It is digital audio technology that is developing at the fastest pace, so even a savvy audiophile can easily get lost in the sea of offers. Want to understand which newest digital-to-analog converter deserves attention if you are really sensitive to sound quality? Our buyer's guide to DACs of the beginning of 2025 will help.
Pros - surprisingly detailed sound
The latest version of the Gungnir 2 DAC has been radically rethought in comparison with the first version of the device. The Gungnir 2 offers truly “mature” sound with an abundance of detail and crystal clear presentation, which does not fit with the price of the device. From an engineering point of view, everything is fine - Multiform balanced multibit architecture. (four medical or defense grade DAC8812C D/A and time- and frequency-optimized digital filter managed on an Analog Devices SHARC DSP running 8X oversampling; non-oversampling mode also exists), two USB inputs (one high-rate Unison 384), and a completely modular design.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
Gungnir 2
Conversion type
Schiit Multiform
Engine
4 x Texas Instruments DAC8812C
DSD compatability
N/A
Parameters
up to PCM 32/384
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
20
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
20000
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
N/A
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
N/A
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
75
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
75
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
112
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
0.0008
Dimensions (mm)
40.64 x 20.32 x 5.08
Weight (kg)
5.47
Official link
Pros – great functionality, solid sound
DAC from Eversolo, which replaced the well-known DMP-A8 model. The fully balanced Eversolo DMP-A10 has a built-in streaming module (there is support for streaming services such as Tidal, Spotify, Deezer, etc.), a pre-amplifier unit with an equalizer and its own room acoustics correction technology. Information about albums is displayed on a gorgeous 6.5” built-in display – it’s a pleasure to operate the new product (the proprietary Global Music Search function is especially impressive, which allows you to search for music on several streaming platforms at once). The ESS ES9039PRO chip and armor-piercing design (the record-breaking signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB seems like a real deal) guarantee a natural and harmonious sound delivery.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
DMP-A10
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
ES9039 Pro
DSD compatability
Yes
Parameters
up to PCM 32/768 and DSD512
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
20
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
20000
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
4.2
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
2.1
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
130 - 129
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
0.000078 - 0.00009
Dimensions (mm)
N/A
Weight (kg)
N/A
Official link
Pros - the purest "mercury" sound
The updated Jadis Electronics JS2 SL tube DAC is now based on the flagship Sabre ES9038PRO DAC chips from ESS Technology, using 32-bit Hypertream technology. The new DAC is equipped with four digital inputs controlled by a microcontroller and is capable of decoding digital streams in PCM format with parameters up to 24/192 from all inputs (or DSD only via USB). The heart of the system is a balanced tube cascade with a cathode follower on four double ECC82 triodes. The power supply uses a large power transformer with an E-shaped core, providing a significant power reserve. The model demonstrates a truly rich and powerful sound with a natural timbre picture, a genuine black tone and excellent separation.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
JS2 SL
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
ES9038pro
DSD compatability
Yes
Parameters
up to PCM 24/192 and DSD
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
N/A
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
N/A
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
290 x 440 x 105
Weight (kg)
8
Official link
Pros – incredible performance characteristics, glossy presentation and amazing microdynamics
Many experts call Weiss Engineering DAC502 the standard in the world of modern digital audio, and we completely agree with this. The device uses a pair of 32-bit ESS Sabre chips and an analog power supply of excess power with dedicated stabilizers for each part of the circuit. The network switch is implemented on an electronic relay, there are two network transformers, separately for each channel. The device accepts signals up to PCM 32/384, DSD128 and clearly shows what the power and strength of High End sound is, which is hard to tear yourself away from. The device's measurements correspond to the reference level.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
Weiss DAC502
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
N/A
DSD compatability
Yes
Parameters
up to PCM 32/384 and DSD128
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
20
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
20000
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
7.957 (selectable)
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
3.98 (selectable)
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
0.00014
Dimensions (mm)
45 x 30 x 6.6
Weight (kg)
5
Official link
Pros – no words here!
For $305,000, you can expect a dream come true - and the ultimate D/A-conversion system from dCS is ready to offer such an approach. With dCS Varèse, the company is aiming for a level of audio quality that surpasses anything it has ever created. Varèse is made up of five components: the main streaming and processing unit, two mono DACs (one for each audio channel), a dedicated user interface unit, and an external clock generator for all components of the system, with an SACD/CD optical disc transport to follow later this year. At the heart of this ambitious project is a suite of new technologies, including the biggest update to the company’s Ring DAC architecture in a decade. It also features a new proprietary dCS Tomix clocking technology and a special interface for transmitting audio, control, and clock signals between components called Actus, which helps reduce jitter while improving linearity, reducing noise, and eliminating crosstalk.
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Model name
Varèse
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
Ring DAC
DSD compatability
Yes
Parameters
N/A
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
N/A
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
N/A
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
N/A
Weight (kg)
N/A
Official link
Many music lovers and audiophiles are wondering what the future holds for the high-quality audio market? Will the trend for analog formats continue, what transformation will streaming undergo, what will happen to loudspeakers, amplifiers and sources? Well, our editorial forecast for the development of the Hi-Fi and High-End industry for the coming year is as follows - the ten points outlined below can significantly influence the market and change the balance of power in it.
The manufacturer itself calls the universal disc player Kalista Dreamplay XC a combination of all the best digital capabilities. In addition to playing CDs and SACDs, the device can work with a network stream (full functionality of a streamer), has a luxurious digital-to-analog converter and even provides preamplifier functions (although, also in digital form). The French company tried to make Kalista Dreamplay XC impressive in every sense - both in terms of characteristics, and in terms of ultimate sound quality, and in appearance. So, we are testing Kalista Dreamplay XC.
Modern High-End offers a lot of more compact and flexible solutions - among which, of course, it is worth noting traditional wired over-ear headphones. We have studied the market of this class of equipment in detail as of the beginning of 2025 and selected in this buyer's guide ten of the most impressive and striking models of extra-cash headphones that meet the most demanding views on sound quality and offer a genuine synthesis of modern technologies.
Often, it is the tonearm that becomes the weak link in a high-end vinyl analog audio system – so it will never be superfluous to pay attention to this class of components. Our new expert editorial rating contains five of the most impressive High End tonearms for vinyl turntables.
Analog technology has successfully secured its place at the top of the sound quality sky – but choosing a cartridge for the High End analog equipment is fraught with many nuances. The new editorial rating has collected six of the most impressive vinyl cartridges that you can choose in 2025.