The Best Desktop DACs, Streamers, and More of 2025
The Best Desktop DACs and Music Streamers for your Audio Setup
It's that time of year again, and we're taking a look at our top products for 2025. There's no sugarcoating what our top gear is - because it's all based on what you lovely folks are getting. These are not just the top-selling desktop DACs of 2025, but the most popular as well, and for good reason. Your ears deserve better, so make the sonic upgrade to a music streamer, desktop DAC, DAC/Headphone Amp combo, and more–all below.
Best Desktop DACS & DAC Amplifiers
Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T All-In-One Head-Fi System
The Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000T is a comprehensive Head-Fi audio system meticulously crafted for audiophiles who demand superior sound quality, no matter where they are. This multi-functional device not only plays ultra-high-quality sound sources but also offers diverse input/output options, making it an ideal desktop companion. Equipped with a robust headphone amplifier and Astell&Kern's proprietary TERATON ALPHA technology, the ACRO CA1000T ensures unparalleled versatility for both home and office environments. It delivers premium sound quality using optimal battery power, eliminating the need for a constant connection to a main power supply.
Elevate your Head-Fi audio system with the ACRO CA1000T, which embodies true Astell&Kern sound. It features a dual-tube Triple Amp System, providing four levels of gain to drive the most intricate in-ear monitors (IEMs) and the most demanding headphones. At the heart of this powerful system lies ESS Technology's flagship ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC, ensuring the highest fidelity and precision in audio reproduction. With its cutting-edge technology and versatile design, the Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000T stands out as the ultimate all-in-one solution for audiophiles seeking exceptional sound quality and flexibility in their listening experience.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T with the Silver Dragon Interconnect. Sold in Pairs, the Silver Dragon V2 is our top-of-the-line silver conductor-based interconnect. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. Get the best cables for your best audio gear.
iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie Hi-Res Amp DAC
Experience your favorite tracks with a level of musicality and emotional depth made possible by the iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie Hi-Res Portable Headphone Amplifier DAC/Preamplifier. The portable USB DAC puts professional-grade mastering technology in your hands, transforming how you listen to music with a quad-DAC architecture, proprietary DSD remastering, and precision analogue processing.
Find your sonic Valhalla with the iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie–where mastering meets mobility with exceptional sound quality.
The iFi iDSD Valkyrie isn't just another Portable DAC/Amp combo–it's a personal mastering studio at your fingertips. With proprietary DSD Remastering technology, K2HD processing, and six custom digital filters, you'll hear familiar tracks in ways you never imagined possible on your home audio system or streamers. Backed by thunderous 5,700mW peak output, quad-DAC architecture, lossless Bluetooth DAC functionality, and 18 hours of battery life from its robust power supply, the Valkyrie stands unrivaled in the high-end portable audio space alongside other products like the iFi Audio Hip DAC 3, xDSD Gryphon, ZEN Blue 3, ZEN CAN 3, Neo iDSD, and the GO series including the GO Bar Kensei and iFi GO Link.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the iFi Audio Valkyrie with the Black Dragon USB Cable. Utilizing our UP-OCC copper construction, the Black Dragon USB Cable will provide you with the best possible digital bus transmission. You'll enjoy an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution in your hi-fi system.
iFi Audio Hugo TT2 DAC Headphone Amplifier
The Hugo TT 2 is one of Chord's most popular tabletop DACs. As expected, it delivers radically improved technical specifications and measurements across the board and exhibits drastic sonic benefits over its predecessor with five times the processing power of the original Hugo TT, and double that of the award-winning Hugo 2. This powerhouse DAC supports most headphones, including harder-to-drive ones like the Sennheiser HD800S, and most planar magnetic headphones, such as the Audeze LCD-3,4, and 5.
