ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC vs iFi Go Link Review | Affordable Hi-Res Dongle DACs For Your Phone
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
- Both these DAC Amps are great value for money but do have their differences, especially on a sound front. Which one's for you? That would depend a lot on what kind of sound you're looking for as well as whether or not you're super careful with your gear.
If you'd like to buy these :
ddHiFi Hi Res DAC - www.headphonezone.in/products...
iFi Go Link - www.headphonezone.in/products...
Equipment I use :
Affiliate links -
Camera - Sony ZV1 - amzn.to/43YoQEY
Memory Card - Sony 64 GB - amzn.to/45W2VA5
Lights - Ulanzi Handheld Light Wand - amzn.to/3NqToZt
Monitor - LG 27" monitor - amzn.to/3N7RNat
Keyboard - Keychron K2 V2 - amzn.to/3Cq5DjN
Mouse - Logitech MX Master 3 - amzn.to/48JKDUa
Chapters provided :
00:00 - Intro
00:18 - Build
01:50 - Sound
06:12 - My POV (Conclusion)
09:05 - Pricing - Наука та технологія
Thanks for this video man
Why u guys are not straight to the point ?
💯 so much confusion
8 min rule..😂
It's not that simple
Because they also don't know & for the long video 😅
who will earn money then
I am using it simgot ea 500 with ifo go dac you can really enjoy it many will tell simgot sound not good but with ifo go it is really worth ❤
Sir, how about venture electronics Abigail which costs around 1k is it worth compared to these two
Aftar watching your videos i ordered simgot e200 and ifi go link. It will arrive tomorrow. Your videos are awesome. Love from Bangladesh ❤️
Enjoy your new setup 😊
Thank you so much. Hope it will be great for me as a beginner.
Reached ? Enjoying music ? Satisfied ?@@keplarbd
How is it ?@@keplarbd
Hi Paul, loved the video. I'm thinking of investing in the Sennheiser HD560S and am looking for an L-shaped female-to-male connector to hook it up to the 3.5mm jack / USB-C port on my laptop that ideally fulfils the following criteria:
1) Avoids straining the 3.5mm jack on the headphone's own stock cable
2) Doesn't degrade the sound quality of the headphones in any way
Given the mixed reviews on cheaper L-shaped connectors available on Amazon, I was wondering if something like the ddHifi could work as an alternative instead? Would the cable be able to take being bent at a right angle on a regular basis when connected to the side of a laptop or phone?
Considering repairing or replacing the port on the laptop will be an absolute pain, I'd say go for the ddHiFi. It'll produce better quality and amping than your laptop, unless it's some big time gaming laptop with really good hardware. The ddHiFi is built quite tough so should last a good amount of time. So it'll benefit you with a better DAC, a better Amp, than your internals and it's a flexible connector too.
@@PaulsPOV Thanks for the advice! I think I'll go for the ddHifi after all then.
Type c to 3.5mm dac and amp Buying guidens pls tell bro
Hi Paul, I'm a beginner in the audiophile world but have always preferred flattish kind of sounds where the bass isn't that thumpy and emphasis is mainly on the clear instruments and vocals. Will i be getting an overall flat signature when i combine the ddhifi dac with salnotes zero?
Will go ahead and buy the aforementioned combo if you suggest this pair would sound good.
Thank you.
From my experience with the Salnotes, I wasn't too taken with it because it seemed more bass enthusiastic and not too detailed compared to what I like. Based on what you've said, I think we might have similar tastes. So feel free to give this video of mine a look -> ua-cam.com/video/tQlMTJPlXR0/v-deo.html
Pairing these with the ddHiFi, I think, will be a great combination.
@@PaulsPOV hey paul thank you for the quick reply.
Sorry to bother you again I did check out the video and found the ew200 to be somewhat perfect for my liking. But again I'm low on budget right now and wanted to start off with the under 2000 mark and later expand into the more expensive ones once i get a good understanding of the audiophile world.
I did go through your videos on the ew100, the hola, waner, etc and finalised I'll go ahead with the salnotes zero.
If not the salnotes zero please do suggest me which would be a good fit taking into consideration that i prefer more instrument separation and clarity rather than any thump or oomph factor coming from the bass. I would also be happy if you tell me to go ahead with the salnotes zero itself combined with the ddhifi dac as I'm a beginner and later might directly jump onto the more expensive ones.
