Meldrick evaluations the ddHiFi TC44Pro M3, a Third-gen twin CS43198 dongle DAC supporting as much as 120mW balanced output and DSD256 decoding. It’s at the moment priced at $89.99.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks. I thank ddHiFi for his or her assist.
You may examine earlier ddHiFi merchandise we now have beforehand reviewed on Headfonics right here.
This text follows our newest scoring pointers, which you’ll learn right here
ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 Assessment
Abstract
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 is an reasonably priced, clean-sounding dongle DAC with some slight heat in its tuning, respectable energy, and a compact but premium-feeling construct.
Execs
Good Construct High quality.
Good Bass Texture.
Cons
Vast design can block I/O.
Lack of included adapters.
Whereas being extra identified for his or her high-quality cables and adapters, ddHiFi has additionally been steadily releasing a sequence of transportable dongle DACs such because the TC35Pro M2 and TC44Pro E2.
With their glorious construct high quality and clear sound signature, ddHiFi dongles have lengthy been a part of my audiophile carry
Now, ddHiFi is releasing their newest dongle, the TC44Pro M3. Coming in the course of their lineup at $89.99, this dongle combines a sturdy construct high quality with a balanced twin DAC configuration.
To see if the TC44Pro M3 has what it takes to go towards the ocean of sub-$100 dongles, learn my full ideas beneath.
Options
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 options twin CS43198 DACs with assist for native DSD256 and PCM as much as 32-bit/384kHz decoding.
With its compact dimension, it considerably widens the accessibility of high-quality, lossless audio playback on the go, making it simple to get pleasure from full-resolution music straight from a telephone, pill, or any USB-C system
Not like earlier ddHiFi dongles, which restricted output both balanced or single-ended solely, the M3 sports activities each 4.4mm balanced and three.5mm single-ended outputs built-in right into a single T-shaped aluminum physique.
This makes it a extra handy all-in-one dongle for listeners with completely different cables for his or her a number of IEMs or headphones.
This DAC and output configuration ends in a formidable energy output on each SE and balanced ports.
With as much as 120mW and 90mW on its balanced and SE output, respectively, the TC44Pro M3 makes it simple to energy even harder-to-drive IEMs or extra environment friendly headphones without having to lug round massive transportable DAC/AMPs.
Design
In true ddHiFi style, the TC44Pro M3 carries ahead its signature minimalist, all-design.
Its aluminum building, exact machining, and refined floor end make this one of many best-built dongles I’ve ever used. And meaning quite a bit coming from somebody who makes use of a number of ddHiFi dongles day by day.
The TC44Pro M3’s micro-grooved “Floor” texture is extra than simply beauty. It genuinely helps enhance grip and provides stable resistance to scratches and smudges.
All through testing, the unit confirmed minimal indicators of damage. Fingerprints have been virtually invisible, and in contrast to polished or shiny dongles, micro-scratches by no means grew to become a priority.
The T-style design is compact and cable-free, cramming in each 4.4mm balanced and three.5mm single-ended outputs inside a single USB-C stick.
Nevertheless, the M3’s width is usually a double-edged sword. When plugged right into a laptop computer, the huge T-shape can block adjoining USB-C ports.
This wasn’t a problem with cellular use, however on trendy thin-and-light laptops the place USB-C ports are sparse, having the M3 successfully occupy two ports felt surprisingly irritating.
The construct is rounded out with considerate particulars similar to a bi-color LED that shines blue for PCM, and inexperienced for DSD content material. The M3’s shell additionally has a lanyard hook that pairs properly with the included stitched leather-based strap for straightforward transport and utilization.
I/O
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 has a easy management scheme with no bodily buttons, dials, or toggles. It provides simple plug-and-play performance with out the necessity for drivers or companion apps.
That simplicity additionally means there is no such thing as a onboard quantity or acquire management. All quantity changes have to be made immediately on the supply system, whether or not that may be a telephone, pill, or laptop.
The one USB-C connector up high handles enter, whereas output is supplied via both 3.5mm single-ended or 4.4mm balanced jacks, protecting a variety of IEM and headphone pairings.
