Miglior DAC HiFi per audiofili

Ci sono molte scelte là fuori per gli audiofili che cercano il miglior DAC HiFi per le loro esigenze. Sono fermamente convinto che trovare il miglior DAC per audiofili sia un viaggio molto personale, ma ciò non significa che non posso aiutarti lungo la strada (pensa a me come Gandalf The Audiophile, o qualcosa del genere).

Ho incluso il meglio del meglio da una gamma di opzioni DAC HiFi. Quindi, se stai cercando una pura conversione audio senza un amplificatore, lo troverai. Ci sono anche opzioni portatili per chi cerca il miglior DAC HiFi da usare con il tuo smartphone.

Scelta dell'editore

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M

Il Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M era nuovo per l'inizio del 2021 e si aggiungeva a una già impressionante gamma di apparecchiature HiFi. È un fratello maggiore del modello DacMagic 100, già di grande successo, che gira intorno al 2012. Questa unità è un enorme pugno di fronte alla bontà e merita il badge Editor's Pick da questo elenco. VEDI SU AMAZON VEDI SU CAMBRIDGE AUDIO

Questi sono alcuni dei migliori audiofili di DAC HiFi, ognuno dei quali può facilmente diventare il tuo convertitore audio di riferimento.

1:Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M

Scelta dell'editore

Digita: Desktop

Output: Cuffie, RCA, XLR

Input: Bluetooth, ottico, coassiale, USB

Amplificatore cuffie: Sì

Chip DAC: Doppio DAC ESS ES9028Q2M

Supporto per i file: PCM, DSD, DoP, MQA

Bluetooth: Sì

Frequenza di campionamento massima: 32 bit/768 kHz

MQA: Sì

DSD: Sì

Visualizza su AmazonView su Cambridge Audio

Il Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M è uno dei modelli DAC di fascia media più impressionanti sul mercato. Sul serio. Trovo che il modo in cui gestisce la qualità del tono, specialmente alle estremità più alte, è super raro a meno che tu non superi il segno di 1k. Anche il fatto che supporti l'elaborazione PCM, DSD e MQA a questo livello è davvero interessante.

Cosa c'è nella confezione?

• Convertitore da digitale ad analogico
• Adattatore di alimentazione con cavo di uscita
• 3 adattatori per spine di alimentazione CA (USA/Euro/Regno Unito)
• Antenna Bluetooth 1-7/8″

Cosa ci piace (professionisti)

• Qualità tonale davvero bella ed equilibrata su tutta la linea
• Impressionante supporto di file per un DAC di fascia media
• Versatile e ricco di funzionalità

Cosa ci piace di meno (contro)

• Potrebbe essere necessario strizzare gli occhi per leggere i caratteri dell'interfaccia finché non acquisisci familiarità
• Il controllo del volume potrebbe essere più preciso

2:RME ADI-2 DAC FS

Il miglior contendente

Digita: Desktop

Output: Cuffie, Bilanciato XLR, Linea

Input: USB, coassiale, ottico

Amplificatore cuffie: Sì

Chip DAC: AMK AK44900EQ

Supporto per i file: PCM, DXD, SAD

Bluetooth: No

Frequenza di campionamento massima: 32 bit/768 kHz

MQA: No

DSD: Sì

Visualizza su AmazonView su RME Audio

C'è un sacco di cose impressionanti sull'ADI-2, dal suono a un'impressionante gamma di funzioni. Se ami i grandi scenari sonori tridimensionali che offrono un suono brillante, allacciali alle cuffie. I was impressed by how deep and detailed this RME model is, especially relative to other DACs that base their technology on the AKM chip.

The ADI-2 manages to deliver quite detailed sound quality considering how warm and soft the textural quality can be. Its bass is tight and delivers the punch you want out of it. The midrange sound is very clear.

Additionally, if the out-of-the-box sound doesn’t fit your exact taste, the RME has exceptionally good equalization and crossfeed control to create the ideal listening experience.

What’s in the Box?

• Multi-Remote-Control
• Power supply
• 78-inch USB 2 cable

What we like (Pros)

• Fantastic sound quality, even straight out of the box
• Well designed screen and interface
• Lots of options for adjusting and tweaking the sound
• Incredible value for the level of clarity

What we like less (Cons)

• No Bluetooth
• Menu takes getting used to

3:Matrix Audio Element X Music Streamer

Type: Desktop

Outputs: XLR, RCA, Headphones

Inputs: Optical, Coaxial, IIS LVDS, USB

Headphones Amp: Sì

DAC Chip: ES9038 PRO

File Support: PCM, DSD, MQA, MA Player, Roon, DLNA

Bluetooth: No

Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/768kHz

MQA: Sì

DSD: Sì

View on AmazonView on Matrix Audio

I have to confess that I hadn’t heard of Matrix Audio before I started hearing some noise (the good kind) on the internet about the Element X. It’s actually a Chinese company, which people are quick to associate with low-quality craftsmanship. Boy, would they be wrong here.

Clearly, the engineers of the Element X were very detail-oriented, because the details and high resolution you can hear in the audio are superb. It has also performed amazingly well in an in-depth audio analysis. It’s honestly one of the best HiFi DACs I’ve had the pleasure of using.

What’s in the Box?

