Just a year and a half ago, the only guaranteed way to achieve Hi-Fi sound from your Android smartphone was to use an external portable DAC. It connected via USB-OTG, took up additional space in a bag or pocket, and periodically required recharging its own battery. Let's see if this method remains uncontested in today's realities?
Starting with Android 4.0, USB-OTG support became ubiquitous and no longer required the user to dance with a tambourine. From that very moment a real “sandwich boom” started. Quite often among portable music lovers one could see a weighty “sandwich” tied with special tie-down tapes that often did not fit into the pocket of even the widest trousers. And the Chinese brand Fiio was happy to try and provided them with the coveted hardware on an industrial scale.
The harsh everyday life of a music lover in 2014
The software component did not stand aside either. The canonical audiophile player Neutron Music Player, through simple shamanism with the settings, made it possible to turn a smartphone from a full-fledged source into a banal transport capable of sending Hi-Res audio up to 24/192 to an external DAC via OTG. And although the flawed and dead-end nature of such a solution from the point of view of ergonomics and banal logic was obvious, it continued to remain virtually no alternative for the mass market.
The first bell
However, nature abhors a vacuum. She also does not tolerate excessive, bulky and inconvenient structures. After all, everything ingenious is simple. The first bells rang simultaneously with the announcement of the LG G2, which, despite the lack of a “full-fledged” DAC chip, software supported the same 24/192 power of the standard player. The pedestal under the OTG DACs swayed slightly.
These were, albeit natural, still flowers. In addition to the successors to the line of flagship smartphones from LG, gadgets such as the Meizu MX4 Pro gradually but inexorably began to appear, where software support for 24-bit audio was already supported by more than solid hardware. Yes, not everything was smooth. Software component Chinese manufacturer initially continued to resample the audio at 48 kHz. But at least I didn’t try to reduce the quantization bit depth from 24 bits to 16. And thanks for that.
However, progress did not stand still. Gradually, software shortcomings were eliminated with updates and patches, and the number of smartphones with suitable audio hardware grew steadily. Xiaomi products represented by Mi Note have joined the cohort of audiophile gadgets. Even Alcatel did not pass by, announcing a 5.5″ version of its flagship Idol 3 with a top Asahi Industries chip.
“Better late than never” © Samsung
The faint ripples turned into a tsunami. And in the fall of 2015, it finally reached the sole leader of the Android smartphone market - Samsung. The latter previously had a very strange habit of installing excellent DACs from Wolfson in its flagship solutions of the S and Note series, but at the same time not providing them with any software support at all. As a result, iron remained a thing in itself. And at best, the situation was corrected by custom firmware and mods. At the cost of losing the warranty, of course. However, better late than never. And for its current gadgets, the giant has released a long-awaited update, which also includes a feature called UHQ Upscaler. What is its essence? And the fact is that the feature not only supports Hi-Res Audio up to 24/96 (alas, not 192 yet), but also, when enabled, tries to “upgrade” your MP3 files or FLAC 16/44.1 to those same 24/96 . Tests will show what comes of this in practice.
So what do we have in the bottom line? The process of mandatory inclusion of high-quality audio in the list of functions of self-respecting modern flagships has been launched and is gaining momentum. Already today, the market offers both productive and very good-sounding solutions right out of the box, which do not require the purchase of additional expensive equipment and carrying a “sandwich” in the pocket of custom-made pants :).
Already in 2015, the external OTG DAC lost its monopoly position in the market. The world is gradually entering the era of Hi-Fi smartphones. And we, as music lovers and as buyers, cannot but rejoice at this. See you later!
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A DAC (or digital-to-analog converter) converts digital code to pleasant music. There is a DAC inside your phone and in your laptop, but if you want to enjoy really high-quality sound, then it is better to get an external converter.
What is the best portable DAC?
Chord Mojo. Even though this DAC looks like a weird little device with round buttons, that doesn't stop it from being far ahead of the competition.
And all because it is sold at reasonable price and allows you to breathe new life into your digital music without any complicated manipulations.
In this rating, we selected only portable converters that are powered by a laptop or have a built-in battery. But they all have one thing in common - they are great for improving the sound quality of your digital music players and smartphones. Almost all portable DACs have built-in headphone amplifiers.
All models significantly improve the sound quality of your digital files, but if you listen to music with streaming service Spotify or CD, make sure you select the highest quality. After all, the better the initial quality, the better the converter can work.
It is also worth paying attention to the quality of the headphones used. Don't even think about buying a portable DAC if you have a low-quality headset.
Rating: Best Portable DAC for Headphones
Best DAC: Chord Mojo
Rating: ★★★★☆
Having nothing to do with trendy colors, the massive all-metal Chord Mojo is an excellent converter with a Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA processor that is capable of handling any audio files from 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz in PCM, WAV, AAC, AIFF, MP3 and FLAC.
It's quite expensive for a portable DAC, but it doesn't perform much worse than its big brother, the Chord Hugo, so after a while you'll realize that the Chord Mojo is a bargain.
It's easy to use, has a nice feel to it, and is made entirely from aircraft-grade aluminum. It doesn't have a display, but you can see if the device is working via the power button. It lights up red for 44.1 kHz, green for 96 kHz and white for DSD. It has similar features to Explorer 2. However, to connect to an iPhone via USB, you will need an adapter for the Lightening cable, which you will have to buy separately.
The most beautiful DAC: Oppo HA-2 SE
Rating: ★★★★☆
If you're not willing to spend that much on a Mojo, but at the same time you don't want to sacrifice style for sound, then the Oppo HA-2 SE is the perfect compromise that offers exceptional performance as a headphone amplifier. And among other things, this DAC looks very stylish, because its body is decorated with luxurious genuine leather.
