ddHiFi Mountain 3 Review – Best form factor got better
Let’s enter into the next level of portable HiFi audio together with the all-new ddHiFi TC44PRO M3. It is a compact T-shaped high-resolution dongle DAC/AMP. ddHiFi has equipped the compact DAC with a flagship-level dual DAC chipset, which brings the magic of dual CS43198 DAC chips. The TC44PRO M3 features dual integrated headphone outputs, a 3.5mm single-ended, and a 4.4mm balanced output.
Users can enjoy crisp high-resolution audio signal processing on the ddHiFi TC44PRO M3, which supports 32-bit/384kHz PCM processing and native DSD256 audio signals. Enjoy your favorite music with the amazing dynamic range and high SNR performance of the ddHiFi TC44PRO M3.
Unique T-Shaped Design
The ddHiFi TC44 Pro M3 stands out in the crowded DAC/AMP market with its unique T-shaped design. The device has a small, compact footprint, and it connects directly to your smartphone and other Type-C devices without any extra dangling cables, maintaining a firm connection with the connected device. With its sleek T-shaped design, you can carry it anywhere and enjoy high-resolution audio anytime you would like.
Flagship-Grade Dual DAC Arrangement
ddHiFi TC44 Pro M3 features a high-end dual-DAC arrangement promising crisp high-resolution audio signal processing. It houses dual CS43198 DAC chips. The setup delivers excellent channel separation with high dynamic range/SNR performance and ultra-low distortion characteristics. It supports high-resolution 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256 audio signal processing. The Dual CS43198 setup has a low-power consumption design and incorporates advanced filtering technologies as well.
Integrated Dual Headphone Output
ddHiFi TC44 Pro M3 has a fully balanced design. The device features dual headphone output ports, one 3.5mm single-ended and another 4.4mm balanced output port. The TC44 Pro M3 has a powerful output rated at about 120 mW through the 4.4mm headphone jack. ddHiFi has designed the 3.5 mm+4.4 mm integrated in a sleek form factor, there is not much increase in the product size with this integrated arrangement.
Solid Build Quality, Exquisite Finish
ddHiFi TC44 Pro M3 is from the ddHiFi’s famous Surface series of products. It offers meticulous craftsmanship with a high-quality aluminum alloy frame. This metallic chassis has a striped textured finish as a standout feature. The TC44 Pro M3 strikes the perfect balance between minimalism and modern design. ddHiFi TC44 Pro M3 also has a side indicator light that has two color options, Blue indicating PCM signal, and Green indicating native DSD signal processing.
Features
- T-Shaped High-Res USB DAC/AMP.
- Balanced Dual DAC Arrangement.
- Dual CS43198 Flagship DAC Chips.
- Integrated Dual Interface(3.5 mm+4.4 mm).
- Exquisite Craftsmanship.
- Aluminum Alloy Construction.
- Striped Textured Surface.
- Lossless Decoding Indicator Light(Blue/Green).
- Delicate Leather Lanyard.
Specs
- DAC Chips: Cirrus Logic CS43198 x 2.
- SNR: > 125 dB.
- DNR: > 120 dB.
- THD+N: ≤-110dB.
- PCM Decoding: Up to 32-bit/384kHz.
- DSD Decoding: Up to DSD256 Natively.
- Output Power: 120 mW (4.4mm)/90 mW (3.5mm).
- Dimensions: 30.4×12.4x17mm.
- Weight: Approx 11g.
- Price: $89.99
Disclaimer: ddHiFi Mountain 3 was kindly provided by ddHiFi for review.
Power
The unit’s rated output is 120MW into 32Ω. From a purely numbers standpoint, this is more than enough to drive harder-to-drive IEMs like the Yanyin Cannon 2.
When it comes to harder-to-drive full-sized headphones, they can power HD 580s to a reasonable listening level, but it starts to distort, and the highs become harsh-sounding. I would not recommend driving full-sized 300Ω headphones with the Mountain 3.
Its low SNR makes it perfect for sensitive IEMs as well. I’ve observed cases wherein plugging in IEMs to the 4.4mm outputs of DAC/AMPs resulted in hissing, however, I did not experience this whatsoever with the Mountain 3.
Sound
The ddHifi Mountain 3 is a powerful, balanced dongle DAC with good resolving capabilities, especially with the upper mids to treble region.
It does not add much coloring, but it does tend to accentuate details and resolution on the upper end of the frequency response. The unit’s low SNR makes it perfect for sensitive IEMs that require a little bit more power to maximize dynamics.
The Mountain 3 has a neutral-sounding timbre with a treble region. Unlike other DACs with a more treble-focused timbre, I wouldn’t call the Mountain 3 sibilant. Instead, it sounds like a neutral timbre with a slight and somewhat gradual EQ boost from the upper mids to the treble region, with the bonus of improving perceived detail retrieval.
Bass drums and bass guitar strums feel a bit light, lacking a bit of note weight and texture. The bass drums hit with a good slam, but the texture and detail retrieval on the bass hits were a bit underwhelming.
Bass guitar strums have a better texture than bass drum hits, however, it is still relatively lacking when compared to other dongles and sources.
The vocal presentation is forward on the top end and quite neutral towards the lower end. This gives female vocals a sparkly quality that highlights minute pitch and vocal techniques while still demonstrating good emotion.
Male vocals are still presented with good authority, however, warmer dongles still present them in a more atmospheric and authoritative manner. The unit does a good job of properly representing the vocal performance that a pair of IEMs or headphones is capable of.
The Mountain 3 has a very clear and analytical presentation of the high-end. I dare even say that it has a somewhat cold and clinical tonality. Hi-hats and cymbals are played back with good detail and resolution, easily making cymbals distinguishable from each other.
Its more analytical presentation leads it to be sibilant at times, but it is exceptional at properly articulating the detail on the high end without elevating it to a painful degree.
The unit has very good staging performance even when paired with slightly harder-to-drive IEMs like the Yanyin Cannon 2. When listening through the Yanyin Cannon 2, it can present a sense of width similar to more expensive desktop DAC/AMPs.
However, it is not able to replicate the same soundstage performance on harder-to-drive headphones such as the Sennheiser HD 580 Precision.
Its dynamics are good as well. When doing A-B comparison testing between the unit and the onboard 3.5mm output of my phone and laptop, the first thing I noticed was how much better the dynamics are. Each instrument feels less compressed, making onboard audio seem dynamically flat.
Sum-Up
The ddHiFi Mountain 3 is a good portable dongle DAC with a balanced performance even for harder-to-drive IEMs. It features a sleek and sturdy design, a high-performance DAC chip, and a relatively high output power, accompanied by a cool yet energetic tonality.
The unit’s combination of exceptional dynamics, lightweight design, and competitive price point makes it an extremely compelling option amidst the sea of dongle DAC options, and its sound quality is well worth its price.
Besides the sound performances, what I like most about the TC44Pro brothers is their form factors and their designs. These dongle DACs are mobility & portability champions by their designs.
Just plug it into your phone, and your phone transforms into a digital music player. And it stays more robust compared to any other dongle DAC with a cable. Much more practical and effective, in my opinion.