The very best DACs for Apple Music Lossless in 2026

Fiio’s affordable KA11 dongle comprises a DAC with a most decision of 32bit/384kHz — which is properly above Apple Music’s top-tier “Hello-Res” lossless format (24bit/192kHz) — so you may 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 the next quantity output than Apple’s on headphone adapter (extra on this under). At round $30, this dongle is the very best bang on your buck in relation 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 larger than a typical headphone adapter and it comes with a rugged, woven cable, so it may deal with loads of put on and tear. There’s even a small LED on the entrance that allows you to know in the event you’re listening to plain, 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 you understand and (perhaps) love, nevertheless it’s price contemplating if you’d like one thing tremendous light-weight and much more reasonably priced. Apple’s dongle doesn’t help the bigger, Hello-Res information obtainable on its music service, however it may deal with the usual lossless (24bit/48kHz) format no drawback. As you’d anticipate, it’s obtainable in Lightning and USB-C variations relying on which Apple system you’re connecting it to.

Positive, essentially the most demanding listeners may lament the dearth of help for the upper resolutions, and it may be a little bit quiet with some headphones which are high impedance (usually dearer “audiophile” fashions). For the overwhelming majority of customers, although, Apple’s dongle will do the job. If you happen to’re unsure, verify the handbook on your headphones and search for Impedance (usually listed as Ohms) — something under round 150Ohms and try to be wonderful. Something above that, and also you may wish to contemplate Fiio’s dongle as a substitute.

Whereas this information is primarily targeted 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 selection, you is perhaps conversant in the MQA codec, which the corporate used for its high-resolution audio till ultimately switching to FLAC in 2024. MQA won’t be as widespread in streaming anymore, however in the event you nonetheless wish to ensure you can hearken to music from shops or companies that present it, the iFi GO Link could have you coated, together with the usual Apple Music excessive decision audio codecs, and the rest, 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 akin to Aptx Adaptive and Aptx Lossless. iPhones don’t help any of those natively, however with this small dongle, you may unlock the total 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 help considered one 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 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 understand which of the six totally different Bluetooth “qualities” (codecs) you’re having fun with so you’ll know whenever 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 the event 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 the event you’re on an older cellphone you may need to stay with utilizing an adapter.

If you happen to’re seeking to take issues to the subsequent degree with out spending “high-end” cash, there’s lots to like in regards to 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 suggests 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 mild, 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 you need to in all probability ever pay attention and there are different luxuries, too, akin to help for inline microphones — so you may nonetheless deal with calls and take conferences in your cellphone. We additionally love that you may tailor the sound to your choice through the Fiio Management companion app.

Whilst you can squeeze a formidable 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 trendy 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 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 wonderful with 3.5mm headphones, however some choose the 4.4mm connector because it supplies extra energy and potential sign advantages, particularly in the event you’re utilizing a headphone amp.

With the Moonriver T2i you’ve a pair extra sensible benefits. For one, there are bodily quantity controls on the system itself. If you happen to 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 (through companion software program) remove any worries about setting the music to the proper degree. In case your headphones have an in-line microphone, the excellent news is that this dongle will cross that via 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 shiny and daring. You’ll hear audiophiles speak about sound stage, element and width, all you’ll want to know is that this DAC ticks off all of the buzzwords and serves up shiny, strong sound that’s going to make any lossless/hi-res music actually shine.

Who stated a DAC must be a dongle? If you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing a little bit extra all-in-one then the SP3 BT active speakers from Fiio are an awesome possibility. We like that, for a similar value as many standalone DACs, you’ve every little thing you’ll want to decode high-resolution music from virtually any supply with USB-C and Aux inputs for telephones together with customary Hello-Fi connections akin to optical, RCA and coaxial.

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

If you happen to’ve had some expertise with DACs and want 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 undoubtedly within the high-end value vary, however the expertise and options it presents make it price 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 cellular gadgets first, the Mojo 2 is extra of a hybrid system. The cellular dongles above all take their energy from the participant you join them to, which is handy, however clearly is much less variety 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 subject 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 acquire recognition in gaming circles for its means to mimic varied consoles, however that very same flexibility is what makes it fascinating to the audio engineers at Chord.

If you happen to want one thing that’s capital L loud, then the Mojo 2 is not going to disappoint. Proceed with warning right here. It’s truly 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 vary sound profiles with an excruciating degree of element.

The Mojo 2 has customary USB-C, microUSB, optical and coax inputs so it’s extra versatile than loads of its competitors on this regard. Though it’s price noting that you may solely cost the Mojo 2 through microUSB. After all, there’s a cable offered for this, however in the event you’ve absolutely made the change to USB-C, it’ll imply you must guard the charging cable carefully.