• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Potential New 3.5mm USB-C Dongles & USB DAC/AMPs

L

Luyil

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2019
Messages
40
Likes
40
[Last Updated - 18 June 2020]

Hi all,

Just compiled a list of some of the new potential portable DAC/AMP options in the form of USB-C dongles or USB DAC/AMPs yet to be reviewed on ASR, maybe can be a good reference for new releases / DACs to send to Amir. I am very interested in them due to smartphones removing the 3.5mm jack, and thanks to Amir’s awesome reviews I’ve purchased a Meizu Hifi Pro, Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, Zorloo Zuperdac-S and the good ol Apple Dongle, and also previously owned a iBasso DC02 and Tempotec Sonata II. Please forgive me for my very limited audio knowledge/any mistakes, just compiling some names, prices, key manufacturer claimed specs (I know a lot of manufacturers just use the chip specs though), and any other reviews/tests. Will try my best to keep this list updated, please feel free to contribute if you have anything. Thank you!

Notes:
  • Ranked Alphabetically for both Dongles & USB
  • Links I tried my best to only include manufacturers website only, however if I obtained missing information from a retailer site, the link was also included
  • There a lot of new dongle DACs (many seem to just be cheap generic dongles) - I only included products from known brands OR products that I found listed on a reputable audio retailers OR products which have a good amount of manufacturer specs
  • Going to only include 3.5mm USB-C Dongles & USB DAC/AMPs, so the device are all a DAC & Amp combo. Also going to exclude anything that has a rechargable battery inside (which excludes some portable dacs such as Topping NX4 & also bluetooth DACs).
  • Any of my own comments/notes are italicised and included at the end

USB-C Dongle DACs

Audirect Hilidac Atom Pro
https://www.hilidac.com/product-page/atom-pro-usb-type-c-version-的副本
https://drop.com/buy/hilidac-audirect-atom-pro-portable-dac-amp/details#details
RRP $69.99
Output power: 118dB DN, 2VRMS into 600 ohms,up to 2Vrms
≥46mW (16Ω） ≥60mW (32Ω） ≥6.6mW (600Ω）
Signal-to-noise ratio: +119dB SNR,+119dB DNR
IR: ＜1 ohm
THD+N 0.0003% (-110)
MQA rendering
ES9281C PRO
Note: Same ES9281C Pro chip used in the Zorloo Ztella MQA Version

BGVP T01
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000261827258.html
https://www.audioglorye.com/bgvp-t01/
RRP $29.90
Dynamic range DNR: > 123dB
Distortion THD+N: < 0.0003% (-110)
Qualcomm WHS9415 Chip (according to audiogloye)

Cozoy Takt C
https://www.linsoul.com/products/cozoy-takt-c
RRP $115
1.5V RMS@32Ω per channel
SNR 120db
SABRE9018Q2C
Note: Has buttons for volume/playback. Same 9810Q2C used in the Spectra X & SMSL IDEA

DD TC35
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32998108608.html
$20.90 @ Aliexpress / HiFiGo
SNR -114 dB & -98dB distortion

DD TC35B
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000701034717.html
ALC5686
THD+N: <-92dB
DNR: >110dB
SNR: >120dB
Output Power: 30mW @32Ω
6g weight and 18.8 x 11.2 x 10.2 mm

Dosmix Hifi
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000411778062.html
https://www.amazon.com/USB-DAC-Headphone-Amplifier-Smartphone/dp/B082G48XGL
RRP $18-19?
SNR: > 122dB
Dynamic range / DNR: > 122dB
Distortion / THD + N: < 0.0003%
Output power: 30MW dual channel @32Ω; 6.7MW dual channel @600Ω
Qualcomm WHS9415 Chip (according to Amazon)

Hidizs S3
https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-s3-type-c-dac-cable
RRP $69.99
CS42L42
THD+N 0.005% (-86)
SNR 115dB
Note: 0db reviewed the Hidizs S3:
https://www.0db.co.kr/REVIEW_0DB/1061720

Huawei CM21
https://porta-fi.com/huawei-cm21-review/4/
RRP 599 RMB (converts ~US $86)
Cirrus Logic CS43130
Signal to Noise Ratio:>120dB @ 1KHz, Single-ended
THD+N: 0.0006% (-104) @ 1kHz, Single-ended
30mW @ 32Ω and 5mW @ 600Ω
Volume Knob

Ikko Zerda ITM03
RRP $99
DAC:Cirrus Logic CS43198
THD+N：＜0.0015% (-96)
Note: Z Reviews:
youtube.com/watch?v=7ActGx_s44w

KEYSION TC3.5
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/4000477286025.html
RRP: $10
Chip model: Realtek ALC4042
DAC sampling rate: 32bits / 384KHz
Signal to noise ratio / SNR:> 100dB
Dynamic range / DNR:> 100dB
Distortion / THD + N: <0.0003%
Frequency response / FR: 20Hz-80KHz
Output power: 16-600Ω (adaptive)
Note: Thanks to levv for the suggestion.

