DACs

A DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) turns the digital signal from a computer, TV, streamer or CD transport into the analogue signal your amplifier or headphones need. Ours run from pocket-sized USB converters by AudioQuest and Audioengine and compact boxes by Pro-Ject and Eversolo to hi-fi converters and DAC/preamps from Musical Fidelity, Ferrum, Gold Note and Bel Canto.

Portable and compact converters

For a phone, tablet or laptop, the AudioQuest DragonFly Copper and Audioengine DAC3 are USB converters with headphone amplification built in, and the Audioengine D1P adds an optical input. On a desk or beside a TV, the Pro-Ject DAC Box E takes optical and coaxial sources, while the DAC Box S2 Plus adds USB, decodes up to DSD256 and offers five digital filters. The Eversolo DAC-Z6 and DAC-Z8 and the Audiolab D7 fill the same compact role, the D7 with Bluetooth and balanced outputs. For more headphone-focused gear, see our headphone amplifiers.

Hi-fi converters, preamps and streaming DACs

Several converters here also control volume, so they can run straight into a power amplifier. The Ferrum WANDLA is a reference DAC/preamp, the WANDLA GoldenSound adds DSP features including a Tube Mode, and the WANDLA HP and Erco Gen 2 add headphone amplifiers. The Bel Canto E1X DC1 brings conversion, streaming and a phono stage into one control preamplifier. To keep streaming in its own box, see our music streamers.

Among the dedicated hi-fi converters, the Musical Fidelity M8x DAC keeps the signal balanced from its converter chips to its headphone stage, the Eversolo DAC-Z10 uses a separate AKM converter per channel and three independent linear supplies, and the Rotel DT-6000 adds a built-in CD player and fully balanced outputs. The Musical Fidelity MX DAC, M6x DAC and M3x DAC and the Hegel D50 are also in this group.

Tube DACs

The Fezz Equinox and Equinox Prestige are Lampizator-licensed valve converters built on PCM1794 chips. The Equinox's 12AU7 sits under a sliding glass cover, designed to keep valve changes simple, and the Prestige adds balanced XLR outputs with two valves in its analogue stage. Both suit listeners who enjoy experimenting with valve types, and there are more in our tube DACs.

Questions we get asked

Do I need a separate DAC?

Most digital sources already have a converter inside, so a separate one is a choice rather than a requirement. It makes sense when you want more inputs, balanced outputs or a headphone stage, when several digital sources need to share one converter, or when you want conversion handled by a box designed for nothing else.

Which Eversolo or Pro-Ject DAC suits me?

It comes down to sources and connections. The Pro-Ject DAC Box E handles optical and coaxial, the DAC Box S2 Plus adds USB for a computer, and the Eversolo DAC-Z6 and DAC-Z8 are compact converters pairing an XMOS 316 processor with ESS Sabre chips. The Eversolo DAC-Z10 is the fully balanced option, intended as one front end for a serious stereo system and a home theatre.

What is a streaming DAC?

It's a converter with network playback built in, so services and your own library go straight into it without a separate streamer. The Gold Note DS-5.2 offers Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and Spotify Connect, and the Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3 runs Roon, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect. The choice usually comes down to the apps you already use.

Our team can talk through your sources and inputs by phone or message. You're also welcome to visit the Murarrie showroom, with demos arranged by calling or messaging first.