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 effectively 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 the next quantity output than Apple’s on headphone adapter (extra on this under). At round $30, this dongle is the most effective bang on your buck in terms of upgrading the audio expertise in your iPhone, Android, PC or Mac. There’s even a Lightning model accessible 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 greater than a typical headphone adapter and it comes with a rugged, woven cable, so it will possibly deal with plenty of put on and tear. There’s even a small LED on the entrance that permits you to know in the event you’re listening to plain, excessive, or higher-resolution information so that you might be assured you’re getting probably the most out of your music in actual time.

Sure, it’s the Apple headphone adapter you realize and (possibly) love, but it surely’s price contemplating if you’d like one thing tremendous light-weight and much more inexpensive. Apple’s dongle doesn’t assist the bigger, Hello-Res information accessible on its music service, however it will possibly deal with the usual lossless (24bit/48kHz) format no drawback. As you’d count on, it’s accessible in Lightning and USB-C variations relying on which Apple gadget you’re connecting it to.

Positive, probably the most demanding listeners may lament the shortage of assist for the upper resolutions, and it may be just a little quiet with some headphones which can be 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 handbook on your headphones and search for Impedance (typically listed as Ohms) — something under round 150Ohms and you need to be fantastic. Something above that, and also you may need to think about Fiio’s dongle as an alternative.

Whereas this information is primarily centered on Apple Music, many of the gear right here will unlock lossless audio regardless of the place you pay attention. If Tidal is your platform of alternative, you is likely to be aware of 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 the event you nonetheless need to ensure you can hearken to music from shops or providers that present it, the iFi GO Link can 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 equivalent to Aptx Adaptive and Aptx Lossless. iPhones don’t assist any of those natively, however with this small dongle, you possibly can unlock the total potential of Bluetooth audio and the upper bitrates (and in idea audio high quality) Aptx Lossless gives. There’s a small caveat, although: you will want Bluetooth headphones that additionally assist one in all 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 gadget’s) USB-C port, pair your headphones to it and off you go. An LED on the dongle lets you realize 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 gained’t have to re-pair in the event you 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 in the event you’re on an older cellphone you might need to dwell with utilizing an adapter.

Should you’re trying to take issues to the subsequent stage with out spending “high-end” cash, there’s rather a lot 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 suggests the Melody can develop with you in case your audio journey takes you deeper into the world of audiophilia.

The wooden end provides 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 thing Apple Music can ship. The built-in amplifier can simply go louder than you must most likely ever pay attention and there are different luxuries, too, equivalent to assist for inline microphones — so you possibly can nonetheless deal with calls and take conferences in your cellphone. We additionally love that you could tailor the sound to your desire by way of the Fiio Management companion app.

Whilst you can squeeze a powerful quantity of audio tech right into a headphone adapter, a barely greater gadget 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 to be 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 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 fantastic with 3.5mm headphones, however some favor the 4.4mm connector because it gives extra energy and potential sign advantages, particularly in the event you’re utilizing a headphone amp.

With the Moonriver T2i you have got a pair extra sensible benefits. For one, there are bodily quantity controls on the gadget 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 proper stage. 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 gained’t want a separate gadget for calls.

Most significantly, the sound that comes out of the Moonriver T2i is brilliant and daring. You’ll hear audiophiles speak about sound stage, element and width, all it is advisable to know is that this DAC ticks off all of the buzzwords and serves up brilliant, 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 searching for one thing just a little extra all-in-one then the SP3 BT active speakers from Fiio are a terrific choice. We like that, for a similar value as many standalone DACs, you have got every thing it is advisable to decode high-resolution music from virtually any supply with USB-C and Aux inputs for telephones together with customary Hello-Fi connections equivalent to optical, RCA and coaxial.

These audio system didn’t make it to our testing bench, however the SP3 BTs recurrently 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 private home workplace or workspace, they’ll simply discover a dwelling in your lounge or den connecting to another music gamers you might 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 gives 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 gadget. 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 inner cell so gained’t tax the one in your cellphone 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 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 skill to mimic varied 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 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 alter sound profiles with an excruciating stage of element.

The Mojo 2 has customary 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 that you could solely cost the Mojo 2 by way of microUSB. In fact, there’s a cable supplied for this, however in the event you’ve totally made the swap to USB-C, it’ll imply it’s important to guard the charging cable intently.