Apple Music is one of the few streaming services that offers high-resolution audio (aka “lossless”) at no extra charge. But enjoying that extra quality on your phone usually requires some extra hardware. That is the purpose of this guide, — to help you find exactly what you need depending on how you prefer to listen. Every product listed below will help you squeeze more audio quality out of your Apple Music subscription. In fact, whatever music service you use, your listening experience will be enhanced. Best of all, most of these recommendations are compatible with Android, Mac and Windows devices, too.
Fortunately, as data plans become more generous and technology advances, listening to these larger-files in their full glory is less of a challenge. There are still some hardware hurdles though, especially if you use AirPods (or any wireless headphones) as Bluetooth technology is theoretically capable of delivering some higher-resolution audio, and Apple products don’t support the required technology (codecs such as Aptx, LDAC etc.). Confusingly, there are also different levels of “lossless” on Apple Music, with standard “CD quality” audio and then “Hi-Res Lossless” files that are recorded at even higher data rates. But don’t worry, we have a solution for you below, no matter how you prefer to listen to your music.
Of course, a DAC or dongle is only part of the equation — your headphones or speakers are also just as important. So if you’re looking for the absolute best audio experience be sure to check out our guide to the best headphones. Although these options are wireless, many can be used with a cable, too, making them the perfect pairing for our recommendations below.
Best DACs for 2025
James Trew for Engadget Best budget DAC FiiO KA11 USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter Fiio’s affordable KA11 dongle contains a DAC with a maximum resolution of 32bit/384kHz — which is well above Apple Music’s top-tier “Hi-Res” lossless format (24bit/192kHz) — so you can be sure that you’re getting every last bit of quality out of whatever you’re listening to. Best of all, the KA11 is powerful, too, with a higher volume output than Apple’s on headphone adapter (more on this below). At around $30, this dongle is the best bang for your buck when it comes to upgrading the audio experience on your iPhone, Android, PC or Mac. There’s even a Lightning version available for those with older iPhones and iPads. We particularly like the simplicity of Fiio’s KA11 as it’s plug-and-play with no need to charge it. It’s only slightly bigger than a typical headphone adapter and it comes with a rugged, woven cable, so it can handle a lot of wear and tear. There’s even a small LED on the front that lets you know if you’re listening to standard, high, or higher-resolution files so you can be confident you’re getting the most out of your music in real time. $33 at Amazon
Apple Another good option Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter Yes, it’s the Apple headphone adapter you know and (maybe) love, but it’s worth considering if you want something super lightweight and even more affordable. Apple’s dongle doesn’t support the larger, Hi-Res files available on its music service, but it can handle the standard lossless (24bit/48kHz) format no problem. As you’d expect, it’s available in Lightning and USB-C versions depending on which Apple device you’re connecting it to. Sure, the most demanding listeners might lament the lack of support for the higher resolutions, and it can be a little quiet with some headphones that are high impedance (typically more expensive “audiophile” models). For the vast majority of users, though, Apple’s dongle will do the job. If you’re not sure, check the manual for your headphones and look for Impedance (often listed as Ohms) — anything below around 150Ohms and you should be fine. Anything above that, and you might want to consider Fiio’s dongle instead. $15 at Adorama Explore More Buying Options $18 at Amazon
James Trew for Engadget Best DAC for Bluetooth headphones Sennheiser BTD 700 Bluetooth USB Dongle Sennheiser’s BTD700 is a wireless adapter that plugs into your phone, upgrading its Bluetooth capabilities with the latest high-resolution codecs such as Aptx Adaptive and Aptx Lossless. iPhones don’t support any of these natively, but with this small dongle, you can unlock the full potential of Bluetooth audio and the higher bitrates (and in theory audio quality) Aptx Lossless offers. There’s a small caveat, though: you will need Bluetooth headphones that also support one of these codecs such as these or these (or check the product page of the set you own or are considering). The BTD700 is simple to use, just plug it in to your phone’s (or other device’s) USB-C port, pair your headphones to it and off you go. An LED on the dongle lets you know which of the six different Bluetooth “qualities” (codecs) you’re enjoying so you will know when you’re listening to lossless audio. The handy part? Once you’ve paired your headphones with the dongle, you won’t need to re-pair if you connect the BTD700 to a PC or Mac. This little adapter effectively gives anything with a USB-C port an audio upgrade, and there’s even a low-latency mode for gaming. Note, there’s no Lightning option here, so if you’re on an older phone you might have to live with using an adapter. $60 at Macy's Explore More Buying Options $60 at Amazon$60 at Best Buy
James Trew for Engadget Best portable DAC FiiO Snowsky Melody If you’re looking to take things to the next level without spending “high-end” money, there’s a lot to love about the Melody DAC from Snowsky. Unlike a simple dongle, the Melody has onboard controls and two headphone jacks. One of those is for regular 3.5mm headphones, but the other is for 4.4mm “balanced” headphones, which means the Melody can grow with you if your audio journey takes you deeper into the world of audiophilia. The wood finish gives it a classy feel and although it’s light, it still delivers that quality “Hi-Fi” feel. As for sound quality, there’s support for 384K/32bit sample rates, which covers everything Apple Music can deliver. The built-in amplifier can easily go louder than you should probably ever listen and there are other luxuries, too, such as support for inline microphones — so you can still handle calls and take meetings on your phone. We also love that you can tailor the sound to your preference via the Fiio Control companion app. $40 at Amazon
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