Astell&Kern AK120Price: $1299

Website: www.iriverinc.com

Garrett said: I found the Astell&Kern AK120 indispensable for portable listening -- it sounds great with all types of music, its dual DACs providing fabulous resolution, speed, and great timing. While I can’t quite say it matches live performance or even the sound of my reference system, it nonetheless makes possible reference-quality personal listening.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Maybe the best portable for sound quality.