If you want to listen to digital music, either streaming or files, using your phone, you need a DAC. Luckily, your phone already has one inside. While you can use your phone as a music player, most everyone does, you can make your music sound better by adding an external DAC.
If you want to buy just one and enjoy your music instead of spending ages researching and then second-guessing the one you pick, here’s our recommendation.
The AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 ($99.95) is a purpose-built digital-to-analog converter (DAC) whose only job is to make your music sound more like music. The designers behind the DragonFly has decades of experience and AudioQuest spared no expense in R&D to make the little USB-stick-sized DragonFly the best it can be.
The DragonFly has two ends—one houses a USB connector and the other an 1/8″ jack for your headphones. To plug the DragonFly into your phone, you’ll need an adapter (see the Shopping List below). If your headphones have an 1/8″ jack you are good to go. If they have a larger 1/4″ jack, just get a 1/4″ to 1/8″ adapter.
Bonus
You can also use your DragonFly with a computer and your headphones. Just plug the ‘Fly into an available USB port and change your computer’s sound settings to play your music through the DragonFly.
Shopping List (from Amazon)
AudioQuest DragonFly Black v1.5 ($99.95)
Apple Lightning To USB Camera Adapter ($31)
AudioQuest DragonTail USB Adaptor For Android Devices ($18.95)
Further Reading