The most effective DACs for Apple Music Lossless in 2025

Fiio’s reasonably priced 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 ensure 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 most effective 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 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 a variety of put on and tear. There’s even a small LED on the entrance that permits you to know for those who’re listening to plain, excessive, or higher-resolution information 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 already know and (possibly) love, but it surely’s price contemplating in order for you 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 could actually 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 machine 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 might be excessive impedance (sometimes dearer “audiophile” fashions). For the overwhelming majority of customers, although, Apple’s dongle will do the job. Should you’re unsure, examine the guide on your headphones and search for Impedance (typically listed as Ohms) — something beneath round 150Ohms and you have to be positive. Something above that, and also you may need to contemplate Fiio’s dongle as a substitute.

Whereas this information is primarily centered on Apple Music, a lot of the gear right here will unlock lossless audio irrespective of the place you hear. If Tidal is your platform of selection, you is likely to be conversant in the MQA codec, which the corporate used for its high-resolution audio till ultimately switching to FLAC in 2024. MQA may not be as frequent in streaming anymore, however for those who nonetheless need to ensure you can take heed to music from shops or companies that present it, the iFi GO Hyperlink 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 newest high-resolution codecs comparable to Aptx Adaptive and Aptx Lossless. iPhones don’t help 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 concept audio high quality) Aptx Lossless gives. There’s a small caveat, although: you will want Bluetooth headphones that additionally help one in all these codecs comparable to these or these (or examine the product web page of the set you personal or are contemplating).

The BTD700 is easy to make use of, simply plug it in to your cellphone’s (or different machine’s) USB-C port, pair your headphones to it and off you go. An LED on the dongle lets you already know which of the six completely different Bluetooth “qualities” (codecs) you’re having fun with so you’ll know while you’re listening to lossless audio. The helpful half? When you’ve paired your headphones with the dongle, you received’t must re-pair for those who 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. Notice, there’s no Lightning possibility right here, so for those who’re on an older cellphone you may 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 in regards to the Melody DAC from Snowsky. Not like 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 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 an aesthetic 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 all the things Apple Music can ship. The built-in amplifier can simply go louder than it’s best to in all probability ever hear and there are different luxuries, too, comparable to help for inline microphones — so you’ll be able to nonetheless deal with calls and take conferences in your cellphone. We additionally love that you could tailor the sound to your choice through the Fiio Management companion app.

Whilst you can squeeze a powerful quantity of audio tech right into a headphone adapter, a barely larger machine affords a good 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 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 positive with 3.5mm headphones, however some want the 4.4mm connector because it supplies extra energy and potential sign advantages, particularly for those who’re utilizing a headphone amp.

With the Moonriver T2i you’ve got 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 (through companion software program) remove 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 via to your cellphone or PC so that you received’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 that you must 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 mentioned a DAC must be a dongle? Should you’re in search of one thing a little bit extra all-in-one then the SP3 BT lively audio system from Fiio are an incredible possibility. We like that, for a similar value as many standalone DACs, you’ve got all the things that you must decode high-resolution music from virtually any supply with USB-C and Aux inputs for telephones together with normal Hello-Fi connections comparable to optical, RCA and coaxial.

These audio system didn’t make it to our testing bench, however the SP3 BTs usually 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 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).

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 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 cellular units 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 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 moveable, however substantial sufficient to dwell in your desk.

Not like 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) expertise 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 potential 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 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 may also be used to vary sound profiles with an excruciating stage of element.

The Mojo 2 has normal USB-C, microUSB, optical and coax inputs so it’s extra versatile than a variety of its competitors on this regard. Though it’s price noting that you could solely cost the Mojo 2 through microUSB. In fact, there’s a cable supplied for this, however for those who’ve totally made the change to USB-C, it’ll imply it’s a must to guard the charging cable intently.