The HA-2 SE can handle high-quality music files up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256, allowing you to enjoy highly detailed, dynamic sound. The device has a button to boost the bass if you lack it, but at the same time, this is its only weak link, since the bass in this case will not be very clear.
The connectivity options are impressive, the DAC offers a USB port for your MacBook, a microUSB connector for smartphones on Android based, and a 3.5mm input for almost everything else, and Oppo also includes a cable for each port.
The battery here is 3000 mAh, from which, by the way, you can also charge your smartphone. It lasts for 7 hours when working with digital data, and for 13 hours when playing back analog signal, which is quite enough to please even the most picky music lover.
Best Wireless DAC: Astell & Kern XB10
Rating: ★★★★☆
This 23g Cookie-Sized Bluetooth DAC Adds Capability wireless communication– you can enjoy 5 hours of music playback, you can also adjust the volume, control music playback, answer calls, but thanks to the built-in 24-bit DAC, you can also listen to high-quality music... but only if you have an aptX-compatible player or telephone.
As we already mentioned, the streamer is equipped with a 192 kHz/24-bit DAC and an analog amplifier, which, regardless of the size of the file being played, will improve the sound of your track. If you like to listen to music loudly, this tiny device will help you do that, even if you stream low-quality mp3s through budget headphones.
Get yourself an aptX-compatible high-quality player, such as Astell & Kern KANN, and good wired headphones (the XB10 can even work with quite serious models, and even has a 2.5mm jack), and you will feel the difference.
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Price: 11,700 rub.
Designed to dramatically improve the sound quality of your laptop, this aluminum-framed DAC is USB-powered and has a 3.5mm analog input for connecting your headphones. It can handle high-quality files up to 24bit/192kHz and is the first of its kind to support MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology, which breaks original recordings into smaller files that are easier to download and stream, but which have best quality than on CD.
Currently, the best way to listen to MQA files is through a Tidal Premium Hi-Fi account, and using Explorer 2. But you get exceptional detail that goes beyond regular streaming quality.
Obviously, the sound quality of streaming files will be slightly lower if you listen to music from Spotify or iTunes, but it is still quite a noticeable difference compared to the normal sound of your laptop.
Most phones, regardless of price category, are famous for the flat sound of their speakers and a small volume reserve. Especially for music lovers, we have compiled a rating that includes the best smartphones with good sound of 2018-2019. We will be very glad to see your likes and comments on our selection. Also leave your options for smartphones that you consider worthy for this selection.
No. 10 - Meizu MX6
Price: 27900 rubles
- Screen: IPS, 5.5” FullHD;
- Processor: MediaTek Helio X20 (2.3 GHz);
- Memory: 4/32 GB;
- Camera: main – 12 MP, front – 5 MP.
Meizu MX6 has become one of best smartphones brand in terms of multimedia capabilities. At the presentation of the device it was mentioned that it will use a custom IMX386 photo sensor from Sony. The shooting quality of the MX6 camera can be considered one of the highest among all the manufacturer’s model lines at the moment.
The second advantage of the smartphone is its excellent multimedia speaker with a large volume reserve and clear sound. When playing a track, the mid frequencies dominate, but the bass gets a little blurry. However, this is already very good result for a device without a dedicated DAC.
Conclusion:MX6 stands out from its competitors with its sound, so the model is quite suitable for unpretentious music lovers.
#9 - HTC U ULTRA
Price: 36,000 rubles
- Screen: Super LCD5, main – 5.7”; additional – 2.05”, QuadHD;
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (2.3 GHz);
- Memory: 4/64 GB;
- Camera: main – 12 MP, front – 16 MP.
Most manufacturers solve the problem of information overload on the screen by simply increasing the display diagonal. HTC went further and installed two entire screens into the U ULTRA, one of which is responsible for displaying only the most necessary information and notifications. The solution looks quite unusual and fresh compared to its competitors.
The smartphone comes with branded HTC USonic headphones. The headset itself adapts to the shape of the user's ear for better sound. U ULTRA also has two stereo speakers, which are perfect for watching movies on big screen gadget.
Conclusion: a smartphone with a large set of unusual features. Sounds great with a branded headset.
#8 – Sony Xperia XZ
- Screen: IPS, 5.2” FullHD;
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (2.2 GHz);
- Memory: 3/64 GB;
- Camera: main – 23 MP, front – 13 MP.
Sony Xperia XZ supports all audio file formats high resolution(LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, DSD). The smartphone is equipped with a digital noise reduction system, the Clear Audio+ function and the S-Force Front Surround option. Each composition with Hi-Res quality is marked with a corresponding icon in the smartphone player.
By the way, the player itself has a rather complex equalizer with big amount customizable options. You can also transmit audio from the device via DNLA. All this makes the Sony Xperia XZ one of the best mid-priced smartphones in terms of sound.
Conclusion: the best smartphone with good sound in its price category. True, some buyers may still be confused by the proprietary “angular” designXperia.
#7 - iPhone X
Price: 72,500 rubles
- Screen: AMOLED, 5.8” 2436×1125 pixels;
- Processor: A11 Bionic;
- Memory: 3/128 GB;
- Camera: main – dual module 12+12 MP, front – 7 MP.
iPhone X breaks absolutely all records in the smartphone market: it is one of the most expensive production models in the world at the moment, one of the most popular smartphones, and also one of the best mobile devices on the sound quality of the speakers.
