Turn Your Smartphone Into a Hi-Fi Player: The ddHiFi Magic, Explained
Let's face it: in the war for your pocket, the dedicated music player lost a long time ago. Today, the smartphone is king, handling our music, games, movies, and everything in between. The final nail in the coffin seemed to come in 2016 when Apple killed the headphone jack, sparking a mass exodus to Bluetooth and a boom in the True Wireless market. Other manufacturers followed suit, and now the trusty 3.5mm minijack is an endangered species.
No big loss, right? Ditching wires is progress, after all. But while Bluetooth headphones have gotten worlds better, they still can't escape a few inconvenient truths when compared to a good old wired connection:
- Sound Losses: Every existing Bluetooth codec uses lossy compression, meaning you're not getting true Lossless or Hi-Res Audio quality.
- Latency: There's always a slight delay, which can be a deal-breaker for watching videos or gaming.
- Battery Life: They need to be charged, and their lifespan is ultimately limited by their batteries.
But even if your phone does have a headphone jack, 99% of the time, the built-in audio hardware is mediocre at best. The weak amplification can only handle the easiest-to-drive headphones, and the basic DAC won't unlock the potential of high-quality models.
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The Solution: ddHiFi's Pocket Rockets for USB-C
This is where a USB DAC/Amp comes in, turning your smartphone from a convenient music player into a serious Hi-Fi alternative. We recently tested ddHiFi's super-compact Lightning models for iPhones, and today we’re diving into the USB-C versions for Android, modern iPads, and computers.
We picked four distinct ddHiFi models — TC35b 2021, TC35 Pro Tetris, TC44B, and TC44C — and tested them in various scenarios. Across the board, the brand’s strengths are obvious: competitive pricing, rock-solid metal construction, and dead-simple plug-and-play use (no drivers needed for Android/Mac/Windows 10).
Based on our testing, we’ve put together four optimal pairings of these portable DACs with some great in-ear monitors.
Kit #1: The Gateway to Great Audio
ddHiFi TC35b 2021 + CTM CE110 Universal
For our first pairing, we took the updated TC35b (the smallest Android DAC on the market) and matched it with the CTM CE110 Universal, a Dr.Head Awards 2021 winner for "Best Wired In-Ear Headphones."
ddHiFi TC35b 2021 Specs
- DAC: Realtek ALC5686
- Audio Support: PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit
- Output: 3.5mm
- Power Output: 30mW @ 32Ω
Can a tiny "adapter" really sound better than an expensive, modern phone? And aren't Realtek chips usually found in PC motherboards, which are hardly known for their stellar audio? Yes, and yes. But the specific implementation of the ALC5686 chip by ddHiFi sounds unequivocally better than the native audio from any smartphone or laptop we've tested.
While 30mW of power isn't a lot by Hi-Fi player standards, it's already more than most smartphones (which rarely exceed 15–20mW). The TC35b not only gives you more volume but also provides cleaner, fuller sound at lower listening levels, where phone outputs often sound thin and anemic. It shines best with easy-to-drive IEMs like the CTM CE110. The benefit is immediately audible as the sound becomes clearer and more detailed. Bass is tighter and better controlled, and the sense of dynamics and soundstage size increases dramatically. Switching back to the phone's native jack makes the sound feel muddy and unfocused by comparison.
Vito says: "For the price, this is a very detailed, balanced sound with pleasant highs. The bass isn't overwhelming, but it's handled cleanly. For movies, the dynamic range is good, and for gaming, the soundstage is excellent. A great fit for shooters."
Kit #2: The Sweet Spot
ddHiFi TC35 Pro Tetris + Kinera Idun
The "Pro" version of the TC35 is a completely different beast. Built on a more advanced ESS SABRE chip, it comes in three forms. We chose the "Tetris," which can connect to both Lightning and USB devices, and paired it with the hybrid Kinera Idun IEMs.
ddHiFi TC35 Pro Tetris Specs
- DAC: ESS SABRE ES9281AC PRO
- Audio Support: PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512, MQA
- Output: 3.5mm
- Power Output: 62mW @ 32Ω
The TC35 Pro supports the highest possible PCM quality, fully decodes DSD and MQA, and packs double the power of the standard version. It's powerful enough to drive not just IEMs but also some full-size headphones like the Sennheiser HD 660S, making it a versatile tool for listening on the go with your phone or at home with your computer.
