The Best Portable DACs of 2023
Get Better Audio On The Go
It's that time of year again, and we're taking a look at our top products for 2023. There's no sugarcoating what our top gear is - because it's all based on what you fine folks are getting. These are not just the top DACs of 2023, but the most popular as well, and for good reason. Portable hi-fi audio is in - because if we can take our excellent sound quality with us wherever we go - then why not, right? DACs are by far the easiest way and first step to improving your sound quality. I'll risk being a broken record on that point because we say it so much. The other thing is that you don't have to blow your entire paycheck on a piece of gear.
So how does a DAC improve your audio quality? DAC stands for Digital to Analog Converter – and they are necessary for taking the digital audio data and converting them to an analog signal which can then be outputted to a speaker or headphones so that we can hear them. Your ears can't hear data, so the DAC is an integral part of listening to music. Pretty much every consumer device on the market that has a speaker - like your phone, laptop, tablet, wireless headphones, and more - has a DAC. The problem is that these consumer devices use cheap, off-the-shelf chips that get the job done, but make some significant shortcuts when it comes to preserving the quality of your audio.
Your ears deserve better, and that's why standalone DACs ALWAYS perform better because they're designed to do one thing and one thing only: to make sure every bit of data gets efficiently converted to an analog signal so that you're getting the best sound quality. So without delay, here are our Best Portable DACs of 2023.
Best Portable DACs of 2023 (by price)
iFi Hip DAC 3
At a mere $199, this flask from the future has everything you need to pack a giant punch in your music. We're going ahead and updating this slot with the latest Hip DAC 3 that was just released at the time of publishing this guide, but the Hip DAC 2 still stands as a superb choice for those looking for a huge audio upgrade in a small package. I would have easily put the Hip DAC 3 a couple of spots up for what I thought it was worth - and iFi could rightly charge double the price for the sonic upgrade this DAC provides your listening experience. More power means more headroom with your music and better dynamics. If you’re wearing some full-sized headphones and want more meat to the music, the hip DAC 3 is a great option. With the Burr Brown chipsets you get in the iFi lineup, you’ll find a surprisingly natural and balanced tonality to the device – very little coloring, but if you want that extra bass and low end, the hip DAC can deliver. iFi’s X-Bass sound enhancement is featured here, and it’s much more prominent than it is on the Gryphon.
The size is just right for those wanting a more than capable DAC for a super-portable size. About the size of an external SSD enclosure, the Hip DAC is one of our favorite DACs on the list - primarily because it's astounding what huge sound you can get from such a tiny DAC. It's going to be a solid pick for lovers of RAP, EDM, Rock, Alternative, R&B, and much more. Excellent bass response, small size, balanced and single-ended jacks, and there's not much else you can ask for here. So Bass heads – look no further. It’s a steal at this price too.
Huge Bass and Big Sound
Balanced and Single-Ended Headphone Jacks
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Astell&Kern HC4 Hi-Fi USB-C Dual DAC Cable
The AK HC4 is the newest portable USB DAC offered by Astell&Kern. The AK HC4 continues the advantages of its highly acclaimed predecessors the HC2 and HC3, delivering even more perfected sound in various usage scenarios. With dual output — 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors, the AK HC4 is compatible with most IEMs and headphones and the AK4493S DAC delivers true high-quality Hi-Fi sound. The AK HC4 DAC supports Native DSD256 and up to 32bit/384kHz to handle any high-quality audio source, allowing you to experience the high-grade sound quality that Astell&Kern delivers. The AK HC4 supports both UAC 1.0 and 2.0 connections so users can enjoy gaming on devices like PlayStation and Switch.
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Cayin RU6 Portable USB DAC/Amp Dongle
The Cayin RU6 is by far one of the best-sounding USB dongle DACs on the market. Yep - it looks like a flash drive, but it delivers superior sound and power in a small, portable package that you can literally take anywhere with you. The RU6 is compatible with iOS, MAC, Android, and Windows, and can also be configured with DAPs via USB audio output. You'll find a single USB-C port for connecting to your source device. Keep in mind that, unlike the other DACs we've covered so far, the RU6 does not have an internal battery, so you'll be powering it from your source device like a phone, laptop, tablet, PC, and more. It has both a balanced 4.4mm and a 3.5mm single-ended headphone jack. Physical buttons are a nice touch and it even has room for an OLED screen! It's amazing the amount of high-end tech they can pack into a device of this size, and the RU6 is certainly a premium device because of it.