Compared even to last year's generation iPhone Apple have come a long way. Now the stereo speakers of their latest flagship are even louder and the sound itself is even clearer. This is partly the merit of the new processor with its innovative software for processing multimedia compositions. In general, the iPhone X will be able to compete with the flagships of other brands in terms of its technical characteristics for many years to come.
Conclusion: perhaps the only drawback of the new iPhone is that the price is too high for consumers from the CIS. In all other respects, this is an almost perfect smartphone.
#6 – Samsung Galaxy S8
Price: 42,000 rubles
- Screen: SuperAMOLED, 5.8” Quad HD+;
- Processor: Exynos 8895 (2.35 GHz);
- Memory: 4/64 GB;
- Camera: main – 12 MP, front – 8 MP.
Judging by the popularity of the new flagships, the Galaxy S8 has become perhaps the best smartphone in this model line. Buyers liked the completely new form factor (large frameless display) and a couple of Samsung-branded features (for example, AlwaysOn Display). It is also worth noting that this model was created in collaboration with AKG, the largest manufacturer of audio electronics.
The AKG brand is emblazoned on the headset, which can be found included with the smartphone. Its sound quality significantly enhances the multimedia capabilities of the Galaxy S8, in which the proprietary Exynos chipset is paired with the Aqustic DSP, significantly improving the sound of the smartphone compared to Snapdragon models.
Conclusion:GalaxyS8 came before the last generationiPhone and has already managed to “snatch” a significant part of the audienceApple.
#5 - LG G6
Price: 40,000 rubles
- Screen: IPS, 5.7” Quad HD+;
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (2.35 GHz);
- Memory: 4/64 GB;
- Camera: main – dual module 13+13 MP, front – 5 MP.
LG, whose smartphones have long been famous for bold experiments, this time decided to go the beaten path. The company focused on the main trends of 2017 - a large frameless display, water protection and a dual camera. This list also included a high-quality two-channel DAC Saber ESS ES9218, which is why the flagship was included in our rating.
A special highlight of the G6's sound is the deep bass; thanks to the loud speakers, the smartphone fully conveys the sound image of the song being played. To fine-tune playback, you can use the built-in equalizer. It is also possible to adjust the sensitivity of several microphones of the noise reduction system.
Conclusion: LG G6 is a worthy answerSamsungGalaxyS8 from a Korean manufacturer.
No. 4 - ZTE Axon 7
Price: 25,000 rubles
- Screen: AMOLED, 5.5” Quad HD;
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (2.3 GHz);
- Memory: 4/64 GB;
- Camera: main – 20 MP, front – 8 MP.
The manufacturer of Axon 7 paid due attention to stereo speakers, this can be seen even in the design of the smartphone. The speaker grilles are highlighted on the lower and upper metal inserts of the front panel of the device. In general, Axon 7 looks quite unusual compared to the boring black monoblocks of its competitors. Despite the relatively large display, the device has compact dimensions and is comfortable to hold with one hand.
Axon 7 is positioned as a multimedia smartphone, which is why there is a separate DAC for playing audio files. The device uses the Dolby Atmos system, thanks to which it was possible to achieve a very large volume reserve for stereo speakers.
Conclusion: one of the best smartphones in terms of sound. It may well replace a small wireless speaker or Hi-Fi player.
No. 3 - Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro
Price: 16990 rubles
- Screen: IPS, 5” FullHD;
- Processor: MediaTek MT6753 (1.3 GHz);
- Memory: 3/32 GB;
- Camera: main – 13 MP, front – 5 MP.
Don't be fooled by the Boost 3 SE Pro's relatively low specifications. This smartphone is positioned as a profitable replacement for Hi-Fi players, so Hightscreen is completely focused on the sound quality of the device. The DAC of the ESS9018K2M Saber device was modified by specialists in collaboration with several well-known audiophiles. Also present inside powerful amplifier A-class ADA4897–2.
To unlock the maximum potential, it is recommended to use a smartphone with Hi-Fi headphones. Thanks to the amplifier, it was possible to achieve a huge volume reserve; about 25% volume is enough for comfortable listening. The compositions are fully revealed throughout the entire frequency range.
Conclusion: a budget choice for audiophiles, an excellent replacement for more expensive Hi-Fi players.
No. 2 - Meizu Pro 7 Plus
Price: 32,000 rubles
- Screen: SuperAMOLED, 5.7” QuadHD;
- Processor: MediaTek Helio X-30 (2.6 GHz);
- Memory: 6/64 GB;
- Camera: main – dual module 12+12 MP, front – 16 MP.
Meizu Pro 7 Plus is the flagship experiment of the main Chinese manufacturer. Smartphone equipped additional screen on the rear panel, you can use it to view the most important information(time, date, notifications) and take high-quality selfies with the main dual camera.
The gadget uses a discrete Cirrus Logic CS43130 DAC with a built-in headphone amplifier. The chip provides a wide dynamic range and output power of up to 32 mW per channel. The depth and clarity of sound here is truly amazing, especially compared to competitors in the same price category. The only small drawback is that there are only five bands in the built-in equalizer, so to fine-tune the sound you will have to download a third-party application.
Conclusion: a good option for those who love non-standard solutions in smartphones.
Meizu Pro 7 Plus
No. 1 - LG V30+
- Screen: P-OLED, 6.0” QuadHD+;
- Processor: Snapdragon 835 (2.45 GHz);
- Memory: 4/128 GB;
- Camera: main – dual module 16+12 MP, front – 5 MP.
