The 6 Best Dac decoders (2023 reviews)

Compared with other decoder in this category, the topping dac decoder has a design with broader appeal. It is an ESS Sabre-based DAC that is extremely well-implemented. It comes with ride cymbals, so you can delineate whether the stick strike is closer to the bell or further out on the bow by the timbre. The D10s provides not only dsd and higher-specification pcm compatibility but also a better sound quality than your computer's built-in sound card or a regular dac.

The bass drum thwacks are monstrous and monumental, and they can easily be splattered and distorted. The highs are detailed and distortion-free, mids are sweet and bass blooms but is controlled. It is soft and not dazzling even at night. The treble is clean and focused.

Why We Like This:

Switches, no on/off button, it is usb powered
Versatile outputs into any sound device you have
Good investment for long term

Best With USB Output: KGUSS Dac Decoder

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The kguss dac decoder is capable of outshining several other decoder featured in this list in overall features for the price point. The sound quality produced by the E30 is incredible. It definitely is a step up from the Wiim Pro built-in DAC. It includes dc cable and usb cable. The feature set is also really nice, especially the auto on/off and pure dac features.

The E30 tests are remarkably high, it tests similarly to DACs more than 300% of its MSRP on many tests. It comes in very nice quality. There are no settings or controls on the unit for volume, balance, bass or treble. It will turn off when the signal is lost.

Why We Like This:

Balanced accurate sound via usb 2.0 or toslink
Pristine crisp & balanced accurate sound
Good investment for long term

Best For Tv: KGUSS Power Adapter

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate decoder. The kguss power adapter is exactly that - it's a simple decoder that hits all the right notes. It helps you leave the budget for a preamplifier. It converts digital sources for an analog preamp, either single-ended or balanced. It is truly astonishing how much more of the music you can hear with the dac. The E50 has preamplifier function so you can control the output volume on the remote control. The sense of space this provides is remarkable.

It comes with the help of careful design and adjustment, e50 pro. The Topping does not include a power adapter. It has audiophile quality sound, which will bring you a better hearing feast.

Why We Like This:

Very efficient, modern, slim/small-ish, and affordable
A great dac, excellent sound quality nearly analog in nature
Delivers what they promise

Best For eliminating Announcers: Southsky Dac Decoder

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Next on the list, we've got yet another decoder that manages to win our hearts. It's the southsky dac decoder and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient decoder you can buy. It is easy to connect many entertainment devices with digital optical and coaxial ports or 3.5mm analog port. It is used to connect smart TV (by included audio cable) to a 5.1 channel audio system. This is very different from connecting your computer to 3 mini TRS jacks and getting true 5.1 sound or using HDMI out to a receiver and getting legit 5.1 surround with support for new formats including Dolby Surround, and ATMOS.

This is a digital sound processor, it takes an input from a line such as fiber optic coming out of your television, and outputs 5.1 sound into coaxial cables. The unit outputs subwoofer only frequencies. Your sound will come out as either just front channel stereo if you set the switch to that, or it will come out as kind of a fancy stereo which uses all 6 speakers if you set it to 5. There isn't any volume control either, so you'll have to use the dial on your pc speakers themselves.

If you're just looking to get any signal and don't care about getting actual surround sound, this will at least work, but it's only a small step up from just 2 stereo red-white rca plugs.

Why We Like This:

Easy to use and set up
Perfect design to replace a large reciever for surround sound to active speakers
Multi interfaces and one key switch
Easy setup and great audio separation

Best For Headphone: Topping Dac Decoder

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Compared with other decoder in this category, the topping dac decoder has a convenient design. It helps you leave the budget for a preamplifier. It will provide great convenience when connected to a power amplifier or monitor speakers. The USB input is a 2.0 B type connector which is more than enough for music. It does not buffer from a CD player very well.

The E50 has preamplifier function so you can control the output volume on the remote control. Sound quality is also excellent, not too analytical for a ESS based DAC that has plenty of musicality.

Why We Like This:

High-fidelity pc-hifi system, mobile phonetablet otg, cd play
New and hot release

Best With Bluetooth: SMSL Dac Decoder

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If you often find yourself scrambling for appropriate and satisfactory decoder, smsl dac decoder is your solution. The new generation flagship DAC chip ES9039MSPRO of USA ESS has built-in MQA hard decoding. It is an award-winning british technology that provides original studio sound quality. It is a high-resolution audio coding technology that combines high sampling rate and small file size. It reduces clock jitter and additionally improves the clock stability.

Designed with an eight-channel parallel circuit, the distortion is as low as a staggering 0.00005% (-125dB) and more stable.

Why We Like This:

Ualcomm high-end bluetooth chip, support ldac (24bit/96khz), aptx/hd, sbc, aac
Equipped with remote control and full-featured remote control
Support dop independent display function, accurately determine the current decoding format