USB DAC for Hi-Res Lossless

[AppleTO]

With all the news about Apple Music adding Hi-Res Lossless support, any recommendations on a good USB DAC?

According to Apple, the standard lighting to 3.5mm converter will not support Hi-Res.

 

[nmeed]

This may interest you THX Onyx Hands-On

 

[4sallypat]

I am looking for an affordable USB DAC too.
THX Onyx is $200 and Helm is $ 140.

Here's a list that Tidal recommends - anyone tell me if there are more affordable units?

 

[cbautis2]

Hidizs S8

HIDIZS S8 USB DAC Amp, 384kHz / 32Bit USB C Portable HiFi Audio Decoding Amplifier for iPhone iPod Android Computer with Windows/Mac OS/iOS/iPad OS System (4 Interface Cable Included, Silver)

HIDIZS S8 Portable HIFI Decoding Headphone Amplifier for iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android Smartphone and Laptop ✔Professional and powerful decoding chip CS43131, bringing you a new awesome audio performance. ✔Hi-Res Audio Certification, USB Audio(DAC) Support: DSD64/128,PCM384kHz/32bit and ISO. ✔Volum...

www.amazon.com

 

[dagored]

I just purchased iFi Hip-dac Portable Balanced DAC from Amazon for my iPhone 12 Pro.
Read reviews, watched YT videos, and searched the Net. Not an Audiophile, I am hoping I did OK for just starting out.
It will be used with the Sony XM4. Fingers crossed.

 

[Fravin]

Try the Meridian's Explorer. It's a tiny DAC with analog amp that provides an wonderful sound. It's little over aged now, You should grab it really cheap.

 

[Kobra]

I’m looking at the Zorloo Ztella because it’s has the most compact design I’ve seen past the Apple 3.5mm adapter (which is a really good DAC but only supports 24bit /48 kHz). The Zorloo is clearly designed with the Apple adapter as a reference. It has got some good reviews as well

 

[4sallypat]

Just got a Tidal MQA subscription for 3 months free and finding out that the MQA convertors have different sampling rates depending on the decoder.

I just ordered the Cambridge Audio DACMagic 100:

• DIGITAL INPUT WORD WIDTHS SUPPORTED 16-24bit
• DIGITAL INPUT SAMPLING FREQUENCIES SUPPORTED 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz

 

[Fravin]

Just got a Tidal MQA subscription for 3 months free and finding out that the MQA convertors have different sampling rates depending on the decoder.

I just ordered the Cambridge Audio DACMagic 100:

• DIGITAL INPUT WORD WIDTHS SUPPORTED 16-24bit
• DIGITAL INPUT SAMPLING FREQUENCIES SUPPORTED 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz

View attachment 1790716

That little piece of hardware had enchanted generations of music lovers. I love the way it was designed with two Wolfson dacs in Tandem. They provides a clear and rich output.

But, it will not decode MQA files.

MQA files can only be hardware decoded by a few compatible devices. And Ca DacMagic isn't one of them. It wil play nicely the audio from Tidal MQAs, bu they will be converted and processed by Tidal's software before reaching DACMagic. This isn't bad. The sound output will be amazingly good, just because the DacMagic will upsample the 48Hz output from the software decoder.

Bear in mind that DacMagic will output line out audio, with no amplification. You will need to hook it to an external amp.

 

[Fravin]

I’m looking at the Zorloo Ztella because it’s has the most compact design I’ve seen past the Apple 3.5mm adapter (which is a really good DAC but only supports 24bit /48 kHz). The Zorloo is clearly designed with the Apple adapter as a reference. It has got some good reviews as well

Did you looked for Meridian's Explorer?

It's a bit bigger, but will provide a louder audio output, with a high quality analog amp. Check it out.

 

[4sallypat]

That little piece of hardware had enchanted generations of music lovers. I love the way it was designed with two Wolfson dacs in Tandem. They provides a clear and rich output.

But, it will not decode MQA files.

MQA files can only be hardware decoded by a few compatible devices. And Ca DacMagic isn't one of them. It wil play nicely the audio from Tidal MQAs, bu they will be converted and processed by Tidal's software before reaching DACMagic. This isn't bad. The sound output will be amazingly good, just because the DacMagic will upsample the 48Hz output from the software decoder.

Bear in mind that DacMagic will output line out audio, with no amplification. You will need to hook it to an external amp.

What do you say about this MQA decoder - iFi HipDAC.

Looking for USB to 3.5mm MQA from Tidal.

They say "Spotify to Tidal MQA to MP3 and beyond, play any high res audio format with native digital to analog conversion so you can listen to any song the way the original recording was intended"

 

[Fravin]

What do you say about this MQA decoder - iFi HipDAC.

Wow!

That one is a big hit. Actually ifi is very serious about their products. This HipDAC has the guts to handle MQA and Apple Lossless wonderfully. Your ears will thank you. It has a powerful amp too.

It's not a fault from Cambridge Audio's DACMagic. It has a fantastic sound. But it won't catch up with recent releases... In the time CA designed the DACMagic, Tidal haven't born yet!

Maybe you can set Tidal development from the impact that DACMagic has made in digital audio market. 🙂

 

[Molcroft]

I use Chord Electronics Mojo when on the go, and Hugo TT2 in my living room. I can highly recommend both.

When it comes to MQA, I'd say make your homework before buying into the format. (watch/read reviews and of course most important listen)

 

[dagored]

What do you say about this MQA decoder - iFi HipDAC.

Looking for USB to 3.5mm MQA from Tidal.

They say "Spotify to Tidal MQA to MP3 and beyond, play any high res audio format with native digital to analog conversion so you can listen to any song the way the original recording was intended"

Not an expert, but have had the hipDAC for 2 weeks and am blown away. There is a difference.

 

[cbautis2]

Looks like the DAC sizes being suggested are getting larger. Thought the thread is about portable sized USB DACs for iPhone rather than home stereo DACs or transportable self-powered DACs (doesn't make sense to plug an iPhone to home stereo DACs whereas a headless Mac Mini as the sources makes far more sense)

 

[Fravin]

Looks like the DAC sizes being suggested are getting larger. Thought the thread is about portable sized USB DACs for iPhone rather than home stereo DACs or transportable self-powered DACs (doesn't make sense to plug an iPhone to home stereo DACs whereas a headless Mac Mini as the sources makes far more sense)

OP doen not mention iphone. He said USB DAC...

 

[Fravin]

When it comes to MQA, I'd say make your homework before buying into the format. (watch/read reviews and of course most important listen)

That's right!

@4sallypat You won't need a MQA decoder to have the best audio experience at all.

Just to be clear, MQA audio is just one of many Audio Codecs over there. And it won't necessary be the best one. It can be, but we will need to asses some very specific things. Some will be personal preferences.

FLAC files in 196/24 are good files, for me it's the best format. All my DACs were purchased according the way they process 196/24 FLAC files. But the way this files were created are more important than the format.

Audiophile community are addicted to DSD files. They believe it is the holly graal of Digital Audio. But...

Hearing is something personal. And everyone will have their preferences.

So bear in mind that MQA won't be the ideal.

OP asked for Apple Lossless, any DAC with FLAC 196/24 capabilities will do. Just look for it: 196HZ/24Bit.

The standard Lighting to P2 adapter doesn't handle signal, it is an adapter. The USB-C one is a real thing. It can decode audio signal and it does it very well!!!!