Like other Chord products, the TT 2 is a detail freak - making it a great choice to add to the signal chain of just about any hi-fi system - no matter the sound signature. The Hugo TT 2 also upgrades from a 4-element design to a 10-element design, which works in harmony with the radically upgraded FPGA and code to deliver unrivaled audio. We also love pairing the DAC with the popular M Scaler - Chord's upsampler that - when paired with the TT 2 - gives even the DAVE a run for its money. The Hugo TT 2 is a bit warmer than the original Hugo and the DAVE. It's also more exciting and vibrant, and a lot of this can be adjusted in the flexibility of DAC itself and what you can do with it. Bluetooth, digital filters, crossfeed, and a great selection of inputs and outputs, the TT 2 is a versatile DAC. Complete with a powerful headphone amplifier, you'll also find a 3.5mm and dual quarter-inch headphone jacks on the front. With a more forward-leaning sound signature, the Hugo TT 2 DAC will be sure to bring out all the details in your music. It's great for every genre of music across the board - and we like what it does for classical, R&B, jazz, acoustic music, and more, in particular.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 with the Silver Dragon USB Cable, Silver Dragon Coax Digital Cable, and Bronze Dragon Premium Interconnect Cable. Unlike generic audio cables you might find on Amazon or Wireworld, the Silver Dragon USB Cable is built to USB audio specs and represents what audiophile forums consistently rate as the best USB cable in its price range. Our Silver Dragon Coax Digital Cable with RCA connectors will provide plenty of detail and an open presentation to your music, providing the best digital transmission possible for your gear. With great bass control, our Bronze Dragon Premium Interconnect Cables offer a balanced and musical sound, allowing you to enjoy a wonderfully full presentation.
Chord Electronics Qutest DAC
The Chord Electronics Qutest DAC is the latest update to the award-winning 2Qute. It offers class-leading digital conversion and performance. The Qutest is an audiophile-grade standalone DAC, and does not feature a headphone amplifier or rechargeable batteries like the portable-oriented Hugo 2. It's one of our best DACs at Moon Audio and a top seller every year.
It's hard to argue with the sound quality of anything from Chord Electronics, let alone something that is modeled after the Hugo 2. Chord products in general have some of the best detailing and clarity in the business, and the Qutest is no different. It's based on the proprietary FPGS technology developed for the Hugo 2 and contains 49,152 taps for those interested.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon USB Cable is our best-selling cable at Moon Audio and the perfect companion for the Qutest DAC. The Silver Dragon USB transfers digital audio from a computer or portable device such as a Phone, Tablet, or DAP (digital audio Player) to a USB-capable DAC. The Silver Dragon Interconnect is another great option, depending on your existing setup.
Bluesound NODE ICON Reference Music Streamer
Bluesound's latest reference music streamer, the NODE ICON is a flagship wireless music streamer, designed for the audio-obsessed. With its sleek aluminum chassis, and vibrant 5” full-color display, it sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers. Seamlessly connect it to any premium amplifier, powered speakers, or headphones, and enjoy BluOS hi-res streaming, Apple AirPlay 2, THX AAA™ technology, and more. HDMI eARC, Dolby Digital, and Dirac Live* ensure an immersive audio experience for music and TV.
The NODE ICON redefines HiFi listening with its expertly crafted Dual-Mono DAC design. Featuring two cutting-edge ESS SABRE ES9039Q2M DACs and transparent circuitry, it delivers sound with unparalleled dynamic range, ultra-low distortion, and exceptional resolution. MQA Labs' groundbreaking QRONO d2a technology further refines DAC performance by correcting timing errors during digital-to-analogue conversion, ensuring the timing response aligns perfectly with the original recording for an authentic listening experience.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Bluesound NODE ICON Music Streamer with two Dragon Audio Cables suitable for your hi-fi system. Our Black Dragon Mini Coax Cable is an extremely flexible cable, making it a perfect match for home audio digital transmission applications. The Silver Dragon Toslink Digital Cable has the bandwidth to deliver up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution and DSD signals for hi-fi listening sessions.
Wattson Audio Madison LE Streamer
Wattson Audio's flagship digital streamer and DAC, the Madison LE Streamer, embodies Wattson's philosophy of purity and simplicity while pushing the boundaries of digital audio performance at its price point. At its core, Madison LE Streamer's advanced and upgradable DSP-driven digital circuitry elevates musical fidelity and musicality. Engineered and crafted entirely in Switzerland using premium materials, the Madison LE Streamer produces undeniable accuracy and musical beauty, offering a listening experience that’s as precise as it is emotionally resonant.
