Who is this for?

Phone and tablet lossless listeners

If your phone or tablet supplies the music, the DAC must connect to its port and to your wired headphones. For Apple Music, Apple says playback above 48 kHz on iPhone and iPad needs an external DAC.

Laptop listeners with high-resolution files

If you play local PCM or DSD files, check the DAC’s supported formats alongside the computer connection and headphone socket. A format ceiling alone does not establish what your playback software will send to the DAC.

Owners of demanding or balanced headphones

If your headphones have a 4.4 mm plug or need more output headroom, check the matching socket and the manufacturer’s output figures at a relevant load and operating mode, rather than choosing by decoding rate alone.

What matters when choosing a DAC?

Start with the files and playback device, then check the headphone connection and how you will use the DAC. The decisive requirement is the one that must work with your existing setup.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
File formats Match your files’ PCM sample rate and bit depth, or DSD format, to the DAC’s stated support. Check what the playback device actually outputs. If my collection includes higher-rate PCM or DSD files, I want the DAC to accept the format my player sends. Around 31% of consumers put file compatibility first.
Headphone connection and output Match the headphone plug to a 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm socket. Compare stated output figures at the relevant impedance and operating mode. With a 4.4 mm cable or headphones that need more headroom, I need a matching output and useful power specifications; this is the primary concern for around 25% of consumers.
Source connection Identify the phone, tablet or computer port; check the DAC’s USB connector, any required adaptor and device compatibility. I need the DAC to connect to the device I already use, without assuming that a USB-C, USB-A or Lightning connection is interchangeable. Around 25% of consumers prioritise source compatibility.
Portability and power Decide whether USB power from the source or a separately charged portable unit suits your listening routine; check size and connections. For listening away from a desk, I would weigh pocket size against power drawn from my phone and the need to charge another device. Portability and power use come first for around 19% of consumers.

Buying pitfalls

  • Choosing by the largest sample-rate figure alone

    A decoding ceiling does not tell you whether the DAC connects to your source or suits your headphones. FiiO specifies PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit for the KA17, while AudioQuest specifies up to 24-bit/96 kHz for DragonFly Cobalt; neither figure settles the rest of the setup.

    Check your files’ formats, source connection and headphone plug before comparing format ceilings.

  • Assuming high-resolution playback happens automatically

    Apple says an external DAC is needed for Apple Music playback above 48 kHz on iPhone and iPad. The service setting and the connection used also matter to the playback path.

    Enable the relevant lossless setting, use a wired connection and check the sample rate reaching the DAC.

  • Buying a balanced output without checking the cable

    A 4.4 mm headphone plug needs a compatible output; it does not connect directly to a 3.5 mm socket. iFi audio specifies both sockets for the GO link Max, as does FiiO for the KA17.

    Check your existing cable and the manufacturer’s guidance before considering an adaptor.

    If your current headphones have only a 3.5 mm cable, using a 4.4 mm output may require a compatible replacement cable.

  • Treating a manufacturer warranty as the only fault remedy

    A manufacturer warranty and statutory rights are separate. UK consumer protections for faulty goods apply according to their legal conditions, regardless of whether a voluntary warranty also applies.

    Keep the order record and details of the fault, and contact the trader if the DAC is faulty.

Brands and product lines to consider

iFi audio

The GO link Max is a compact USB-C dongle option for listeners choosing between 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm headphone connections.

  • The GO link Max manual specifies PCM up to 384 kHz, DSD256 and separate 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm outputs.
  • It draws power through USB-C, so check source-device compatibility and whether that power arrangement suits longer mobile sessions.

FiiO

The KA17 is a portable USB DAC/amp to consider when documented output figures and both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm sockets matter.

  • FiiO specifies PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit, DSD512, recommended impedance ranges and output figures for the KA17.
  • Its output figures depend on load and operating mode; check the relevant figures rather than treating one number as representative of every setup.

Chord Electronics

Mojo 2 is a battery-powered portable DAC/amp for listeners whose sources call for more than a single USB-C input.

  • Chord Electronics lists USB-C, Micro-USB, optical and coaxial digital inputs for Mojo 2.
  • Its additional connections and battery make for a more involved setup than a USB-powered dongle; choose them for sources you will use.

AudioQuest

DragonFly Cobalt is a USB-A DAC with a 3.5 mm headphone output for compatible computers or devices connected through an appropriate adaptor.

  • AudioQuest specifies playback up to 24-bit/96 kHz and includes a USB-C extender.
  • For a Lightning-equipped iPhone, AudioQuest specifies an Apple Lightning-to-USB adaptor; its stated format ceiling also matters if your playback exceeds 96 kHz.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an external DAC for Apple Music Hi-Res Lossless?

For Apple Music playback above 48 kHz on iPhone or iPad, Apple says you need an external DAC. Apple gives the same requirement for Macs except specified 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that support native playback up to 96 kHz. Check the Music audio-quality setting and your wired connection as well.

Is a higher maximum sample rate automatically better?

No. Choose a DAC that accepts the formats your files and source deliver. FiiO specifies PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit for the KA17, while AudioQuest specifies up to 24-bit/96 kHz for DragonFly Cobalt; a higher ceiling alone does not establish better audible performance.

Will a 4.4 mm headphone cable work with any USB DAC?

No. A 4.4 mm plug needs a compatible 4.4 mm headphone output. iFi audio specifies one for the GO link Max and FiiO for the KA17; check manufacturer guidance before using an adaptor with another connection.

What should I do if a USB DAC is faulty after purchase in the UK?

Keep the order details and evidence of the fault, then contact the trader. UK statutory remedies for goods that fail to meet legal standards are separate from any manufacturer warranty; the remedy available depends on the circumstances and the applicable conditions.

How should I dispose of an unwanted USB DAC?

Use an appropriate electrical-equipment collection or retailer take-back route where available, rather than putting the DAC in ordinary household rubbish. GOV.UK describes the UK’s waste electrical and electronic equipment rules as supporting recovery, reuse and recycling.