The Top Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) for Amazing Digital Music 2023

There are a LOT of DACs out there, so “Best DAC Overall” is not a label we take lightly. High-quality audio is a fickle thing. There are so many factors that play a role in how we hear our music, but like clockwork, the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M gets it right every single time. There were a lot of factors to consider, but at the end of the day, we crowned the DacMagic 200M as the best DAC overall because it provides the highest possible streaming quality for every streaming service, it’s easy to set up and easier to use, the whole suite of connections/Bluetooth capabilities ensures that any device can sound its best, and of course, it just looks so dang cool. It's no surprise that it's also our best-selling DAC, so don't just take our word for it... though, that is why you're here.

A big first for Cambridge Audio, this DAC (digital audio converter), supports MQA. If you don’t know, MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers studio-quality audio with a file size small enough to stream using platforms like Tidal, for example. In fact, the DacMagic 200M will acknowledge when it’s streaming MQA and the indicator on the front will turn blue when streaming an MQA Studio file, (a file approved in the studio by the artist or producer or has been verified by the copyright owner), or green when playing/decoding an MQA music file.

The heart of the DacMagic 200M is a pair of ESS Sabre digital-to-analogue converters. They handle digital audio files up to 32bit/768kHz or DSD512, meaning they can deal with digital music stored on CDs, smartphones, computers - or anywhere else. Once a digital file is uploaded to the DacMagic 200M, its twin DACs convert it to analog information while keeping all of the original dynamics and detail intact. Because the analog signal it sends to your audio set-up is so clean, you’ll end up with a sound bigger than the box it came from.

Digital optical, digital coaxial and USB inputs mean easy connection for CD players, gaming consoles, laptops, or any other digital equipment. Thanks to its Bluetooth aptX capabilities, it’s just as easy to wirelessly deliver files from your smartphone or tablet, too!

All-in-all, this DAC delivers and it's at a mid-range price point for someone looking to upgrade the audio quality of their system. Plus, we trust Cambridge Audio and their reputation for engineering in the pursuit of pure, hi-fi music reproduction. Just take a look at our our full review of their next-level EVO 150 all-in-one player here and you'll get it.

For the people that want a one-and-done quick and easy setup, look no further. Faster processing, a refined control dial, more connectivity options, and a 13% increase in internal volume are all improvements you’ll see on the second generation of the Naim Mu-so.

All the controls and menus are conveniently in the dial on top of the device. Input options, multiroom functions, and shortcuts to your five favorite applications as well as indicators for AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify, and of course, play/pause and volume control are all on the dial as well for quick access to all your streaming essentials.

Speaking of streaming, the Naim Mu-so comes with a wide range of connectivity options like HDMI arc, optical, and a 3.5 connector but can also handle wireless setups using Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify, Tidal, and Roon Ready. This all-in-one is ready to handle just about any sort of connection you’re going to throw at it.

Oh, it can also be a sound bar. A sound bar that gives some of the best a run for their money, too! 450 watts between six speakers (courtesy of the legendary Focal Audio), all work together to let the Mu-so pump out volume and some seriously crisp and clean sound without an overbearing low-end. Put it all together and you’ll see very quickly why the Naim Mu-so is the best all-in-one DAC system.

The iFi Audio Go blu is a tiny and powerful DAC that’s fully capable of 24bit/96Khz using a wired connection through its USB-C port or with Sony’s LDAC Bluetooth communication protocol. It's a versatile amplifier that handles standard and balanced headphones, while being about the size of a Zippo lighter and weighing less than a battery.

It’s small, light, and thoughtfully designed. The slightly textured back means it doesn’t slip in your hand, and the tiny crown wheel on the side allows you to adjust volume with a tactile feel. The convenient button within the crown allows you to play, pause, and skip tracks with the press of a button.

Aging myself, the Go blu is like the old trusty tape deck adapter every car in the 90s had so your new portable CD player could play in your 1984 Dodge Omni by bringing new technology to old connections. The Go blu will breathe new life into your old trusty headphones that aren’t Bluetooth capable but still rip.

There’s even a microphone in the Go blu to add one more level of convenience. Connect it to your phone, tablet, computer, or even your TV to enjoy music or movies with astounding audio with your wired headphones.

The DragonFly Cobalt is a powerful and pocket-sized take-anywhere USB DAC that completely bypasses the internal DAC of whatever device you’re using and delivers a clearer and cleaner signal resulting in a more natural sound out of your headphones, powered speakers, or full audio system. A new ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip creates deeper and richer sound while a more refined Microchip PIC32MX274 microprocessor reduces overall current draw and increases the processing speed by 33% over its award-winning predecessors, the DragonFly Red and DragonFly Black v1.5.

