Portable DACs are inconvenient to use because they hang on a smartphone’s wire, and when in a pocket, they can just scratch the back and front of the phone.

I wondered how to solve this problem and make the use of a portable DAC more convenient.

Ready-made solutions from manufacturers

I’m aware of only two of such kind.

LEPIC DAC POCKET (link to the official page)

The base is magnetically attached to a MagSafe ring, with two stretchy fabric pockets on top. The cost is 28,000 Korean won, or $21. The problem is that payment and shipment are quite tricky and nearly impossible, if you are based in Russia these days. LINK

Shanling Audio Mag safe Dongle DAC holder (no link yet)

The basic design is quite the same, but the nuance is different: the product is currently available only in the Chinese market. You can’t buy it on AliExpress from Russia.

Note that both solutions have one significant drawback: when placing the DAC in the holder, the buttons on the DAC enclosure become inaccessible. And, as a reminder, Moondrop DAWN PRO, for example, has its own amplifier volume controlled by buttons on its enclosure separately from the software volume.

Alternative solutions

All the examples below are shown using a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone and a branded Clear Cover case.

A ring with an elastic band (link) and a convenient cable (link).

The ring, according to the manufacturer, should be held by a MagSafe magnet, but, in fact, it’s not held. Therefore, it can simply be sticked to the case, since the adhesive backing is applied. The DAC holds perfectly when attached, and it’s convenient to use it. Note that the cable can be coiled and let out back under the silicone band, being taken down, so it will be more convenient to put a smartphone with a DAC in your pocket.

Here is another similar solution, but for significantly larger DACs (link).

Magnetically, it holds poorly as well, so you’ll have to stick it, too.

And here’s one more similar option (link), but, for illustrative purposes, with a different, angled Type-C cable (link).

And is it possible to do without gluing anything to the smartphone case at all?

Actually, yes.

There is a rigid U-shaped ‘cable’ (link). Obviously, whether it suits you or not will depend on the thickness of the smartphone, the thickness of the DAC, and relative locations of Type-C connectors. With the case and phone mentioned above, it turns out ideal.

It goes without saying that the DAC is actually attached via the connector, and any careless movement can lead to damage to the Type-C port of the smartphone, the DAC, or both at once.

Let’s move on to the solutions with the use of MagSafe. If you don’t have an iPhone, then you’ll have to stick a round magnet on your phone first.

Buy a magnetic card holder bag (link), unsew the outer faux leather part, and attach it to the smartphone.

Put the DAC inside and leave the cable as is or loop it in the opposite direction – it’s more convenient to put the smartphone in your pocket this way. Don’t forget about the convenient Type-C cable (link).

And, well, next comes the most elegant and simple solution, for my liking.

Buy an adhesive vinyl magnet.

Cut a rough piece of it in size and stick it to the DAC.

Take a metal plate with an adhesive layer and place it on the smartphone. Attach the DAC to it.

The magnet is quite enough to hold the DAC in place in normal use, and the buttons remain accessible.

And, as a bonus option, this is a portable DAC by Khadas. It’s called Tea.

It is entirely designed as a MagSafe accessory. I can’t say anything interesting about its qualities and characteristics because I haven’t used it myself.

Summary

All of the above options are better than just a DAC dangling on a wire or a ‘sandwich held with elastic bands’. But they all have disadvantages: either you can’t reach the buttons, or the wireless charging stops working, or you have to stick something on the case…

That’s pretty much all I had to tell you.

If I missed anything, if you know a better way, feel free to tell about it.