Very much appreciate what you are doing. Thank you.
Tangzu Waner!
@@PaulsPOV Thanks a lot Paul.
Great video! I have a question tho
I'm using KZ's ZEX, a budget IEM.
So is the ZEX hardware capable of playing hires lossless music (24bit 192kHz) or will I be wasting money on external hires dac?
Since the external dac do supports 32bit 328khz decoding but what about the IEM?
Budget IEMs certainly do a better job than most wireless earphones. But having a more transparent set of IEMs with better DAC amps will make more sense. The Simgot EM6L and Simgot EA1000, for example, are great with the iFi Go Link.
These dacs can support 32/ 384, but where can you even get bit depth and sampling rates like this? It's studio grade stuff. But this is a whole other conversation.
@@PaulsPOV thanks for the info, I really appreciate it
ive been using the zex for the past year, I switched phone from a samsung m32 to a poco f5 and poco's headphone jack specifically support 192khz/24 bit audio. and with poweramp profile these monitors sound just great on phone's dac. I'm still not sold on these usb c dacs
If you have access to one, try doing some A - B testing over half an hour or so. Take your time with it and see if you can gear a difference. The ZEX may not be the most transparent IEMs out there to be able to tell though. Usually IEMs in higher price brackets tend to be mote telling of the equipment driving them. But yea, if you get a chance to A-B test, let me know how it goes.
Paul, would a dac like the ddHiFi help in improving the audio output on a cheap phone? I currently use the 7hz salnotes zero and it sounds terrifc on a macbook but average on my phone so i was wondering if a dac would help solve this issue.
Loved the video btw❤
Absolutely, yes! Especially if you've got a ear for detail! Both these DACs sound better than what a MacBook has to offer. The new ones do have a good amp chip, but these sound more resolute compared to the macbook I've done A-B testing with, which means they do a better job of turning their 1's & 0's to an analog signal than a macbook. Needless to say, they'll perform better than an affordable phone since they bypass any internal hardware.
@@PaulsPOV thank you for the prompt reply, I'll get the ddhifi immediately 😁🖤
Enjoy your new DAC! Link provided 😊
@@gishaarooja4322which MacBook are you using ??? Because I have a MacBook Air M1, so if you r using the same I don't have to get a dac for myself😄😄
Hi, I am using Salnotes 7hz zero as my IEM, which one of these two would sound better with that? I am looking for the sound which has more clear vocals and instruments.
Both are very good performers with very small differences between them. Give the sound chapter a look to see which ones tone you prefer. I prefer the iFi.
Incase of blutooth Adapter like KZ AZ15, how will be the sound quality compare to wired DAC? Pl advise
With anything wireless, you will lose data in your audio. Especially if you're listening to Hi-Res audio.
Hi Paul. I want to purchase a indor party speaker for my family for karaoke and use the same to connect to TV and watch movies full time. Which would you suggest? I have seen many videos in UA-cam and am not sure what to buy like JBL partybox 110,120,310, xempt party pitcher Max. Need your help with so many options and other youtuber videos aren't as critical and well explained and thorough as you are. How you can guide which is best for both TV and karaoke
I'd recommend the JBL 110, partly because I've used it for music as well as a few private functions in small spaces. It works quite well with mics or even guitars when you plug in. You do get a little more control with an app, but I preferred dealing with it hands-on. It's easy enough to move around and has a big sound.
The others I haven't spent any time with, so I can't really speak about them.
@@PaulsPOV thank you Paul for that prompt reply. Was having doubts with 110 and xempt party pitcher cuz cost of the latter is lower plus with mics. So was worried about quality and longevity of the product
Very beautifully reviewed. Sir what should we prioritize more a good dac or good iems?
If say i have a budget of 10000 how much should be spent on dac and how much on iems?
The iFi Go Link is a great DAC/Amp that handles even more premium IEMs. I've paired it with the Simgot EA1000, and it's an amazing pairing. For a set of IEMs to fit within the rest of your remaining budget, I'd highly recommend you get in touch with the folk at headphonezone. They'll be able to guide you much better than I can. I have yet to expand into reviewing IEMs in the 5-10k price range. I've only reviewed a handful so far.
@PaulsPOV I Really Appreciate that . I will surely reach them. Thank you sir😊
All the best to you, and I hope you find the sound you're looking for.
i have iphone 14 sony xm4 headphones. does this dac actually make a difference in sound quality or its just a mild difference?
