✅ Best Digital to Analog Converter [ DAC Buyer's Guide ]

Digital to Analog Converter: Hey guys, in this video, we’re going to review the pros and cons of the top 5 best Digital-to-Analog Converter for sale right now.
► Links to the Digital to Analog Converter listed in the video ✅
5️⃣ Avantree DAC02: (Amazon) geni.us/bzP98r
4️⃣ Schiit Modi 3: (Amazon) geni.us/CgI29E
3️⃣ eSynic DAC: (Amazon) geni.us/sa0S
2️⃣ Audioengine D1: (Amazon) geni.us/T3Cu4hL
1️⃣ Cambridge DacMagic Plus: (Amazon) geni.us/InZETiU
🎁 You get FREE SHIPPING with Amazon Prime! Register here and get a 30-DAY FREE TRIAL 👉 geni.us/primeamazon
🎁 Get a 30-DAY FREE TRIAL for AUDIBLE here 👉 geni.us/audibleamazon
▬ ABOUT THIS VIDEO ▬
Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) play an integral role in the music and video streaming space. Most devices familiar to use requires a DAC to convert its audio to an analog signal before its output. For example, devices such as Blu-ray player, digital TV box, games console, portable music player, and smartphone. However, it is pertinent to know the best Digital/Analog Converter available in the market to enjoy a clear and subtle sound.
In today’s video, we are going to look at the top five best Digital to Analog Converter available on the market today. We have made this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We have considered their quality, features, and values when narrowing down the best choices possible. If you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned, be sure to check the links above.
(paid links)
00:00 Intro: Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)
00:36 5️⃣ Avantree DAC02
03:06 4️⃣ Schiit Modi 3
05:36 3️⃣ eSynic DAC
07:53 2️⃣ Audioengine D1
09:50 1️⃣ Cambridge DacMagic Plus
#topreviews #DigitaltoAnalogConverter #DAC
►Disclaimer◄
Some of the footage used in this video is not original content produced by TYCLW. Portions of stock footage of products were gathered from multiple sources including, manufactures, fellow creators, and various other sources. If something belongs to you, and you want it to be removed, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Techs You Can't Live Without is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@TechsYouCantLiveWithout]

5⃣ Avantree DAC02: (Amazon) geni.us/bzP98r 4⃣ Schiit Modi 3: (Amazon) geni.us/CgI29E 3⃣ eSynic DAC: (Amazon) geni.us/sa0S 2⃣ Audioengine D1: (Amazon) geni.us/T3Cu4hL 1⃣ Cambridge DacMagic Plus: (Amazon) geni.us/InZETiU

[@grindfreakmike5754]

Audio engine d1 has no power, i tried one out and it didnt impress me especially the low output power it had. Not saying Burson audio is great but for a few bucks more i got a far better unit.

[@user-vg6xv4qj4c]

So which DAC supports Dolby Surround and DTS sound??

[@Rocket-hb6jh]

It’s Pulse Code MODULATION not modification so why should we take any notice of anything else stated in this review compilation???????

[@mrgreen2769]

Okay I think I have this understood, so I purchased an analog to digital converter box because my TV doesn't have optical only auxiliary 3.5. So people understand if by chance you get one that the analog to digital does not support Dolby. I found out the hard way connecting to my Soundbar. You basically have to go into your TV or gaming console to disable Dolby otherwise it won't play through. So help me understand this digital to analog, does it just convert the audio from optical to analog or is it allowing digital Dolby play through to your Soundbar or whatever audio system you are using? Let me know something because I honestly thought that the analog to digital would support Dolby but didn't.

[@thomasromero1529]

Amazing video! its incredible ,love this top

[@angelvaca9232]

excellent video, a question friend... how do I know if my receiver needs DAC? or what characteristics should I look for to buy a more powerful DAC that my receiver can have .. my receiver is Onkyo HT-R693 and my Blu-ray player has its hi ref audio sticker it is a Sony X800M2, thanks

[@SvenVoelk]

with the stuff you mentioned - it sounds like your equipment beats already (or is semi-equal) everything he mentions here. only diff would be the way it actually sounds (from smooth/ tube like to analytical/ digital and everything in between). one of the reasons why you would buy an external dac, if you have decent build in in your equipment already. also, sounds stupid to even say, but - you can't 'daisychain' dacs. means, you can't feed a dac into a dac. you need to make up your mind which one you like. and feed digital BR player digital into your receiver and use the receiver's dac, or feed your BR analog into the amp (receiver) to use the BR dac... and the receiver as amp.