The LG V30+ uses the ES9218 Saber DAC from ESS Technology. The converter has two new functions that have not previously been seen in smartphones in this LG line - digital filters and sound presets. The smartphone comes with branded B&O PLAY headphones.
In practice we have highest quality sound, when compared with other devices in our rating. During playback, all frequencies are clearly highlighted, there are rich vocals and deep bass in the electronic genre of music. However, to adjust the sound, a ten-band equalizer is again missing.
Conclusion: the best choice for now. The sound quality of the LG V30+ is far superior to all well-known serial smartphones of 2018-2019.
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All participants in today's testing are distinguished by their small dimensions and the ability to operate autonomously from the built-in powerful battery. Thus, the devices are primarily designed for use with smartphones and portable players. However, nothing prevents you from using them with desktop computer and a laptop - after all, the built-in headphone amplifier can cope not only with portable headphone models, but also with full-size ones, and even with very low sensitivity. Moreover, a dedicated line output allows you to connect active speakers in addition to headphones. So, when we say “USB DAC for mobile devices”, let’s not forget that this is truly universal devices. The scope of their application is very wide and clearly goes beyond the “listen to music on the go” option. For example, three out of six participants have an advanced proprietary ASIO driver, and two of them have the ability to play PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD. Such capabilities bring them to the level of traditional external USB DAC.
What is the difference from large stationary DACs? The point is mainly in minor inconveniences: all input-output connectors are only in mini-jack format, there is no screen. But the digital inputs and outputs S/PDIF, inherent in “large” devices, are retained.
Let's take a closer look at the participants.
Creative Sound Blaster E5
This is the manufacturer's new, most advanced model, with a 4-core DSP processor on board, a hardware equalizer and a ton of Creative processing. When connected to a computer, the Sound Blaster E5 turns into a full-fledged sound card with an ADC, drivers, internal mixer, headset input, linear input and everyone else. When connected to a smartphone or tablet, it is a full-fledged USB DAC with a battery inside. There is a dedicated full-size USB input for iOS/Android devices. Micro-USB - only for computer and battery charging. There is also Bluetooth for wireless use, for example, as a headset - microphones are built into the card. Available for iOS/Android special application, which manages all settings of the internal processor from the mobile phone.
Nobody expected miracles from this Creative card - inexpensive (MSRP $200), with a very controversial design, a bunch of SBX Pro Studio processing that no studio had ever heard of. We are already tired of criticizing Creative for its desire to “cram in more of everything” in order to satisfy all users at once. The result is a harvester that can't really do anything well. Users who need a lot of features and don't care about sound quality are not willing to pay a high price for a card. And those who are willing to pay demand first of all sound quality, considering everything else as a free bonus.
In fact, it turned out that the Sound Blaster E5 is a completely new development that has nothing in common with all previous budget Creative USB cards and is radically different from the younger E1 and E3 models. The new E5 card is the only one that does everything the way we would like. There is normal direct support from 44.1 to 192 kHz and surprisingly excellent hardware:
- Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC
- Cirrus Logic CS5361 ADC
- Headphone amplifier Texas Instruments TPA6120A2
It is clear that even a good filling is not a guarantee of quality. However, in comparison with the rather good new E3 card, not to mention all the previous Omni, etc., the older E5 model performed much better! The drivers are much better designed, there is a special Direct Mode that explicitly disables all processing, the ASIO driver supports all frequencies and works correctly. The map has been designed very carefully and is very promising. (This was largely the result of our constant pressure on Creative, relying on readers and quoting their opinions from our forum.) Unique features of the E5 include two headphone outputs, a microphone array of three built-in microphones with a position sensor, included holder with mounting on a microphone stand. Still, Creative’s marketing couldn’t resist and stuffed more of everything into the map, right to the hilt.
Note that the E5 has a relatively bulky body, a volume control without notches, and connecting Android devices via Micro-USB is impossible. But the affordable price and outstanding sound will outweigh these minor shortcomings and Singaporean marketing quirks for many. In general, it completely unexpectedly turned out to be the strongest competitor in the market of both USB sound cards and mobile USB DACs.
Oppo HA-2
Oppo developers were able to surprise with a stunning design and the most intriguing filling: the ESS Saber32 9018 DAC in its mobile version 2M. This looks quite natural, since the Oppo HA-1 stationary DAC is based on the original ESS Sabre32 9018 for Hi-End component devices. This microcircuit has today record signal-to-noise and Kg characteristics, surpassing all other DAC microcircuits by a large margin. Other manufacturers rarely use 9018, since it is very expensive and requires a lot of experience in “cooking” it (for some reason, Chinese homemade kits from eBay “do not sound”). Another bonus from using Sabre32 is support for PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD64/128/256. Oppo developers have also provided ASIO drivers with the ability to install a very large buffer of up to 8192 samples and select high priority for USB stream transmission in the system.
Thus, the Oppo HA-2 USB DAC has been very carefully designed and prepared for the most demanding and advanced users. The only drawback is probably not the most affordable price. But Oppo HA-2 is the thinnest external DAC among all participants. He factor of thinner than others, even despite the additional non-removable leather cover! Case material - aluminum, all-metal case. As with Creative, we tested with a pre-production sample provided by the manufacturer. According to Oppo, an updated version will be released into the series, with even better sound quality and increased amplifier power reserve.
Denon DA-10
The DAC is based on TI PCM1795 - this is the favorite chip of the Japanese from Denon. This 32-bit converter can play PCM up to 192 kHz and even DSD64/128. It is stated that digital filtering is carried out using special proprietary AL32 advanced DSP technology. But what impressed us most was the giant two-piece leather case included, which is designed to carry both the DAC and the smartphone at once.