I've paired the XM4 with my desktop set up and found it to have a slight benefit when listening to Hi-Res audio. You can expect a slight advantage in dynamics with one of these when paired with a dongle DAC.
Paul sorry to ask this question here i received my tune beam earbuds i liked them but the sound is bit low so i returned them. Can i go for jbl 230nc now for loudness as per you comparison video?? Plz clear this thanks alot for you comparison and in depth review videos✌️
Please reply Paul
Sure, you could go for the 230NC. I've mentioned in my videos that you've seen that the 230NC is, in fact, louder than the Tune Beam. The only concern I'd say you should have is that a lot of people have had issues with the 230NC and one bud not charging.
Thank you for the response Paul i really appreciate ❤️ So i am going to buy 235nc instead 230 as 235nc is an update of them so I hope it could have resolved the previous issue.
Hey Paul, I am thinking of buying a 7hz Salnotes zero iem, but I don't have a 3.5mm jack in my phone. The iem also has a usb-c version.
So I can either go directly for a USB-C version or a 3.5mm jack version + DAC. What should I go for with and without considering the added cost of dac? Also one more question, how do these dacs compare with an apple dac?
Hi Rajeev, the Zero is a nice set of IEMs. Feel free to watch my review on it if you haven't already. The USB C variant has a decoder, so that's what handles the signal and converts it to analog. It'll be a no-nonsense set of IEMs to use if you don't want a dac amp. I myself like using dac amps because they do add a little colour and richer detail than a decoder from IEMs with a USB C connector. The apple dongle is a good one. It's no slouch, but if you're a stickler for slightly better detail and slightly better amping, having a dedicated portable dac amp does make a difference.
@@PaulsPOV Thanks....
Hey I have a question.
Should i buy audiocular x tiandirenhe CS PRO
Or is there anything better around that price point (around 1400rs)
I haven't tested it any DACs in this price range, so I wouldn't want to give you any wrong information.
@@PaulsPOV that's understandable. Thank you for being transparent.
Loved the vid btw
i have truthear hola and kz ling long should i buy dac ?? how difference it makes or should i invest in hexa or zero: red
I'd recommend spending on higher end IEMs before you decide to spend on a good DAC. Your IEMs will likely be the bottle neck if they're in the affordable category. 6 - 10K worth you'll get some really good stuff. As much as I like the Truthear Hola, the Simgot EM6L is good fun to listen to with these DACs. Higher end IEMs handle your audio with a lot more grace, so it might make more sense to save up for something in that range rather than keep adding to a 2K collection.
Is it compatible with usb c headfone (output) to electric guitar amp vox vc30 amp(aux input)?
These only work as output devices from a USB C connection. The ddHiFi does have a microphone that works on most Android phones. I'm not too certain about how it will work with your guitar amp, but you can feed it from these DACs if you want to listen to music from it.
I just want to begin my audiophile journey .I am full of confusedness to choose the best iem should I go with KZ - ZEX or 7HZ SALNOTES
ZERO
I wouldn't say either of these are "the best". Everything available in this price range is pretty good but has different "flavours" in sound. I'd recommend the KZ ZSN Pro X, it's a great all-rounder. The Tangzu Wan'er if you prefer listening to classical music and the Salnotes Zero if you like a little more emphasis in the bass. The ZEX was a little too bright for my liking. If you can stretch a bit more, the Simgot EW200 is great with detail and sounds quite natural.
Hope this helps.
Can I use them for my AirPods Max with the lightening to 3.5 mm cable??
Yes you can with a cable of course.
Hi can you pls tell if iphone13 will work with it, as I heard many peoples complaining that it doesnt, also pls confirm the same for Cxc31993 pro or any similar dac/amp
I haven't tested the cxc31993 pro, so I can't comment on it. I've used the iFi and ddHiFi on iOS without any issues. The iPhone will not support microphone pass through with the ddHiFi.
I have apple dac lightning to 3.5 mm jack should i upgrade to ifi audio go link for simgot ea 500 lm
Expect diminishing returns, but if you've got a sharp ear for details, you'll notice the differences.
Is there a white noise behind or is it just me?
Please do post video about KZ AM01 DAC
I'm currently using abigail pro, and which dac would be a great upgrade? Currently my eyes are on the ifi go link and shanling ua1 plus. My daily driver is simgot ew200
I haven't used the shanling but I quite like the EW200 paired with the iFi Go Link!
