Audiophile DAC and CD Player Comparison Chart
Every DAC, CD player, CD transport and disc player we have reviewed, sorted by price. Streaming DACs are in our music streamer comparison chart. Click any model to read the full review.
| Model | Price at review | Type | Inputs | Outputs | Balanced out | Headphone amp | DSD | MQA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schiit Modi 3E | $119 | DAC | USB, coax, optical | RCA | No | No | — | — |
| Sony BDP-S6700 | $119 | Blu-ray player | Disc (CD, SACD, DVD, Blu-ray), Bluetooth, Spotify Connect | HDMI, coax out | No | No | — | — |
| Fosi Audio ZD3 | $179 | DAC/preamp | USB, coax, optical, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth (aptX) | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | — |
| Marantz Professional PMD-526C | $249 | CD player | Disc, USB, SD, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | — | — |
| Shanling CR60 | $299 | CD transport | Disc | Coax out, optical out, USB-A | No | No | — | — |
| iFi GO bar | $329 | DAC/headphone amp | USB-C | headphone (4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iFi Zen One Signature | $349 | DAC | USB, coax, optical, Bluetooth 5.1 | RCA, 4.4mm balanced line out, coax out | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Onkyo Icon C-30 | $399 | CD player | Disc | RCA, coax out, optical out, headphone | No | Yes | — | — |
| NAD C 538 | $399 | CD player | Disc | RCA, coax out, optical out | No | No | No | — |
| Panasonic DP-UB820 | $499 | Blu-ray player | Disc, USB, network (Wi-Fi) | HDMI x2 (A/V + audio-only), 7.1ch analog, optical out | No | No | Yes | — |
| FiiO K15 | $549 | DAC/preamp/headphone amp/streamer | USB-C, coax, optical, Bluetooth (LDAC/aptX), Ethernet, Wi-Fi (Roon Ready, AirPlay), analog RCA | RCA, XLR, headphone (XLR, 6.35mm, 4.4mm) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rotel CD11 Tribute | $599 | CD player | Disc | RCA, coax out | No | No | No | — |
| iFi xDSD Gryphon | $599 | DAC/headphone amp | USB-C, S/PDIF (3.5mm coax/optical), Bluetooth 5.1 | 4.4mm balanced + 3.5mm (headphone and line out) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Music Hall CD25.3 | $649 | CD player | Disc | Analog stereo out, coax out | No | No | — | — |
| Grace Design m900 | $650 | DAC/preamp/headphone amp | USB, coax, optical | RCA, 2x headphone | No | Yes | Yes | — |
| Gustard DAC-X18 | $700 | DAC/preamp | USB, AES, coax, optical, I2S (HDMI), Bluetooth 5.0 | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Topping D70 Pro Sabre | $715 | DAC/preamp | USB, coax, optical, AES, Bluetooth | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | — |
| FiiO K9 Pro ESS | $849 | DAC/preamp/headphone amp | USB, coax, optical, Bluetooth (LDAC/aptX), analog RCA + 4.4mm | RCA, XLR, headphone (1/4-inch, 4.4mm, XLR) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Topping D90 III Sabre | $899 | DAC/preamp | USB, coax, optical, AES, I2S (HDMI), Bluetooth | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| SMSL D400EX | $950 | DAC | USB, coax, optical, AES, I2S, Bluetooth (LDAC) | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Audiolab 7000CDT | $1,000 | CD transport | Disc, USB (storage) | coax out, optical out | No | No | No | — |
| Chord Qutest | $1,595 | DAC | USB, 2x BNC coax, optical | RCA | No | No | Yes | — |
| Benchmark DAC3 B | $1,899 | DAC | USB, coax x2, optical x2 | RCA x2, XLR x2 | Yes | No | Yes | — |
| TEAC UD-507 | $2,099 | DAC/preamp/headphone amp | USB-B, USB-C, coax, optical, Bluetooth, analog XLR/RCA | RCA, XLR, headphone (6.3mm, 4.4mm, 4-pin XLR) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| Benchmark DAC3 HGC | $2,299 | DAC/preamp/headphone amp | USB, coax x2, optical x2, analog RCA x2 | RCA, XLR, headphone x2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| Schiit Yggdrasil+ OG | $2,699 | DAC | USB, coax, BNC, optical, AES | RCA x2, XLR | Yes | No | No | No |