The star of the RU6 is the 24-bit discrete R-2R DAC. It has an incredibly natural and dynamic sound for a DAC of this size, and it is an incredibly popular option for those looking for a small and simple, plug-and-play, DAC that works with all their gear. Due to it's signature, the RU6 is going to be great for all genres, classical, rock, jazz, alternative, R&B, electronica, and more. At an amazing price of $250, it should be in every audiophile's arsenal.
Amazing R-2R DAC Sound
Display Screen, 3.5mm and 4.4mm Jacks
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Clarus CODA Headphone Amplifier DAC
You've seen the Clarus CODA many times before in our various blogs - and it's one of the best buys you can make if you're looking for quality, detailed sound wherever you go. The CODA sports an ESS SABRE DAC - known for its strong attention to detail, clarity, and wide soundstage, and I'm personally a huge fan of the SABRE sound - and many people are. Looking like a true flash drive, the CODA has the USB type A connector attached to the chassis, complete with a cover that fits snugly over the connector. We like this design, like the RU6, because the device isn't dependent on the cable being attached - in case something were to happen with the cable, then you have a dead device, like on some dongles out there. It has a sturdy metal body, and physical volume up and down buttons that also double as filter selectors. There is no balanced option as it only has a 3.5mm headphone jack, but the form factor, sound quality, and small features make it one of the best small-form-factor USB DACs on the market.
It's plug-and-play for the most part when connecting to iOS, Android, PC, MAC, whatever. There's an included USB-A to USB-C cable so you can connect to more modern devices with USB-C jacks. Like the RU6, it'll run off the source's power, but it's also able to output about 2 Vrms which is more than enough for most headphones out there if you want to go portable. It's a more than capable USB DAC amp that would be a great fit for someone wanting a more analytical sound to their portable setup. Superb for classical, jazz, folk, and more. At just $300, the CODA might bring your USB DAC search to an end. Get it? (Like a CODA- which marks the transition to the ending of a piece of music)
Great SABRE Sound
Sturdy Construction, Physical Volume Buttons
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iFi GO Bar Kensei Headphone Amplifier DAC
iFi Audio has unveiled its latest innovation in portable audio, the GO Bar Kensei Ultra portable USB DAC Headphone Amplifier and preamplifier, building upon the success of its best-selling predecessor, the GO Bar. This new iteration boasts a series of upgrades, both in aesthetics and sonic performance, sure to captivate audiophiles worldwide. Departing from the aluminum alloy chassis of the original GO Bar, the GO Bar Kensei now features a meticulously crafted Japanese Stainless Steel chassis, delivering unparalleled rigidity and build quality. Setting a new standard in portable audio, the GO Bar Kensei introduces K2HD technology, a groundbreaking addition that establishes it as the world's first portable DAC Headphone Amplifier to incorporate this cutting-edge tech. This advancement ensures an exceptional level of audio quality, bringing out the finest nuances and details in your music. Complementing this technological leap, the GO Bar Kensei is equipped with an ultra-low jitter internal clock and enhanced power supply. With its formidable power and advanced features, the iFi GO Bar Kensei emerges as the ultimate high-quality portable companion for audiophiles, promising an unparalleled listening experience wherever you go. Whether you're a discerning music lover or a professional on the go, the GO Bar Kensei sets a new high-end standard in portable hifi, delivering sonic excellence in a sleek and compact package.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: we recommend pairing the Go Bar Kensei with the Black Dragon USB Cable. Our Black Dragon USB cable will bring an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution to the GO Bar Kensei. The Black Dragon USB cable is designed to transfer digital audio from your source device (like a computer, phone, tablet, or a digital audio player) to a USB-capable DAC like the Kensei. It is built to USB Audio specs.