The device is made of plastic with decorative aluminum plates and a handle. The case is made thick intentionally - so that in sound card mode it is convenient to turn the volume knob. Denon DA-10 is made very well, comes with an ASIO driver and is not cheap. It feels like this is a very high-end device, designed to compete with the most expensive models without descending into the mass market. The kit even includes cables for iOS devices - both with a Lightning connector and a 30-pin one. Everything looks as thought out as possible.
FiiO E18 Kunlun
The Chinese FiiO DAC with the patriotic prefix Kunlun (Mountains of the Moon, the largest mountain system in China) contrasts with the previous participant in its affordability and democracy. There is neither an ASIO driver nor a connector for connecting an iPhone. The E18 Kunlun model is designed for use only with Android devices and allows you to connect very simply, miniature Micro-USB-Micro-USB cable. It also connects to a PC, after which it immediately starts working without requiring drivers. However, there is a trick: the device is seen in the system as a digital S/PDIF output, as if hinting to the OS that the mixer transmits data bit by bit, without multiplying or dividing the digital stream in the mixer and without mixing anything with the result.
The design of the device is chic - everything is completely metal, miniature. Note the additional Micro-USB for charging, which is different from the interface Micro-USB for pairing devices. This is one of the very few DACs that has a choice of modes: PC, Phone, Charge Out ( sound card PC, external DAC for Android and just recharging the phone battery). Unlike many FiiO DACs, it uses not WM8740, but TI PCM1798. Volume control - Alps. This is the second reincarnation of the device, with minor improvements. For its low cost, the DAC looks like a work of art - a very formidable contender in the budget category.
Tento Porta DAC 1866
The German-made Tento Porta DAC 1866 has a radically opposite ideology. This product was the pinnacle of a long journey for adherents of orthodox R-2R DACs, such as the Analog Devices AD1866 used here. This DAC only works in 16-bit 44 kHz mode, but that's exactly what fans of various homemade devices with exotic filling. There is a theory circulating on the Internet that the “golden age” of numbers ended with the advent of low-bit converters with oversampling. They say that the soul of sound recording is lost behind high technical specifications. Actually, for a long time it was like this: the first 1-bit converters played just awful. Now the situation is not at all so clear-cut, no matter what some anarchist-minded leaders of specialized forums say.
So, this Tento DAC is made for those who collect custom products and are nostalgic for the good old days. From the trends of progress, there are Mini-USB and Bluetooth interfaces. However, there is also an optical/coaxial S/PDIF and an unregulated line output. The kit comes with very good quality cables, and the foam packaging even touched us. There is only one minus of the device - the price is not so low that you can just buy it for your collection. This is probably a price to pay for being handmade and manufactured in Germany.
Venture Craft Go DAP BXD
The Japanese from Venture Craft outdid everyone else with their pretentiousness. This is the case when we, who have seen a lot of things, could not stand it and fainted. Starting with the instructions only in Japanese and ending with the lack of a DAC operating mode via the USB bus, despite the fact that the Micro-USB connector is present! However, you are required to connect only via optical or coaxial.
This is the only DAC on a very strange PCM5100A converter, but with a Muse 8920 in the preamp! You will be surprised, but the kit even includes printed circuit boards for adjusting the damping factor of a balanced amplifier (!) with a 2.5 mm microjack connector (the adapter must be purchased separately). The product is clearly for “monsieurs who know a lot about perversions.” However, the headphone amplifier is an old friend, MAX97220A, which has proven itself very well in well-known products.
The figures for the device's specifications look strange. If the impedance of 8-600 Ohms is shocking in its range, then the quality is lower than any shabby integrated sound: 95 dB signal/noise, 0.01% distortion. We hasten to please you: this is a self-incrimination of the manufacturer. Our measurement numbers turned out much better: 100 dB signal-to-noise and 0.002% distortion at any load.
Overall: a nice, but very strange, in our European opinion, device, all the settings of which are regulated by opening the case and rearranging jumpers and miniature printed circuit boards. One gets the impression that this is not a USB DAC, but some kind of “Tamagotchi for an audiophile.” Our wish to the manufacturer is to think of the same replacement for miniature block boards with a DAC chip, and also to revive operation via USB. It doesn’t look as cool as a sandwich of three devices (and this is exactly the example shown on the manufacturer’s website), but it’s convenient!
Headphones
For our testing, we specifically selected headphones that would suit the typical use of high-end mobile DACs.
As in-ear headphones (IEM, “plugs”) we tried Grado GR10 (20 thousand rubles), Fisher Audio TBA04 (10 thousand rubles), Sennheiser IE-8i (12 thousand rubles), Creative Aurvana in-Ear3 (6 thousand rubles).
We ended up using a Grado GR10 (32 Ohm, 116 dB/mW) and a Sennheiser IE-8i (16 Ohm). These small headphones retain the signature sound of their larger brothers. Very interesting models, worthy of a good quality DAC. Fisher Audio and Creative have some work to do.
Grado RS1e (35 thousand rubles) are excellent, very smooth headphones. The 32 Ohm impedance makes them suitable for listening even without a preamplifier or, conversely, saves battery power on the amplifier. The only feature is the over-ear (supra-aural) headphones, with pressure directly to the ears. For long listening sessions, it is better to loosen the headband. The sound is traditional for the classic Grado series, very comfortable. Perhaps there is a slight overpayment for mahogany in the design.
