HELM Audio’s BOLT DAC/Amp is another great option for a dongle DAC/Amp at the $99 price point. Especially if you’re looking for MQA. The Zorloo Ztella may have a little bit more air and top-end detail, but it’s also a little bit bright with some songs and a little bit noisier than the BOLT. This makes it my new DAC recommendation for under $100. If you’re looking for a cheap compact device to improve the sound of your phone or laptop or just a USB-C adapter with a 3.5mm headphone jack, the BOLT is where it’s at.

The Helm Audio Bolt DAC/AMP’s outstanding audio performance; ability to decode every major high-res audio format—including MQA; ultra-compact form factor; and $99 price makes it a must-have device.

An elegantly simple and effective way to extract proper sound quality from that otherwise terrible-sounding smartphone or laptop, and to fully exploit your top-tier streaming service subscription at the same time.

The BOLT offers fantastic build quality, MQA and THX certification, small size, high-power output, and clean and clear sound. What’s not to love? Frankly, the only thing missing is the lack of a replaceable cable and the requirement for a Lightning-to-USB adapter for use with iOS devices. Of course, if you aren’t an Apple user, this will not impact you.

A USB headphone dongle has only one job to do, and the HELM Audio Bolt does it amazingly well. It's feature packed and the price is right.

The Bolt is only $99.99, and it is absolutely a must buy with any of your major headphone or IEM purchases. This is a small, simple, easy to use DAC, and if your wan’t to really enhance your audio at home or one the go without wanting to throw money at a higher-end system, the Bolt is a perfect device. The Bolt makes all your music feel natural and more detailed through significant improvements in imaging and resolution. Using the Bolt for MQA is a must, but it will also make all of your streaming track sound a whole lot better. For the price, it’s one hell of a value, and is a great jumping off point to try more DAC/AMPs in the future. I can’t wait to try it with more pairings.

Even if you aren’t a Tidal user though, this is clever and useful little product. Despite being little larger than a normal headphone dongle, the Bolt opens up a level of performance that is beyond the freebies. If you are an Android user in particular, this is a cost effective and capable upgrade for wired earphone users that comes enthusiastically Recommended.

Some niggling start-up issues aside, the Helm Bolt is a satisfying plug-and-play DAC that’s available for a relatively inexpensive amount. Its headline feature of MQA has been mitigated by Tidal’s recent move to FLAC, but PC and Android users will still be able to benefit from MQA rendering from the Helm Bolt.

HELM's BOLT DAC/AMP is a nifty device capable of driving a squeaky-clean headphone listening experience that's naked, neutral, and devoid of added noise. It makes you wonder: how much higher-end can sound become? And while I'd like to experience the ultimate – definitive – sonic limits, BOLT suggests you needn't search further.

The Helm Audio Bolt DAC is a good example of a device that proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to get clean high-quality full-spectrum audio. The Bolt has become one of my favorite dongle DACs in my collection.