"What is DAC? Do I need MQA DAC for Tidal?" You may find someone who discusses Tidal DAC on Reddit and has these questions. A DAC is a digital-to-analogue converter, which in layman's terms is a system for converting digital signals into analogue signals. Nowadays, DACs are widely used. Your laptop or mobile phone may have a DAC chip in it, placed internally next to the audio output of the device. Besides built-in DACs, external DACs are also created to help enhance the listening experience. By connecting an external DAC, you bypass the mediocre quality of the audio chip with better audio playback hardware.
If you often listen to Tidal Hi-Res music, we suggest you buy a DAC to try. We've compiled a list of 10 best Tidal DACs in this post, from high-end to portable, cost-effective to cheap. Read on to choose one that meets your needs.
Part 1. Best MQA DAC for Tidal
When you plan to buy a DAC for Tidal MQA music, you may see confusion in your mind at Amazon. There are many DACs with different prices and features. So, which one is the best for you? If you need a nice one to make you enjoy the most authentic music quality from Tidal, you should choose a high-end MQA DAC. We list three good DACs which have advanced features. Also, they are expensive compared with other productions we recommend.
✨ Mytek Brooklyn DAC+
Brooklyn DAC+ is a DAC Tidal and a preamp with optional digital and analogue volume controls. It is also a headphone amplifier and a phono stage. Compared to its original version Brooklyn, it has a new analogue output stage, which is the main reason for the better sound.
Brooklyn DAC Tidal not only has more music levels and a wider sound field but also has more dynamics than other products in this price range. Its sound quality, construction and overall design are spectacular, so it remains a nice DAC for Tidal MQA on the market. To hear the full raw resolution of Tidal Masters, you might consider this high-end DAC with Tidal and MQA hardware decoder.
Price: $2,195
Sample Rate: 32-bit/384kHz
Features:
* 5 digital inputs provided (USB, optical, 2 coaxial and one AES)
* Unmatched level of resolution and detail retrieval
* Very 3D sound from both headphones and speakers
| Pros | Cons |
| High-quality audio performance | High price |
| Versatility | Long warm-up time |
| Various connectivity options | Little bit big |
| Sleek design and user-friendliness | / |
✨ Cocktail Audio X50D
Cocktail Audio X50D is a versatile digital music player and DAC for Tidal that offers a wide range of features for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. It supports playback from various sources, including local music files stored on internal or external storage drives, streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz, internet radio, and FM radio. It is the best DAC for Android, iPhone and PC. You also can use its recording feature to create your personal digital music library by recording DAB+/FM radio and Internet radio.
Price: $1,899.99
Sample Rate: 24-bit/352.8kHz
Features:
* Equipped with a high-performance DAC
* Supports playback from various sources
* Enables seamless integration with Roon software
* Features a built-in CD drive for ripping CDs to digital audio files
| Pros | Cons |
| High audio quality | Expensive |
| Rich connectivity options | Large size |
| User-friendly interface with a display screen | / |
✨ iFi Pro iDSD Signature
iFi Pro iDSD Signature is a high-end digital audio decoder and headphone amplifier with outstanding audio performance and powerful features. This Tidal MQA DAC supports various audio formats including MQA, DSD, DXD, and PCM, providing exceptional audio decoding capabilities. Additionally, the iFi Pro iDSD Signature is equipped with balanced and single-ended outputs to meet the needs of different audio devices. Its balanced headphone amp outputs up to an amazing 4.2 Watts of power. With its exquisite design and excellent sound quality, it is an ideal choice for audio enthusiasts.
Price: $3,249
Sample Rate: 32-bit/768kHz
Features:
* Supports various high-resolution audio formats, including PCM up to 768kHz and DSD up to DSD512
* Balanced and single-ended outputs
* Exquisite design and build quality
* Powerful features and capabilities for audio enthusiasts
| Pros | Cons |
| Supports various audio formats | Higher price compared to other audio decoders and headphone amplifiers |
| Powerful headphone amplifier | Potentially complex setup and interface |
| Flexible digital filters | Limited availability and distribution in certain regions |
Part 2. Cheapest MQA DAC for Tidal
The Tidal MQA DACs in Part 1 are really expensive if you do not plan to cost too much money in this aspect. Now, let's find some practical and cheap MQA DACs for Tidal.
✨ EverSolo H1
EverSolo H1 is a powerful smart speaker with various distinctive features. It comes with a smart assistant function that can answer questions, play music, and control smart home devices. Additionally, EverSolo H1 is equipped with high-quality speakers that deliver a premium audio experience. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi functionality. You can easily connect it to Android, computers and some tablets. It is a comprehensive and high-performing smart speaker suitable for both home and office environments. It is the cheapest MQA DAC that we recommend today.
