A good digital-to-analog converter (or DAC) can make all the difference when listening to music, especially through headphones. We've talked about why they're so great, and how to choose a good one before, but this week we're looking at five of the best, based on your nominations.
Earlier in the week, we asked you to tell us which DACs you thought were the best. Not just the outright best in audio quality, or the highest-end, but the best for consumers looking for great audio quality for their money, and a solid listening experience in their headphones. We tallied up your votes, and while no five best anything audio list can possibly settle all rivalies, here's what you said:
Fiio Alpen-E17
The Fiio E17 is a DAC we loved enough to mention in our guide to selecting the right DAC, and our friends at Head-Fi hold it in high regard as well. It's an incredible sounding DAC for the price ($139 at Amazon), and it's a tiny, portable model, small enough to slide into a pocket. It's on the higher end of Fiio's DAC models, but it comes with interchangeable adapters so you can plug in different audio inputs, and almost all of the unit's features can be accessed and managed using the LCD display, so you don't have a ton of dials and knobs: just a thin, sleek piece of metal that can travel with you anywhere you go. It's not a perfect model (some people say the controls and menus are finicky, and even at its price point you could probably find better for a few bucks more), but it's a great and affordable USB DAC (with Amp) nonetheless.
ODAC (ObjectiveDAC)
The ODAC (or ObjectiveDAC) is actually a board that you can buy on its own and install into a case to build your own DIY DAC with the inputs and outputs you want. It's $99 in this form (and doesn't come with an amplifier), but if you want complete, stand-alone model, $149 will buy you the pre-built model in a case, ready to be powered by USB and push audio to a pair of headphones via its 3.5mm audio jack (but it still needs an amplifier in this form). If you want an amp, the O2+ODAC combo package (shown above) comes with the ODAC installed in a case with an O2 amplifier pre-installed. The whole thing will set you back $285, but it's a slim, trim package that'll look good on your desktop without taking too much space, and it'll sound much better. Both the original ODAC and the O2+ODAC combo are well regarded at Head-Fi, offering impressive sound in a small package, whether you get the amplified model or not.
Asus Xonar Essence One
The ASUS Xonar Essence One is just one component in the Xonar line, and as some of you mentioned in the call for contenders, don't let ASUS' name scare you off?the Xonar line of soundcards and USB DACs offers great sound in small, affordable packages. The Xonar Essence One for example sports a built-in amplifier, signal to noise above and beyond other DACs in its class, and a dedicated internal power supply, so you don't have to plug it into a brick or try to power it over USB. It's a little bigger than other models, but the extra space is well used: it can accept a number of audio inputs, including optical and S/PDIF in addition to USB. You'll pay for all of those features though, it'll set you back $600 at Amazon.
Schiit Bifrost
Schiit doesn't mess around. Just read through their FAQ page, and specifically their FAQs on the Bifrost?they're serious about audio, and they don't pull punches. Just as well?The Bifrost is a powerhouse. It's actually an upgradable DAC that you can pair with other Schiit audio gear, like their amplifiers. The Bifrost accepts optical, USB, and S/PDIF inputs and outputs via RCA for speakers (so it's not like the other DACs here, designed to drive headphones). The unit is modular and customizable, so you can get one with or without a USB input card, or upgrade the onboard USB to their Gen2 card. You can even select the volatge, plug types, and analog stage when you order. The Bifrost starts at $349 direct (or at Amazon), and if you want some user reviews before you consider dropping the cash, check out what the folks at Head-Fi have to say about it.
WooAudio WA7 Fireflies
Probably the most high-end of the DACs in the roundup, the WooAudio WA7 "Fireflies" are fully featured DACs with world-class vacuum tube amplifiers. They're actually remarkably small, and look a bit like art when sitting on your desk. They accept USB or RCA input, and can output to your headphones using the 3.5mm jack on the front. Behind its simple, minimalist design (and glowing vacuum tubes, thus the name "fireflies,") is an audiophile friendly system. With that design, and its high-end nature, comes a high-end price point: The WooAudio WA7 will set you back $999, with optional upgrade tubes adding another $100 to the price tag. It's available direct from WooAudio, and there are more than a few happy owners over at Head-Fi.
Now that you've seen the top five, it's time to put them to a vote to determine the Lifehacker community favorite!
Honorable mentions this week go out to Dragonfly DAC, a tiny, super-portable USB DAC that's been well reviewed and well regarded. It'll set you back $249 at Amazon. Also worth noting are the affordable but still great-sounding M-Audio Fast Track and M-Audio Fast Track Pro, both of which have been sadly discontinued. You can still find them pop up from used equipment sales and as refurbs from time to time though, often as low as $20, and they work just as well when recording instruments and audio gear as they do plugged into headphones and a computer.
Have something to say about one of the contenders? Want to make the case for your personal favorite, even if it wasn't included in the list? Remember, the top five are based on your most popular nominations from the call for contenders thread from earlier in the week. Don't just complain about the top five, let us know what your preferred alternative is?and make your case for it?in the discussions below.
The Hive Five is based on reader nominations. As with most Hive Five posts, if your favorite was left out, it's not because we hate it?it's because it didn't get the nominations required in the call for contenders post to make the top five. We understand it's a bit of a popularity contest, but if you have a favorite, we want to hear about it. Have a suggestion for the Hive Five? Send us an email at tips+hivefive@lifehacker.com!
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