For serious audiophiles, a digital to analog converter or DAC is a must-own. While most modern devices such as smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players feature built-in DACs which convert a digital signal to an analog signal for use with headphones or stereo equipment, a dedicated digital-to-analog converter has a lot of benefits. Namely, the average DAC in a phone or tablet isn’t particularly high-quality. Enter Helm Audio’s Bolt DAC/AMP. It’s a high-end amplifier and digital to analog converter combo that supports high-resolution audio formats including the Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) codec. Find out why the Bolt is essential for music-lovers in our hands-on Helm Bolt DAC/AMP review!
What is the Helm Audio Bolt DAC/AMP – A High-end MQA-Certified Headphone Amplifier and Digital to Analog Converter
Helm Audio’s Bolt fuses a digital to analog converter with an amplifier for a convenient little device. On one end, you’ll find a USB Type-C port that plugs into devices like phones, tablets, PCs, and other devices. The opposite end of the DAC/AMP features a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Since the Bolt derives power from USB, it doesn’t require any external power cable.
Included in the box is a USB-C female to USB Type-A adapter. Therefore, you can use the Bolt with devices that lack a USB Type-C connection. Additionally, you’ll find a soft carrying pouch and a quick start guide. It’s a fairly sparse package, but the DAC/AMP is plug-and-play.
Under the hood, Helm’s Bolt is a powerful little device. With its Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux support, there’s top-notch cross-platform support. Boasting sample rates up to 384kHz and Direct Stream Digital (DSD) rates as high as 5.6MHz, the Bolt delivers high-res audio. With MQA capabilities, it can handle high-fidelity audio files from the likes of Tidal. Furthermore, like its DB12 AAAMP, the Helm Audio Bolt is THX-certified for ultra-low crosstalk as well as distortion.
Helm Bolt DAC/AMP Specs
- Digital to analog converter and amplifier combo
- THX-certified – low crosstalk and distortion
- MQA support – can decode Master Quality Authenticated high-res audio files
- DSD rates up to 5.6MHz, sample rates up to 384kHz
- Cross-platform compatibility with Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux
- In the box: Helm Bolt DAC/AMP, USB-C female to USB-A adaptor, soft carrying pouch, quick start guide
Helm Audio Bolt Digital to Analog Converter and Headphone Amplifier – Design and Build Quality
Small and unassuming, you’d be hardpressed to differentiate the Helm Bold from a generic USB-C to 3.5mm converter – and that’s a good thing. It eschews a bulky design for a compact form factor that blends in with a headphone cable. Build quality is excellent. Even to the touch, it’s apparent that the Bolt is a premium device.
The matte black portions of the USB-C connector and the AMP/DAC feel great to the touch. And the cable in between is a solid braided cord. A rugged vibe lends the sense that the Bolt can withstand everyday use just fine.
An LED indicator lends insight into the present sample rate of audio playback. Blue signifies that the Bolt is in an idle state, or has a signal of 48kHz or less. Red means that there’s a high-res signal of more than 48kHz. Magenta lets you know that MQA audio is playing.
Helm Bolt DAC/AMP MQA and THX Certified Portable High-end DAC/Headphone Amp Performance Review
I tested the Helm Audio Bolt with my Samsung Galaxy S9+ Android phone, Windows 10 computer, and a Linux laptop. Each platform worked flawlessly whether over the Bolt’s built-in USB-C port or with the included USB Type-A adaptor. Upon plugging the Bolt into my Galaxy S9+ and firing up Tidal, I received a notification to allow Tidal to access Helm MQA which I accepted. Similarly, on my Windows PC, it was a breeze to select the Helm MQA as an output device.
High-res audio sounded like pure earcandy pumping through my Audeze Mobius cans. Listening to many of my favorite tracks, especially in high-end codecs like MQA, was akin to hearing tracks for the first time. Immediately, I noticed a wide soundstage. Overall, audio exhibits noticeable vocal tightness, good delineation of different musical elements, and easily identifiable instrumentation.
Dr. Dre’s “Let me Ride” off of The Chronic played clean vocals, crisp bass notes, punchy mids, and sweet highs. It felt like listening in three dimensions. By comparison, using to my S9+’s built-in headphone jack, the same tracks sounded flat and uninspired.
Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” massaged my ears with its layered guitars and bass. Each individual guitar twang, bass string pluck, and drum tap was evident. What’s more, instrumentation seems to emanate from a certain direction. The Bolt miraculously approximates the experience of listening to live music with professionally tuned acoustics.
“One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” by John Lee Hooker gave equal weight to Hooker’s warbling vocals, electric guitar riffs, drum hits, and bass lines. There’s a pleasant warmth and transparency which is lacking using lesser-quality DACs.
Plugging in the Bolt DAC proved transformative. Even songs I was intimately familiar with sounded like listening for the first time. I found myself uncontrollably immersed in the music, drumming my fingers and tapping my toes along with the rhythm. Even to an untrained ear, I’d wager that the Bolt delivers a revitalizing experience.
Should You Buy the Helm Audio Bolt DAC/AMP?
If you’re even a mild audiophile, there’s no question that the Helm Bolt portable digital to analog converter and amplifier is an essential upgrade for your audio components. It’s affordable and significantly upgrades the music listening experience. Rocking THX-certification and the ability to tackle virtually every lossless codec including MQA, DSD, FLAC, and WAV, the Bolt is a terrific little device.
With flawless out-of-the-box cross-platform compatibility with Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and even Linux, the Helm Bolt is guaranteed to work with pretty much any device. For high-res music playback that’s distortion-free, the Bolt DAC/AMP provides heavenly sound quality that’s significantly better than the digital to analog converter in your phone or tablet.
Helm Bolt DAC/AMP Review Final Thoughts – A Transformative Listening Experience
Helm’s Bolt DAC/AMP is an absolute no-brainer for serious music aficionados. Normally priced around $99 USD, it’s quite affordable. Arriving in a compact form factor that’s incredibly portable, the Bolt blends in with a headphone cable. It’s ultra-portable and tackles virtually every high-res audio format like MQA, DSD, WAV, and FLAC with aplomb. Even for casual music fans, the Bolt is a great device that fosters lifelike audio. The only downside – going back to your phone’s built-in DAC will make your favorite songs sound uninspired.
Helm Audio Bolt DAC/AMP
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality - noticeable improvement over built-in device DACs
- Cross-platform support for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux
- Sample rates up to 394kHz, DSD rates up to 5.6MHz; decodes MQA, WAV, DSD, FLAC, and more lossless formats
- Small, portable, easy to use
- THX-certified
Cons
- Going back to your phone's built-in headphone jack will make music sound flat and uninspired
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