ddHiFi TC44Pro CS43198 Review – Mobility & Portability Champion
ddHiFi’s 4.4mm balanced dongle DACs have gone through three generations, TC44B, TC44C, and TC44Pro. They have slightly tweaked the TC44Pro with this latest version which improves the sound quality.
The back of the TC44Pro is covered with a special 1800D carbon fiber panel. This flexible and lightweight carbon material has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity, effectively protecting the internal PCB board.
The previous CS43131 version of the TC44Pro featured a digital output connector and double-sided soldering points reserved on the motherboard. This new CS43198 revision has been simplified, particularly in the line optimization within the power supply circuit. It also features newer Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips.
The CS43198 and CS43131 are otherwise identical in specs, but the more expensive CS43198 does sound a bit better. You will experience a boost in sound quality with ddHiFi’s slightly revised Gen 3.1 Dongle DAC.
The TC44Pro features an integrally formed aluminum alloy shell, and the wavy surface reflects the delicacy of the new PRO-series titanium color.
It also comes with a leather lanyard that’s not only a good decoration but also allows you to easily carry the device and avoid losing it.
The TC44Pro’s helpful indicator light keeps you alert of your current track’s output quality and type:
- Blue: PCM output
- Green: native DSD decoding output
Features
- Slightly improved sound quality over previous CS43131-based TC44Pro with newer CS43198 DAC
- New revision features power supply circuit optimization and simplification
- Truly balanced with dual Cirrus Logic DACs and symmetrical circuit design
- Pro-level build and quality with helpful indicator LED and leather lanyard
- Also available in 3.5mm single-ended termination as Mountain2 model
Specifications
- DAC: Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198
- Output Power: 120mW (4.4Bal. 32Ω)
- SNR: >125dB
- Dynamic Range: >120dB
- THD+N: ≤-110dB
- PCM Decoding: Up to 32bit/384kHz
- DSD Decoding: Native DSD64/DSD128/DSD256
- Dimensions: 30mm × 18mm × 12.5mm
- Weight: About 9g
- For iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows.
- Price: $79
I would like to thank ddHiFi for providing me with the review sample of TC44Pro 43198.
DAC
If you follow closely the decoding chipset technologies there is no way you could leave out the CS43198, a highly regarded chipset after the CS4399 which consumes very little power. The TC44Pro 43198 uses CS43198 implementation and allows a balanced output architecture.
Spec differences between CS43198 and CS43131 are very small. Most of the numbers are identical between the two. The difference is really in that CS43198 is a DAC-only chip while CS43131 is a DAC+amp chip with a built-in headphone amp section (though the built-in amp is pretty weak).
Other features of the CS43198 include a patented on-chip DSD processor that supports up to DSD256 in direct mode and 50kHz filtering. In my own experience, it is quite a smooth-sounding chipset with a clean treble. Depending on implementation it can also get engaging and dynamic.
Sound
The dual CS43198 DAC chipset ensures a clean, distortion-free sound that is faithful to the original recording. CS43198 DAC chips have the clarity of the CS43131 but with an ounce of added warmth and character plus a slightly wider stage. The technical capability is nearly on par with bigger boys on the market. I found the amplitude levels sufficient for most IEMs.
The bass is rich and deep without being overpowering, providing a solid foundation for the overall sound. Colorfly has nailed the low end on their last models and the TC44Pro 43198 beats all of its predecessors in that regard. It never lost composure and always offered a tight, fast bass. The 4.4mm Pentaconn output pushes things on a superior level. There is no shallow echo or dragging sensation.
Mids are open and linear. The mids are clear and well-defined, allowing vocals and instruments to shine through with impressive clarity. Vocals and acoustic tracks were an easy job for the TC44Pro 43198, even more so once paired with a good IEM. The sound stage is wide and voices glide easily into my ears.
The TC44Pro 43198 shows an ever so slight upper-mid boost, as all Cirrus-Logic DACs usually display. If that gives a sensation of precision, it can also lead to some sibilant on sensible headphones, but fortunately, none of that was found on this dongle DAC, and even when I pushed the volume up to unsafe levels, I never encountered any issue. The treble is crisp and bright, adding a sparkling finish to the sound without any hint of harshness.
Sum-Up
The TC44Pro 43198 offers a good tonal balance, clarity, and a spacious presentation on top of these. It sounds coherent, and linear across the frequency spectrum. No overlapping, no dips, no peaks, no saturation.
Besides the sound performances, what I like most about the TC44Pro brothers (and Mountain2) are 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 cable. Definitely much more practical and effective in my opinion.