I m using ifi go link with kz zsn pro 2. Trust me ifi go link is good. One issue only it's get warm if used for more than hour. Rest no problem. Build quality is okay not the best. One have to be carefull not get the violent pull as the braised cable is not too much strong.
Currently downloading high res music from apple music totalling 45gigs.
Hi, I have a question regarding the DAC, recently i purchased KZ ZS10 Pro 2 from @Headphonezone, now I'm using this for Iphone 11 with Apple lightning to 3.5 mm connector. So, do I have to buy a separate DAC for my Iphone for better quality? If Yes, then which one I have to buy? Thanks in advance
A better dac isn't absolutely needed. You're better off with a better one if you have higher end IEMs that are more transparent sounding. But if you do want to future proof yourself, both these DACs are great. I prefer how the iFi sounds, but its cable isn't as hardy looking as the ddHiFi in case it gets snagged.
Hi, can you pls let me know if you got a dac and which one and if its working fine?
Hi, Paul. I have a question
I'm using a combo Oriventi OD200 + DAC ikko zerda ITM03 for Spotify & Apple Music on my Samsung Tab S7
And suddenly I hear some popping sounds on my iem, it happens quite often while playing. I thought it was iem had the problem, so I tried it on a Macbook Pro, but it worked fine
So can you tell me what causes the problem here?
Thank you!
It could be a decoding issue. Possibly a compatibility issue with your tab. Has it done any new software updates lately? This could be the issue. Popping sounds are usually not mechanical.
@@PaulsPOV Thanks for your response, Paul. All streaming musical apps updated their latest versions. Do you think I should change to another later DAC?
DD hifi seems like an easy choice for me.. I have been using DragonFly Black till now, do you think I need an upgrade (i want more details in the highs)?
Audioquest makes some really good stuff. You might find the ddHiFi lacking compared to it, but the iFi will most likely feed you cleaner and crisper highs.
I am using Sennhiser CX 180 wired 3.5 headphone, can you suggest the best DAC to use for my Samsung S24 ultra
Between these two, only the iFi Go Link will work with the S24. I haven't tested too many of these dongle dacs, so it's worthwhile connecting with the folk at Headphonezone if you want more clarity.
Senheiser cx180 is awesome it cost of 800 rs ,but it would be best under 2000 also if we compare❤
Hi, one more question, can I use 0.78mm 2-pin cable for my KZ ZS 10 Pro 2 that is having 0.75mm 2-pin cable? If no, is there any IEM cable with 0.75mm 2-pin cable that comes with MIC and Volume buttons?
It's not something I've tried myself, so I'm not too sure about the difference in size, but the microphone thing should work with other cables that can fit the IEMs. It just has to have a microphone in the cable wiring. The best sounding mics I've heard on IEMs are on the Truthear Hola and KZ JD1.
@@PaulsPOV thanks for that
You are really looking similar to one of my childhood friend. Where are you from ? India…
I'm using turthear - hola which dac should I buy. My phone don't have aux port. Only c-type my old dac Avani not working. Please suggest.
Both these DACs have slightly different coloring in their audio. Give the chapter on sound a listen and see which one would suit you better.
@@PaulsPOV I uses apple music losses audio. Most I listen to kk songs. And sometimes mixed. So, it's worth to purchase 2k dac for 2k turthear - hola ?
The Hola is surprisingly transparent. I was able to tell the slight differences in colour with these DAC/Amps with the Hola so it would benefit you. But also, having a good DAC/Amp foes future proof you for when you want better IEMs.
hello Paul ! Im looking forward to buy a DAC for my iPhone 12 so that I can get an IEM . Your suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
I've not reviewed many, but these two are nice. I prefer the iFi for its sound.
@@PaulsPOV thanks mate for the reply. how about the apples original 3.5 headphone jack to lightning one?
It's good! The iFi does edge it out a bit though.
@@PaulsPOV absolutely thanks mate.appreciate your answer.
I have a venture electronics dac and 7hz salnote zero should I upgrade a dac or to a better iem.. and plz tell me how a better dac gonna improve the experience..
You might be better off getting better IEMs than a DAC. These DACs I tested did very well with IEMs from 2k to 20k worth. It's always best to start from what you're actually listening to, in your case, the IEMs.
