PORTABLE DACS

Want better sound for your smartphone or laptop when you are out and about? Then try one of these five pocket-sized DACS

How would famous abolitionist William Wilberforce have been remembered without his unsung-hero collaborator and instigator Thomas Clarkson? And, somewhat more prosaically, have you tried briefly jabbing your fork through a clove of garlic before using it to mix your scrambled eggs? You should; it turns a breakfast staple into a subtle taste sensation.

The fact is, there are secret transformative gems all around us, and the portable DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) is surely one of them.

Few people appreciate just how much difference these tiny devices can make to the sound quality of the music you play on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. The quality gap is so wide because the digital-to-analogue converters and analogue output stages of those do-it-all devices are generally pretty poor, so having a dedicated circuit to do the crucial conversion work makes all the difference.

Thankfully, though, perceptions are changing. Portable DACS – compact DACS that don’t rely on mains power – have arrived in force in recent years and, because they are so small (think matchbox-sized) and easy to plug in between your source and your wired headphones, neatly marry quality with convenience.

Wired for quality

Though wireless headphones connected to a device may be the portable audio preference of many nowadays, a wired set-up generally still offers the best performance-per-pound value, particularly if you want to play hi-res audio and take full full advantage of these little miracle-workers.

Furthermore, with the right adaptor cable, these devices can also be incorporated into your domestic system to do their good deeds there too.

We've picked out five portable DACS for you to consider, with prices ranging from £90 to £200. No matter how much you choose to pay, when you hear the results we're confident you'll feel it's money well spent.