| Ferrum Wandla HP | $2,795 | DAC/preamp/headphone amp | USB-C, AES, coax, optical, HDMI ARC, I2S, RCA analog | RCA, XLR, 4.4mm balanced headphone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Marantz SACD 30n | $2,999 | SACD/CD player | Disc, USB, coax x2, optical x2, Bluetooth, Ethernet/Wi-Fi (HEOS, AirPlay 2) | RCA (fixed + variable), headphone, coax out, optical out | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC | $3,950 | DAC | USB, coax, optical | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | — | — |
| PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC | $3,999 | DAC | USB, coax x2, optical, I2S (HDMI) x2 | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| McIntosh MDA200 | $4,000 | DAC/preamp | USB, coax x2, optical x2, MCT, HDMI ARC | Balanced + unbalanced (fixed/variable) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Jay's Audio CDT3 MK3 | $5,000 | CD transport | Disc | coax out (RCA/BNC), AES out, I2S out (HDMI, RJ45) | No | No | No | — |
| HiFi Rose RD160 | $5,295 | DAC | USB, coax (RCA/BNC), optical, AES, I2S (HDMI) | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | — |
| Metronome DSC mini | $5,799 | DAC | USB, S/PDIF, optical, AES, I2S | XLR | Yes | No | Yes | — |
| T+A MP 200 | $5,900 | Multi-source player | Disc, USB, coax x2, optical, Bluetooth, Ethernet/Wi-Fi, FM/DAB tuner | Coax out, USB-SYS out | No | No | — | — |
| Bricasti M3 | $6,500 | DAC | USB, coax, optical, AES (optional Ethernet/streaming card) | RCA, XLR (optional M3H headphone) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| PS Audio DirectStream DAC MK2 | $7,999 | DAC/preamp | USB, coax, optical, AES x2, I2S (HDMI) x2 | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | — |
| Denafrips Terminator Plus 15th | $8,599 | DAC | USB, coax (RCA/BNC), optical, AES x2, I2S (HDMI) | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | — |
| T+A DAC 200 | $8,895 | DAC/preamp/headphone amp | USB, coax, BNC, optical, AES, optional HDMI, analog RCA | RCA, XLR, headphone (4.4mm) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| PS Audio PMG Signature 512 | $8,999 | Streaming DAC | USB, 2x coax, optical, 2x AES, 2x I2S (HDMI), Ethernet, Wi-Fi | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Bricasti M19 | $10,000 | SACD/CD transport | Disc (CD, SACD) | AES out, S/PDIF out (RCA/BNC), I2S out (RJ45) | No | No | Yes | — |
| Meitner MA3 | $10,500 | DAC/preamp | USB, AES, coax, optical, Ethernet (Roon Ready), USB media drive | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bricasti M1 Series II | $12,000 | DAC | USB, AES, coax, optical; optional Ethernet or I2S | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Bricasti M21 Platinum | $19,000 | DAC/preamp | USB, coax, BNC, optical, AES, Ethernet | RCA, XLR | Yes | No | Yes | — |
| Weiss Helios | $21,995 | DAC/preamp/headphone amp | USB, coax (RCA S/PDIF), optical, AES, Ethernet (Roon Ready/UPnP) | RCA, XLR, headphone (via rear-output adaptor) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
Audiophile DAC and CD Player Buyer’s Guide
What Is an Audiophile DAC?
Every digital source in your system, from a music streamer to a CD transport to a computer, stores music as ones and zeros. A DAC (digital-to-analog converter) turns that data into the analog signal that your preamp or integrated amp can play. Every digital device has a DAC inside of it, but a dedicated audiophile DAC uses better converter chips (or custom FPGA and R-2R ladder designs), cleaner power supplies and better analog output stages. In a resolving system, the difference is easy to hear. Prices run from under $200 to well over $10,000.
DAC vs. CD Player vs. CD Transport: What’s the Difference?