Can u suggest me an IEM under 5k and can my current dac can run it?
I have kz -zex under 2k and simgot ea500 under 7k ,both shows significant quality difference, waif for some upcoming sales,truthear zero red and simgot ew200 are good options under 5k during sale
Yup, I can vouch for the Simgot EW200! Terrific set of IEMs for the price.
Hi Paul, sorry to bother you, is it compatible with Iphone 15 pro max? Thank you, greetings from Argentina
Greetings! I don't see why they won't work with the iPhone. The ddHiFi won't have the microphone pass through with it though. iOS doesn't support that function.
I have the Sony Wh 1000xm4 and samsung s23. I have apple music settings to the highest quality. How can I listen to lossless? What DAC and/or aux cable do I need?
The ddHiFi is not compatible with the S23. The iFi Go Link will work well with it. You'll need that, and the cable provided with your XM4 will do just fine. Once you get the DAC/Amp, remember to go into your Apple Music settings and change them to Hi-Res Lossless, and you're set.
@@PaulsPOV thanks a ton man
Bro OnePlus buds 3 vs oppo enco air 3 pro
Bro is ew200 is good upgrade on salnotes zero...i love the surround sound of zero....and is ddhifi is a good choice with ew200
I prefer the EW200 to it but if you're a bass enthusiast, you may not like it. Very well detailed set of IEMs though. Feel free to watch my review on it. Yes, the ddHiFi and it are a good pairing.
@@PaulsPOV hey Paul I want your suggestion ... I have type c 7hz salnotes zero and it's a good iem i am using it with my iPhone 15 pro max it sound good , I just tried this iem with my laptop (which has type c audio) and it sounded way better .. so I am really confused so the phone power is not sufficient to fully drive the iem is there any way to improve the sound using dac for type c or any other suggestions ?
@d-nayak8943 since you've got the USB C variant, you're pretty much stuck with it. I prefer the 3.5mm versions since you can use different DAC Amps to drive them which can change some characteristics like you've observed. Ove never tried this with a USB C IEM but I'll check it out and see if I face the same thing.
Can I use them with full size headphones like sennheiser HD 599?
At 50Ohms, these should be able to drive them well enough. I'd say these can drive headphones up to 80 Ohms before they start sounding thin. So these should be fine with the HD599.
ifi go link works with the Switch Lite👍
My IFI go link's USB connector got bent, can anyone suggest a way to repair the connector?
Ouch...a simple bending back will definitely not fix it. Worthwhile speaking to the guys at HeadphoneZone.
I'm using cca cra which dac should I buy?
Whichever ones "colour" you prefer. I've mentioned how they sound in the chapter about sound.
Hi,
I never used IEMs, i want to start my journey. Which iem+dac would you recommend if my preferences are-
-All genure
-Bass should be adequate
-During Gym(EDMs)+travelling (do they provide any noise cancelling like many tws or neckbands)
-are they good for calling purpose too?
My radar- tangzu wanner, salnote, KZ-zex
If you have better choice plz tell us with yiur wisdom,
Thank you
Pls answer my query, this is general que which i think many have who want to explore in this
I've got reviews on the IEMs you've mentioned. Feel free to watch them. I'd recommend getting either the iFi Go Link lr ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC. I've got a comparison video on them which you could watch if you'd like to. A set that I think is really good is the KZ ZSN ProX. I myself have been wanting to own a set ever since I first reviewed them.
Noise canceling doesn't come with these. They'll passively isolate you to a certain extent, which also depends on how far in your ear they'll go.
How ifi go link is compared with Fiio x jade audio KA11?
I haven't tested the fiio so can't really say.
@@PaulsPOV well no problem, thank you for replying.
Do these dacs work with samsung phones i have heard some dont .
The headphonezone website states that the ddHiFi isn't compatible with the S22, S23 & S24. I haven't heard about the iFi having compatibility issues.
@@PaulsPOV wo .... thanks , i had s23u
I am planning to get a hidizs mp145. Will the iFi go link go with it.
It'll drive it well, considering it has an easy to drive resistance. It should be a nice combination.
Should I spend 2k more hidizs mp145 over letsheour s12pro . It would be my first planner.😅
I haven't tested these yet, so I wouldn't want to give you any wrong information. It's worthwhile getting in touch with the guys at HeadphoneZone about this to he certain.
@@PaulsPOV thanks for your advice
I am using Oriveti OD-100, Which dac should i go with?
