Listening to music in the best possible fidelity is the most basic need for any audiophile in general. However, the quality you get from sources like laptops and smartphones are not that great as the sound output systems in it are not truly top-notch. The general public might not notice the difference, but someone like a professional musician, a sound engineer or an audio enthusiast who knows and studies sound can observe the small jitters you get from these devices.
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This is where DACs come into the picture as they convert the digital data to analog data to produce crystal clear sounds. Initially built for just computer systems and laptops, you can now get a DAC for even your smartphones for uncompromised sound quality on the go. Also, this has led to the making of portable DACs that are compact, pocket-friendly and lightweight as well. Here are a few portable DACs that you definitely should think of looking at.
FiiO A1 Portable Headphone Amplifier
If you are looking for a sleek and stylish design from your DAC amplifier, then the FiiO A1 model is a great choice as it comes in an aluminium-alloyed chassis. The design and the material used not only make it stylish, but durable as well. The A1 responds to frequencies from anywhere between 20Hz and 20kHz. It has four EQ (Equalizer) modes to give you ample flexibility in your listening experience, which you can change by just pressing the power button lightly. It has a 160mAh rechargeable battery that the company claims can give you 13 hours of continuous output. This DAC is ideal for both your personal and professional use as it works well with almost all kinds of audio devices.
FiiO E10K Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC
If you want a classy looking DAC amplifier, then the FiiO E10L model is definitely something that you should consider. The black-coloured DAC has a durable and compact build. It has an all new amplification system that delivers an excellent audio experience. The new amplification stage should ensure you have superior transient power response and better driving power. FiiO claims that the new PCM5102 DAC chip has improved the linearity of the internal digital audio filter, reducing the delay in sound considerably and even reduced the interval that occurs during the changing of tracks.
Shanling M0 Portable Lossless Digital Audio Player and DAC with Bluetooth
The Shanling M0 is one of the most compact portable DACs in the market. Apart from it being a pocket-friendly build, the Shanling M0 comes with Bluetooth 4.1 that allows you to connect the DAC to your phone and headphones with ease. Instead of buttons, it has a 1.5-inch touchscreen which allows you to control your music and volume with just simple gestures. As per the company claims, it has a 15-hour battery backup for you to listen to music for long hours at a stretch. It is also one of the smallest DACs to be certified by the Japan Audio Association for high-resolution audio performance.
Onkyo DAC-HA200 D/A Converter and Headphone Amplifier
If you want to understand how truly amazing your favourite songs can sound, then this DAC from Onkyo should be a great choice. The high-end product is ideal for all kinds of iOS and Android devices as it supports a lightning connector and USB Type-A input. You also get free access to an HD Player Pack that stores Equalizer presets, allowing you to listen to similar genres in a specific way. The DAC is slightly on the heavier side but this is due to the advanced amplifiers and chipsets present in it to give you some of the best audio experiences, according to industry standards.
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