Skip to content

DACs

Digital-to-Analogue Converters (DACs) are critical components in any digital audio playback system, responsible for converting digital audio signals into analogue signals that can be amplified and heard through speakers or headphones. They are found in various devices, including smartphones, computers, AV receivers, and dedicated high-fidelity audio equipment. A standalone DAC can significantly improve the sound quality of digital music by providing a higher quality conversion than the DACs typically built into consumer devices.
  • Original price £495.00
    Original price £495.00 - Original price £495.00
    Original price £495.00
    Current price £395.00
    £395.00 - £395.00
    Current price £395.00

    Chord Electronics Mojo 2 Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier

    Chord Electronics
    In stock

    Chord Electronics Mojo 2 Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier The Chord Electronics Mojo 2 stands as the pinnacle of portable DAC and headphone a...

    View full details
    Original price £495.00
    Original price £495.00 - Original price £495.00
    Original price £495.00
    Current price £395.00
    £395.00 - £395.00
    Current price £395.00
    Save 20% Save %
  • Original price £199.00 - Original price £199.00
    Original price
    £199.00
    £199.00 - £199.00
    Current price £199.00

    iFi Audio Zen DAC V2 DAC/Headphone Amplifier

    IFI Audio
    In stock

    iFi Audio Zen DAC V2 DAC/Headphone AmplifierRecognized as the winner of multiple awards, including the prestigious What Hi-Fi 2020 'Best DAC £100 -...

    View full details
    Original price £199.00 - Original price £199.00
    Original price
    £199.00
    £199.00 - £199.00
    Current price £199.00
  • Original price £2,100.00 - Original price £2,100.00
    Original price
    £2,100.00
    £2,100.00 - £2,100.00
    Current price £2,100.00

    Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Transportable DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amplifier

    Chord Electronics
    In stock

    Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Transportable DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amplifier In 2014, Chord Electronics introduced Hugo, a revolutionary portable DAC and ...

    View full details
    Original price £2,100.00 - Original price £2,100.00
    Original price
    £2,100.00
    £2,100.00 - £2,100.00
    Current price £2,100.00
  • Original price £899.00 - Original price £899.00
    Original price
    £899.00
    £899.00 - £899.00
    Current price £899.00

    iFi Audio NEO iDSD 2 Wireless DAC, Pre-amp & Headphone Amplifier

    IFI Audio
    In stock

    iFi Audio NEO iDSD 2 Wireless DAC, Pre-amp & Headphone AmplifierNEO iDSD 2 from iFi Audio is a versatile 3-in-1 DAC/Amp designed for dedicated ...

    View full details
    Original price £899.00 - Original price £899.00
    Original price
    £899.00
    £899.00 - £899.00
    Current price £899.00
  • Original price £599.00 - Original price £599.00
    Original price
    £599.00
    £599.00 - £599.00
    Current price £599.00

    iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier

    IFI Audio
    In stock

    iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon Portable DAC & Headphone AmplifierWhen it comes to portable DAC/amps, most compromise either on the digital or analog se...

    View full details
    Original price £599.00 - Original price £599.00
    Original price
    £599.00
    £599.00 - £599.00
    Current price £599.00
  • Original price £199.00 - Original price £199.00
    Original price
    £199.00
    £199.00 - £199.00
    Current price £199.00

    iFi Audio Hip Dac 3 Hi-Res Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier

    IFI Audio
    In stock

    iFi Audio Hip Dac 3 Hi-Res Portable DAC & Headphone AmplifierSay hello to the hip-dac 3, the 3rd generation portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp f...

    View full details
    Original price £199.00 - Original price £199.00
    Original price
    £199.00
    £199.00 - £199.00
    Current price £199.00
  • Original price £1,299.00 - Original price £1,299.00
    Original price
    £1,299.00
    £1,299.00 - £1,299.00
    Current price £1,299.00

    iFi Audio Neo Stream | Network Audio Streamer

    IFI Audio
    In stock

    iFi Audio Neo Stream Network Audio StreamerThe NEO Stream by iFi Audio is a network audio streamer designed by passionate enthusiasts, for passiona...