I prefer the iFi for most IEMs
@@PaulsPOV Thanks alot, I'd go with that then
Im planning to buy BL 03 IEM
Which dac would pair best with it please help
Either one of these is a great pairing. They've got their own colour to them, which I've spoken about here, but the biggest benefit with the ddHiFi is its build quality. That cable is on there pretty tight and doesn't look like it can get snagged easily.
@@PaulsPOV thank you so much
Hello sir,I am using a Simgot EW 200 so which Dac suitable for Simgot.ew 200
I paired it with the iFi Go Link and really liked how it performed with it.
@@PaulsPOV yesterday i ordered DDHiFi DAC So it is good for listening Hi Res music....?
Yea yea, it's a nice piece of equipment!
@@PaulsPOV thanku sir have a good day 🙂
Bro OnePlus buds 3 vs realme air 5 pro pls do comparison fast bro..
Oneplus buds 3 is better with more touch control options and hey melody app doesn't glitch like realme app.
The AUDIOCULAR D07 CX31993 has the EXACT same specs as the HPZ dongle. And it looks the same as well. But, the price is half. Why so? The HPZ dongle seems like a copy.
They appear to be quite different to me. Plus, it appears that they share the same DAC, but the HPZ one has a dedicated amp chip, which will benefit any IEMs.
@@PaulsPOV Actually they have the same AMP chip as well.
Oh really? I wouldn't have expected it to have a dedicated one at the price it's selling for. Not bad in that case. The differences between them might be in colour/tuning in that case, plus build quality. The ddHiFi one has a very tough cable. This audiocular one seems to have a braided cable like the iFi. It doesn't inspire confidence, especially for rough usage.
So, which should buy???
@@prashant9246 jcally jm6 Pro it's released long ago so tried and tested I'd say
Hey guys , Actually I hav a doubt, I'm having OnePlus 10t mobile , I'm previously use venture electronics Type c converter which comes with internal DAC , AND USED NORMAL ONEPLUS TYPE C CONVERTER , and used IEM BLON BL 03 , Phones come with internal DAC and IEM ALSO hav DAC AND CONVERTER ALSO DAC , with DAC work's actual if all are having dacs ? My blon BL is missing planing to buy another, so is type c iem is enough? Any suggestions? Price below 3k , I hav oppo enco air 3 pro I felt strongly wired one is best always coming to music quality forgot about all codes lik LDAC and all
When you plug on a DAC to a phone, it bypasses the internal one. Buying a set of IEMs with a decoder in it will save you the headache of having another dongle DAC. But if you want better sound, having an independent DAC over a built-in one with an IEM will sound better. There is nothing like having dedicated equipment. Wired is the way to go if you want proper clarity, detail, stage, and overall a better listening experience. Wireless has its drawbacks. As much as I like the oppo enco air 3 pro, I still prefer a wired setup for my music listening.
@@PaulsPOV yea I have blon BL 03 I'm happy with it , at that price points
Hello sir been on your channel for a month and absolutely loved the content and that detailed depth explanation
But can you guide me that I recently bought sony xm4 and using samsung s20 ,have flac music files downloaded, apple music subs .
My doubt is that i am streaming wireless as LDAC on 990kbps with hires lossless Apple music and flac files and as i researched xm4 comes with inbuilt dac but My S20 doesn't.
Please guide me will dac improve any sound quality or any normal type c to 3.5 mm dongle like samsung ones is enough??
And if yes which one to buy among ifi audio go link or ddhifi hires dac???
And do i still need any iems for better sounding experience??
The XM4 is a great set of headphones. I've had a set for over two years now, and I quite like it. I've spoken about how Hi-Res audio is in my review on them. Feel free to give it a look if you'd like to. But yes, having a dedicated DAC/Amp will certainly improve really Hi-Res audio on them, but I do feel that the capabilities of it's hardware are limited. 990kbps via LDAC is great, but if you have FLAC files that play at 5Mbps and the hardware to feed the XM4, it's drivers aren't transparent enough for you to hear that much of a difference. Higher end audiophile headphones are better cut out for better detail recovery than the XM4. It was never built to be audiophile grade.
You can try the ddHiFi with it and see what your thoughts are on it for certain. Going wired always has its benefits. Try the budget IEM game if you'd like. It's fun to see what all exists there.
