We'd rather DAC our Fleetwood Mac

A digital to analogue converter with headphone amp will power your music to greater sonic heights. Whether you’re using it as part of a hi-fiset-up, at a desk via a PC or on the go from a smartphone, here is our pick of the best DAC/headphone amps to enhance your solo listening

IFi Zen DAC V2

₹11,999

In a competitive industry such as hi-fi, making the best even better off your own back isn’t necessarily a bad idea – even if the original wasn’t in need of ‘fixing’. The original, Award-winning, Zen DAC has thus made way for a ‘V2’ model, using the new-generation processing chip found in the higher-ranging Neo iDSD and iDSD Diablo DAC/headphone amps. A such, the sequel is able to deliver double the clock speed and four times the memory of the original.

As well as supporting PCM (up to 384kHz) and DSD (up to DSD256) files, the Zen DAC V2 is also an MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) decoder this time. That means it brings full MQA decoding onboard, which should be music to the ears of Tidal HiFi subscribers who devour the service’s MQA-encoded hi-res Masters.

We have long applauded iFi for the way its products tend to work well with a wide range of headphones, and this Zen DAC v2 is no different. Its Power Match mode allows the user to switch between two gain levels to help accommodate the varying sensitivity of your ’phones. What’s pleasing is that iFi hasn’t launched a pricier sequel bringing only subtle improvements. The Zen DAC V2 is notably better. It is still open, smooth and nicely judged in its handling of frequencies, only this time dynamic expression and clarity is confidently taken to the next level, with the bass a little tighter and the presentation slightly more refined too.