Price: $49.99
Sample Rate: 32-bit/384kHz
Features:
* A compact and lightweight device
* Supports various audio formats, like MP3, FLAC, WAV and the rest
* Equipped with a long-lasting battery, providing hours of continuous music playback
* User-friendly and suitable for all ages
| Pros | Cons |
| Portability & versatility | Limited storage capacity |
| Long battery life | Only basic features |
| Easy to use | Lower audio quality compared to high-end products |
✨ HiBy FC4
HiBy FC4 is the best DAC for Tidal MQA that can be used on Android, iOS, Mac and Windows 10 or above. Its MQA dongle includes MQA full decoding technology that enables you to play Tidal MQA music at 16X speed. Featuring 2 ES9219 DAC chips and independent FPGA-based dual independent crystal oscillator reclocking, it establishes a strong basis for excellent audio quality.
Price: $79
Sample Rate: 32-bit/768kHz
Features:
* A compact and lightweight device
* Supports various audio formats, like MP3, FLAC, WAV and the rest
* Equipped with a long-lasting battery, providing hours of continuous music playback
* User-friendly and suitable for all ages
| Pros | Cons |
| Utilizes advanced amplification circuitry and high-quality components | Its battery life may not be as long-lasting as some other portable amplifiers |
| Play MQA tracks at 16X | Fewer options for headphone appearance |
| Easy to use | Limit the availability of certain features |
| Great Value for Money | / |
See also: How to Play Tidal on HiBy R3 Pro Offline
Part 3. Best Tidal DAC under $500
If you are searching for the best DAC under $500, you are in the right place. Here are 4 DACs for Tidal MQA that can meet your needs.
✨ Bluesound Node Wireless Multi-Room High Resolution Music Streamer
This best DAC for MQA has helped many users upgrade their existing systems in terms of streaming and wireless music playback. It comes in black or white with a rather small compact size, so you can put it almost anywhere you like. Thanks to its excellent app, once you've got all the cables connected, you hardly have to touch it again.
On the front, there is a small color-changing LED that provides information on the working status of the streamer and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. You don't need to turn the Node off, as it automatically goes into power-saving mode after 15 minutes of inactivity. As for streaming possibilities, the Node Tidal DAC supports an abundance of streaming services such as Tidal, Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music. It can process music files of up to 384 kHz and 32 bits.
Price: $499
Sample Rate: 32-bit/384kHz
Features:
* Extensive support for high-resolution audio
* Stereo DAC chip with differential output
| Pros | Cons |
| High-resolution music streaming | Requires stable network connection |
| Wireless multi-room music system | Needs other Bluesound devices for multi-room functionality |
| Wide compatibility | A little difficult to use |
See also: How to Connect Tidal to Bluesound
✨ FiiO K3 DSD256 Tidal DAC
Many audiophiles would recommend this great budget MQA DAC. Fiio K3 is a pocket-sized headphone amp and USB-C DAC at a very affordable price, which makes it the best DAC for Tidal Masters. It is powered via a USB port for both convenience and security. When the DAC is set up correctly, the LED lights around the volume control change color depending on the quality and format of the audio file.
Generally speaking, Fiio K3 is a clean and neutral DAC with no other flavors added to the sound. It is an excellent little DAC that pairs well with most headphones and lets you hear the music as it was intended to be heard.
Price: $109.99
Sample Rate: 32-bit/384kHz
Features:
* The built-in battery can be charged via USB
* There is a dual-channel headphone output and ADC digital volume control
| Pros | Cons |
| High-resolution audio support | Limited power output |
| Portable and innovative design | Basic features & quality |
| Versatile connectivity | / |
See also: How to Play Tidal on Fiio Hi-Res Music Player
✨ AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt USB DAC
The Dragonfly Cobalt USB DAC is considered to be the best portable Tidal MQA DAC device on the market. It combines portability with incredible quality, providing you with the perfect way to access high-definition audio. As for its size, the device is about the size and shape of a USB stick and needs to draw its power from the device it is plugged into.
What's more, Dragonfly can handle Tidal MQA audio to deliver vivid and clear musical sounds. It also comes with an A-type USB port and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. If you want a comfortable Tidal streaming experience, this portable MQA DAC will be perfect. The two different colors will be cheaper than it.
Price: $199.95
Sample Rate: 24-bit/96kHz
Features:
* Compact and easy to use
* No external power supply is required
* With 2.1-volt output for great sound quality
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | It may not have as many input/output options as some other DACs |
| Tidal MQA support | More expensive than other portable USB MQA DACs |
| Compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices | Power consumption |
✨ iFi Zen DAC for Tidal
The iFi Zen Tidal DAC is a super affordable compact DAC/headphone amplifier. It is compact and relatively small in size, making it very portable. Designed with the True Native Burr Brown chip, it can also be used as a USB DAC in your home system, simply by adding your favorite active speakers or amplifier.