@PaulsPOV Thankss a lot sir
I will checkout ddhifi dac and will buy a good iems.
And can you please suggest me any good media player that dont resample its audio range and play at 24bit /192khz as, apple music limits its sampling rate to 48khz via any dongle dac attached to it??
I haven't heard of Apple limiting its sampling rate with external DAC/Amps. My DAC usually lets me know the audio sampling rate when I listen to Apple Music, and it ranges from 44.1 to 192kHz. A portable dongle DAC is usually a good way to go, but if you do want a good media player, I recommend you connect with the folk at Headphonezone. They're well versed with what's available out there and new. I haven't reviewed any players, so I wouldn't want to give you any wrong information.
@@PaulsPOV what dac /amp do you use ??
Topping D50S DAC & Schiit Lyr2 Amp.
I think ifi go doesn't support inline mic?
Yup, no microphone pass through on it, sadly.
compared to both, would you pick Abigail Pro
I haven't tested the Abigail Pro, so I can't really comment on it. Apart from, I don't think it has a dedicated amp chip like these do.
@@PaulsPOV You should do it's review, it's one of the most purchased dac on headphonezone. At a price of 1299 INR it's a fairly affordable one
interestingly KZ's Am01 uses CX31993 DAC with independent MAX97220 amp. Literally the same as ddHiFi at half the price. Worth checking out
the only downside is KZ's DAC have 30mW output compared to 65 on ddHiFi
@@PaulsPOV oh yeah, it doesn't have a dedicated amp
Yea, I'll give these a look. I've been wanting to do a dedicated month of audiophile reviews...just need to plan it out well.
is ddhifi enough to drive truthear's hexa?
Considering its resistance is as low as it is, I don't see why not.
Hello sir i always had a doubt that a lossless audio streams at 1411 kbps and a LDAC codec is capable of streaming upto 990kbps which is quite near to lossless . There is no doubt the wired mode is best .
But if hires lossless audio really enhances listening experience as we jump from 320kbps to 1411kbps then how do wireless heapdhones like sennheiser momentum 4 , focal bathys , B&O H95, B&W PX8 with no LDAC codec can sound good ?
What is point of good codecs then?
And what matters a good codec or heapdhone's tuning??
I'll give you the example of the Yamaha TW-E3B against the Realme Buds Air 3 and Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro. The BBK earphones support LDAC, the Yamaha Doesn't. It supports Aptx, which is a slower bit rate than LDAC. Now, despite being able to handle higher bit rates, the BBK earphones hardware isn't up to the mark. In other words, your bottle neck isn't the codec, it's the hardware. The Yamaha surpasses them when it comes to over all detail thanks to superior mechanics. The driver will have superior design and materials for certain.
Likewise, the premium brands you've mentioned also don't "need" LDAC to be able to produce good sound. Now if a driver is transparent in its delivery, you'll be able to tell whether you're listening to a compressed file or a hi res file. Usually, cabled headphones have this level of transparency, not headphones that have BT. This is most likely deliberate since transparent drivers are usually a lot more expensive to make.
The engineering that goes into making headphones and earphones is certainly more important than having a higher bit rate codec.
@PaulsPOV I absolutely agree with you sir that wired mode is best.
But let's take an example of sony xm4,xm5 ( which I guess they do come with good hardware to produce good sound even with or without LDAC)
But if lossless audio streams at 1411 kbps , and all those premium heapdhones (non LDAC) can stream 1/3rd of it .
Then do really hires lossless audio makes a difference(wireless)???
In the case of the Sony's, they've had a budget of X amount, which obviously has to he split across sound, build quality, features, hardware etc etc. So there is bound to be compromise somewhere if you're talking about absolute detail in sound. If you spend the same amount of money on a set of Beyerdynamic DT700 ProX headphones, you'll be able to hear the difference straight away. One is a race car for the track, and one is for everyday puttering around, purely because Beyerdynamic would've had more of a budget towards using better hardware since they don't need small DAC/Amp chips etc in their headphones.
And coming to the bit rate of 1411, again, just because a product states it can encode a codec doesn't necessarily equal good quality out of the drivers. If you have a chance to listen to a Sony decoding LDAC with a Hi-Res file compared to the Bathys which supports Aptx, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot more detail from the Bathys, much the the Yamaha does compared to the oppo and realme.
