DACs
A DIGITAL-TO-ANALOGUE CONVERTER IS A MODERN HI-FI MUST
View offers whf.cm/BBDACs
Up to £300
Zorloo Ztella $99
August 2020 (issue 437) ★★★★★ If you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now. Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA
Cyrus soundKey £99
Best DAC under £100, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Size 2 x5 x1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz
iFi Zen DAC V2 £159
Best DAC under £200, Awards 2022 ★★★★★ A good jump in quality over the Award-winning original, to keep features and performance best in class – and for not much extra money. Inputs USB 3.0 Size 35 x 160 x 117mm Res PCM 348kHz, DSD256, MQA
iFi hip-dac 2 £179
April 2022 ★★★★★ At this level, you’re unlikely to find a portable DAC as clear, zealous, fully featured, or as downright good-looking as the iFi hip-dac 2. Inputs USB 3.0 Size 14 x 7 x102mm Res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256