Grado SR325is (14 thousand rubles) is a more modern option, closer in sound to the Professional series. The cups are made of aluminum, which hints at a more “folk” model. The headphones simply amazed us with the detail in the midrange. The difference between the tested DACs was perhaps most pronounced on them. Grado SR325is play well above their price. After testing, we even bought this model for our own personal use. There are also disadvantages: the sound is rougher than in the Reference series. We definitely recommend listening!
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (9 thousand rubles) - very popular model with well-balanced sound and detail throughout the entire range. One of the best foldable headphones, and the emphasis on bass will come in handy on the road. The 38 Ohm impedance makes them suitable for connecting directly to a smartphone, but there is considerable benefit from a separate amplifier.
Beyerdynamic DT 1350 (16 thousand rubles) - a new product in the Tesla series, especially for portable equipment, with a cord shortened to 1.5 m. A very strange model with weak bass response. On the Internet, reviews are divided into two equal categories: “I didn’t understand what it was” and “very smooth, unadorned sound, I’m happy.” We obviously fall into the first category, but we do not exclude that there will be lovers of this sound.
Testing methodology
We connected all 6 devices to one computer at the same time. 6 portable copies of foobar2000 were created. The test composition was started and a comfortable volume level was set. Next, using the RMAA program, we set the same volume for all devices with headphones connected to eliminate the influence of voltage drop from load. The volume of all devices was set with an accuracy of 0.1 dB.
This is very important, since even the same device under test, with a difference in the volume of the phonogram of only tenths of a dB, can be perceived as higher quality in the case of a louder version. When playing the same file! Subjectively, it will seem that there are more details, a little better bass, attack, etc. That is, in essence, the device will “lose to itself,” which is completely unacceptable for proper examination. It is clear that when compared with a obviously bad device, these measures look like reinsurance, but when comparing audio paths of the same class, such requirements are mandatory. World-class mastering expert Andrei Subbotin warned about this all the time. With regard to the preparation of phonograms, he always demanded that only mastered versions of the phonogram be compared in loudness. Comparing something with different volumes is a path to self-deception, since the louder option is for human hearing Always It will sound a little better. Everyone can easily verify this.
Sound
The examination took us several days. We understand the importance of this comparison and our responsibility to our readers. Anyone can check the results themselves - and, we are sure, will come to the same conclusions. We even specially invited two independent experts to once again make sure that the assessments of all trained listeners were similar. There may be only slight nuances in the interpretation of terms, but not in the global assessment of sound quality.
Determining the scope of our scale, we took two devices: the integrated sound of a modern laptop (Realtek ALC282 audio codec) and the Lynx Aurora 8 rack-mount studio interface. Realtek sound features: there are no obvious distortions or sound defects, but there is no detail either. All soundtracks are played synthetically, with a very flat stereo panorama, reverberation tails are not audible. In audiophile terms, the sound is compressed, lifeless, and listening to it for a long time is very unpleasant. The top-tier Lynx Aurora 8's interface is the exact opposite. It is impossible to tear yourself away from the music. The stereo panorama goes far beyond the room, but not due to artificial effects, but thanks to the high detail, very clean and dense mid frequencies, the reverberation of each instrument in the mix is clearly audible individually. Modern phonograms with very strong volume maximization do not overload the sound path; their distortions mystically become barely noticeable and do not interfere. All claims and arguments about “soulless numbers” inexplicably disappear, everything good that you expect from a recording becomes audible in the sound, and nothing distracts from the perception of the music. This is what an ideal path should be like. Of course, questions remain with the interpretation of timbres and with the absolute reference. For example, it often happens that one device has cleaner high frequencies, but less preferable in sound in some other range. But before this problem of very subtle nuances, inexpensive devices still need to grow for a long time and persistently.
So, in comparison with the integrated sound of a laptop and even with the sound of a good codec Samsung phone Note 3, any of the tested USB DACs play better by an order of magnitude. And the better the headphones or speakers play, the better the difference is heard, the more new details appear in the sound. This means that it makes sense to purchase these devices, but only for owners of a normal audio path. Not necessarily Hi-End, but successful models of Hi-Fi equipment or studio monitors are the required minimum.
We sorted the test participants according to their quality hit parade.
Venture Craft Go DAP BXD sounds good and smooth, but this DAC is too simple. In justification, let's say that its DAC function is not the main one, it is more of an analog headphone amplifier. There is a strong feeling that the Japanese have the DAC screwed to the side, just in case. Well, you never know. 6th place.
Tento Porta DAC 1866 stands out with its sound character compared to all the others. Apparently, this was the main goal of the developer. The sound level is high, but you won't swoon over the quality or detail. We personally haven’t heard any “golden age of digital” here. The sound is not bad, a little rough. Mid frequencies are transmitted most well and reliably. We are confident that the device will find its fans of pure R-2R converters. The headphone amplifier is very well made; judging by the complete absence of sag from the load, the device has a powerful buffer and zero output resistance. 5th place.
The FiiO E18 Kunlun performed very strongly. You don't expect such a sound from 1798. Such a democratic, affordable, high-quality level. The gap from the leaders is very small - at a very attractive price. The model is certainly successful. High frequencies are very clear and detailed. Great sound. 4th place.
The Sound Blaster E5 amazed us with its detail in the midrange and captivated us with its very wide stereo panorama. There is literally just a little left to the leaders, and if your headphones or speakers are not Hi-End class, then you will most likely not hear any difference. The sound is almost optimal. This is exactly what we wanted from a USB DAC. You can listen for a long time even on the most expensive equipment and not see any flaws. Compared to the Denon, we couldn't give preference to any of these devices. Both are on the same level, with the sound of the highest category. Tied for 2nd and 3rd place.