So it's never been all about the codec, it's so much more that gives a set of earphones or headphones a sense of personality and musicality. This obsession a lot of people have about LDAC even in budget earphones is the "Creta" effect, I like to call it. It's bragging rights for "I have a sunroof"....that will never be used.
Very interested conversation this. Pop in when I have my next Live session here on UA-cam. I'd be happy to discuss this further.
@PaulsPOV Very Detailed explanation sir . Thanks a lot for taking out time and answering, but I still have few confusions regarding this and I hope will get all clear in your live sessions.
When u r going live sir???
Toying with the idea of going live this week sometime.
Will it work with Motorola phones?
They should. The ddHiFi does have a note saying it won't work on the S22,23 & S24. Nothing about Motorola devices.
Shanling UA 1 Plus is at same price as iFi Go is which is 70mW
Shanling is 80mW & 32bit,768khz should i buy Shanling ?
I haven't tested it. It might make sense to have a chat with the guys at HeadphoneZone about this, just to be sure.
Does it work on Samsung phones?
The ddHiFi does have a mention on the headphonezone site saying that it isn't compatible with the S22, S23 & S24.
Sir does dd hifi support samsung s21 fe 🙏
HeadphoneZone has mentioned that it's not compatible with the S22, S23 & S24. So it should be fine with the S21FE. It's worthwhile connecting with them if you want to know for certain.
Will these DACs work on samsung galaxy S22
I don't think the ddHi-Fi is compatible, but the iFi should work fine.
@@PaulsPOV you think ? or you are sure??
Have a look and see -> www.headphonezone.in/products/headphone-zone-x-ddhifi-hi-res-dac
Does those help me in recording
I am searching a c type sound card can you suggest something
The ddHiFi does have a microphone oas through which works with IEMs, but connecting a cabled mic into it won't give you a signal in an audio recording software. The iFi Go Link doesn't have a microphone pass through at all.
You're better off with a dedicated recorder if you want to record audio. The quality will always be better that way.
10 years ageo amp and dac ment to me book definantion only 😄.
Does this dongel DAC works on PC?
It should. I use it with my Mac sometimes.
@@PaulsPOV Bought KZ Am01 Portable USB DAC for PC but getting poor audio quality. Don't know if need to do any setting or someting.
I'm not too sure about PC's, but on the Mac, I have to go into the audio settings to open the flood gates. By default all outputs for any external sound card or DAC is set to 44.2kHz/16bits. So I change it up to 192/24 or higher. Once it's set to this, it shouldn't sound compressed.
@@PaulsPOV I tried everything, But PC and laptop recognizes it as Hi-fi adpter. But to output is poor. I am replacing it to check weather it's the product that is defective or simply my pc does not support it. Thanks for clearing my doubts!
If I use this DAC for my car with general AUX cable plugged into my phone and streaming on Apple Music (Android user) I've paid subscription.
Will the audio be substantially better or if you could give me the relevance if I should go for it or just use my basic bluetooth SBC codec
For the car, I use an Astell & Kern XB10, high resolution music tends to lose a lot of detail with road and wind noises from the outside. That broadcasts in Aptx which is more than good enough. You can use these DACs but then the question is, where is your bottle neck? Is your head unit able to amp the signal well enough? Are your speakers good enough to carry so much detail, etc. Many variables.
Let me make it straight,
Both sound really good ,
But iFi sound better compared to Dd-HiFi
For Build quality go for Dd-HiFi
And for better sound quality go for iFi
Is that what you meant by whole video ?
Or I'm wrong ?
Does this dacs work significantly on 3k headphones like Sony Xb75 Ap?... I have already purchased the sony headphones thats why I am asking
You're better off having more transparent sounding headphones or IEMs if you want to hear the finer details in your music. These will drive headphones upto 80 Ohms without a problem, but your bottle neck will most like be your headphones when it comes to listening to Hi-Res audio.
@@PaulsPOV thank you. It would be helpful if you can suggest headphones that squeeze out the best out of this dac.
Also if I am doing an aux output to the car's audio system will dac help in retaining the quality?. Or is there any special AUX for the same
Yup, it'll help with retaining the quality through auxiliary as long as you're listening to Hi-Res audio. Headphones that handle higher quality audio usually sit in the 10k price range and above. Beyerdynamic, Audio Technica and other brand would be a good set to go for if you want no loss. IEMs on the other hand, are much more affordable. 2-10k will get you really good sounding stuff.