E1DA PowerDAC is a highly efficient DAC device that is changing the face of Hi-res USB DAC devices with high-performance characteristics and flagship ES9038Q2M DAC chip. PowerDAC series by E1DA always featured a balanced 2.5mm output port and they specifically mentioned not to use any adapters for single-ended connection, just stick with 2.5mm cables. But the game is changing now. With their latest E1DA PowerDAC V2.1, they have now included a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter to use unbalanced headphones with the device. They have also modified the HPToy application on both iOS/Android platforms with a switch for three different output modes, Balanced, Unbalanced, and Unbalanced boost. This latest PowerDAC V2.1 is on the market for 79.99$.
Changes With PowerDAC V2.1 Over V2:
PowerDAC V2.1 features a new CT7601 Comtrue USB audio Bridge.
PDV2.1 has a soft-start function to avoid high-inrush, in fact, users can use it with any Android phone without Y-Splitter.
Three output options can be selected via the HPToy application, Balanced, Unbalanced, Unbalanced Boost.
Three output modes:
Balanced:- It is the same as the original PowerDAC V2, balanced 2.5mm TRRS with an output power of up to 600mW/channel.
Unbalanced:- Users can switch this mode on through the HPToy application. In this mode, users can safely use their unbalanced earphones/headphones using E1DA 2.5-3.5mm adapter with the PowerDAC V2.1. Output power in this mode is low as compared to the balanced mode.
Unbalanced Boost:- Users can use their single-ended earphones/headphones in this mode similar to the Unbalanced mode, but this mode offers complete 600mW power as with the balanced mode but with some crossfeed effect.
E1DA PowerDAC V2.1 is a highly efficient device now supporting single-ended 3.5mm headphones too with the included E1DA 2-5mm-3.5mm adapter. It was the only issue with the original device as most of the HiFi earphones and headphones in the market come with single-ended options.
Specifications:
DAC: ES9038Q2M
Materials: sandblasted/anodized aluminum, mirror polished stainless steel with laser marking
Dimensions: 75×45.5x19mm
Weight: 68g
Power: USB 5V power rail no internal battery, 250mA idle current, the device contains up to 5000uF of capacitance and IOS/Android devices can start OTG operation only with Camera_Adapter and USB OTG Y-splitter cable respectively
Input: USB PCM up to 24b/192kHz
Output: digitally generated PWM 384kHz + passive LC demodulation balanced output 2.5mm jack 5mm shaft stopper, A&K pinout Output impedance: 1.5Ohm@1000Hz FFT flat top -6dbFS 32Ohm/open load, -.4db drop
Output power: >320mW@32Ohm@1kHz@THD=1%
Output power: >580mW@16Ohm@1kHz@THD=1% measured in 24b/44.1k mode +.6dbFS level, typical PC USB2 port powered. In case USB power-splitter aka USB-C Y-cable used i.e. USB data goes from Android and 5V power rail from 5.2V 2A charger the max power will be seriously higher see tech plots in the appendix
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-.2db(+/-.15db typical) 10Hz-30kHz +/-.5db(+/-.3db typical) 2.5Hz-46kHz +/-3db
S/N ratio: -108db(A) (-109db(A) typical)
THD+N@1kHz@0dbFS <.05%
THD+N@1kHz@-3dbFS <.03%
THD+N@1kHz@-6dbFS <.02%
THD+N@1kHz@-10dbFS <.01%
THD+N@6.3kHz@-10dbFS .01% typical
THD+N@100Hz@-10dbFS .03%
typical(depends on USB power quality)
THD+N@1kHz@-20dbFS .01% typical
IMD 19kHz(-10dbFS)+20kHz(-10dbFS) -80db
typical (THD and IMD measured with 32ohm load in 24b/44.1k mode)
Crosstalk: <-92db@1kHz
