Top 10 Best DAC for Tidal HiFi/HiRes FLAC

Music enthusiasts know the value of high-resolution audio, and when paired with Tidal's Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) (replaced by HiRes FLAC tracks at up to 24-bit, 192kHz quality), the listening experience can be nothing short of extraordinary.

To fully unlock the potential of Tidal's HiFi and HiRes FLAC tracks, you'll need a high-quality Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that supports Tidal decoding and playback at resolutions like 24-bit/192kHz. Below, we've rounded up the top 10 best DACs for Tidal to elevate your audio experience. Besides, you will get one more tip to help enjoy Tidal music anywhere and anytime.

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Part 1. Top 10 Best MQA DACs for Tidal 24-bit/192khz Music

Which DACs support Tidal HiFi and HiRes FLAC quality? In this section, we will recommend the 10 best DACs for streaming Tidal, and provide detailed information about each one.

No 1. Zorloo Ztella Headphone DAC/Amp

Ideal for those seeking portability and high-quality music playback on the go, the Zorloo Ztella is a lightweight DAC/amp compatible with all major operating systems.

Features:

• It will provide you with HD Audio PCM sampling frequency up to 384kHz.
• This device has HD Audio DSD sampling frequency up to 5.6MHz.
• It is MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) Renderer.
• The MQA version of Ztella has MQA+PCM-384K, and it also has DSD-5.6M.
• Ztella Standard version (PCM-384K + DSD-5.6M).

Price: $99

Sample Rate: Up to 384kHz

No 2. iFi Hip DAC Headphone DAC/Amp

This Tidal DAC is perfect for music lovers as it will give them a perfect listening experience. If you are looking for a high-quality portable DAC for Tidal, then you shouldn't miss it.

This device has a perfect design and an amazing color, which will make it look amazing. With a sleek design and great performance, it's perfect for on-the-go listening.

Features:

• You can connect it with the help of a USB, or you can insert your headphones.
• Because of the Burr-Brown chip, the audio will become just perfect.
• This device supports hi-res PCM up to 384kHz, and DSD256.
• It supports the 4.4mm balanced output.
• This hip-DAC will give you a perfect bass.
• You can enjoy a good quality of sound for at least 8 hours.

Price: $149

Sample Rate: Up to 384kHz

No 3. iFi ZEN DAC Desktop Headphone DAC/Amp

This device will provide you with ethereal voice quality. It will give you sound as good as perfect, even in a noisy situation.

After using this best Tidal DAC with your smartphone or desktop, you can notice a difference in clarity and the quality of the sound. This device is smart and stylish, so you can carry it and use it anywhere.

Features:

• It supports PCM and DXD, which have 32-bit/384kHz. It can also support DSD256 and MQA.
• Due to the burr brown chip design, the direct stream digital remains perfect.
• This device supports Pentaconn 4.4mm outputs at both the front and back. It also has a 6.3mm headphone socket.
• This device has a switchable gain so that we can match it well with our headphones.

Price: $149

Sample Rate: 32-bit/384kHz

No 4. Dragonfly Cobalt USB DAC/Headphone Amp

This USB DAC is nice for those who love to listen to music while traveling. As we can see, it is small in size and stylish. It will provide you with addictive sound quality.

This device is the best DAC for Tidal HiRes FLAC. It will make your listening to music experience perfect. It is compatible with Apple devices, Android devices and Windows PCs. It plays all types of music files like MP3, MQA, and High-res.

Features:

• This device has a new flagship, ESS's ES9038Q2M, which will give you a soothing sound.
• It has a 2.1-volt output, which makes it compatible with a wide range of headphones.
• By using a desktop device manager, you can upgrade it as the technology is upgraded.
• The chips that are used in this device make it capable of processing to 24-bit/96kHz.

Price: $299

Sample Rate: 24-bit/96kHz

No 5. Topping D90 MQA Dedicated DAC

This mighty device will give you the perfect sound experience. You will fall in love with this device the moment you hear your favorite music from it. It will give you a perfect bass, and keep the sound warm and soothing no matter how loud it is.

You might feel it difficult to learn it. But after knowing its specs and its way of working, you cannot get enough of it.

Features:

• This device has a top of the line AKM Velvet Sound AKM AK4499 DAC chip, which will keep the sound perfect.
• This DAC has next-level inputs, making it easier for you to connect any kind of device with it.
• The USB and IIS (HDMI) inputs in it support up to PCM32bit/768 kHz and DSD512 Native.