Designed with a singular focus on delivering extraordinary sound in its purest form, the Madison LE Streamer redefines expectations at its price point. Its eerily silent noise floor and robust output stage provide the control and authority needed to drive connected power amplifiers. The result is a musical experience rich in dynamic contrast, delicate nuance, and emotional engagement—hallmarks typically reserved for far larger and more expensive components. Faithful to Wattson Audio’s engineering ethos, the Madison LE Streamer prioritizes superior musical performance above all else, embodying a rare synergy of craftsmanship and artistry.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Wattson Audio Madison LE Streamer with the Silver Dragon Interconnect. Sold in Pairs, the Silver Dragon V2 is our top-of-the-line silver conductor-based interconnect. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. Get the best cables for your best audio gear. The Silver Dragon Network Cable will provide a stable ethernet connection to the Madison LE Streamer for music streaming and data transmission. The solid-core silver conductors in the cable provide high speed, low latency, and low jitter-perfect bit rate communication between audio components.
NAD Electronics M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamp
A revolutionary hi-fi product from NAD Electronics, the Masters M66 combines an audiophile-grade DAC with a high-resolution multi-room music streamer. Not only is the Masters M66 BluOS streaming DAC-preamplifier the most advanced preamplifier NAD has ever offered, it represents an entirely new class of hi-fi separate components. With a plethora of inputs, including MM/MC phono and HDMI eARC, the M66 is a highly-capable, compatible amplifier.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the NAD Electronics M66 Streaming DAC Preamplifier with the Black Dragon Power Cable, Silver Dragon Network Cable, and Silver Dragon Interconnect Cable. The Black Dragon Power Cable is the ultimate power cable designed to be dead quiet and reject all EMI and RFI interference. 4-11Awg Stranded high purity slow drawn Copper conductors are used per cable in a star Quad configuration. The cable has a single 100% coverage shield but can be doubled up for noisy environments plus it is relatively flexible. Pair the M66 with your favorite subwoofer and you’ve got the perfect hifi setup.
Choose our Silver Dragon Interconnect Cable with RCA connectors to integrate the M66 with other audio devices in your setup. Sold in Pairs, the Silver Dragon V2 is our top-of-the-line silver conductor-based interconnect. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. The braided geometry itself acts as a noise rejection and the shield aso adds more durability to the cable for runs on a studio floor. Lastly, the Silver Dragon Network Cable will provide a stable network connection to the M66 during use. High speed, low latency, and low jitter perfect bit rate communication between audio components can be maximized by using solid core silver conductors. The Silver Dragon Network Cable uses 8 solid core 99.999% pure silver 26AWG Teflon insulated conductors.
TEAC Audio VRDS-701T CD Transport
Built for the physical media lover, the TEAC VRDS-701T CD Transport commemorates the longstanding success of TEAC Audio's high-end components. Utilizing TEAC's newly developed VRDS mechanism, the VRDS-701T maximizes the true capabilities of your hi-fi audio system when used with a DAC. The VRDS system (Vibration-free Rigid Disc-clamping System) drastically reduces rotation vibration and other unwanted noise by clamping the CD to an aluminum turntable with the same diameter to maximize inertial mass. Why does this matter? By clamping the optical disc on a turntable of the same diameter, the surface blurring caused by rotational vibration and warping is suppressed, and the relative optical axis accuracy between the optical pickup and the pits and lands of the signal engraved on the disc is increased, resulting in an improved sound quality.
The entire design of the VRDS-701T is focused on eliminating unwanted vibrations and maximizing performance. The VRDS-701T's CD mechanism is mounted on the sub-chassis in a semi-floating state to control vibrations transmitted between the CD mechanism and the chassis. By eliminating the DAC function, the internal circuitry of the VRDS-701T has been optimized for digital output. Independent high-capacity toroidal core transformers, dedicated to the digital control section and the CD mechanism, are mounted on a floating structure, separating and isolating them from the bottom panel, while side fins for heat dispersion have been tailored to eliminate lymphatic vibrations.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the TEAC VRDS-701T with the Black Dragon Power Cable and Black Dragon Coax Digital Cable. The Black Dragon Power Cable is the ultimate power cable designed to be dead quiet and reject all EMI and RFI interference. 4-11Awg Stranded high purity slow drawn Copper conductors are used per cable in a star Quad configuration. The Black Dragon Coax Digital Cable is an all-copper designed 75-ohm digital cable, and it's great for either audio or video connection needs.