[@Dampfaeus]

I did not expect any crazy products from Chord or MSB, but man, I would have liked the list to include the ifi Zen DAC v2 and Fiio K5 for the under $200 range, which are still in the low price range and sound very good. About equal to the Schiit Modi 3. Schiit Modi Multibit Version one step up with quality and price (~$250). Maybe a mention of the RMI ADI-2, denafrips ARES 2 to what one can expect in the $1000 range.

[@Dampfaeus]

For a DAC under $100 I would strongly recommend the Fiio E10K. Fiio is crazy good value in the low end DAC segment. I even used a Fiio E7 to drive HD800's once, and it was pretty good. A step up is the Fiio K5 Pro, which has a more warm sound. If you got some kind of cheap, active near field monitors (which often suffer from a clinical sound), you can use the Fiio K5 to make them sound a bit warmer. The ifi Zen DAC v2 is a bit clearer and probably on Top of the $150 price range. However, anything that is connected by USB to a PC (in the under $1000 range) will suffer from lots of jitter. No way around it, really. Cheapest solution to that would be either a DAC or Amp with Wireless connection to stream your music from Smartphone or Laptop (which is not that good), like the Dayton Audio DTA-2.1BT2. Or you buy a cheap Raspberry Pi and use it as a source into your DAC with RuneAudio.

[@mikelunsford2587]

Is a 24-bit ESS Sabre Premier DAC ok? I think it's average or something like that, I don't know what is popular today. Thank you

[@elcolin_]

Would any DAC discussed here make audio coming out of a desktop PC also sound better the same way you say it will make audio sound better coming from the Macbook laptop? I can't figure out if the onboard audio on my motherboard (ASUS Crosshair Hero VIII) is any worse than an external DAC. If I buy a DAC, I want/need to make sure it's going to sound better than my current setup: USB output into 3.5mm headphone jack Y-split out to Left & Right powered M-AUDIO BX5a studio monitors.... so many things to choose from, sheesh!

[@SvenVoelk]

if you really can't hear a difference you don't need it. or the audio source material is so low quality, it wouldn't matter for you! (little tip, don't listen to the audio samples in yt videos... they are all compressed and rather low quality! ppl that 'hear' differences in this videos also buy sonos soundbars)

[@catalinss8136]

The product is a premium from packaging, packaging to the actual construction. The DAC is elegant, smaller than I expected it to be and has a good sound quality, which comes clean, without distortion or jitter connected to the pc via the included USB cable. The headphone amplifier is decent, managing to run the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohm headphones well and hard, but close to maximum volume. In conclusion, it is a very well built, elegant DAC, but with a sound that does not fully justify the price. AVstore services have been impeccable, order with confidence!

[@Sams911]

"Best" ... really? best? So forget dCS and MSB, or SimAudio? this is the best there is?

[@Yuenix]

He clarifies right at the begining 'this is based off of his opinion from reviews, research, etc' you cant hate him for expressing what is HIS Opinion.

[@grindfreakmike5754]

The audio engine d1 is no better then the audio your computer/laptop puts out. Sound quality is fair but rhe output power isnt much and found it to low for my listening volume prefrence. I had tryed one of these from Crutchfield and sent it back after it didn't impress me more then the audio in my computer. These small units are that small in prformance. I went with a Burson audio dac. A bigger unit but had a bigger, more powerful sound at around twice the price, about 500 us dollars. I have lower impedance headphones so there not as hard to drive as higher impedance units are. Most headphone amp /dacs will push more power into a lower impedance product. The Cambridge unit looks nice and has decent specs but went the Burson audio route as being less expensive as being on a tight budget. My decision was between the Schiit modi 3 and the Burson audio Play unit. Went with the Burson as Schiit had a needed a few weeks to restock depleted inventory levels and didn't want to wait 2-3 weeks longer to receive it.

