The very best DACs for Apple Music Lossless in 2026

Fiio’s affordable 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 possibly can make certain 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 a better quantity output than Apple’s on headphone adapter (extra on this beneath). At round $30, this dongle is the perfect bang in your buck relating to upgrading the audio expertise in your iPhone, Android, PC or Mac. There’s even a Lightning model obtainable 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 could actually deal with loads 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 straightforward, excessive, or higher-resolution information so that you could be assured you’re getting essentially the most out of your music in actual time.

Sure, it’s the Apple headphone adapter and (perhaps) love, but it surely’s value contemplating if you need one thing tremendous light-weight and much more reasonably priced. Apple’s dongle doesn’t assist the bigger, Hello-Res information obtainable on its music service, however it could actually deal with the usual lossless (24bit/48kHz) format no downside. As you’d count on, it’s obtainable in Lightning and USB-C variations relying on which Apple gadget you’re connecting it to.

Certain, essentially the most demanding listeners would possibly lament the dearth of assist for the upper resolutions, and it may be somewhat quiet with some headphones which might be high impedance (sometimes costlier “audiophile” fashions). For the overwhelming majority of customers, although, Apple’s dongle will do the job. For those who’re undecided, verify the guide in your headphones and search for Impedance (usually listed as Ohms) — something beneath round 150Ohms and you ought to be fantastic. Something above that, and also you would possibly wish to take into account Fiio’s dongle as an alternative.

Whereas this information is primarily centered 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 perhaps accustomed to the MQA codec, which the corporate used for its high-resolution audio till finally switching to FLAC in 2024. MQA may not be as widespread in streaming anymore, however in case you nonetheless wish to ensure you can take heed to music from shops or providers that present it, the iFi GO Link may have you coated, together with the usual Apple Music excessive decision audio codecs, and anything, as much as 32-bit/384kHz.

Sennheiser’s BTD700 is a wi-fi adapter that plugs into your telephone, upgrading its Bluetooth capabilities with the most recent high-resolution codecs corresponding to Aptx Adaptive and Aptx Lossless. iPhones don’t assist any of those natively, however with this small dongle, you possibly can unlock the complete potential of Bluetooth audio and the upper bitrates (and in idea audio high quality) Aptx Lossless presents. There’s a small caveat, although: you’ll need Bluetooth headphones that additionally assist one in every of these codecs such as these or these (or verify the product web page of the set you personal or are contemplating).

The BTD700 is straightforward to make use of, simply plug it in to your telephone’s (or different gadget’s) USB-C port, pair your headphones to it and off you go. An LED on the dongle lets which of the six totally different Bluetooth “qualities” (codecs) you’re having fun with so you’ll know while you’re listening to lossless audio. The useful half? When you’ve paired your headphones with the dongle, you received’t have to re-pair in case you join the BTD700 to a PC or Mac. This little adapter successfully offers something with a USB-C port an audio improve, and there’s even a low-latency mode for gaming. Be aware, there’s no Lightning possibility right here, so in case you’re on an older telephone you might need to dwell with utilizing an adapter.

For those who’re seeking to take issues to the following stage with out spending “high-end” cash, there’s loads to like concerning the Melody DAC from Snowsky. In contrast to 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 offers it a cultured really feel and though it’s gentle, 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 part Apple Music can ship. The built-in amplifier can simply go louder than it’s best to most likely ever pay attention and there are different luxuries, too, corresponding to assist for inline microphones — so you possibly can nonetheless deal with calls and take conferences in your telephone. We additionally love that you would be able to tailor the sound to your choice by way of the Fiio Management companion app.

When you can squeeze a formidable quantity of audio tech right into a headphone adapter, a barely greater gadget 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 seem like 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 normal 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 fantastic with 3.5mm headphones, however some desire the 4.4mm connector because it gives extra energy and potential sign advantages, particularly in case you’re utilizing a headphone amp.

With the Moonriver T2i you could have a pair extra sensible benefits. For one, there are bodily quantity controls on the gadget itself. For those who 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 right stage. In case your headphones have an in-line microphone, the excellent news is that this dongle will move that by to your telephone or PC so that you received’t want a separate gadget for calls.

Most significantly, the sound that comes out of the Moonriver T2i is shiny and daring. You’ll hear audiophiles discuss sound stage, element and width, all that you must know is that this DAC ticks off all of the buzzwords and serves up shiny, sturdy sound that’s going to make any lossless/hi-res music actually shine.

Who stated a DAC must be a dongle? For those who’re searching for one thing somewhat extra all-in-one then the SP3 BT active speakers from Fiio are an ideal possibility. We like that, for a similar value as many standalone DACs, you could have every part that you must decode high-resolution music from virtually any supply with USB-C and Aux inputs for telephones together with commonplace Hello-Fi connections corresponding to optical, RCA and coaxial.

These audio system didn’t make it to our testing bench, however the SP3 BTs usually 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’ll simply discover a house in your front room or den connecting to some other music gamers you might need (for vinyl you’ll nonetheless want a pre-amp).

For those who’ve had some expertise with DACs and need 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 positively within the high-end value vary, however the expertise and options it presents make it value contemplating for critical 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 gadgets first, the Mojo 2 is extra of a hybrid gadget. The cell dongles above all take their energy from the participant you join them to, which is handy, however clearly is much less sort to your telephone’s battery life. The Mojo 2 has an inner cell so received’t tax the one in your telephone or laptop computer. It’s sufficiently small to be moveable, however substantial sufficient to dwell in your desk.

In contrast to most DACs that use off the shelf chips to deal with the digital-to-audio conversion, the Mojo 2 makes use of discipline programmable gate array (FPGA) expertise 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 achieve 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.

For those who 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 identical time and has two 3.5mm ports so you are able to do precisely that. The curious round buttons can be used to alter sound profiles with an excruciating stage of element.

The Mojo 2 has commonplace USB-C, microUSB, optical and coax inputs so it’s extra versatile than loads of its competitors on this regard. Though it’s value noting that you would be able to solely cost the Mojo 2 by way of microUSB. After all, there’s a cable offered for this, however in case you’ve absolutely made the change to USB-C, it’ll imply you need to guard the charging cable intently.