Ask S&V

Q Apple regularly gets flack for not offering Hi-res versions of its iTunes music catalog. I also hear that the quality of the DACs in the latest iPhones (Android phones, too) is not the greatest. Is there any device I can add to my iPhone that will coax the last bit of sound quality out of it?—Scott Oakley, Pine, AZ

A Yes, there are plenty of options for improving the sound quality of your iPhone or Android phone. Each one involves adding an external DAC/amplifier to the phone, however, typically connected by a cable or adapter.

Two Sound & Vision Top Picks that I can personally recommend are AudioQuest’s DragonFly Red and Black DAC/amps . Both DragonFlys are about the size of a USB memory stick, making them the most compact options listed here. At $199 for the Red and $99 for the Black, they are also affordable. Linking a DragonFly to your iPhone requires an Apple Lightning to USB adapter ($38). Android phone users will need to add AudioQuest’s DragonTail USB adapter ($19). What does the extra $100 you’ll pay for the Red get you? Higher output power, mainly, which will make it compatible with a wider range of headphones, including high-impedance models.

Other DAC/amplifier options you should check out include the Oppo Digital HA-2SE ($299) and iFi iDSD BL ($549). Both models are compatible with high-res PCM and DSD files and can drive high-impedance headphones. Unlike the AudioQuest DACs, which suck power from your phone, both the Oppo and iFi have a rechargeable battery and can also be used to charge a portable device. Other than price, the downsides to both are their bulk — the Oppo (shown above) is about the size of an average iPhone, and the iFi is even larger.

If, like me, you own an iPhone 6 or 6s, you should also consider the Arcam MusicBOOST . The MusicBOOST, which is only compatible with the iPhone 6 or 6s, is different from the DAC/amps listed above in that it serves as a protective sleeve, reducing complexity and bulk. It’s also rechargeable, and can be used as a power source to charge your iPhone. The MusicBOOST’s Burr-Brown DAC definitely improved my iPhone’s audio performance, and at $30 it’s priced about the same as a decent regular iPhone case.