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External DACs can improve hi-res music with wired headphones
The article explains when a phone user might benefit from buying an external digital-to-analogue converter (DAC): mainly when using wired headphones for lossless or high-resolution music. Streaming services now offer higher-quality audio, but the phone, connection and headphones all need to support it for listeners to hear the benefit.
A DAC converts digital audio into an analogue signal and most phone models include an amplifier. When choosing an external unit, check that it matches the phone’s USB-C or Lightning port, has the right headphone connection, and supports the audio formats and rates you want. The article notes that Apple’s USB-C connection for AirPods Max supports lossless audio, but hi-res audio above 48 kHz requires an external DAC; Apple Music offers up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Wireless listeners can instead consider Bluetooth adapters supporting higher-quality codecs.
In short
- External DACs can help phones play hi-res audio through wired headphones.
- Check port, headphone jack and audio format compatibility.
- Apple’s hi-res audio support via USB-C is capped at 48 kHz without a DAC.
Explained simply
Phones convert digital music into an electrical signal that wired headphones can play, using a component called a digital-to-analogue converter, or DAC. Most phones have one built in, while an external DAC connects between the phone and headphones.
Whether an external DAC makes a difference depends on the whole listening setup: the phone connection, DAC, headphones and music all need to support the quality you want. High-resolution options vary by service and device; wireless listeners use Bluetooth instead, where supported audio formats also affect sound quality.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Engadget as “This is when external DACs for your phone are worth buying”.