Many people still do not know how useful digital-to-analog converters are (or, as they are called, external DACs). Such a device converts digital audio to analog, transferring it to a headphone or speaker system. At the same time, he does his job better than, for example, a blu-ray player. This allows you to enjoy high-quality sound, to which there will be no complaints. Especially if you use very good speakers, and the DAC itself did not disappoint. About the best digital-to-analog converters, read below.
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Digital-to-analog converter of which company to choose
Working with sound is extremely difficult. There are many algorithms for its processing, due to which digital music turns into analog. To implement the highest quality of them requires very expensive components. Do I have to say that some manufacturers refuse from them, trying to save a few dollars on each device?
If you do not want to be disappointed in the purchase, then pay attention to the products of the following companies:
1. FiiO
2. Denon
3. Arcam
4. Cambridge Audio
5. S.M.S.L.
These dog makers have eaten up on creating high-quality audio equipment. You can be sure of their products. Although the products that disappoint with their quality still come across - mostly it concerns the cheapest DACs.
Best Compact D / A Converters
M-Audio Super DAC
This device is a relatively small box, most of the upper panel of which is occupied by a rotary control. Present here and several LEDs indicating the status of the work and the selected sampling rate.
M-Audio Super DAC can interact with a wide variety of devices. At one of its ends there is a miniature switch. With it, you can choose what is now connected to the transducer - headphones or speakers. In the second case, the sound power will be increased.
Also, buyers should be pleased with 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 an adapter. Power DAC receives via USB-connector.
Advantages:
- Included is a power supply;
- Nice appearance;
- Six sampling rates to choose from;
- Two headphone jacks;
- Convenient switches;
- There are optical, coaxial and linear outputs;
- Used high-quality audio chip from Wolfson;
- Miniature sizes.
Disadvantages:
- Before first use will have to install the driver;
- The cost will not please everyone.
Arcam miniBlink
A very small digital-to-analog converter that looks nothing like any other model. When looking at it there are associations with a black egg or a flying saucer. Unlike most competitors, the device has a Bluetooth wireless module with support for aptX. If your smartphone is endowed with the same digital codec, then you will get a wonderful sound quality close to CD-Audio. Other supported codecs include AAC and SBC.
The device can only be used wirelessly. On its case you can find only two connectors - micro-USB and mini-jack. Headphones or small speakers are connected to the latter. Purchase Arcam miniBlink is recommended only to those who have aptX technology support in their smart phones, but do not have a wireless headset who can decode such a signal.
Advantages:
- The harmonic coefficient does not exceed 0.002%;
- Stylish design;
- Support for aptX codec;
- Wireless signal reception method;
- High-quality central audio processor PCM 5102;
- The absence of any major settings;
- Very small sizes.
Disadvantages:
- No power button;
- High price;
- Does not receive sound over 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 is the electronics built in here. The device can be easily hidden somewhere behind the TV, so that it doesn’t come across your eyes. You can connect to it the very different equipment - the same TVs, or mini-systems (stereos), or even game consoles. Coaxial and optical inputs are used for the connection. The USB connector is used only by the power supply unit; it will not be possible to connect a DAC to the computer with it.
Digital-to-analog converter is able to significantly improve the sound. The gain reaches 3.5 dB. The harmonic coefficient here does not exceed 0.01%, which is quite good for such a compact device. Among the outputs here 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 was a place for coaxial and optical input;
- A power adapter is included;
- Gold plated connectors are present;
- There is a light receiving signal;
- Relatively low price tag.
Disadvantages:
- In headphones, the sound may still not seem to be the best;
- No output adjustment.
Best Digital to Analog Converter for PC
M-Audio Micro DAC 24/192
This gadget may well be considered an external sound card. It connects to a USB port, and its dimensions are barely larger than an ordinary flash drive. At the same time on the case you can find several LEDs. 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, since 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 analog 3.5 mm jack are gold plated. This should eliminate interference and increase the stability of the electrical connection. SMD components protect against external interference. In part, their use has affected the cost of the product, which cannot be called low.
Advantages:
- Aluminum body, pleasant to the touch;
- Audio support up to 24 bit / 192 kHz;
- The case has an optical output and a 3.5 mm jack;
- A gain switch is used;
- Included is an 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.
Best Stationary Digital to Analog Converters
Atoll DAC 100SE
Very expensive Hi-Fi component, which will give the music depth and saturation. The case of the device passed through a special treatment, as a result of which it is completely protected from vibration and external interference. Stability and contribute rubber feet on which the device is. The front panel here is home to several buttons and indicator lights. The connectors are on the back wall. Among them are linear (RCA), optical and coaxial outputs.
Burr-Brown PCM 1796, coming off the Texas Instruments conveyor, is used here as the central audio processor. Also under the case are two separate Zarel transformers, which are responsible for the analog and digital sections. Even in the Atoll DAC 100SE schematics, there are seven stabilized power supplies. All this led to a very low harmonic coefficient. Use the DAC can be paired with a TV, gaming console, CD player and other similar equipment.
Advantages:
- Anti-vibration aluminum case;
- Very long service life;
- Two power transformers, responsible for different sections;
- Coaxial, linear and optical outputs;
- Inputs include USB, three optical and three coaxial;
- The harmonic distortion factor is only 0.001%;
- One of the best audio processors.
Disadvantages:
- The price tag will scare away many potential buyers;
- Remote control sold separately;
- No headphone output.
Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100
Digital-to-analog converter with the appearance of an amateur. Its front panel is endowed with two rows of indicator lights, one of which indicates the current sampling rate. The device can be connected to a game console, TV, music center and other audio and video equipment. For this purpose, two coaxial and one optical connector. Also, developers have added the ability to receive a signal from a computer, which uses a USB-input.
Inside this transducer is an audio processor Wolfson WM8742. The cost of the device is very low for this class, and therefore the lowest harmonic coefficient should not be expected. As well as disappointing is capable of a number of outputs, which includes only a linear connector (RCA). In our rating, the converter got only due to the sound quality and long service life.
Advantages:
- Metal case;
- High-quality central audio processor;
- A decent number of inputs;
- Not the highest harmonic coefficient (0.0025%);
- Six sampling rates to choose from;
- The cost is large, but not overpriced.
Disadvantage:
- Minimum number of audio outputs.
What digital-to-analog converter to buy
1. If you want to get a compact device with the ability to adjust the sampling rate, then select M-Audio Super DAC.
2. In the direction of Arcam miniBlink, you should watch the owners of smartphones endowed with aptX digital codec.
3. FiiO DO3K Taishan is the best value for money. The device is not endowed with the largest number of connectors, but it is also very inexpensive.
4. To output high-quality sound from a computer, use M-Audio Micro DAC 24/192. But at the same time you have to get acoustics with an optical input or very good headphones.
5. Atoll DAC 100SE and Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 are designed for lovers of Hi-Fi equipment. These transducers are capable of receiving a digital signal from several devices at the same time, turning it into analog and sending it to the acoustics.
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