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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Tammy Rogers

If you're not using a portable DAC, you're listening to music wrong — here's why I can't live without my USB-C audio companion

Nintendo Switch 2 next to a DAC with some headphones connected.

Contrary to popular belief, I don't spend all my time locked up in my office. Sometimes I venture into the outside world, be that to stay with a friend somewhere or to go on vacation somewhere filled with trees and birds. And vanilla ice cream.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to take my full Hi-Fi setup with me when I go. It's big, bulky, and will almost certainly annoy anyone who comes across it. So, when I want to listen to top-quality music while I'm not at home, I turn to some of the best wired headphones and a device called a portable DAC.

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