• Remote control
• Power cord
• USB cable with ferrite magnets on the ends
• Two wifi antennas

What we like (Pros)

• Top-notch sound engineering
• High dynamic range (up to 140dB)
• One of the best headphone amps among similar DACs

What we like less (Cons)

• Higher price point

4:Chord Qutest

Type: Desktop (though very compact)

Outputs: RCA

Inputs: USB-B, Dual BNC, Optical

Headphones Amp: No

DAC Chip: Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA

File Support: PCM, DSD

Bluetooth: No

Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/768kHz

MQA: No

DSD: Sì

View on AmazonView on Chord

The Chord Qutest is a true DAC without any frills and no headphone amplifier. If anything, though, it reminds feature-chasing audiophiles that at the end of the day, wound quality is all that matters. The Qutest delivers a detailed, warm sound that allows you to distinguish the rich texture of different instruments while also bringing them together with fantastic timing.

What’s in the Box?

• 1.5m 5v/2a Switching Micro USB Power Supply
• 2m Type A to Type B USB Cable
• Raw Silk Drawstring Bag

What we like (Pros)

• Very detailed sound that’s also warm and rich
• Achieves boldness and depth to vocals
• No noticeable residual noise

What we like less (Cons)

• No bluetooth

5:Ultrasone Panther DAC

Type: Portable

Outputs: Headphone

Inputs: Line-In, Micro USB Charging Port, Micro USB OTG

Headphones Amp: No

DAC Chip: AKM AK4490

File Support: DSD, MFi

Bluetooth: No

Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/384kHz

MQA: No

DSD: Sì

View on AmazonView on Ultrasone

The power of the amplifier in this ‘lil portable guy is quite impressive. At the end of the day, Ultrasone has made a highly portable DAC designed for enjoying relaxed sound with a very musical quality. Perfect for smartphone use. With a simple interface and up to 20 hours of battery life, it knows what it’s made for and delivers with force.

What’s in the Box?

• Standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm
• USB C to USB Micro
• USB Micro to Lightning iOS
• USB Micro to USB Micro
• USB standard to USB Micro

What we like (Pros)

• Up to 20 hours of battery life
• MFi certified for use with Apple devices
• High quality and pure delivery of sound
• All of the cable options included in the box

What we like less (Cons)

• Bass lovers might need to boost the low end (though it doesn’t muddy when you do)
• No carrying case included

6:Chord Mojo 2

Type: Portable

Outputs: Headphone

Inputs: Coaxial, Dual-data coax, Optical, Micro-USB, USB-C

Headphones Amp: Sì

DAC Chip: Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA

File Support: DSD via DoP

Bluetooth: No

Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/768kHz

MQA: No

DSD: Sì

View on AmazonView on Chord

From what I can tell, there’s no better portable DAC option than this bad boy right here. It’s not necessarily going to win beauty competitions, but you’re not listening to its looks. And, oh boy, does its sound deliver.

Chord continues to deliver with its proprietary DAC tech and audio algorithms to deliver big, deep, textural sound. Added battery life and inputs from the previous model are improvements as well.

What’s in the Box?

• Micro-USB to Type-A cable

What we like (Pros)

• A lot of tonal adjustment options for a portable DAC
• Impressively big soundstage with great resolution and clarity
• Smart and functional features along with versatile input options

What we like less (Cons)

• Physical interface looks a bit crowded

7:Musician Audio Pegasus R2R

Type: Desktop

Outputs: RCA, XLR

Inputs: Coaxial via RCA, Optical fiber, USB, AES/EBU, I2S via HDMI LVDS

Headphones Amp: No

DAC Chip: R2R

File Support: DSD, PCM, DSD via DoP

Bluetooth: No

Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/1536 kHz

MQA: No

DSD: Sì

View on AmazonView on Musician

Musician Pegasus went through the challenging process of constructing its own R2R ladder, and it pays off here with the Pegasus R2R. There’s a natural, balanced quality to its sound, yet it’s not flat. You can really notice the depth, texture, and precision of the audio.

What’s in the Box?

• DC power supply

What we like (Pros)

• Really high end, thoughtful build quality, and design
• Wide soundstage for impressive deep, full sound
• Full-bodied, balanced sound

What we like less (Cons)

• No volume control (though in fairness no R2R DACs I know of have one)

8:JDS Labs Atom DAC+

Type: Desktop

Outputs: RCA

Inputs: USB, TOSLINK

Headphones Amp: No

DAC Chip: ES9018K2M

File Support: PCM, DSD

Bluetooth: No

Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/384kHz

MQA: No

DSD: Sì

View on JDS Labs

It’s easy to get carried away when you dive into the world of hifi audio. I know when I’m deciding on the best audiophile DAC to buy it’s tempting to push the budget just a little bit higher…and higher. The JDS Labs Atom DAC+ is proof that you don’t need to spend tons to achieve amazing sound quality. For me, it’s safe to say that it’s the best budget HiFi DAC out there.

What’s in the Box?

• 15VAC Power Adapter
• 3ft USB Type A to Type B Cable w/Ferrite
• Rocker Power Switch

What we like (Pros)

• Fantastic clarity and detailed sound for the price
• No frills design and setup, which makes it great for those just getting into HiFi audio
• Impressive dynamic range for its class

What we like less (Cons)

• Limited outputs
• No built-in headphone amp, which is probably a downside for beginner audiophiles (but again, for the price I’d rather have the refined sound quality)