The DragonFly Cobalt is 10% smaller than the Red and Black but the difference it can make in your listening experience is just as big. The flagship ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip provides a beautiful and natural sound while newly designed power-supply filtering technology reduces excess Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth noise.

AudioQuest took one of the best and most unique products on the market and made it better. Thanks to its improved processing abilities, smaller form factor, and new DAC chip to provide a more natural and cleaner sound, the DragonFly Cobalt easily earned the award for the best USB DAC.

DACs can range from $60 USB filters to machines costing $3,000 or more. So, which one is best for the people that want to improve their listening experience, want more than a slight noise filter, but don’t want to break the bank? We’d suggest you take a look at the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 Digital-to-Analogue Converter.

You can find DACs in everything these days: your computers, phones, tablets. but what matters more is what DAC you have in your devices. They aren’t all bad, but most don’t offer the same capabilities as the DacMagic 100. It was built around the Wolfson WM8742 24-bit DAC, with the capability to support digital input frequencies ranging from 32kHz to 192kHz. This may seem intimidating at first, but all you need to know is this: the DacMagic 100 was designed to provide a new level of depth and clarity in everything you listen to from Mötley Crüe to Beyoncé.

It comes with a USB Audio 1.0 input as well as S/PDIF and TOSLINK digital inputs, meaning that you can connect a wide range of audio devices to the DacMagic 100 and convert your digital audio to transform your auditory experience.

Take its compatibility options, connectivity options, and the price point, and we’re sure you can see why the DacMagic 100 Digital-to-Analogue Converter is the best DAC under $300.

Whether you need an analog or Bluetooth connection, the ZEN Blue V2 by iFi Audio can handle it all. Boasting a new and improved Bluetooth antenna for up to 80% more range, the ZEN Blue is compatible with all your favorite streaming sources like Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify. The ZEN Blue V2 supports all current and future Bluetooth audio formats like Qualcomm's aptX and aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX adaptive, and LDAC just to name a few.

Looking at it’s analog connections, you can connect using RCA to amps or active speakers or via the 4.4mm output to amps/speakers with a balanced input for a cleaner, less noisy connection. If you’re using a device with a built-in DAC like a TV, you can use the built in optical and coaxial connections.

No matter what the source, the ZEN Blue V2 is ready to take your listening experience to another level.

It’s not every day that you see a product that gets an upgrade and becomes more affordable. In 2012, AudioQuest released the original DragonFly. A pocket-sized DAC and headphone amplifier that took audio enthusiasts by storm. Well, now we have the DragonFly Black v1.5.

The DragonFly Black v1.5 is about as plug-and-play as you can get! Literally. For computers, it’s as simple as plugging it in. Portable devices, like Android and iOS devices, need an additional cable to connect with the DragonFly v1.5. Since it draws power from the device, there’s no need for any external power, and thanks to an updated Microchip microcontroller, the v1.5 consumes about 77% less power than its predecessor while supplying an even better boost in audio quality. The dragonfly on the device changes color depending on the sample rate you’re streaming which looks great on an otherwise all-matte black device.

This device won’t turn your phone or laptop into a reference-grade audio streaming machine. What it will do is accentuate all of the little details and intricacies of your favorite movies, TV shows, and songs. Your low end will feel deeper and more powerful, vocals will sound bolder, and cymbals won’t sound so distant, but they won’t sound piercing either. Layers and harmonies that weren’t present before will present themselves to you making for an all-around richer and fuller listening experience.

The AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 USB Digital-to-Analog Converter is the best portable DAC because of its compatibility, incredibly small footprint, and its ability to instantly transform the quality of portable music.

The world of DACs can get really confusing and really expensive very quickly. For the people who just want to upgrade their sound without investing in a whole new system or are just new to the world of high-end audio, the iFi Audio Zen DAC V2 might just be the best option for you.

It’s simple to use, you can find any of the controls you need right on the front and inside a 16-bit XMOS controller helps this unit reproduce incredible audio and even decode MQA (master quality audio) files so you can stream hi-res audio from platforms like Tidal or Qobuz. The true bass knob allows for easy access to a nice bass boost which is great for any headphones that may tend to lack low-end strength.

The volume is controlled by a big and smooth aluminum knob that has a nice backlight that is used to confirm the type of audio input you’re using and that you’re using MQA decoding.

The iFi Zen DAC is the best DAC and Headphone Amplifier under $200 because it brings a ton of value at a modest cost. A nice boost in sound quality, versatility for different types of headphones, and hi-res capabilities? Sounds like a no-brainer to us!