[@Prathapan75]

Excellent video, it really is very good information. Many thanks

[@mohssinajaiz4906]

Nice guide. It's new for me. Thank you

[@archer8366]

Audioengine D1 is where my money would go

[@jeffriessman9693]

Audio quest Dragon Fly is superb for the price Can't be beat

[@tobiascurtis2692]

Hello guys, I just got my iFi Zen Dac today and I'm using it with a pair of beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm. I discovered today that when I lower the volume, the right side is louder than the left side but when I turn it up it evens out. Is that normal? I'm new to the DAC/AMP / Headphone world

[@jirne.]

If you're new to the scene do not watch this video... The creator clearly doesn't even know what the point of a DAC is, see my other comment. As for the Zen Dac, is it only at really low volumes or also at regular listening volumes? If only at very low volumes this is normal. A lot of budget products that use a volume pot have slight imbalances at very low volume. My MT602 has the same. Higher end products or products with a relay-based volume system rather than a pot will not have this issue. If it's at regular listening volumes, send it back. This should only happen at very low levels.

[@sidesw1pe]

@@jirne. I guess the creator disliked your other comment and removed it since I can't find it?

[@jirne.]

@@sidesw1pe "I don't even think he knows what a DAC is supposed to do? One of his negatives in the modi is that it is not compatible with bluetooth headphones. Yes. Of course it isn't. Bluetooth is a digital signal, so when it arrives, digitally, to your headphones it is the headphones that convert them to an analog signal. The DAC of a bluetooth headphone is INSIDE the headphone. Do you even know what the point of a DAC is?" Was commenting on the fact that he wanted a dac to output digital :p

[@sidesw1pe]

@@jirne. Hah, wanting a digital output for a digital to analogy converter, it sounds dumb but I googled it out of interest and it seems some use their DAC to pass through the audio.

[@jirne.]

@@sidesw1pe Yeah. Absolutely. But when you go 'this is a bad digital to anaolg converter because it converts digital to analog' means you really aren't getting the point...

[@sosojerk]

Consider Fiio BTA30 Pro. Beats DacMagic Plus

[@taythanhdung]

I am looking for a Digital to Analog Converter but there are too many kinds of them. Luckily I found this video. The video help me to find best Digital to Analog Converter. I will definitely buy one of them!

[@subhajitnaha1338]

"Linear" pulse-code modulation (LPCM)

[@Percival1919]

What’s the best dac for £300 if possible with 3 toslink inputs

[@rmabgoi]

Search for Matrix DAC on used items. Now, depends on your wallet.

[@EdU-od5ec]

The audioengine d1 is 6 years old and overpriced. Cheaper units like the fiio k3 or q1 offer better or the same sound for less. Not really the best list for 2020. Big fail, as you don't really know what you are talking about.

[@grindfreakmike5754]

I agree

[@xray111xxx]

Problem with these guides is not explaining relative best of what that is. Now obviously the heavyweights like DCS and Dennefrips and so on aren't going to be in their list. I think part of it is about click count. Even Schiit Audio has ever better than the Modi. Bifrost and Yggy as commonly called their flagship. DACs are aplenty out there and this is just another list. For the beginner these might rock your world, but if you are looking for more, these aren't going to be it.

[@secreto087]

the cambridge dacmagic plus is at most an average DAC by today's standards. There are much better DACs and costing less than the Topping d10s ou SMSL SU-9

[@bestopinion9257]

How about Fiio k5 pro compared with Cambrige? I want to buy one of these.

[@Imsa__gar]

Brother please suggest me best dac under 300 $ for my stereo amplifier

[@rayd408]

@@Imsa__gar check out 1Mii lavaudio. I just bought the B06HD and it sounds amazing with my JBL 305s.

[@penoprawnyobywatel6134]

Topping D10S/E30 or SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII are way better than Schiit Modi 3 or Cambridge DacMagic Plus

[@fennec7906]

Can anyone recommend a DAC/AMP combo for a headset to watch TV? I currently use a DAC, but the volume is too low.