    View full details
    Original price £1,299.00 - Original price £1,299.00
    Original price
    £1,299.00
    £1,299.00 - £1,299.00
    Current price £1,299.00
  • Original price £399.00 - Original price £399.00
    Original price
    £399.00
    £399.00 - £399.00
    Current price £399.00

    iFi Audio GO Pod Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amplifier

    IFI Audio
    In stock

    iFi Audio GO Pod Bluetooth DAC & Headphone AmplifierThe iFi Audio GO Pod redefines your audio experience, offering a wearable Bluetooth DAC and...

    View full details
    Original price £399.00 - Original price £399.00
    Original price
    £399.00
    £399.00 - £399.00
    Current price £399.00
  • Original price £199.00 - Original price £199.00
    Original price
    £199.00
    £199.00 - £199.00
    Current price £199.00

    iFi Audio Zen Blue V2 Hi-Res Bluetooth/DAC Streamer

    IFI Audio
    In Stock

    iFi Audio Zen Blue V2 Hi-Res Bluetooth/DAC StreamerThe iFi Audio ZEN Blue V2 redefines high-quality Bluetooth audio streaming, effortlessly connect...

    View full details
    Original price £199.00 - Original price £199.00
    Original price
    £199.00
    £199.00 - £199.00
    Current price £199.00
    Sold out
  • Original price £3,000.00 - Original price £3,000.00
    Original price
    £3,000.00
    £3,000.00 - £3,000.00
    Current price £3,000.00

    Primare I25 Integrated Amplifier and Digital to Analogue Converter

    Primare
    In stock

    Primare I25 DAC DM36, a modular integrated amplifier that pioneers the revolutionary UFPD 2 power system. This system, a radical advancement of Pri...

    View full details
    Original price £3,000.00 - Original price £3,000.00
    Original price
    £3,000.00
    £3,000.00 - £3,000.00
    Current price £3,000.00
  • Original price £199.00 - Original price £199.00
    Original price
    £199.00
    £199.00 - £199.00
    Current price £199.00

    IFi Go Blu | Bluetooth DAC/Headphone Amplifier

    IFI Audio
    In stock

    IFi Go Blu | Bluetooth DAC/Headphone AmplifierThe iFi Go Blu redefines Bluetooth audio, offering a super-small yet powerful DAC/headphone amplifier...

    View full details
    Original price £199.00 - Original price £199.00
    Original price
    £199.00
    £199.00 - £199.00
    Current price £199.00
  • Original price £349.00 - Original price £349.00
    Original price
    £349.00
    £349.00 - £349.00
    Current price £349.00

    iFi Audio Zen ONE Signature Universal DAC

    IFI Audio
    In stock

    iFi Audio Zen ONE Signature Universal DACThe new ZEN One Signature Universal DAC by iFi Audio is here to redefine your home audio experience. Build...

    View full details
    Original price £349.00 - Original price £349.00
    Original price
    £349.00
    £349.00 - £349.00
    Current price £349.00
  • Original price £300.00
    Original price £300.00 - Original price £300.00
    Original price £300.00
    Current price £249.99
    £249.99 - £249.99
    Current price £249.99

    Tangent DAC-II Mini D/A Converter

    tangent
    In Stock

    The Tangent DAC II stands as the ultimate solution for enhancing your audio experience. With a premium Sabre ES9023 24-bit Stereo Audio DAC, this h...

    View full details
    Original price £300.00
    Original price £300.00 - Original price £300.00
    Original price £300.00
    Current price £249.99
    £249.99 - £249.99
    Current price £249.99
    Sold out
  • Original price £4,750.00
    Original price £4,750.00 - Original price £4,750.00
    Original price £4,750.00
    Current price £3,995.00
    £3,995.00 - £3,995.00
    Current price £3,995.00

    Chord Hugo TT2 Desktop DAC/Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier

    Chord Electronics
    In stock

    Chord Hugo TT2 Desktop DAC/Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier Experience the pinnacle of desktop audio with the Chord Hugo TT2. Boasting a radica...