With a balanced design and ultra-low noise performance, it can be kept quiet in noisy environments such as yachts or caravans. Thanks to 16-core technology, it is now an MQA decoder and a renderer. As a result, it is able to play MQA audio files and data streams, and then provide the sound of the original master recording.
Price: $299
Sample Rate: up to 384kHz
Features:
* Support PCM and DXD up to 32-bit/384kHz, Tidal MQA and DSD256
* True Native Burr Brown chip design for high-resolution audio processing
| Pros | Cons |
| Features a balanced output for improved audio quality | Limited connectivity options |
| Affordable price point compared to other DACs with similar features | Fewer advanced features |
| Compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices | / |
Part 4. Best DAC for Tidal under $1000
In this part, you will know a DAC for Tidal MQA. It is SMSL M500 DAC Tidal, you can pay for $529.99 to get it.
✨ SMSL M500 MQA DAC
SMSL M500 is a DAC/Amp combo using ESS technology. For the average person, that's an expensive piece of audio equipment, but for audiophiles, it is actually a bargain DAC compared to those very expensive DACs and amplifiers.
SMSL M500 has a full MQA decoder (not just a renderer) inside which unfolds the audio file and seamlessly delivers the highest sound quality of Tidal music. This way, you can hear what the artist wants to deliver to the audience. However, the M500 only supports MQA decoding via USB input. Of course, you can connect to the M500 MQA DAC via all the streaming settings in the Tidal app.
Price: $529.99
Sample Rate: 32-bit/768kHz
Features:
* Equipped with a top-performance ES9038PRO D/A chip
* Provide true 32-bit audio processing with DoP support
* Deliver low noise density sound and high output drive capability
| Pros | Cons |
| Provides flexibility in connecting to different audio sources | Not easy to use |
| Features both balanced and unbalanced outputs | Lack of wireless connectivity |
| Compact and stylish design | No built-in preamp |
Tips: How to Download Tidal Music Offline Forever
Last but not least, here is the perfect way for you to enjoy your Tidal MQA songs with DAC better. All you need is the AudFree Tidal MQA Converter. It is designed for converting and downloading Tidal music to your computer locally. After that, you'll have the ability to transfer Tidal songs to USB for offline listening on MQA DAC.
What's more, this powerful tool is able to download Tidal MQA music with zero quality loss. Thanks to the latest technology embedded, this professional software works at 5X faster speed and retains all ID3 tags. It also supports converting Tidal songs to normal audio files such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, AAC, and M4B.
AudFree Tidal MQA Downloader
- Download Tidal MQA music as local files on your PC
- Convert Tidal to MP3, WAV, AAC, etc. for offline listening
- Play Tidal with MQA DAC without Premium
- Enjoy Tidal on DAC with high sound output
How to Download Tidal MQA Music Offline Forever
Step 1. Install the AudFree Tidal MQA Downloader on your computer. You also need to install the Tidal desktop app. Launch the AudFree software and the Tidal app will open automatically.
Step 2. Select the Tidal MQA song you like in the Tidal app and drag & drop it directly onto the main screen of the program.
Step 3. Click on the 'menu' icon to select the 'Preferences' > 'Convert' and then change the output format of your Tidal MQA music directly in the settings window that pops up.
Step 4. Now, click the 'Convert' button in the bottom right corner to get Tidal MQA downloads. After that, you can smoothly stream Tidal with the MQA full decoder DAC list mentioned above.
FAQs of Tidal MQA DAC
Q1: Why Listen to Tidal with a DAC?
A: A DAC is actually a device that converts a digital signal into an analogue signal. If you use a DAC Tidal, you can hear the music or sounds coming from your headphones or earphones, which makes the listening experience even more interesting.
Q2: Does Tidal MQA Sound Better?
A: Tidal MQA has better audio quality compared to regular CD-quality audio. We also call it Tidal Master, and it allows you to play Tidal music in an artist's way and enjoy the high-definition sound.
Q3: What DAC supports MQA?
A: As mentioned above, here are the 10 best DACs for Tidal MQA list for your reference. You can listen to Tidal music to your heart's content with perfect sound output.
Final Words
From high-end to portable and expensive to cheap Tidal MQA DACs in this post, you can select a suitable one. Just choose the best DAC for Tidal to enjoy Tidal Hi-Res music. You also can directly download Tidal MQA music to play on your frequently-used device via AudFree Tidal MQA Downloader if you still don't want to buy a DAC device.
Annie Yazbeck
Staff Editor
