Every smartphone has a built-in amplifier and digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The amplifier cranks the audio signal to a level so that your headphones (or the smartphone's speakers) can actually play it. And the DAC is needed to turn the digital files from your music streaming service, be it from Spotify or Apple Music, Tidal or Deezer, into an analog file that the amplifier can actually crank.
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Audioengine DAC3 Read More -
Astell&Kern AK HC3 Read More
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AudioQuest DragonFly Red Read More
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EarMen Eagle Read More
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iFi Hip-DAC 2 Read More
The problem is that the amplifier and the DAC that are built into your smartphone, be it an Android or iPhone, could be a lot better. Both components are limited by the small space constraints of a smartphone and the fact that most manufacturers (like Apple, Samsung or Google) don't want to spend extra on higher-quality audio components that not everyone wants or needs.
The good news is that you can buy a separate device, a portable DAC/amplifier, that connects to your smartphone and a pair of wired headphones (or speakers). And it will greatly improve the sound quality. Your audio will sound bigger, crisper and more natural.
If you have a nice pair of wired headphones and want to listen to high-quality audio on the go, you should seriously consider buying one of the portable DAC/amps for your iPhone or Android.
What to Look For
Connectivity: Most portable DAC/amps are designed to be versatile. You can use them with your computer and wired headphones then, when you can get up and go, you can connect it to your smartphone and wired headphones. Most portable DAC/amps have a USB-A or USB-C connection, meaning you'll need to get a Lightning dongle (like this) to connect the portable DAC/amp to your iPhone.
Adapters included: In an ideal world, every portable DAC/amp would work with your smartphone — be it an iPhone or Android — right out of the box. The good news is that most do because these days they include the necessary adapters in the box. However, some will require to spend a little extra on a separate adapter (mostly when it comes to connecting to an iPhone) so just double check before buying.
Max audio resolution: Not every portable DAC/amp can match the high audio resolutions of today's lossless streaming services. In fact, most can't. No matter which you get, however, they'll definitely improve your smartphone listening experience. You should find out what max bitrate of the lossless streaming service and then choose a portable DAC/amp that can match (or at least get near) it. Most "more affordable" portable DAC/amps support audio up to 24-bit/96kHz, but the really advanced ones support audio up to 32bit/384kHz (which some lossless streaming services can't reach).
Battery: This is one the biggest differentiators between the various portable DAC/amps out there. The ones that have their own built-in batteries won't draw power from your smartphone, which is great because you don't have to worry as much about your smartphone dying. On the flip side, however, you'll have to charge them. The ones without built-in batteries usually don't support high-resolution audio, but they are also more compact, lightweight and portable.
How We Tested
The entire point of a portable DAC/amp to listen to better audio on the go. We've tested most of the portable DAC/amps that are in this guide and paired them with a variety of wired headphones, both Android and iPhone smartphones (as well as our laptops), and listened to high-resolution tracks from Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and Tidal. The below are our favorites.
The Picks
Audioengine DAC3
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Adapters included: USB-C to Lightning, USB-C to USB-C
- Max audio quality: Up to 32-bit/96kHz
- Built-in battery: No
The Audioengine DAC3 is an excellent and tiny portable DAC/amp for anybody with an iPhone. It comes with the necessary USB-C to Lightning adapter so you can plug into your iPhone and use it right out of the box. It supports most of the popular high-resolution audio formats (including MQA, PCM and DSD), making it great fit for whichever lossless service you use, be it Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz or Amazon Music Unlimited. It has an indicator light that will light up different colors to let know the sample rate of your music. And one thing that's actually really unique is that the DAC3 has volume controls on its side, which makes it really easy to adjust volume without having to pull your iPhone out of your pocket.
Astell&Kern AK HC3
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Adapters included: USB-C to Lightning, USB-C to USB-C
- Max audio quality: Up to 32-bit/384kHz
- Built-in battery: No
Released in early 2023, the AK HC3 is Astell&Kern's newest portable DAC/amp and it replaces the old AK USB-C Dual DAC (PEE51). The new version looks and works basically the same as its predecessor — it has dual DAC chips (both ESS Sabre ES9219MQ) that support native DSD256 and can play high-resolution audio files up to 32bit/384kHz playback — but adds MQA decoding and actually works with iPhones via a Lightning adapter (included in the box); the older PEE51 did not support iOS devices. The other neat thing is it supports the built-in microphone on your wired headphones, too, making it a good fit for mobile games.
AudioQuest DragonFly Red
- Connectivity: USB-A
- Adapters included: None
- Max audio quality: Up to 24-bit/96kHz
- Built-in battery: No
The AudioQuest DragonFly Red is the company's midrange portable DAC/amp that's positioned between the entry-level DragonFly "Black" and high-end DragonFly"Cobalt" — and it actually has a lot in common with the significantly more expensive Cobalt. The Red outputs the same amount of power (2.1 volts), has the same ESS Sabre 9601 headphone amplifier, and it supports up to 24-bit/96kHz audio files. The two big differences is that the DragonFly Red's DAC (ESS ES9016) isn't quite on par with the DragonFly Cobalt's DAC (ESS ES9038Q2M), and it isn't quite as power efficient. Like the DragonFly Black, you'll need to spend a little extra on a smartphone dongle.
EarMen Eagle
- Connectivity: USB-A
- Adapters included: USB-A to USB-C
- Max audio quality: Up to 32-bit/384kHz
- Built-in battery: No
The EarMen Eagle is a super affordable and super portable DAC/amp that's about the size of your average flash drive. It's integrated DAC (ESS ES9280 C Pro) allows it to play lossless audio files up to 32-bit/384kHz. It comes with USB-C adapter that will allow you to use it with most Androids and computers right out of the box, but iPhone users will have to buy a Lightning adapter separately. The only other real strike against the Eagle is that it's not MQA-certified, so know that if you're a Tidal subscriber it won't unlock all that the lossless service has to offer.
iFi Hip-DAC 2
- Connectivity: USB-A
- Adapters included: USB-A to USB-C
- Max audio quality: Up to 32-bit/384kHz
- Built-in battery: Yes
iFi's second-generation Hip-DAC is a little bit bigger than most other portable DAC/amplifiers, but that's because it has an integrated 2,200mAh battery (delivering roughly six hours of playtime) so it won't drain your smartphone while you're using it. It has a wonderfully tactile volume knob and room for both 3.5mm and 4.4mm audio jacks. The Hip-DAC 2 supports audio files up to 32-bit/384kHz files and there's a gain-control button so you can adjust its internal amp's power depending on your headphones — basically, it will improve your smartphone's audio no matter what streaming service or headphones you're using. The other neat thing is that, compared to the original Hip-DAC, this second-gen model supports MQA files, which is a big win for Tidal subscribers.
AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt
- Connectivity: USB-A
- Adapters included: None
- Max audio quality: Up to 24-bit/96kHz
- Built-in battery: No
The DragonFly Cobalt is the crown jewel in AudioQuest's famed Dragonfly series. It draws significantly less power than the company's DragonFly Red, meaning you'll be able to listen to better music for longer on your smartphone. It also does an impeccable job of picking up and eliminating unwanted jitter and digital noise, so your music sounds best. It has a ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip and supports 24-bit/96kHz playback, MQA, which should allow you to hear greater levels of detail in your music. Additionally, the Cobalt is the only portable DAC/amp in the Dragonfly series that ships with a USB-A to USB-C adapter, so you can connect it to your Android smartphone or USB-C laptop right out of the box. If you have an iPhone, you'll still need an adapter.