The Denon DA-10 is a great sounding DAC. Particular merits are achieved at high frequencies; the character of the sound is closer to audiophile rather than analytical. It feels like it has its own special interpretation. For fans of the brand and stationary devices of this Japanese company, it is highly recommended. Tied for 2nd and 3rd place.
Oppo HA-2 outperforms everyone, although very slightly, but confidently. We cannot say that the sound is reference, but it is as detailed as possible, and this is immediately captivating. To unlock your full potential, it is better to choose the highest quality headphones and speakers, and then something new, previously unheard, will be revealed in the sound. There is no sense of any color or interpretation here. The emphasis from the equipment is immediately transferred to the music, and that's great! 1st place.
Sound from speakers
Since all USB DACs have a linear output, we were interested in listening to the sound not only in headphones, but also in speakers. We used active studio monitors of the highest category, 3-way Adam Audio.
We didn't hear anything particularly new compared to testing with headphones. Everything said above is fully confirmed. The difference in some cases is simply more obvious, since all recordings are primarily designed for listening to speakers. To be fair, there are separate binaural phonograms for headphones, recorded on an artificial head, but things have not gone further than experiments. The main conclusion is that despite their small dimensions and minijack connector, all USB DACs are suitable as stationary audio sources - while stationary DACs are not suitable as mobile devices.
However, you will have to deal with the switching problem. You still have to look for high-quality cords with a minijack connector, and Chinese adapters for full-size connectors can, with one awkward movement, unscrew the miniature connector of a mobile DAC along with a part printed circuit board and disable the device. In our testing, we took special care of this issue and used a new maximum quality cord with gold-plated Neutrik connectors and professional Canare cable (not one bit of which was made in China). Next, a passive attenuator was connected based on a modified factory sample with ready-made new Neutrik/Cordial XLR cords. For the mass user, solving all these issues presents insurmountable difficulties when finding and purchasing an acceptable option. To the list of these difficulties we add the lack of a remote control, a screen with the current mode, and the risk of sending a mobile DAC “flying” with a sharp tug on the headphone cord. Therefore, stationary USB DACs are still preferable in their field of use, and their sound potential is higher. But with a limited budget, the question of purchasing a separate stationary DAC for 40-100 thousand rubles, as a rule, is not worth it at all; the matter is limited to an inexpensive receiver and media player.
Measurements in RMAA
We have assembled a special complex to study the behavior of headphone amplifiers at low-impedance loads. Regular tests in RMAA are not indicative, since they do not reflect the operating features. Tests without load show a simply ideal picture, but under load the distortion increases many times over.
Headphone amplifiers are often plagued by the following problems: a sag in the frequency response at low frequencies and a sharp increase in distortion with a drop in load impedance, and sometimes overload at 16 Ohms. For comparison, conventional measurements on the graphs are shown with a “dash” sign (that is, there is no load), otherwise the resistor value is indicated. We chose the most representative values: 16 Ohm, 32 Ohm, 64 Ohm, 300 Ohm.
To obtain clean spectra and break ground loops, all DACs were connected in turn to an MXP U400-08 ultrabook running on battery power. The E-MU Tracker Pre measurement card was also powered by a laptop battery. To illustrate the absence of interference and interference, the list of tests includes test number two, “Noise Level”.
It must be admitted that absolute figures, except for the frequency response test, depend quite strongly on the gain level and amplitude of the test signal, so comparisons can only be made when measuring under approximately equal conditions.
Distortion was measured at a test signal amplitude of −3 dB and a volume of about 90%. If only one frequency response graph is visible, it means that all the others have merged with it into one line. We used the 24-bit 44 kHz format to see as much of the device's inherent noise as possible. Our measurement interface is limited by its own noise of about 110 dBA, which allows us to check the quality of the path. For those devices that have stated passport parameters, our measurements showed the same or better results.
Realtek ALC282
| Test | Realtek ALC282 - | Realtek ALC282 16 | Realtek ALC282 32 | Realtek ALC282 64 | Realtek ALC282 300 |
| +0,00, −0,03 | +0,00, −0,03 | +0,00, −0,03 | +0,00, −0,03 | +0,00, −0,03 | |
| Noise level, dB (A) | −93,5 | −90,0 | −92,1 | −93,4 | −93,6 |
| Harmonic distortion, % | 0,0028 | 0,0030 | 0,0029 | 0,0022 | 0,0023 |
Venture Craft GoDAP BXD
| Test | Venture Craft GoDAP BXD - | Venture Craft GoDAP BXD 16 | Venture Craft GoDAP BXD 32 | Venture Craft GoDAP BXD 64 | Venture Craft GoDAP BXD 300 |
| Frequency response unevenness (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB | −0,11, −0,15 | −0,10, −0,14 | +0,01, −0,04 | +0,01, −0,04 | +0,01, −0,03 |
| Noise level, dB (A) | −99,8 | −99,8 | −99,7 | −99,7 | −99,8 |
| Harmonic distortion, % | 0,0024 | 0,0032 | 0,0028 | 0,0026 | 0,0025 |
One of the most affordable smartphones for the audiophile. Asahi Kasei AK4962 digital-to-analog converter, loud and high-quality stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos equalizer for fine-tuning the sound. And most importantly - only 24 thousand for a smartphone that sounds better than the flagship Samsung or iPhone!
