The perfect DACs for Apple Music Lossless in 2026

Fiio’s affordable KA11 dongle incorporates 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’ll be able to 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 to your buck in terms of 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 greater than a typical headphone adapter and it comes with a rugged, woven cable, so it may deal with a number 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 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 would like 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 may 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 machine you’re connecting it to.

Positive, 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. Should you’re unsure, test the handbook to your headphones and search for Impedance (typically listed as Ohms) — something beneath round 150Ohms and try to be fantastic. Something above that, and also you would possibly need to take into account 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 conversant in 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 need 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 newest high-resolution codecs similar to Aptx Adaptive and Aptx Lossless. iPhones don’t assist any of those natively, however with this small dongle, you’ll be able to unlock the complete potential of Bluetooth audio and the upper bitrates (and in principle audio high quality) Aptx Lossless affords. There’s a small caveat, although: you’ll need Bluetooth headphones that additionally assist considered one 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 telephone’s (or different machine’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 once 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 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 may need to stay with utilizing an adapter.

Should you’re seeking to take issues to the subsequent stage 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 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 you need to most likely ever pay attention and there are different luxuries, too, similar to assist for inline microphones — so you’ll be able to nonetheless deal with calls and take conferences in your telephone. We additionally love you can 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 greater machine 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 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 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 favor 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 may have a pair extra sensible benefits. For one, there are bodily quantity controls on the machine 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 stage. In case your headphones have an in-line microphone, the excellent news is that this dongle will go that by to your telephone or PC so that you gained’t want a separate machine 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 is advisable to know is that this DAC ticks off all of the buzzwords and serves up vibrant, strong 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 somewhat extra all-in-one then the SP3 BT active speakers from Fiio are an incredible possibility. We like that, for a similar worth as many standalone DACs, you may have every part it is advisable to decode high-resolution music from nearly any supply with USB-C and Aux inputs for telephones together with customary Hello-Fi connections similar to optical, RCA and coaxial.

These audio system didn’t make it to our testing bench, however the SP3 BTs commonly obtain reward for his or her sound and premium construct high quality at an inexpensive worth. 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 will simply discover a residence in your lounge 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 desires to have a phrase. At $650, that is undoubtedly within the high-end worth vary, however the expertise and options it affords 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 machine. The cellular 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 inside cell so gained’t tax the one in your telephone or laptop computer. It’s sufficiently small to be moveable, 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 discipline 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 reputation in gaming circles for its capability 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 won’t disappoint. Proceed with warning right here. It’s really 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 stage of element.

The Mojo 2 has customary USB-C, microUSB, optical and coax inputs so it’s extra versatile than a number of its competitors on this regard. Though it’s price noting you can 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 swap to USB-C, it’ll imply you need to guard the charging cable intently.