Great Controls, Functionality
Turbo Power Mode, Hi-Res Compatibility
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iFi GO Bar Headphone Amplifier DAC
The Go Bar... raises the bar... from what other portable dongle DACs can do. iFi Audio calls this their top-of-the-line ultraportable USB digital-to-analog converter and headphone amp, and it certainly checks off the box for "ultraportable." It's about the size of a large, chunky flash drive, but the Go Bar has both unbalanced and balanced headphone connections, physical volume buttons, X-Space and X-Bass sound enhancements, digital filters, and more. For its size, the Go Bar packs quite the punch when it comes to power output, including a 6dB gain boost for harder-to-drive headphones. It also comes equipped with iEMatch - which attenuates power to suit high-sensitivity headphones and IEMs. Like other iFi products, the Go Bar is made with premium-quality materials and the build construction is superb. The Go Bar also comes in a shiny and sleek gold anniversary edition, which is constructed with a copper chassis and plated in gold. The limited anniversary edition also includes an enhanced power supply and is heavier than the original model due to the weight of the materials.
The GO Bar is a great tool for various portable setups - it's kind of like a smaller Hip DAC - with some more tricks up its sleeve. It has a Turbo mode which ramps up the gain by 6dB for more power-hungry headphones. X-Bass and X-Space are included, IEMatch, MQA, PCM, DSD, DXD - it does it all. The GO Bar is great for Jazz, R&B, Folk, Classic Rock, and more with the sound of the Cirrus Logic DAC chip inside. iFi's portable DACs just can't be beat when it comes to the ratio of performance and value.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the iFi Audio GO Bar Headphone Amp/DAC with the Black Dragon USB Cable. The USB-C port on the top of the GO Bar makes it perfect for a high-quality cable designed for signal transmission. Our Black Dragon USB Cable utilizes a single-crystal UP-OCC copper construction to provide the best possible digital transmission. We have optimized our USB cables for audio transmission of large high-resolution audio files so you can easily transfer files from your digital library to the GO Bar.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the iFi Audio GO Bar Headphone Amp/DAC with the Black Dragon USB Cable. The USB-C port on the top of the GO Bar makes it perfect for a high-quality cable designed for signal transmission. Our Black Dragon USB Cable utilizes a single-crystal UP-OCC copper construction to provide the best possible digital transmission. We have optimized our USB cables for audio transmission of large high-resolution audio files so you can easily transfer files from your digital library to the GO Bar.
Great Controls, Functionality
Turbo Power Mode, Hi-Res Compatibility
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iFi xDSD Gryphon Headphone Amp DAC
If you haven't seen it already be sure to check out our face-off A/B test that we did between the Gryphon and the Mojo 2. The Gryphon might be one of the most feature-packed DAC amps on the market, and one of the biggest advantages that it has over its main competitor is that the Gryphon has all of the features that people wanted in the Mojo 2 - but never got. Namely, Bluetooth connectivity, an OLCD screen, and a 4.4mm balanced connection option. So if those things are important to you, then it's an easy choice. The Gryphon has an amazing selection of inputs and outputs for both single-ended and balanced connections, as well as settings for high-sensitivity IEMs. It comes with the standard plethora of iFi goodies and sound enhancements, including the X-Bass and X-Space settings - and they actually do A LOT to enhance the audio quality if that's what you're looking for. Because of these sound options, the Gryphon has amazing bass response and will be a great fit for those who like a more musical presentation, or more bass response. It's superb for RAP, R&B, EDM, live music, and tons more.
Since the Mojo 2 is close in price at $650, it's a tough choice. For me the decision comes down to the type of music you listen to - and which device is going to best serve that. Also, the type of features you want. Look - both the Gryphon and Mojo 2 are some of the best audiophile devices on the market as far as we're concerned, and you can't go wrong with either. The Gryphon is a stellar DAC and headphone amplifier that uses premium components - an excellent burr brown DAC, tons of power, USB audio, hi-res Bluetooth codecs, and a dynamic and fun sound, it's hard to say anything bad about the Gryphon at all.