TFZ TC-5
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000415561607.html
RRP $29.90
SNR: 100dB
THD+N: -85db
Realtek ALC4042

Xduoo Link
https://drop.com/buy/xduoo-link-usb-type-c-dac-amp
RRP $48
DAC chip: ESS9118EC
Output power: 32 milliwatts at 32 ohms
THD + N: 0.0018% (-95) at 1kHz
S/N: 115dB
Note: Has buttons for volume control & for play/pause/next track. Z reviews:
youtube.com/watch?v=uwnCSkfGG44
Note - ASR review is now out:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../xduoo-link-portable-headphone-dac-amp.11823/

Zorloo Ztella
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andyho/ztella-integrated-usb-dac-cable
https://www.zorloo.com/product-page/ztella-integrated-usb-dac-cable-mqa-version
RRP $65 (Standard) / $99 (MQA)
THD+N 0.0006% (-104)
Output Impedance <2 Ohms
SNR 120db
ESS Sabre 9281CPRO (MQA) / 9270 (Standard)
Output Level - "Autodetect, 1V for <150 ohms, 2V for >=150ohms"
Note - ASR review on the Ztella MQA is now out:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...lla-mqa-phone-headphone-adapter-review.11785/


USB DACs

Audirect Hilidac Beam 2
https://www.hilidac.com/product-page/beam-2-mqa-dsd-mini-dac
https://drop.com/buy/hilidac-audirect-beam-2/details#details
RRP $139.99
BAL + Non-BAL dual earphone ports
Single-ended output power: ≥180mW (16Ω） ≥110mW (32Ω） ≥6.6mW (600Ω）
Balanced output power: ≥145mW (16Ω） ≥240mW (32Ω） ≥26.6mW (600Ω）
Signal to noise ratio: ≥ 118dB SNR
Internal resistance: < 1 ohm
THD+N 0.0003% (-110)
MQA Decoding + Rendering
ES9281C PRO
Note: Original Audirect Beam measurements on ASR didn’t meet claimed manufacturer specifications:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-audirect-beam-and-aq-dragonfly.5455/

E1DA 9038D
https://e1dashz.wixsite.com/index/9038d
Not Released yet, RRP TBD
THD+N@1kHz@-3dbFS <.0004% typical for Performance Mode 24b/44.1kHz@32Ohm
THD+N@1kHz@-3dbFS <.0015% typical for Performance Mode 24b/44.1kHz@16Ohm
THD+N@1kHz@-3dbFS <.0004% typical for Normal Mode 24b/44.1kHz@32Ohm
THD+N@1kHz@-3dbFS .25% typical for SE Mode 24b/44.1kHz, almost only 2nd harmonic
S/N ratio: -123db(A) referenced to 3.399VRMS @32ohm THD+N = 1% @
+.5dbfs typical PC USB2 port powered
Output impedance: .05 Ohm@1000Hz Agilent U1733C
Output power: >340mW@32Ohm@1kHz@THD=1%
Output power: >600mW@16Ohm@1kHz@THD=1%
measured at +.5dbFS level, typical PC USB2 port powered
DR AES17 121db unweighted
170mA idle current
ES9038Q2M/AD8397
Note: Creator is IVX. The balanced E1DA 9038S measured favourably:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-e1da-9038s-bal-portable-dac-amp.8424/

Lotoo PAW S1
https://shop.musicteck.com/products/lotoo-paw-s1-portable-usb-dac-amp?variant=31934899290174
RRP $165
3.5mm:70mW/ch @32Ω, 4.4mm:120mW/ch @32Ω
OLED 128x32 Screen
THD+N.. Low gain: -106dB(0.0005%), High gain: -108dB(0.0004%)
27.10g
66mm*22mm*13mm

MBquart MB20P
https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?s...22302347369.74.65f8734dYGXGi2&id=611199688009
RRP 999 RMB (converts ~US $140)
Cirrus Logic CS43131 / Up to 130dB SNR @ 32bit
1 VRMS @ 32 Ohm / 2 VRMS @ 300 Ohm
SNR>120dB, DNR>120DB
Note: Thanks to rmaditya23 for the suggestion. Same chip used in Meizu Hifi Pro & Hidizs S8

miniDSP IL-DSP
RRP $99
Cirrus Logic CS43130 / Up to 130dB SNR @ 32bit
Volume Up/Down in 0.5dB steps, Play, Pause, DSP bypass, In-line microphone
Up to 10 bands of fully parametric equalization (PEQ) with live control (Mac/Win)
S/N ratio: 120 dB (32 Ω, 1 kHz, A-weighted, digital in 0 dB)
Maximum output: 30 mW + 30 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, digital in 0 dB)
THD+N: 0.0007% (-103) (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 30 mW + 30 mW, mid gain)
Note: Thanks to Cahudson42 for the suggestion.