Whereas the I/O choices are modest, they’re well-suited for listeners with appropriate gear who need a fast and straightforward method to begin listening straight away
Packaging & Equipment
The TC44Pro M3 is available in a easy white field that features the dongle, a leather-based lanyard, and USB-C interference washers
That is the naked necessities wanted for utilization out of the field; nevertheless, I’d have appreciated the inclusion of a USB-C to Lightning or USB-C to USB-A adapter to widen its compatibility out of the field with older iPhones or computer systems
The included leather-based lanyard is a welcome contact that makes the dongle simpler to hold or connect to a bag, whereas the bag’s USB-C interference washers are a considerate inclusion that ensures loose-fitting USB-C ports are nonetheless in a position to operate with the TC44Pro M3
Sound Impressions
All testing and comparisons have been accomplished via 3 pairs of IEMS, specifically the MOONDROP Blessing 3, Yanyin Canon II, and LETSHUOER’s S08, in addition to two full-sized headphones: the Sennheiser HD 660s and HarmonicDyne Baroque.
Bass
The TC44Pro M3 has a impartial sound signature that sprinkles in a bit of heat and richness, giving it an articulate sounding bass with sturdy texture and lifelike feeling influence.
Without having the strongest influence or most bass amount, kick drums and different devices within the sub-bass area are offered with sufficient element to make particular person hits simply distinguishable from each other.
On acoustic tracks, kick drum hits by no means drown out the remainder of the instrument, however they’re performed again with sufficient tactility to drive the rhythm of the combination confidently.
In bass-heavy genres like trendy hip-hop, the TC44Pro M3 manages to articulate a good quantity of texture within the sub-bass.
Nevertheless, it falls brief in delivering the dynamics and bass amount wanted for a really satisfying listening expertise, particularly when paired with neutral-sounding IEMs.
The M3 shines within the mid-bass as properly, giving bass guitar riffs and deep synths an atmospheric high quality that wraps across the listener.
This mid-bass emphasis provides R&B and disco tracks a lush-sounding signature, whereas additionally remaining clear sufficient as to not bleed into the mid-range.
Mids
The midrange of the TC44Pro M3 strikes a clear and pure tone, dealing with strings and keys with readability and element however with out sounding artificially pushed ahead.
In acoustic tracks, string devices come via with very sturdy dynamics and texture, by no means sounding too medical whereas additionally being competent sufficient to focus on the sound of the guitar within the particular recording atmosphere.
Because of its mid-bass heat, the decrease mids carry a contact of added weight, giving male vocals a wealthy, full-bodied presentation that works particularly properly in ballads and jazz.
Feminine vocals are rendered with good readability and emotional nuance, displaying delicate tonal shifts, although they don’t carry fairly the identical physique as their male counterparts.
This well-balanced midrange, with its slight emphasis within the decrease mids, contributes to articulate instrument playback and units the muse for the M3’s clear treble supply.
Treble
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 delivers a energetic and articulate treble response that provides power and sparkle with out turning into fatiguing. Hello-hats, cymbals, and chimes come via with crisp definition, lending an ethereal openness to tracks and enhancing total readability.
On pop and digital tracks, this treble character injects a way of pleasure, serving to higher-pitched vocals shimmer with a easy, pleasing tone.
Snare hits and different high-frequency percussive components are rendered with a slight forwardness and high-quality element.
Regardless of its energetic character, the treble stays easy and well-controlled, even when paired with impartial or brighter IEMs. There’s a superb sense of sparkle and openness that contributes to the general power of the sound.
That mentioned, in direct comparability, a few of ddHiFi’s different dongles supply a barely extra refined top-end with better micro element and shimmer.
Staging & Dynamics
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 provides stable staging for a dongle of its dimension, with a commendable capacity to position string devices naturally throughout the soundscape.
Acoustic components, particularly, come via with convincing texture and physique, particularly in additional stripped-down or intimate recordings.
Nevertheless, in denser pop or digital tracks, the M3 can often blur the layering of high-pitched synths that occupy comparable frequencies, leading to a slight lack of separation.
Dynamics are dealt with properly total. The sound by no means feels overly compressed, and every instrument has sufficient area to breathe and preserve its presence within the combine.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my really helpful pairings and chosen comparisons.
