Best DACs for Hi-Res Audio in 2025

In 2025, the world of high fidelity audio is no longer the niche playground of vinyl lovers or professional studio heads; it’s evolved into a dynamic, digital first space where even casual music lovers are upgrading their listening experience. At the heart of that upgrade? The humble DAC, short for Digital to Analogue Converter.

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Whether you're streaming TIDAL FLACs, watching Atmos enabled content, or simply trying to get the most from your lossless Apple Music library, a good DAC can breathe life into your audio. But with dozens of options available (and prices ranging from lunch money to mortgage payments), which DACs are truly worth it in 2025?

Let’s break it all down, from what DACs actually do to the best models you can buy right now.

What Is a DAC and Why Should You Care?

If you're new to the game: every digital audio signal (like a file from Spotify or YouTube) needs to be converted into analogue before your headphones or speakers can play it. This conversion is done by a DAC. Your phone, laptop, or tablet already has one built in, but they're often an afterthought, designed for convenience, not quality.

External DACs bypass those internal components, delivering cleaner, more dynamic sound.

You'll hear tighter bass, clearer highs, and more space between instruments, what audiophiles call “soundstage.”

Simply put: a good DAC = better sound.

Key Things to Look for in a DAC

Before we get into the best DACs of the year, here’s what to keep an eye on when buying:

• Hi Res Support: Look for 24 bit/192kHz support (or higher) and compatibility with formats like DSD or MQA if you’re streaming.

• Connection Type: USB, optical, coaxial, or Bluetooth. Make sure it plays nice with your devices.

• Headphone Amp Combo: Many DACs come with built in headphone amps. Great for those using high impedance cans.

• Portability vs Desktop: Do you need something pocket sized or a unit for your home setup?

• Software & Drivers: Especially important for Windows users or advanced tuning.

Now, let's jump into the top picks.

Best Overall DAC: Chord Mojo 2

• Price: ~£450

• Resolution: Up to 32 bit/768kHz, DSD256

• Best For: Audiophiles who want versatility on the go

The Chord Mojo 2 continues to dominate in 2025. It’s portable, powerful, and built like a tank. The FPGA architecture is bespoke, meaning it doesn’t rely on off the shelf chips. And the result? Sublime detail retrieval and tonal neutrality.

It works with everything: phones, laptops, even game consoles. The Mojo 2’s “Intelligent Desktop Mode” means you can leave it plugged in without frying the battery. The new menu system offers EQ customisation, a dream for tuning your sound.

Why We Love It: It strikes the perfect balance between hi fi nerd appeal and plug and play usability.

Best Desktop DAC: Topping DX9

• Price: ~£900

• Resolution: Up to 32 bit/768kHz, DSD512

• Best For: Headphone enthusiasts with a home setup

Topping has carved a niche for offering top tier measurements at mid range prices. The DX9 is their 2025 flagship, boasting balanced XLR outputs, ultra low THD+N, and full MQA decoding.

It’s a DAC and headphone amp combo that pairs beautifully with planars or high impedance Sennheisers. With a clean, detailed presentation and low noise floor, the DX9 is ideal for analytical listening without fatigue.

Why We Love It: Studio level sound for under a grand.

Best Budget DAC: iFi Uno

• Price: ~£80

• Resolution: 32 bit/384kHz, DSD256

• Best For: Newcomers and casual streamers

Don’t want to spend a fortune? The iFi Uno offers a serious upgrade over your phone or laptop’s output for under £100. It features iFi’s trademark Burr Brown chip, which delivers warm, smooth sound.

Plug it into your PC or tablet, flick on the “PowerMatch” gain switch, and you're off. No fuss, no drivers, just better sound. It even supports MQA rendering, a big win at this price point.

Why We Love It: Affordable, reliable, and sounds way better than it should.

Best for Streaming: Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M

• Price: ~£450

• Resolution: 32 bit/768kHz, DSD512

• Best For: TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music Hi Res users

Cambridge Audio’s DacMagic 200M delivers on both sonics and style. It offers USB, optical, and coax inputs, and crucially, full MQA decoding.

You get dual ESS Sabre DAC chips for detailed, spacious sound, and balanced XLR outputs for pro level setups. There’s also a robust headphone amp built in.

Why We Love It: It’s future proof, elegant, and engineered in Britain. A hi res streaming powerhouse.

Best Portable Wireless DAC: FiiO BTR7

• Price: ~£200

• Resolution: 32 bit/384kHz, DSD256, aptX Adaptive, LDAC

• Best For: Wireless listening on the move

If you want wireless freedom without sacrificing sound quality, the FiiO BTR7 is your mate. It supports all the major hi res Bluetooth codecs, has a built in battery, and even features a mini OLED screen.

It’s tiny, clip on portable, and has both balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs. Plus, it works as a USB DAC too. Truly versatile.

Why We Love It: Compact, high quality wireless audio that doesn’t break the bank.

Best for Smartphones: AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt

• Price: ~£300

• Resolution: 24 bit/96kHz

• Best For: Mobile audiophiles

The DragonFly Cobalt is still going strong in 2025. Its plug and play USB A form factor (with adapter for USB C or Lightning) makes it ideal for on the go hi fi. The sound is detailed yet smooth, with great midrange richness, perfect for vocals and acoustic tracks.

It’s not the most powerful DAC, but it’ll drive most headphones just fine. And it’s tiny enough to live in your pocket or laptop bag.

Why We Love It: Effortless hi fi upgrade for phones and laptops.

Honorable Mentions

• Schiit Modi+: Great entry level desktop DAC with clean analogue output.

• RME ADI 2 DAC FS: For engineers or anyone who wants ultra precise sound and deep configurability.

• Khadas Tone2 Pro: Sleek and affordable with balanced output and full MQA.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, the DAC market is more exciting than ever. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into hi res audio or already deep in the audiophile rabbit hole, there’s a DAC out there for you.

For most people, the Chord Mojo 2 or Topping DX9 will tick every box. If you're budget conscious, the iFi Uno is shockingly good value. And if you're all about streaming, the DacMagic 200M is hard to beat.

Whichever route you take, upgrading your DAC is one of the fastest ways to truly hear the music you love, exactly as it was meant to sound.

— Dave Hall, Audio & Sound Technology | The Tech Advisor