[@snuffpappy]

I know this is a newbie question.... how do I know if an outboard DAC will produce better sound than the one in the CD player? And , can someone explain the various bit rates and sampling rates associated with DACs? With CDs being 16 bit / 44.1 Khz... how do these other stats fit into sound reproduction when using a DAC? Is there some type of audio-upscaling? Thanks.

[@nkadar52]

To your first question, you do not know. It depends on your CD player and depends on the quality of the outboard DAC. Only measurements can give you a useful answer. Your audio amplifier is also part of this link along with your speakers. If your amplifier and speakers are not high quality, you likely will not hear any difference. The standard CD sampling rate is 44.1kHz for a 16-bit reproduction via the DAC. DVDs and Blue Ray discs are made using 48kHz sampling rate, same bit-depth. Some other audio formats use up to 24-bit resolution of the signal and up to 192kHz sample rate. A 16-bit signal is made up of 65356 steps from zero (nothing out) to full scale. The audio signal sampled is set such that it fits into this resolution range. A 24-bit resolution audio signal is made of roughly 16.8 million discrete steps, so so long as the remainder of the audio system can support this quality, at least on paper should give you better sound. By how much, that is debatable. You may not hear the difference. Hopefully this helps

[@SvenVoelk]

do some research on yt channels with actual info and not on videos with low rating. that would be a starting point 8)

[@sbkarajan]

I am thinking of getting a McIntosh Amp with DA2 module... DA2 seems to be a nice DAC, costing like $1000 for an "upgrade" from DA1 to DA2... But it does not do bluetooth or wifi connection... Do you know the simplest way to stream spotify from my phone to such an old fashioned DAC????

[@simmcowaPang122]

Amazon echo dot has a 3.5 mm, I use a Y cable, and it sounds superb

[@HappyHighwayman]

If this video game out 2 years ago how is it best DAC of 2023?

[@ragzy8559]

I agree with your list of best digital to analog converters of 2020, you have sure put some interesting info into this video... thanks !

[@johnsmith1474]

Audioengine D1 is NOT a wireless device as you say at 9:00 "connects all your devices wirelessly."

[@Yiannis2112]

Apart from the Modi 3 which is decent, none of them is a top 5 buy, even in the under $200 category. The DacMagic used to be a good upper budget-low mid cost dac, some 8 years ago...Where and how did you manage to literally exhume it? Go figure! Tons of better dacs, even much cheaper than this, since then.

[@SvenVoelk]

i couldn't agree more!!!

[@x-ray3431]

He pronounced Schiit "Sheet" lmaoooo

[@decoryder]

Appreciate the video and effort, but there's NOTHING even remotely great about any of these DACs.

[@janirk7831]

Very good video for best Digital to Analog Converter !! Thank you very much !!!

[@damodarollu]

dac digital to analouge 5.1 channel

[@MacaulayGuerin]

Great video! Great price tags on those products. I will be purchasing Audioengine D1 shortly. ( I have the older model now.) Very nice work presenting these products.

[@grindfreakmike5754]

Dont bother its not worth the time.

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

@@grindfreakmike5754 why?

[@gregbilser3627]

You've just made my decision for the right Digital to Analog 'Converter a lot easier! Love your clear presentation style and in depth look at each product. Great video, Techs You Can't Live Without.

[@darleynarvaez9566]

este contenido es demasiado interesante, muchas gracias por tu información, lo recomiendo muchísimo, gracias

[@ahmedramis7541]

Nice review. Thank you for sharing with us this guide

[@lailazaizoun9568]

Great video. I recommend it to all. Thank you

[@michaelwright1602]

No Denafrips Ares II? C'mon man!

[@markmarkus808]

32 bit depth is a complete lie the sample value to be exactly the same as 24-bit these companies are full on false advertising and their idea of boosting the input volume for an analog to digital converter with 32 bit depth float is total junk because you also increase the bit rate noise floor digitally by increasing the amplitude digitally which means that you will bring up the digital bit rate noise floor by 48 DB also while you include your 48 DB of headroom and then I don’t know why they put on this exponential stuff because then everything’s gonna be different because there’s a 24 but word and that’s basically clipped

[@Oddavid]

It's very useful to know this information, thank you for sharing this video.

