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Baby Steps into Audiophilia! - DDHifi TC35 Review

Project A³by Project A³  in review 0 comments
Sound Review by machinegod







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TL;DR
Not Recommended if you like:
  • A darker sound signature.
  • To drive high impedance and/or low sensitivity headphones/IEMs.
  • A lush mid-centric sound.
Recommended if you like:
  • To enter the audiophile world as a beginner without breaking the bank.
  • To upgrade the sonic capability of your phone for cheap.
  • A bright sound signature







 
Introduction:
The DDHifi TC35 is a Type C to 3.5 mm dongle DAC by DDHifi which retails for 21 USD. It is among the cheapest dongle DACs in the market made by a company that caters to the audiophiles.




ProsCons
  • Quick, clean sub-bass heft and airy crisp highs.
  • Very reasonably priced at 21 USD.
  •  A major step up in sound quality compared to the average phone and iPad
  • A bit thin sounding midrange.
  • Might not pair well with bright IEMs/Headphones.
  • Fails to bring out the layering of instruments in the mix.



Specification:
  • 7N Silver-plated OCC Litz Earphone Cable.
  • Decodes up to 192 kHz/24 bit sampling rate.
  • 114 dB SNR and -98 dB distortion.
  • USB Type C & USB2.0 High Speed.
  • Supports UAC1.0/2.0/3.0 Protocol.
  • Supports parts of the in-line remote control (CTIA) (Varies with phone)
  • Detects Earphone Automatically


 
Unboxing:
The TC35 comes in a slim cardboard box inside which is a transparent plastic case housing the TC35 and a Type C to USB A adapter.






Overall Sound Performance
Pros
  • An airy crisp representation in the highs with good amount of texture in the region.
  • Clean sub-bass which is boosted noticeably.
  • Soundstage width is not exaggerated but represented naturally.
Cons
  • The entire midrange and especially the lower midrange lacks heft to it. This results in a thinner sound in the midrange which lacks body and acoustic mass.
  • Imaging is good enough, but nothing to write home about.
  • Instrument layering and soundstage depth isn't brought about as clearly as I'd like.
Reference Tracks / Remarks:
The Knife by Genesis
The bass lines in the second half of the song are pushed out prominently which is a remarkable feat as it is almost lost in the mix. The transition into the second half of the song is chaotic in nature, but in this case it doesn't fall flat like in many other budget DACs.

The Voice by Alan Parsons Project
The wonderful layering of instruments and depth in soundstage is not portrayed here as much as I'd have liked. It only presents a wall of sound.

Rock and a Hard Place by Rolling Stones
This song can sound a bit thin and harsh sometimes when put through a DAC. In the case of the TC35, the harshness does indeed manifest in the electric guitars making it sound overly crunchy.

Concentrate by Brendon Moeller 
The bass thumps throughout the song are clean and quick and doesn't bleed into the other frequencies. When the cymbals pan left and right, it is evident that the imaging is emphasized left-centre-right. It is a bit hazy when it comes to diagonally in front.

Flight to LAPD, Blade Runner 2049 OST
The sub-bass rumble in this track is visceral, the TC35 reproduces it well and doesn't turn into a hodgepodge of distorted mess.

Silverado by Fourplay
Mastered to perfection already, instrument separation is key to this song. And listening to this song through the TC35 is an enjoyable experience.









Design & Build
Pros
  • The wire quality is excellent. It is properly shielded and remains kink free.
  • The Type C plug has well machined edges and hence not sharp to the touch.
  • The 3.5 mm female jack makes solid contact with the 3.5 mm male plug.
Cons
  • The wire length could have been 2 cm shorter.

















Functionality
Pros
  • The unit doesn't overheat. It gets mildly hot after hours of usage.
  • Doesn't noticeably drain any more battery off your phone.
  • Driver-less recognition in Windows 10.
Cons
  • No lightning connector support.








Conclusion:
A strong recommendation for a beginner audio-enthusiast who wants to step up from the average phone or iPad . At 21$ this unit is a plug, play and forget solution that sounds better than the standard phone and iPad.

The TC35 makes the phone and iPad sound like mush with no proper instrument separation, which also distorts pathetically on higher volumes. A very good price/performance ratio at its price. 












Be sure to follow Project A3 on Facebook for more reviews*.



*All ratings are accurate as of date of publication. Changes in price, newer models may affect Project A3's views on the performance and value of the reviewed product.





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Project A³
Project A³ is a collection of individuals that are passionate and dedicated to consumer and enthusiast audiophile products. Originating from various countries and involved in different fields what they all have in common is an appreciation for listening to music in the best way possible.
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