Insane Amount of Features and Controls
Bluetooth, OLED Screen, I/O
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Chord Electronics Mojo 2 DAC Headphone Amplifier
Our No. 1 seller this year was the Hugo 2, but close on its heels was the little brother - the Mojo 2. Like the Hugo, the Mojo is another DAC and amp combo, providing a smaller form factor, fewer taps, and less power, but superior portability and excellent Chord sound. It's probably equally popular due to the lower price point and still retains a lot of features that make the Hugo 2 great at the same time. The Mojo 2 is a completely refined and even more feature-rich product than the original Mojo. Mojo stands for "Mobile Joy" and is a true-reference quality mobile DAC and high-level headphone amplifier that fits in the palm of your hand. It's one of our favorite products here at Moon Audio due to its size, amazing functionality, and sound of the DAC. It's also our top-selling portable DAC ever. New to the Mojo 2 is an added button, providing more options and control in their expanded menu system. You can now effectively control individual frequency bands to cut or boost, choose multiple filters, run it in desktop mode so you don't run out the battery while being plugged in, high and low gain settings, crossfeed, and more.
Like the Hugo 2 and the 2Go, you can pair the Mojo 2 with the Poly, effectively making the Mojo act like a complete music server and streamer. The Mojo is known for its superior clarity and detail, and the Mojo 2 adds a bit more control over the bottom end if you prefer more bass presence. It also has dual 3.5mm headphone outs for simultaneous audio out if that is important to you. The Mojo 2 will excel with just about any genre out there, especially for detail freaks who like to pick out every little nuance in their music. The added bass clarity also makes it more accessible to genres like R&B and EDM too. The Mojo 2 is a tiny DAC amp with a big sound, and at $650.00, it's hard not to recommend it for just about everything.
Analytical, Hyper-detailed Sound, Clean
Lots of Control, Crossfeed, Filters
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iFi iDSD Diablo 2 DAC Amplifier
Unleash the sheer power and performance of the iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2 Portable DAC/Amp, the newest iteration in the Diablo series. Featuring a striking new futuristic design, the Diablo 2 portable DAC/Amp sets a new standard for the amount of power you can take with you. Engineered to sit at the top of iFi's range of mobile, portable devices, the Diablo 2 was built for purists—true headphone enthusiasts who crave pure, unadulterated sonic performance and exceptional playback.
The New Diablo 2 has an all-metal body, which is upgraded from previous generations, and returns to the diablo-red color scheme. You'll find a host of other hi-fi upgrades throughout the construction process and build quality, including a larger and more tactile volume control knob/wheel. The iFi iDSD Diablo 2 is a top-tier portable DAC/Amp that offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and sound quality, making it an excellent choice for discerning listeners who want incredible power on the move.
Tons of Power in a Portable Package
Crisp and Dynamic Sound, Resolute
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Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC Headphone Amplifier
Our best-selling portable DAC of the year was the Hugo 2 by Chord Electronics. The Hugo 2 is one of the best-sounding DACs on the market, which is why it tops our list year after year. It's a testament to the overall quality that a product that is six years old is still the one to beat since it was released in early 2017. The nice thing about the Hugo 2 is that it also doubles as a headphone amplifier, which goes a long way to what the DAC amp can do for your sound quality. Chord uses their own proprietary FPGA and the Hugo 2 has a whopping nearly-50-thousand taps. We don't have time to get into taps, but generally speaking people consider the more taps - the better the sound (though this is not entirely the full picture). Bottom line - pristine and detailed sound. This is only topped by the Chord Hugo TT 2 and the DAVE DAC. The nice thing about the size and capability of the Hugo 2 is that it can do double duty as a desktop DAC - with plenty of processing power and amplification, it will certainly feel at home - in your home. With an average 7-hour battery life, feel free to take it with you too whenever you leave.
Feel free to pair it with the Chord 2Go to essentially make it a fully-capable music server and streamer. You can also add the Chord M Scaler for a powerful upsampling system that sounds absolutely stunning. Chord products play well also with other devices outside of their ecosystem. Chord products tend to lean more toward an analytical sound signature - bringing out extensive detail and tight bass response. It performs well with genres like classical, jazz, alternative, folk, and more. With an excellent selection of I/O, crossfeed functionality, filters, and more, the Hugo 2 is flagship-level portable fidelity. The Chord Hugo 2 has a price of $2,500, and if you're looking for the best DAC on our list, this is it.
Best-In-Class Sound Quality, Detailed/Analytical
I/O, Crossfeed, Filters, 2GO Compatibility
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