Radsone Earstudio ES100 Bluetooth DAC & Amp Review

[Veri]

Measuring over USB using a Mac would be best case performance, since it allows 24bit/48kHz vs only 16bit/44.1kHz(or 16/48) on a PC.

That's true. I'm not even sure all of the AP software runs on a Mac though in any case I don't think Amir is swapping desktops any time soon.

 

[RickSanchez]

[EDIT: added Amir's review | 2020-03-04]

New Radsone Bluetooth DAC/amp being launched on Drop, the Radsone HUD100:

• https://drop.com/buy/radsone-hud100-dac-amp (US $149, down from a supposed list price of $180).

Obviously Amir has not yet measured this new device. Here is Amir's review. Here are what Drop/Radsone put up as info ...

Description

"... with the new HUD100, the company brings that same performance to an even smaller form factor. Just 43-percent as large as the ES100, the Bluetooth-enabled HUD100 features a well-regarded AK4377 DAC and implements a MEMS oscillator as a master audio clock, allowing for more clear clocks for all audio circuitry. To accommodate all listening preferences, the HUD100 comes equipped with three modes: bypass mode for pure sound (ideal for sending out to another amplifier), DCT mode for an analog-like sound, and dynamic mode for Radsone-tuned sound signature with extra punch. To drive different headphones, it also has two different 3.5-millimeter jacks: one at a standard output of 0.914 Vrms, and one with a higher output of 2.26 Vrms."

Specs

• DAC chip: AK4377
• Inputs: USB-C
• Outputs (3.5 mm): Standard (0.914 Vrms), High Power (2.26 Vrms)
• THD + N (Standard): -105 dB (0.00056%)
• THD + N (High Power): -102 dB (0.00079%)
• Dynamic range (Standard): 118 dB
• Dynamic range (High Power): 118 dB
• Sample rates: Up to PCM 32-bit 384 kHz, DSD128 (DoP)
• Desktop compatibility: Mac OS 10.10 or later, Windows 7 (32/64-bit) or later
• Mobile compatibility: iOS 10.3.3, iPhone 6 or later, Android 6.0 or later
• Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.3 x 0.3 in (4.5 x 3.2 x 0.8 cm)
• Weight: 0.8 oz (21.5 g)

 

[Severian]

Is it really Bluetooth? It says "Bluetooth-enabled" but the specs don't mention it.

 

[RickSanchez]

Is it really Bluetooth? It says "Bluetooth-enabled" but the specs don't mention it.

Not sure. You could reach out Radsone and/or Drop, I'm sure they could give you that info.

 

[bobbooo]

New Radsone Bluetooth DAC/amp being launched on Drop, the Radsone HUD100:

• https://drop.com/buy/radsone-hud100-dac-amp (US $149, down from a supposed list price of $180).

Obviously Amir has not yet measured this new device. Here are what Drop/Radsone put up as info ...

Description



Specs

• DAC chip: AK4377
• Inputs: USB-C
• Outputs (3.5 mm): Standard (0.914 Vrms), High Power (2.26 Vrms)
• THD + N (Standard): -105 dB (0.00056%)
• THD + N (High Power): -102 dB (0.00079%)
• Dynamic range (Standard): 118 dB
• Dynamic range (High Power): 118 dB
• Sample rates: Up to PCM 32-bit 384 kHz, DSD128 (DoP)
• Desktop compatibility: Mac OS 10.10 or later, Windows 7 (32/64-bit) or later
• Mobile compatibility: iOS 10.3.3, iPhone 6 or later, Android 6.0 or later
• Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.3 x 0.3 in (4.5 x 3.2 x 0.8 cm)
• Weight: 0.8 oz (21.5 g)

The developer of the ES100 left Radsone to form his own company, and will release the Qudelix 5K soon, which looks like a much better prospect than the HUD100, as it has confirmed Bluetooth (including LDAC) and USB-C connectivity, uses the same DAC as is in the lauded LG smartphones, and has a 20-band parametric hardware equalizer for system-wide EQing on mobile. It's cheaper too at $99. Full specs:

• Qualcomm QCC5124 Bluetooth System-on-Chip
• Dual ES9218P SABRE HiFi® DAC
  • 3.5mm Unbalanced output max. 2.0V RMS
  • 2.5mm Balanced output max. 4.0V RMS
• BT5.0 - aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC, aptX-HD, aptX, aptX-LL, SBC
• Max. 21 hours battery time / 500mA Battery
• High-Resolution USB DAC 96KHz / 24-bit
• Dual-Core 32-bit KALIMBA DSP
• 20-band 64-bit Double Precision Parametric / Graphic EQ
• 8 x DAC Filters
• Dual Precision Audio Clock
• Hybrid Volume Control with 0.5dB step
• High Sensitivity Flexible PCB Antenna
• Qualcomm® cVc™ noise cancellation technology
  • High Sensitivity MEMS Microphone
  • Earphone Inline Remote/Mic. Support
• Companion mobile app for iOS/Android
• OTA (Over-The-Air) Firmware Updates
• 53.2(H) x 26.7(W) x 16.1(D) mm including clip

 

[Soniclife]

The developer of the ES100 left Radsone to form his own company, and will release the Qudelix 5K soon

Any idea what sort of time scale soon will be?

