HELM Audio Bolt DAC/AMP, USB-C Portable High-End DAC/Headphone Amplifier with MQA Playback. Mobile Studio Sound for Android, iOS and PC. USB-C to 3.5mm Audio

Amazing Dac Dongle I tried have many including all the Astel & kern dongles, hands down this is better in every way more detail in all areas and volume output, also its tiny, I have had this for a very long time, I should have reviewed this sooner! dont thing buy it you wont regret it!

I liked the simplicity and size of this unit which I wanted to use with an Android phone - it is perfect in that respect. In addition, I found that the device was indeed every bit as good as the reviews claimed - the sound is open and spacious, clear and smooth and has a very good sound stage and an overall neutral sound. I wanted to try DSF files via Android from my home server which I was successfully able to achieve. Full marks to the combination of the Helm and USB Audio Player PRO in achieving this objective. On a further note, my first Helm device very intermittently exhibited a cracking sound (tricky to pinpoint for a while) and the Helm service was excellent in sending a replacement - the replacement is perfect so I do highly commend not just the product but also the aftersales service! First class all round.

I plan on getting an external DAC for my mobile device since I subscribed to Tidal. I've also tried Amazon HD, but I chose Tidal way back when they first started getting attention for personal reasons. Of course, you can only stream their higher quality tracks (higher bit rate) with a device that can utilize HD formats. This was near impossible for mobile devices then, but fast forward to the present, by chance, I encountered some DACs on Amazon that were made for this. After looking around I decided on the Helm Audio Bolt DAC, USB C because of it's small size and good reviews. Long story short, I love it, and it improves the sound quality of my Pixel 8. I use it in my car with headphones, Final E5000, and Audio-Technica ATH-M20X. The E5000 pairs very well with the Bolt, the AT not so well yet, but I'm hoping after some tuning I can get it to run well. If you're looking for a DAC for your mobile device, I highly recommend the HELM Audio Bolt. There's a lot to choose from, so I would do research, but this product has my backing.

Simple and straight forward to use and sounds decent. At first I didn’t think it was working for hi-res audio (LED remained blue) for iOS. After deleting the USB device in settings I tried again with known hi-res tracks and the LED does turn red when playing those tracks. Unfortunately hi-res audio tracks in Apple Music are limited and not searchable.

日本語のレビューが見当たらなかったが、海外の評価を見て買ってみた。 イヤホンで聞くなら、アップルのアダプタで十分と思っていたら、全く別の音になってしまった。 音の種類が多くなりつつバランスが取れていて、モニター的な音でありながら音楽を楽しめる。 手元の音源を聞き直すと、耳が良くなったような気がして、メインアンプの方につないでしまった。 イヤホン用をどうしたものか… iBasso Audio DC05を買ってみた。 透明感があり解像度が高く、色々な音が聞こえるが、個別の音が気になって音楽を楽しめない。 結局、イヤホン用にこの製品をもう一個買ってしまった。 古いCD音源が多いので、ほどほどのバランスが良いのかもしれない。

I'm not technical so won't get into 'unpacking sound files'. So from a layman then - I subscribe to Amazon Music HD and Tidal and although both are excellent I didn't feel I was getting the best from the hi resolution streaming with the equipment I had. Streaming via Bluetooth to my amp was good but felt it could be better. So ordered the Helm Bolt. And what a difference through my over ear headphones the Master Quality Audio is astounding. So 5 stars for it so far. So then thought well can I use the Bolt to play MQA directly through my amp without losing quality as with bluetooth? Yes. After a little research bought a 3.5mm to 2xRCA adapter cable and I'm in music heaven. So if I could, it would be 6 stars. One other thing - you will need to download USB Audio Pro app (approx £6.99) and buy the MQA plug in (for Tidal Masters, another 4 quid). But other than that everything you need is in the box for joyous, lossless music.