[@djilaliramdane9488]

Great video , very nice content , thank you very much for sharing

[@mamarsebai1548]

A great and excellent review of Best Digital to Analog Converter 2020 I have benefited a lot from this explanation

[@khalidtaha4561]

Nice review. Thank you for sharing this information

[@malikurac2836]

without words excellent tutorial explained very well, clarifying the necessary doubts, and opening my mind about what this product is, I will try it thanks for the information

[@jimgardner5129]

Absolutely terrible review of products. Your #1 pick for 2021, the Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus is DISCONTINUED. Jeez people, do your research. How could you release this prior to 2021 when you don't know what's going to happen?

[@ileardgz7691]

the best top thanks for these videos help me decide which one is the best, very grateful thanks for the good content, I hope you upload new videos I don't want to miss out, thanks for the best top

[@isaacmanyuru213]

Lemme know the cost of each DAC device.

[@isaacmanyuru213]

In US DOLLARS

[@DarkKnight-zc9rp]

Great and very useful review. So helpful for everyone who wants to by a Digital to Analog converter.

[@SvenVoelk]

nope, it is not - it's crap advise you will waste your money with.

[@joeybonin7691]

I'd rather just enjoy my analog mastered recordings through my tube gear while all of you argue about it.

[@malikurac2836]

Perfect content from beginning to end. You sharing useful and effective information about the best digital to analog converter, great energy thanks for the video.

[@adorable3006]

comment : for me , eSynic DAC is the best..

[@ahmedzilinski3682]

the video is just great , the best Digital to analog converters truly

[@alterego2717]

excellent video with nice content, this content is really helpful i like the effort used to make it

[@wric01]

Age of affordable r2r dacs, all these cheap 50$ or less dac chips inside are delta sigma crap sounds tinny harsh metallic. musician draco should be your first, everything else deltasigma sound inferior.

[@mariyes7244]

Useful information about Best Digital to Analog Converter thanks for sharing your experience

[@sabrowenie]

Robovoice.

[@mikeustaray4210]

You have reviewed the best Digital to Analog Converters on the market. A good list based on the features and values ​​of the products!

[@jessd1952]

How many of these comments are paid lol. Phony baloney. Not criticizing the products just the cheeseball comments.

[@artysanmobile]

Pulse code modification? Seriously, all cred gone.

[@BoredSilly666]

How can you call these the best DACS when they are the cheapest budget DACs. Ive never heard so much rubbish in my life. You havent even mentioned Brands like Chord or Mytek

[@brianandrew7265]

these Converters are actually worth buying, i recommend them

[@user-gj8dr5cu8s]

Cable.HDMI.V..TO. DSD..&.. SOUNDS..AtMOS!?..NICKNAME..EARC.. CONNECT.ANYTHIN..DB!?

[@landosazo7506]

WHAT???????????????

[@alainduperron9158]

No ifi product ? Are you serious ?

[@memoli801]

I just checked on the net about Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus. Nearly 400$ Eeeehmm, no.

[@forrestp33]

No DTS or Dolby surround support? Isn't that a given with two-channel DACs? Surround support is for multi-channel receivers. It shouldn't be listed as a 'con' for any of these models, it's just a fact.

[@Kharzod]

Advertisement for Amazon :/

[@oguzhancetin_mech]

audioengine d1 is a waste of money. Absolutely a shitty product. The stutter is a pain in the ass and it lacks of natural soft bass and sounds very harshly. I don't know how you can advise this product. I purchased it tried many things but no luck. Now I use hiface usb dac and it is so much better in terms of sound character and quality. It lacks of a little bit of stereo seperation but it worths the money you pay.

[@davestevens4193]

These DACs don't make the top 20. All entry level.

[@alferro3149]

Best dacs???? 😂

[@user-tx7gr7fg9b]

Ничё непонял. Выбирайся из своей пищеры - УЧИ РУССКИЙ ! пока Дизлайк...

[@mikerdp1695]

Just got Dacmagic Plus £95. Bargain....