    View full details
    Original price £4,750.00
    Original price £4,750.00 - Original price £4,750.00
    Original price £4,750.00
    Current price £3,995.00
    £3,995.00 - £3,995.00
    Current price £3,995.00
    Save 16% Save %
  • Original price £10,495.00 - Original price £10,495.00
    Original price
    £10,495.00
    £10,495.00 - £10,495.00
    Current price £10,495.00

    Chord Electronics Dave Reference-level DAC, Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier

    Chord Electronics
    In stock

    Chord DAVE DAC/Preamp Amplifier: Unparalleled Audio Excellence Chord Electronics presents DAVE, the epitome of digital-to-analogue perfection. Feat...

    View full details
    Original price £10,495.00 - Original price £10,495.00
    Original price
    £10,495.00
    £10,495.00 - £10,495.00
    Current price £10,495.00
  • Original price £1,350.00
    Original price £1,350.00 - Original price £1,350.00
    Original price £1,350.00
    Current price £1,195.00
    £1,195.00 - £1,195.00
    Current price £1,195.00

    Chord Electronics Qutest DAC

    Chord Electronics
    In stock

    Chord Electronics Qutest DACRecipient of What Hi-Fi?'s prestigious 'Best DAC' award in the £1,000+ category for 2023, the Qutest DAC has consistent...

    View full details
    Original price £1,350.00
    Original price £1,350.00 - Original price £1,350.00
    Original price £1,350.00
    Current price £1,195.00
    £1,195.00 - £1,195.00
    Current price £1,195.00
    Save 11% Save %

FAQs about DACs

An external DAC can offer superior sound quality compared to the DACs built into most consumer devices, with better signal processing, reduced noise and distortion, and support for higher-resolution audio formats. This leads to clearer, more detailed, and more dynamic sound, providing a more immersive listening experience.

Yes, DACs can be easily integrated into most audio systems. They connect between your digital audio source (like a computer, digital music player, or streaming device) and your amplifier or powered speakers, converting the digital signal to analogue. Ensure your DAC has the appropriate inputs for your sources and outputs that match your audio system's requirements.

Many modern DACs include wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth, allowing you to stream audio wirelessly from compatible devices. These DACs often incorporate advanced Bluetooth codecs like aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC, offering high-quality wireless audio streaming.

Key considerations include compatibility with high-resolution audio formats, the quality of the DAC chip and other internal components, the variety and type of inputs and outputs, any additional features like volume control or headphone amplification, and the overall build quality. Personal listening preferences and the type of equipment you'll be using the DAC with should also guide your choice.

While a DAC cannot restore lost data from compressed files, a high-quality DAC can better handle the artifacts and limitations of compression, leading to a smoother, more natural sound. Advanced DACs may also include up-sampling or other processing technologies to improve the perceived quality of compressed audio.

Our Recent Blogs

  • Top 5 HiFi Turntables for Enthusiasts
    April 15, 2024

    Top 5 HiFi Turntables for Enthusiasts

    In the world of music enthusiasts, the turntable stands as a timeless icon, merging the classic charm of vinyl records with the sophistication of high-fidelity sound. For those who cherish the tactile and auditory experience of vinyl, selecting the right...

    Read now
  • The Impact of Speaker Size on Sound Quality
    April 9, 2024

    The Impact of Speaker Size on Sound Quality

    Welcome to the fascinating world of audio technology, where the size of your speakers can dramatically shape your listening experience. Whether you're an audiophile, a casual listener, or somewhere in between, understanding the impact of speaker size on sound quality...

    Read now

Compare products

{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}

Select first item to compare

Select second item to compare

Select third item to compare

Compare