Top DACs Under $500 | AudioQuest, Cambridge, Pro-Ject, Chord Electronics

In this video, we've compiled our Top DACs Under $500. If you are in the market for a Digital to Analog Converter, DAC for short, you probably understand there is a lot of room for improvement for the DAC’s that come in our smartphones and computers. In this video, we’ll go over some of the best DACs under $500 to help you make the best DAC purchasing decision. But first, if you’re unfamiliar with a DAC, here’s the quick download:

The DAC is the magic part on the inside of almost all consumer electronic gear that translates the digital audio signal of 1’s and 0’s back into music for our ears to enjoy. Hence why it’s called a Digital to Analog Converter.

When you use an outboard DAC in your system, the inexpensive DAC inside your computer or smartphone is totally bypassed, letting your music come through a lot closer to the original source.

You’ll hear improvements in DACs as you move up in quality due to several factors. First, there is the quality of the DAC chipset. Second, the design of the supporting electronics for the DAC and finally, how well the DAC deals with timing. Reassembling all the 1’s and 0’s is already a tough task, but putting them all back together with the same timing they were recorded with is even tougher.

We’ve picked a handful of DACs that we think do a remarkable job for under $500. Most of these have a simple way to connect to your smartphone for improving sound on the go, and all of them can be used in your home audio system.

At Audio Advice, we love bringing home technology to life and we have been doing so for over 40 years. We were named Best Specialty A/V Retailer in the United States by TWICE Magazine and have won the Bravo award from Metro magazine for “Best Place to Buy a Home Media System” each year since its creation.

#DAC #AudioAdvice #DACs

[robertwilson]

Love the industrial look/ clear layout of the cambridge.

[mostresticator]

Hi.... I use macbook > qobuz > Apogee Duet firewire (96k) > headphone jack > receiver....how does this Duet compare to these DACs in the video? the duet was $500 when it was new

[erikknudsen]

My LG v40 DAC is pretty awesome. I'm wondering if a dragonfly cobalt is even an upgrade - anyone have experience?

[germanrottweiler]

I just bought Momentum 4 headphones and I have i phone 13, should I purchase Red or BTR 7 to make it louder

[xstensl]

get a Chinese stand alone DAC like a Topping or Aune for under $500 or a NAD D1050 used. the Cambridge is a old design but still sounds good with the venerable Wolfson 8741 chip.

[andrewganley]

Just bought a Schiit Jotunheim Dac/Headphone amp superb!

[hi-fihaven]

Great video! Great price tags on those products. I will be purchasing the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic plus shortly. ( I have the older model now.) Very nice work presenting these products.

[johncahill]

I am using a Topping D70 A fantastic DAC with a great chip. Very musical I had this up against the Chord Quintest and prefered the D70

[fredjohnson]

Sounds like none of these is a stand-alone DAC. They all have headphone amps or pre-amps built in. How about doing a video on stand-alone DACs?

[palamj]

Whats a better value the cobalt or the cambridge audio

[martybrazill]

Nice video. The Mojo would be an amazing value at twice the price, but is almost a steal at under $500.

[עידןתמיר-הס]

Hi, in terms of technical data the dac of audio qust dragon fly cobalt is suitable for shure se846?

[leadfootfoot]

You whiffed on one of the best DACs, namely the Schiit Bifrost!

[ricsim]

Khadas Tone Board and a case are less than $120 and will likely equal or better any of these here. I have owned the Modi 3, Modi 2 Uber, and two Modi Multibits and none of them sound better than the Khadas TB! The board itself is $99 (You will need a case, can make your own, can run it board only, or install it in your PC case if you don't mind a dremel) and will likely stun most who hear it, the only thing is it is a no-frills DAC. USB-C powered (it has a USB-A to USB-C cable that it comes with), only Analog L and R and Digital Coax Inputs, but it is the best DAC I have yet heard. Once I got it, I sold my Modi 3 and Modi Multibit, that should tell you something. The Modi 3 is not as rich and "darker", and the Modi Multibit was not impressive for the price, maybe a bit analog sounding but artificial and still not as rich as the Khadas. The Modi DACs color the sound, the Khadas takes the song and plays it like it should be played, adding richness just because of the high quality parts used.

[TheSmalderman]

Great video - Love the combo of the mojo hooked to my iPhone for great sounding music on the go!

[khmergodhobbies]

Very well done video. Thanks for recommendations.

[byrong]

I use a 100w Arcam pre /power amp combo feeding my cherished KEF reference loudspeakers. My system sounds fantastic but for lower volume recordings, I needed to turn the volume knob up to over 80% on the amp to get the loudness I want. I got the DACMagic a few months ago, and now the amp volume never needs to go beyond to 30% which is great. This product represents great value for money and there is a distinct improvement in sound quality with all kinds of music, imho. The function of the volume knob at power up is weirdly designed, but nonetheless I would still highly recommend the DacMagic Plus.

[salvadorramirez]

Dac magic sounds amazing with the xlr balance outputs

[deademcee]

Such a good video. Clean and to the point. Thanks

[EclecticApotheosis]

I'm betting I could build a robust power supply for the Pro-ject box that would improve the performance. I've never built a low-voltage PS before, but anything ought to outperform a wall wart.