The following can be said about the sound: a rich “middle”, in which low and high frequencies remain “scenery” and fade into the background. In “slow tracks” such a sound, as they say, touches the soul, in musical tracks in general it gives out new details where you expect to hear only the monotonous drone of a bass guitar or sounds produced by a synthesizer.
The speakers are booming and loud - without a hint of “bass”, but with a very spacious and correct sound at any volume due to the well-coordinated work of high (“tweeters”) and mid-range (melody, vocals) frequencies. In general, those who appreciate the sound in modern mobile phones will love the Axon 7 mini even despite its shortcomings.
But this model, I must say, has enough shortcomings - while the AMOLED display is of high quality and does not raise any questions, then the old Snapdragon 617 processor runs the system shell and applications without enthusiasm, “I just can’t.” The cameras are also not of good quality and are approximately equal to those in mobile phones, which are half the price. The autonomy of the musical ZTE is also not encouraging - it’s good if it lasts until the end of the day. But the Axon 7 mini charges quickly - Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 support helps out.
Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro
Can a Russian smartphone sound better than American, Korean and Japanese competitors? It turns out that maybe Boost 3 cannot be called a comprehensively developed smartphone, but the sound in the headphones of this unsightly-looking model is impressive.
You can say that the ESS9018K2M DAC itself is not ultra-cool to sing its praises, but it is not the size that matters, but the skill, as experienced young ladies say. So, about the skill: Highscreen managed to deliver the audio stream so that Android didn’t spoil it along the way (well, Google didn’t count on the fact that “ green robot" will be used by people who want better sound than YouTube audio tracks!). Boost 3 SE also pleases with the absence of automatic “improvers” piled on top of the system - all the power of the ADA4897-2 amplifier is available immediately in the audio player, and it can be controlled directly. So much so that if you overdo it, it won’t take long for you to go deaf! But beginners will not get to such settings, and experienced guys will be able to adjust the sound to suit themselves in such a way that “nothing else is needed.”
Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro
True, in other respects Boost 3 is not a luxury, but a means of transportation. Cheap in appearance, with a voracious old processor, a cheap screen, a low-quality speaker, terrible cameras, an audio player as terrible as my life... Apart from the sound, the only cool thing about this model is its autonomy (do you, old people in the mobile industry, remember about the famous smartphones - long-lived Boost series?), and everything else barely costs 17 thousand rubles, with the Xiaomi Mi5 still alive. But Boost 3 is inexpensive, repairable, and very popular with audiophiles for its permissiveness in sound tuning and its detail in headphones. It will not go unnoticed.
Meizu Pro 6 Plus
The fastest smartphone with high-quality sound. The long-suffering Meizu Pro 6 model “didn’t take off” at first, because instead of the long-awaited Samsung processors, the Chinese were forced to install the ten-core, hot, power-hungry and not flagship-level MediaTek Helio X25 (aka MT6797T). It didn’t turn out very well - the smartphone, of course, sounded good, but it was frustrating due to its heating, poor battery life and did not shine in games.
Pro 6 Plus was released only at the end of 2016, when the palm in terms of speed had already been taken over by Huawei with its 6-inch shovel. Therefore, make a breakthrough at the level of the old Meizu Pro 5 (with a record fast processor, like the Galaxy S6, but with better sound and faster performance) the new product failed.
Meizu Pro 6 Plus
Yes, and the devil with it, with performance - it is at the level of Snapdragon 820, that is, it is cool enough to feel at ease even with a Quad HD display on board. Another thing is important - we have a rare smartphone in Russian retail that is capable of playing games equally well, taking high-quality photos, and when you get tired of all this, delighting with high-quality sound in headphones.
Compared to the smartphones already mentioned in this article, the Pro 6 Plus does not sound as passionate, “high-calorie” and hysterical, but the ESS ES9018K2M DAC is clearly superior to all audio processors integrated into your Snapdragons, and the ADI AD45275 amplifier “pumps up” even massive headphones. If you want figurative comparisons, Meizu Pro 6 Plus is similar to a sports SUV - it is capable of “piling” on the asphalt and kneading dirt. With such versatility, no one cares that UAZs, like Highscreen, are able to impress the owner to a greater extent off-road.
Vivo X7 Plus
Just don’t say “what kind of miracle is this?” - Vivo is super popular and loved in China. In Russia, only a select few know about it - enthusiasts who do not hesitate to tinker with the firmware in order to Russify it or add Google services to smartphones developed by the Chinese for the Chinese.
However, today we are talking about sound and what smartphones can provide in addition to this very sound. The Vivo X7 Plus offers the AK4376 DAC, a converter that was designed to take into account compromises regarding power consumption, power handling and other nuances in smartphones.
That is, don’t expect the “we sacrificed everything to make the sound cool” concept from the X7 Plus - this model is just about how to take a little bit of everything and create a balanced smartphone.
So - Full HD AMOLED display, 4000 mAh, thin metal body, 4 GB random access memory and a steep $590 (~35 thousand rubles) for a “Chinese phone” with good sound. Impudence? Maybe, but there is an opinion that millions of Chinese cannot be wrong.
ZTE Nubia Z11
If you are not Chinese and are not going to buy some kind of Vivo only for patriotic reasons and an imaginary balance of characteristics, here is the coolest audiophile mobile phone of our time. The second ZTE on our list? Yes, but what can you do if Samsung and Huawei are not interested in high-quality sound in smartphones (at least until 2017), LG is not able to bring the sound of its V10/V20 to a competitive level, and HTC almost always puts the BoomSound nameplate on the model with a standard (albeit seasoned with equalizer) Snapdragon “under the hood” or, at best, content with a discrete DAM made by Qualcomm?