Price: $799

Sample Rate: PCM32bit/768 kHz and DSD512 Native

No 6. SMSL SU-9

SMSL SU-9 should be a great Tidal compatible MQA DAC. It performs well with Tidal 24-bit/192khz quality and it cost almost $500. You can learn more features about it below.

Features:

• Support MQA decoding
• Has a 1.9'' LCD display
• Support USB/Bluetooth input
• Remote control is supported

Price: $459.99

Sample Rate: 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512

No 7. FiiO K3

Fiio K3 should be a cheaper and the best DAC for streaming Tidal. It is small in size and with a USB-C port. When you power on this device, you will see the LED lights around the volume control. And it can output high-quality audio and can work with most headphones.

Features:

• Can charge via a USB as it has a built-in battery
• Has a dual channel headphone output
• Has an ADC digital volume control

Price: $119.99

Sample Rate: 32-bit/384kHz

No 8. Mytek Brooklyn DAC+

This DAC device comes with optional digital and analogue volume controls. It can be used as a headphone amplifier and a phono stage. It has a new output stage which can offer a better sound quality.

Moreover, it has a built-in MQA Hi-Res decoder which lets you to stream music from Tidal with high quality. And you can use it at home or in an office if you want.

Features:

• Offer 3D sound from both speakers and headphones
• Support USB, optical, one AES and 2 coaxial inputs

Price: $2,195

Sample Rate: 32 bit/384 kHz and DSD material up to DSD256

No 9. SMSL M500

This MQA DAC has a complete MQA decoder that unfolds the MQA audio files from Tidal. In this case, you will enjoy the best listening experience. And the high-end DAC in the SMSL M500 is from ESS technology. Yet, this device only supports MQA decoding by the USB input. That's to say, you need to stream Tidal music via USB on SMSL M500.

Features:

• Has a top-performance ES9038PRO D/A chip, which can offer high-end music quality
• Provides 32bit audio processing, and support DoP
• Reach sample rates of 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512

Price: $419.99

Sample Rate: 32-bit/768kHz

No 10. Gustard X16

Gustard X16 is a desktop DAC that offers a screen with tiny text in the screen. But it has a clean and crisp resolution. And it supports MQA and DSD.

Price: $499.99

Sample Rate: 32-bit/768kHz

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Part 2. Extra Tip: Play Tidal Music in High Quality Anywhere and Anytime

If you're looking for an alternative to using a dedicated DAC for Tidal 24-bit/192khz format, you can still enjoy high-quality music with the TunesMake Tidal Music Converter.

This tool allows you to convert Tidal music into various formats like MP3, AAC, and more, all while preserving the original audio quality. Besides, you can define the audio format, bit rate, and more for converted Tidal songs, allowing you to save them and play them on any device, offline and without needing a DAC.

Now, let's show you how to use TunesMake Tidal Converter to convert and save Tidal songs with high quality for use on any device and platform offline.

Step 1. Import Tidal Music to TunesMake

Download and open TunesMake Tidal Music Converter. Then, you can go to the Tidal web player on its interface and find the playlist you want to save offline. Select your favorite playlist and click the Add icon in the lower right corner. After that, click the Add to List option so that you can load all the songs to TunesMake. You can also drag and drop one song to the Add icon directly.

Step 2. Adjust the Output Audio Formats

Now you can adjust Tidal audio format and the sample rate, bit rate, and the channel you like. Go to find the Preferences > Convert option to start the output audio settings. After the settings, then press on the OK button to keep the settings.

Step 3. Download DRM-free Tidal Music Offline

Hit on the Convert button to convert Tidal music at once. After finishing converting, you can move and listen to Tidal music offline anywhere and anytime with ease.

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Part 3. FAQs about Tidal DAC

Tidal has now provided its premium users (including Hi-Fi and Hi-Fi Plus) to see lyrics on the Tidal app. With the detailed procedure above in Part 1, you can find and activate Tidal lyrics on your device easily. In addition, we also offer you an extra method to play Tidal music offline on more devices without limits. After conversion, you can get the Tidal local files forever playable and fix the Tidal lyrics not showing issue as well. There are other players that can provide you lyrics to your favorite Tidal songs.

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Part 4. The Verdict

The top 10 best DACs listed above represent the best options for streaming Tidal music in high-quality audio (24-bit/192kHz). Whether you're looking for something portable like the Zorloo Ztella or a high-end option like the Topping D90, there's a DAC for every budget.

Additionally, if you want to enjoy Tidal music in high quality on any device offline, the TunesMake Tidal Music Converter is a powerful tool that allows you to convert and transfer your favorite Tidal tracks without losing quality.

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