Aurender A1000 Network DAC
The missing addition to your audiophile setup, the Aurender A1000 Network DAC is a music server, streamer, and DAC with versatile input/output options for seamless system integration. The A1000 is a hi-fi unicorn capable of acting as a preamplifier with HDMI ARC input, robust connectivity, and across-the-board versatility. Unlock next-level audio performance with this dynamic-sounding music server/streamer equipped with a brilliant-sounding AKM 4490REQ dual-mono DAC chip and Quad-core 2.0GHz ARM Cortex-A55 CPU—each fueled by their own linear power supply—translate to playback that's rich, smooth, detailed, and fast.
The Aurender A1000 Network DAC represents the next generation of hi-fi components with Bluetooth AptX HD and Chromecast Audio allowing users to wirelessly cast sound output from a variety of mobile devices. Whether you're enjoying background music or focusing on a critical listening session, you can put the screen down and comfortably manage your queue using the fully-equipped Bluetooth LE Remote Control. And for those with an extensive digital music library, the Aurender A1000 has a user-installable storage tray capable of installing up to 8TB SSD. Prefer streaming over storing files? Leave the tray empty and don't pay for storage capacity you won't use. The Aurender A1000 is the perfect integrated solution for audiophiles and music lovers who want high-quality audio playback but prefer a more streamlined, all-in-one single-box solution.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Aurender A1000 Network DAC with the Black Dragon Power Cable, Silver Dragon Network Cable, Silver Dragon Coax Digital Cable, Silver Dragon Interconnect Cable, and Silver Dragon USB Cable (USB A to B). The Silver Dragon Network Cable will provide a stable ethernet connection to the Aurender A1000 for music streaming and data transmission. The solid-core silver conductors in the cable provide high speed, low latency, and low jitter-perfect bit rate communication between audio components. Our Silver Dragon Coax Digital Cable with RCA connectors will provide plenty of detail and an open presentation to your music, providing the best digital transmission possible for your gear. Additionally, the Silver Dragon Interconnect Cable with RCA connectors can be used to connect the A1000 to other components in your existing audio system.
dCS Audio Bartok APEX DAC Headphone Amplifier
Designed for the discerning audiophile, the Bartók APEX DAC Headphone Amplifier combines the functionality of a music streamer, upsampler, preamp, and headphone amp in one state-of-the-art unit. Equipped with dCS' next-generation APEX Ring DAC, the new Bartók APEX DAC delivers an even more transparent and immersive listening experience than the original Bartók. Enjoy powerful, dynamic, and detailed sound with new levels of resolution and refinement. With flexible and upgradeable software and hardware, the Bartók APEX can grow and evolve, providing a state-of-the-art listening experience for years to come. Designed and built by hand at dCS headquarters in Cambridgeshire, England, the Barók APEX boasts an elegant and timeless aesthetic that combines meticulous craftsmanship and obsessive attention to detail. Available in silver or black, the Bartók APEX showcases dCS' uncompromising approach to design.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the dCS Bartók APEX DAC Headphone Amplifier with the Silver Dragon Network Cable to provide a stable internet connection. The Silver Dragon Network Cable delivers high speed, low latency, and low jitter-perfect bit rate communication between audio components. For audio device interlinking, we recommend our Silver Dragon Interconnect Cable with XLR connectors. This will allow you to connect the Bartók APEX to other devices within your setup. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key.
Our Black Dragon AES Digital Cable with XLR connectors for all your high-end audio digital applications. Some uses are to connect a CD Transport or computer's Pro Audio Card like a Lynx to an outboard digital to analog converter. Lastly, we recommend powering the unit with the Black Dragon Power Cable. The Black Dragon Power Cable is the ultimate power cable designed to be dead quiet and reject all EMI and RFI interference. 4-11Awg Stranded high purity slow drawn Copper conductors are used per cable in a star Quad configuration. The cable has a single 100% coverage shield but can be doubled up for noisy environments plus it is relatively flexible.
Related Videos
DACs Deciphered: The 4 Major Types Explained
Amps vs. Preamps: What's the difference?
Bluesound Node X Comparison: A Nod to the Node