Monolith by Monoprice USB DAC
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=29512
RRP $79.99
ESS ES9018K2M

Radsone Earstudio HUD1000
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-earstudio-hud100-hi-fi-usb-dac.924445/
RRP 199,000 South Korean won (converts ~US $166), "available in more countries soon"
MEMS oscillator adopted as a master audio clock
0.914 Vrms normal power output for normal impedance earbuds or headphones
2.26 Vrms high power output for high impedance oversized headphones (250 Ohm and more)
THD+N: Standard -105db (0.00056%) / High Power -102db (0.00079%)
Dynamic Range 118db, AK4377 DAC
Dimensions 45 x 32 x 8 mm, Weight 22 g
AK4377
Note - ASR review is now out:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d100-portable-headphone-dac-amp-review.11881/

Yinlumei S2
http://www.yinlumei.com/product/product-18-985.html
AK4497

Update Log:
18 June 2020: Added Keysion TC3.5 (Thanks levv)
19 May 2020: Added MBquart MB20P (Thanks rmaditya23), Lotoo PAW S1, Monolith by Monoprice
25 Apr 2020: Added Realtek ALC4042 spec to TFZ TC-5 (Thanks Milus)
06 Mar 2020: Added links to new ASR Reviews of Zorloo Ztella MQA, Earstudio HUD100 & Xduoo Link. Added DD TC35B to list
31 Jan 2020: Added Radsone Earstudio HUD1000, Huawei CM21 & DD TC35 to list, updated BGVP T01 & Dosmix chip info
 
Last edited:
I'm craving for the Xduoo Link review since it has buttons.
I have a Xdoo X10TII as a source, with no dac/amp and no volume control, and my Mojo is slowly dying...
 
amirm said:
This one was purchased a while ago to come to me. I don't think I have seen it yet though.
Click to expand...

Would that be the standard or the MQA version of the Ztella? I have the standard version twice and I'm interested in the performance difference between the versions. I could ship you one if you're receiving the MQA version and you'd like to compare them.
 
Job said:
Would that be the standard or the MQA version of the Ztella? I have the standard version twice and I'm interested in the performance difference between the versions. I could ship you one if you're receiving the MQA version and you'd like to compare them.
Click to expand...
I don't hear the difference between the two (I own both) on PM3's. Didn't do a long comparison.
 
I know it's a bit borderline to call this a USB/DAC (though a size calculation with provided dimensions shows it is only ~21% bigger than an E1DA 9038S), but have just added the Radsone Earstudio HUD1000 that was announced earlier today. I know there are many fans of the Radsone ES100 so might be interesting to keep an eye out.

Have also added Huawei CM21 (been out for a while, uses the CS43130 chip also found in Musiland MU2) and DD TC35 (interesting brand name, also stocked at hifigo).

Radsone Earstudio HUD1000
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-earstudio-hud100-hi-fi-usb-dac.924445/
RRP 199,000 South Korean won (converts ~US $166), "available in more countries soon"
MEMS oscillator adopted as a master audio clock
0.914 Vrms normal power output for normal impedance earbuds or headphones
2.26 Vrms high power output for high impedance oversized headphones (250 Ohm and more)
THD+N: Standard -105db (0.00056%) / High Power -102db (0.00079%)
Dynamic Range 118db, AK4377 DAC
Dimensions 45 x 32 x 8 mm, Weight 22 g
AK4377

Huawei CM21
https://porta-fi.com/huawei-cm21-review/4/
RRP 599 RMB (converts ~US $86)
Cirrus Logic CS43130
Signal to Noise Ratio:>120dB @ 1KHz, Single-ended
THD+N: 0.0006% (-104) @ 1kHz, Single-ended
30mW @ 32Ω and 5mW @ 600Ω
Volume Knob

DD TC35
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32998108608.html
$20.90 @ Aliexpress / HiFiGo
SNR -114 dB & -98dB distortion
 
Last edited:
Great to see that ASR's reviews of the Zorloo Ztella, Earstudio HUD1000 & Xduoo Link are out. Only real disappointment was the Xduoo Link, but the other two options were decent. Have just added DD T35B to the list, an interesting option that's probably only the size of a jelly bean.