The jump from the TC35b to the TC35 Pro is like opening another window you didn't know was there — the sound becomes even cleaner, clearer, with more detail and a grander soundstage. This was especially obvious with the Kinera Idun. These hybrid IEMs have an analytical sound signature with a slight emphasis on the highs, which is popular in audiophile circles for its perceived detail and clarity. This pairing shines with vocals and acoustic instruments, leaving fans in awe.
Andrew says: "These are detailed headphones with an emphasis on the highs, and that says it all. The treble brings all the cymbals and brass instruments to the forefront, as well as the vocals. I listen mainly to acoustic music, and it's a perfect fit. With a phone, the sound is harsher and muddier, but the TC35 Pro is more delicate and has plenty of volume in reserve."
Cable length, m: 0.1
Connector (left): 3.5mm jack female, USB-C
Connector (right): 3.5mm jack female, USB-C
Kit #3: Welcome to the Balanced World
ddHiFi TC44B + OEAudio 2DualCDC 2.5mm + CTM CE320 Universal
Now we enter the big leagues. The TC44B is a dongle with a fully balanced architecture. To appreciate its benefits, we connected the CTM CE320 Universal IEMs using a custom balanced cable from OEAudio.
ddHiFi TC44B Specs
- DAC: 2 x Cirrus Logic 43131
- Audio Support: PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit, DSD256
- Output: Balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm
- Power Output: 120mW @ 32Ω
The TC44B uses two DAC chips in a "dual mono" setup, with each chip handling its own channel for a more precise sound with an expanded dynamic range. Balanced connections, which come from the world of pro audio, also provide a significant boost in power, better channel separation, and a more defined soundstage. There's no standard 3.5mm jack here — only the two most popular balanced standards.
We paired it with the CTM CE320, a triple-driver armature IEM with an L-shaped signature that emphasizes rich bass and mids — the polar opposite of the Kinera Idun. The balanced connection gives the CE320's powerful bass even more space and control, raising the bar for overall detail and the tangibility of sonic layers.
Mark says: "This setup is perfect for me; with it, I can listen to music all day without any strain. The sound is detailed, velvety, and pleasant. In movies, voices are clear with a great sense of immersion. The soundstage and instrument placement are wonderful."
Kit #4: The Endgame Combo
ddHiFi TC44C + Nobunaga Labs Inspire Matador + 64 Audio Duo
The TC44C is the latest and most versatile evolution. It has the same powerful internals as the TC44B but in a more pocket-friendly shape with a detachable cable. Critically, it offers both a 4.4mm balanced output and a standard 3.5mm jack, giving you the best of both worlds. We paired it with the hybrid 64 Audio Duo IEMs and a premium balanced cable from the Japanese company Nobunaga Labs.
ddHiFi TC44C Specs
- DAC: 2 x Cirrus Logic 43131
- Audio Support: PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit, DSD256
- Output: 3.5mm, 4.4mm (Balanced)
- Power Output: 120mW @ 32Ω
The 64 Audio Duo IEMs feature a number of the company's signature technologies and a semi-open design that produces a breathtakingly open soundstage. The stock cable doesn't do them justice, so we swapped it for the balanced Inspire Matador, made from a blend of 4N gold-silver, 4N silver, and 6N OCC copper.
Paired with the TC44C, the 64 Audio Duo's performance nips at the heels of far more expensive High-End headphones, capable of surprising anyone who thinks IEMs can't compete with full-size models. The sound quality is simply unattainable for a smartphone without a separate DAC and is comparable to a top-tier Hi-Fi player.
Mikky says: "Listening to music with this setup gives you goosebumps from the detail and the richness of the bass. There's a complete sense of presence; you can hear absolutely everything! The sound is captivating, and all genres are handled perfectly."
Cable type: straight
Connector (left): USB-C, 4.4mm jack male
Connector (right): USB-C, 4.4mm jack male
The Bottom Line: Which One is Right for You?
Lossless music, high-resolution audio, and lag-free games and video are all possible on your smartphone. All you need is a good pair of wired headphones and a miniature portable DAC. To help you decide, here's a quick summary:
- ddHiFi TC35b 2021: The ultra-compact, reliable solution for easy-to-drive IEMs.
- ddHiFi TC35 Pro: Still super-compact, but a more powerful and advanced option for more demanding headphones.
- ddHiFi TC44B: For those who want to step up to a fully balanced system for cleaner, more detailed sound and even more power. (Balanced headphones only).
- ddHiFi TC44C: The best of all worlds. The same powerful, balanced internals as the TC44B, but with the added convenience of a standard 3.5mm output.
Still not sure which DAC is the best fit for your smartphone and headphones? Bring them to Dr.Head's Dubai showroom and try out different combos to find the one that truly works for you.
