linear( RCA), optical and coaxial outputs.

As the central audio processor, Burr-Brown PCM 1796 is used here, coming down from the Texas Instruments pipeline. Also under the hull are two separate Zarel transformers, which are responsible for the analog and digital sections. Even in the circuitry Atoll DAC 100SE there are seven stabilized power supplies. All this led to a very low coefficient of harmonics. Use DAC can be paired with TV, game console, CD player and other similar equipment.

Advantages:

• Anti-vibration aluminum housing;
• Very long service life;
• Two power transformers in charge of different sections;
• Coaxial, linear and optical outputs;
• Among the inputs - USB, three optical and three coaxial;
• The harmonic distortion factor is only 0.001%;
• One of the best audio processors.

Disadvantages:

• Price tag will scare away many potential buyers;
• The remote control is sold separately;
• No headphone output.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100

Digital-to-analog converter with an amateur look. Its front panel is endowed with two rows of indicator lights, one of which indicates the current sampling frequency. The device can be connected to the game console, TV, music center and other audio and video equipment. For this purpose, two coaxial and one optical connector are provided. Also, developers have added the ability to receive a signal from a computer, which uses a USB input.

Inside this converter is the Wolfson WM8742 audio processor. The cost of the device is very low for such a class, in connection with which the lowest coefficient of harmonics should not be expected. Just how disappointing is the number of outputs, which includes only the line connector( RCA).In our rating the converter got only due to the sound quality and long service life.

Advantages:

• Metal housing;
• Quality central audio processor;
• A decent number of inputs;
• Not the highest harmonics ratio( 0.0025%);
• Six sampling frequencies to choose from;
• The price is big, but not overpriced.

Disadvantage:

• The minimum number of audio outputs.

Which D / A converter to buy

1. If you want to get a compact device with the ability to adjust the sampling frequency, then select M-Audio Super DAC.

2. In the direction of Arcam miniBlink you should look to the owners of smartphones equipped with the digital codec aptX.

3. FiiO DO3K Taishan is the optimal price-to-quality ratio. The device is not endowed with the largest number of connectors, but it is also very inexpensive.

4. To output quality sound from a computer, use M-Audio Micro DAC 24/192.But at the same time you have to acquire acoustics with an optical input or very good headphones.

5. Atoll DAC 100SE and Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 are designed for fans of Hi-Fi equipment. These converters are able to receive a digital signal from several devices simultaneously, turning it into an analog one and sending it to acoustics.