Top 10 Chinese DACs for Sound Quality

A good option for those who do not tolerate serious inconvenience. If cheaper models use a round socket for connecting power, then here a USB interface is sharpened for this matter. Also, this DAC can be used as a kind of receiver by connecting several sound sources to it at once. To choose which audio input to use now, just press the appropriate button.And it is not necessary to look for it on the front panel of the digital-to-analogue converter, because the remote control is supplied with the device! And the product is also capable of boasting a Bluetooth module. In order for the smartphone to be ten meters and even at a greater distance from the DAC, a rather large antenna is screwed to the corresponding connector. You will definitely find it in the kit too. You can complain about this model only because of the lack of digital outputs - the device can only output analog sound. But at the same time, you can connect both speakers and headphones to it.

This DAC can no longer be called very cheap. It is not surprising that the Chinese have worked hard, including on the design of their creation. The body of the device is made of rather expensive plastic, which does not collect fingerprints. Corners are elegantly rounded. On the front panel there is a handle shining in the light of the lamp, which is responsible for adjusting the volume level. And there is also a gain switch, several LED indicators, a headphone jack and a button for selecting a sound source.A very good amplifier is hidden under the case, thanks to which even fairly large speakers can be connected to the DAC. If we talk about connecting to a sound source, then you don’t even need to buy a cable for this - wires for coaxial and optical connectors are found in the kit. There is also an antenna in the box, which is useful for more stable signal reception via Bluetooth.

Very inexpensive audio converter. You should not expect ultra-high quality analog signal from it. That is why most often this model is used to connect headphones. The signal comes here exclusively in digital form - a choice of coaxial and optical connectors are provided. You can output it either through two RCA-jacks, or through the usual "mini-jack". Digital audio output is also available. This is necessary, for example, if your TV has only a coaxial connector, and the speakers have an optical one. Otherwise, this is a typical cheap Chinese DAC, the design of which cannot be called exquisite. We can only note the presence of volume control - in such inexpensive devices, they usually do without it.

Usually, the Chinese DAC that came by mail is not happy with its design. Most often, the amplifier and other electronics are hidden under an ugly case made of budget plastic. If you are very afraid of this, then the best option is to buy Unnlink Youlian 192KHZ Audio DAC. As its name implies, it boasts a good sampling rate. However, it is much more often taken because of the rounded shape of the case. Such a device can easily lie near the computer without disturbing your sense of beauty. And he will please with a complete set, which includes all the necessary cables. Buying others may be necessary only if their length is insufficient. It is also nice to have Bluetooth here, thanks to which the DAC is ready to receive sound from a smartphone.

This device can be called an external sound card. The fact is that the device is sharpened for a USB connection to a computer. It is through this interface that digital audio will be received. The next step is to plug in the headphones. The manufacturer believed that professionals would use his product, so a 6.35 mm jack is installed as a connector. Fortunately, a 3.5 mm adapter is included in the kit, so problems should not arise. And on the rear panel, coaxial and optical outputs are found. They serve to output sound to a soundbar or suitable speakers. To adjust the volume, a fairly large and comfortable handle is used here. Finally, we note the declared possibility of a USB connection to the PS3 and PS4 game consoles - this is also an important feature.

This decision can be safely called professional. And not just because of the 768kHz sample rate support. This is one of the most affordable models among those equipped with two audio chips. And the Chinese DAC promises not to distract attention, since only buttons and miniature LEDs are located on its front panel. Unfortunately, because of this, there was no place to connect headphones. The device also lacks a display. One feels that everything was done for the sake of sound quality, albeit at the expense of some convenience - as a result, the output will be music with a minimum amount of distortion. Especially if you bring it to the speakers through balanced connectors, which occupy almost the most space on the rear panel.

Typically, this model is purchased in order to output digital sound to headphones (with an impedance of up to 200 ohms).However, the amplifier used here is enough even to connect the speakers that make up the home theater. Their connection is carried out by means of the usual "tulips". If you expected to see balanced exits here, then we hasten to disappoint you: this is not the right price segment. However, even without this, you can enjoy high quality sound with a minimum amount of distortion. As for connecting a sound source, three connectors are allocated for this matter. The worst option is the USB interface, as it is limited by the low sample rate. Another feature of this DAC is the three controls on the front panel. With their help, you can change not only the volume, but also the level of low frequencies, adjusting the sound to your needs.

A great option for the owner of a top-end smartphone. The fact is that the product supports one of the latest versions of Bluetooth. It also recognizes the aptX HD digital codec. This means that you can count on decent sound quality under any conditions.However, only a wired connection to a sound source allows you to reveal the potential of the speakers, because only in this case the sampling frequency can reach 192 kHz. Basically, coaxial and optical connectors located on the rear panel are used for this. There is also a modern USB Type-C port. In this case, it is used not only to provide power, but also to synchronize with a computer.

A nice-looking DAC from China offers a minimal number of controls. It is assumed that the buyer will use only the remote control, which can be found in the kit. It also lacks the usual digital inputs. This means that the FX-AUDIO DAC-SQ3 was designed exclusively for connecting to a computer when digital audio is received via USB. I am glad that this model supports sampling rates up to 384 kHz. Budget competitors cannot boast of anything like this. A good amplifier is also built in here. It is felt that you can not be afraid to connect very powerful speakers.I would also like to get a 3.5 mm “mini-jack”, but the device was deprived of them. If you want to connect headphones, then for this purpose you will need an atypical adapter, which will have to be purchased separately.

A great example that supports very high sampling rates. This DAC from China is designed exclusively for listening to music in the highest quality, taking it through an optical or coaxial connector. However, he tries to squeeze everything possible out of the Bluetooth connection. To do this, the device is endowed with support for aptX HD, a digital codec developed by Qualcomm. If your smartphone is not capable of producing sound using it, it doesn’t matter, the DAC understands LDAC, AAC and even UAT (the bit rate, when activated, can reach 1.2 Mbps). If you have this digital-to-analog converter, then connecting simple acoustics to it is akin to sin. That is why the manufacturer equipped his creation with two XLR connectors (for the right and left channels). However, RCA outputs are also not forgotten. What can not be said about the headphone jack.