A standalone DAC only converts. You feed it from a streamer, a CD transport, a computer or a TV. A CD player (or SACD player) spins the disc and has a DAC built in, so it connects straight to your preamp or integrated amp. A CD transport only spins the disc and sends a digital signal to an external DAC. If you already own a DAC you love, a transport is the better buy. If you want one simple box, a CD or SACD player is the way to go. Many DACs also add a preamp (volume control), a headphone amp or both.
Do You Need a DAC If Your Streamer Has One Built In?
Not always. Many streaming DACs sound very good on their own. An external DAC makes sense when you want sound quality beyond what is inside your streamer, when you have several digital sources (a streamer, a CD transport, a TV, a computer) to feed into one converter, or when you want true balanced XLR outputs. Most streamers have a digital output for exactly this reason. See our music streamer reviews for streamers that pair well with an outboard DAC.
Balanced (XLR) or Single-Ended (RCA) Outputs?
If your preamp, integrated amp or power amp has XLR inputs, a fully balanced DAC can lower noise and handle longer cable runs. Be careful, though: some affordable DACs have XLR jacks that aren’t truly balanced inside. Our comparison chart shows which DACs we have reviewed have balanced outputs.
What About DSD, MQA and High-Resolution Files?
Nearly every modern DAC plays high-resolution PCM files. Support for DSD (the format used on SACDs) and MQA varies from model to model, and the chart above shows which DACs support each one. MQA matters a lot less than it used to, since Tidal moved its high-resolution catalog to FLAC in 2024.
Is a Chi-Fi DAC Good Enough?
Often, yes. Chinese brands like Topping, S.M.S.L., Gustard, Fosi and FiiO build DACs that measure extremely well for the money. Our favorite, the Topping D90 III Sabre, uses two flagship ESS chips and a fully balanced design for under $1,000. Measurements aren’t everything, however. As you move up in price, power supplies, analog output stages, build quality and support from the manufacturer make a bigger difference.
How Much Should You Spend on a DAC?
Under $500 gets you a very good Chi-Fi or portable DAC. The $500 to $2,000 range is the sweet spot for most audiophiles, with DACs like the Topping D90 III Sabre and the Benchmark DAC3 B. From there, high-end DACs from companies like Bricasti, PS Audio, Weiss and T+A run into five figures, topped by reference converters like the Bricasti Design M1 Series II. A good DAC also deserves good digital cables and clean power.
How We Test DACs and CD Players
Volume matching is very important in reviewing digital audiophile gear. We use an SPL meter to make sure that you hear apples-to-apples comparisons sonically, since the changes between DACs can be subtle. Disc spinners get heavily tested with physical discs. We also test the various digital connection options. This is only the start of our review process. Read more about our editorial policy and review process.
Audiophile DAC & CD Player FAQ
What is the best DAC for audiophiles?
It depends on your budget and system. Our best high-end pick is the Bricasti Design M1 Series II. Our best audiophile value is the Benchmark DAC3 B. For an affordable Chi-Fi DAC, we like the Topping D90 III Sabre.
Do I need an external DAC for my CD player?
No. A CD player already has a DAC built in. An external DAC is worth adding if you want to upgrade the sound of an older player that has a digital output, or if you buy a CD transport, which has no DAC of its own.
Is an expensive DAC worth it?
In a resolving system, yes, but returns diminish quickly. Today’s affordable DACs are excellent. More money usually buys better power supplies, analog stages, build quality and features rather than night-and-day differences, so match your DAC to the rest of your system.
Are CD players still worth buying?
Yes, if you own a CD collection. CDs are inexpensive, sound excellent and, unlike a streaming library, the music is yours to keep. A good CD player or transport paired with a quality DAC can sound as good as high-resolution streaming.
Can a DAC replace my preamp?
Some can. DACs with a volume control (often sold as DAC/preamps) can connect straight to a power amplifier. If you also play analog sources, like a turntable, you will still need a preamp or integrated amp.
What is a DDC?
A DDC (digital-to-digital converter) takes a USB signal from a computer or streamer and converts it to coaxial, AES/EBU or I2S for a DAC that has better-sounding inputs than its USB port. Most modern DACs have good USB inputs, so a DDC is an optional upgrade.