 

[bobbooo]

Any idea what sort of time scale soon will be?

He did say it should be sometime this month, although I suspect there may be a bit of a delay due to the Coronavirus outbreak. He said this wouldn't affect the schedule on the Qudelix fourm due to it being manufactured in Seoul, Korea, but that was three weeks ago and cases of the virus have ramped up in Korea since then.

 

[Severian]

Wow, the Qudelix 5K looks awesome. 2Vrms single-ended will be much better for driving an external amp.

 

[RickSanchez]

New Radsone Bluetooth DAC/amp being launched on Drop, the Radsone HUD100:

• https://drop.com/buy/radsone-hud100-dac-amp (US $149, down from a supposed list price of $180).

Obviously Amir has not yet measured this new device. Here are what Drop/Radsone put up as info ...

Description



Specs

• DAC chip: AK4377
• Inputs: USB-C
• Outputs (3.5 mm): Standard (0.914 Vrms), High Power (2.26 Vrms)
• THD + N (Standard): -105 dB (0.00056%)
• THD + N (High Power): -102 dB (0.00079%)
• Dynamic range (Standard): 118 dB
• Dynamic range (High Power): 118 dB
• Sample rates: Up to PCM 32-bit 384 kHz, DSD128 (DoP)
• Desktop compatibility: Mac OS 10.10 or later, Windows 7 (32/64-bit) or later
• Mobile compatibility: iOS 10.3.3, iPhone 6 or later, Android 6.0 or later
• Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.3 x 0.3 in (4.5 x 3.2 x 0.8 cm)
• Weight: 0.8 oz (21.5 g)

Just a quick follow-up to my earlier post: Amir has now reviewed the HUD100.

 

[Berwhale]

Just a quick follow-up to my earlier post: Amir has now reviewed the HUD100.

I was a bit underwhelmed by the HUD100, i'm not sure what the use case is. It's a bit bulky for mobile phone use and lacks features and options for desktop/laptop use.

 

[Berwhale]

Wow, the Qudelix 5K looks awesome. 2Vrms single-ended will be much better for driving an external amp.

It does look good. This may sound strange, but one of my only bugbears with the ES100 is that the balanced socket is on top when clipped to my shirt, this means that my IEM cable hangs rather awkwardly. I have to clip the ES100 backwards, inside my shirt, so the cable hangs down which is not optimal for access to the controls or taking phone calls. On the other hand, the 5K has both sockets on the same side, so the cable would exit horizontally and not be such a (first world) problem.

 

[Stan Smitchen]

For my part, I'll probably use the es100 until it's ready for the trash can.

 

[Berwhale]

For my part, I'll probably use the es100 until it's ready for the trash can.

My ES100 is starting to look a little worn after a years daily use and the battery doesn't appear to last as long as when it was new, but it works perfectly well.

 

[RickSanchez]

The ES100 is up on Drop, US $85 (down from $100).

• https://drop.com/buy/radsone-earstudio-es100-mk2-dac-amp

Estimated ship date is Apr 22, 2020.

 

[Malin]

@amirm a good piece of hardware that I enjoyed. I used it in the most convenient way possible, Bluetooth and iPhone. I would expect performance to degrade from “good” and “recommended” in such a scenario of use. There are talks of the AAC codec (Apple’s implementation) being limited in resolution. That’s being said, is there meaningful way to test Bluetooth performance since I suspect many would also be in the same boat?
Any future plans to test the iFi Audio xDSD or xCAN?

strange, iFi has not yet imeplented Apt-X HD and/or LDAC on their flagship. How come?

 

[Berwhale]

strange, iFi has not yet imeplented Apt-X HD and/or LDAC on their flagship. How come?

Maybe they don't want to pay the licensing fees?

 

[Hiilari]

My home office setup with semi-ridiculous size difference between headphone and the DAC/amp. Note the nice custom-made short cable with 2,5mm balanced.

 

[tifune]

My home office setup with semi-ridiculous size difference between headphone and the DAC/amp. Note the nice custom-made short cable with 2,5mm balanced. View attachment 60887

Did you buy that cable custom, or you made it yourself? 2.5mm MMCX seems to have an unspoken 1m standard amongst Amazon retailers

 

[Hiilari]

Did you buy that cable custom, or you made it yourself? 2.5mm MMCX seems to have an unspoken 1m standard amongst Amazon retailers

It's custom made by one of the eBay custom cable shops, I used one in the UK. Paid 30£ which is around 35€ or $40. I could freely choose cable, length and connectors.

 

[tifune]

Now that these are down by about 45% in price, I grabbed one from Amazon. was surprised that when I turned on "high voltage" mode I got a warning [this mode is only suitable for headphones over 300ohm. Below that may damage the unit or headphone] (don't have it in front of me, paraphrasing)

Any chance someone can shed some light on that? Support hasn't yet responded after a few days now. Would be interested to know if Qudelix or BTR5 have similar limitations