DD TC35B
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000701034717.html
ALC5686
THD+N: <-92dB
DNR: >110dB
SNR: >120dB
Output Power: 30mW @32Ω
6g weight and 18.8 x 11.2 x 10.2 mm
 
DosThou said:
No Hidizs S8 (and its twin brother, Tempotec Sonata Pro)? Reviewed here, showing the best known performance out of a tiny dongle yet. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dizs-s8-usb-c-headphone-adapter-review.10823/
Click to expand...

I started this list to only include DACs that have yet to be reviewed on ASR at the time of posting, DACs like the Hidizs S8 and Meizu Hifi Pro had already been reviewed.

I do have and love my Sonata HD Pro though, agree its performance is awesome.
 
Good thread, so add some:


Sigmatel HSD7523CQ (~23usd)

384Khz 24bit to 32bit, DSD64/DSD128
Output impedance: 8 Ohms to 300 Ohms
S/N ratio: >102dB at 1Khz
Dynamic >102dB
Crosstalk < -80db

https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/4000609426629.html



ESS ES9280C PRO (~28usd)

384Khz 24bit to 32bit, DSD64/DSD128 DOP
Output impedance: 8 Ohms to 600 Ohms
Ouput power: 30mw at 32 Ohms, 2Vrms at 600 Ohms
Output level: 2Vrms max
S/N ratio: >120dB at 1Khz
Dynamic >122dB
Crosstalk < -126dB at 32 Ohms

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000898095947.html



Realtek ALC4050 (~11usd)

Audio depth: 32Bit
Sampling Rate: 384Khz

SNR:-100 dB
THD+N: -85 dBFS
Corsstalk:-80 dBFS

Standby consumption:1.5mA
Full load:25mA
Support auto-detect and auto-swich between CTIA and OMTP-style headsets

https://www.aliexpress.com/i/4000145682306.html



Qualcomm WHS9415 (~19usd)

Bit width: 32 bit
Playback Max Bitrate: 384kHz
SNR:≤123dB
THD+N: -105dBFS
A/D THD+N: -100dB
3.5mm Headphone Drive Ability: 16-600Ω
Power Consumption: 18-29mA (Av 23mA)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000506401908.html
 
I've just came across this manufacturer website:

https://www.cabledo.com/usb-c/to-audio/usb-c-hifi-audio-headphone-adapter-c3bd3012/

https://www.cabledo.com/usb-c/to-audio/usb-c-hifi-audio-headphone-adapter-c3bd3011/

https://www.cabledo.com/cabledo-qualcomm-hifi-dac-headphone-amplifier/

at the bottom of this last page there is a table comparing their Qualcomm WHS9415 based dongle (Cabledo HiFi amplifier) to others we already know: Meizu HiFi Pro, Sonata HD DAC, iBasso DC01, NextDrive Spectra and Ikko Zebra Itm03:

Hifi-Headphone-Amplifier-Comparision.jpg
 
milus said:
I've just came across this manufacturer website:

https://www.cabledo.com/usb-c/to-audio/usb-c-hifi-audio-headphone-adapter-c3bd3012/

https://www.cabledo.com/usb-c/to-audio/usb-c-hifi-audio-headphone-adapter-c3bd3011/

https://www.cabledo.com/cabledo-qualcomm-hifi-dac-headphone-amplifier/

at the bottom of this last page there is a table comparing their Qualcomm WHS9415 based dongle (Cabledo HiFi amplifier) to others we already know: Meizu HiFi Pro, Sonata HD DAC, iBasso DC01, NextDrive Spectra and Ikko Zebra Itm03:

View attachment 59111
Click to expand...

Thanks, looks like a lot of branded dongles that use Qualcomm WHS9415 are probably from the same manufacturer (Cabledo) as they all have the same appearance.

e.g.
https://www.cabledo.com/cabledo-qualcomm-hifi-dac-headphone-amplifier/
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000341237768.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000506401908.html
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

amirm
  • Poll
1More USB-C Headphone Adapter Review
2 3
Replies
44
Views
17K
LJHR
L
amirm
  • Poll
SMSL RAW-MDA 1 DAC & Headphone Amp Review
14 15 16
Replies
316
Views
81K
Jubeishock
J
amirm
  • Poll
Dell CN-03GVVD USB-C Headphone Adapter Review
2 3
Replies
40
Views
18K
paulraphael
P
T
DAC Pairing for Moondrop Aria and Tygr 300
Replies
3
Views
1K
Jimbob54
Jimbob54
pma
Topping DX5 DAC/headphone amplifier - Mini Review
Replies
3
Views
5K
lantsem
L
Back
Top Bottom