Without the Mojo the treble and bass frequencies tend to take over, but introduce the external DAC into the mix and the mids are much more present and full. Thankfully the Mojo puts that power to good use, delivering a much rounder sound than the stock iPhone jack.

Having to charge an extra device – even if that charge lasts for 10 hours – before listening to music out and about is hardly ideal, but that's the price you have to pay for the Mojo's more power-hungry innards. The Mojo is one of the larger DACs we've tested as a result of the onboard battery that needs to be charged before you can use it with your iPhone. Needs to be charged before use -Big and cumbersome It's able to play both DSD and PCM audio in their native formats, rather than converting one to the other – and risking further loss – before it reaches your ears.

Unlike Mojo, the xDSD supports the hi-res MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) format found on Tidal's Masters tier and the like. You'll get the most benefit when using the fancier audio formats out there. (iFi's cheaper sister product, the iFi xCAN, offers much the same specs but as a dedicated headphone amp without the USB port.) The Type-A USB is also much friendlier than micro USB for connecting to either Android or Apple devices. The optional Bluetooth connection is hugely practical, utilizing an aptX compression format to stream wirelessly without needlessly impacting the audio quality. Out of the box you’ll also get a velvet carry pouch and even some strips of velcro (remember velcro?) to strap the DAC to the back of your smartphone, if you're into that. The iFi xDSD is certainly eye-catching, with a ribbed metal casing and glossy finish giving a smartly premium look.

Macbook dac