The most effective DACs for Apple Music Lossless in 2025

Fiio’s affordable KA11 dongle comprises 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 sure 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 one of the best bang in your buck with regards 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 notably just like the simplicity of Fiio’s KA11 because it’s plug-and-play without having to cost it. It’s solely barely larger than a typical headphone adapter and it comes with a rugged, woven cable, so it could actually deal with plenty of put on and tear. There’s even a small LED on the entrance that permits you to know if you happen to’re listening to straightforward, excessive, or higher-resolution recordsdata so that you will be assured you’re getting essentially the most out of your music in actual time.

Sure, it’s the Apple headphone adapter you recognize and (possibly) love, but it surely’s price contemplating in order for you one thing tremendous light-weight and much more inexpensive. Apple’s dongle doesn’t help the bigger, Hello-Res recordsdata obtainable on its music service, however it could actually deal with the usual lossless (24bit/48kHz) format no drawback. As you’d count on, it’s obtainable in Lightning and USB-C variations relying on which Apple system you’re connecting it to.

Certain, essentially the most demanding listeners would possibly lament the dearth of help for the upper resolutions, and it may be just a little quiet with some headphones which are high impedance (usually costlier “audiophile” fashions). For the overwhelming majority of customers, although, Apple’s dongle will do the job. Should you’re undecided, test the guide in your headphones and search for Impedance (usually listed as Ohms) — something beneath round 150Ohms and you have to be high-quality. Something above that, and also you would possibly need to think about Fiio’s dongle as a substitute.

Whereas this information is primarily centered on Apple Music, many of the gear right here will unlock lossless audio irrespective of the place you pay attention. If Tidal is your platform of alternative, you could be accustomed to the MQA codec, which the corporate used for its high-resolution audio till finally switching to FLAC in 2024. MQA won’t be as widespread in streaming anymore, however if you happen to nonetheless need to ensure you can take heed to music from shops or companies 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 cellphone, upgrading its Bluetooth capabilities with the most recent high-resolution codecs similar to Aptx Adaptive and Aptx Lossless. iPhones don’t help 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 provides. There’s a small caveat, although: you’ll need Bluetooth headphones that additionally help one in every of these codecs such as these or these (or test 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 cellphone’s (or different system’s) USB-C port, pair your headphones to it and off you go. An LED on the dongle lets you recognize which of the six completely different Bluetooth “qualities” (codecs) you’re having fun with so you’ll know if 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 if you happen to join the BTD700 to a PC or Mac. This little adapter successfully provides 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 choice right here, so if you happen to’re on an older cellphone you may need to stay with utilizing an adapter.

Should you’re seeking to take issues to the following degree with out spending “high-end” cash, there’s quite a bit to like concerning the Melody DAC from Snowsky. In contrast to a easy dongle, the Melody has onboard controls and two headphone jacks. A kind 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 provides it an aesthetic really feel and though it’s gentle, it nonetheless delivers that high quality “Hello-Fi” really feel. As for sound high quality, there’s help for 384K/32bit pattern charges, which covers every little thing 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, similar to help for inline microphones — so you possibly can nonetheless deal with calls and take conferences in your cellphone. We additionally love you could tailor the sound to your choice by way of the Fiio Management companion app.

When you can squeeze a powerful quantity of audio tech right into a headphone adapter, a barely larger system affords an honest 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 appear 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 using 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 traditional 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 high-quality with 3.5mm headphones, however some want the 4.4mm connector because it gives extra energy and potential sign advantages, particularly if you happen to’re utilizing a headphone amp.

With the Moonriver T2i you will have a pair extra sensible benefits. For one, there are bodily quantity controls on the system itself. Should you 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) eradicate any worries about setting the music to the right degree. In case your headphones have an in-line microphone, the excellent news is that this dongle will move that by means of to your cellphone or PC so that you received’t want a separate system for calls.

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

Who stated a DAC must be a dongle? Should you’re in search of one thing just a little extra all-in-one then the SP3 BT active speakers from Fiio are an amazing choice. We like that, for a similar value as many standalone DACs, you will have every little thing it’s essential to decode high-resolution music from virtually any supply with USB-C and Aux inputs for telephones together with normal Hello-Fi connections similar to optical, RCA and coaxial.

These audio system didn’t make it to our testing bench, however the SP3 BTs often obtain reward for his or her sound and premium construct high quality at an inexpensive value. For Bluetooth listening, there’s help 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 own home workplace or workspace, they’ll simply discover a dwelling in your front room or den connecting to another music gamers you may need (for vinyl you’ll nonetheless want a pre-amp).

Should you’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 provides make it price contemplating for severe 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 system. The cell dongles above all take their energy from the participant you join them to, which is handy, however clearly is much less form to your cellphone’s battery life. The Mojo 2 has an inside cell so received’t tax the one in your cellphone or laptop computer. It’s sufficiently small to be transportable, however substantial sufficient to stay 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 area programmable gate array (FPGA) know-how 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 means to mimic numerous consoles, however that very same flexibility is what makes it fascinating to the audio engineers at Chord.

Should you want one thing that’s capital L loud, then the Mojo 2 won’t disappoint. Proceed with warning right here. It’s truly highly effective sufficient to drive two pairs of headphones on the similar time and has two 3.5mm ports so you are able to do precisely that. The curious round buttons may also be used to vary sound profiles with an excruciating degree of element.

The Mojo 2 has normal USB-C, microUSB, optical and coax inputs so it’s extra versatile than plenty of its competitors on this regard. Though it’s price noting you could solely cost the Mojo 2 by way of microUSB. In fact, there’s a cable offered for this, however if you happen to’ve absolutely made the swap to USB-C, it’ll imply you need to guard the charging cable carefully.