Sound performances
For the purpose of this review, I used the Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro X, the Letshuoer S12 Pro, and my good old Meze 99 Classics + 109 Pro for good measure. For the source, I used my iPhone and all files were streamed from Spotify for convenience, Apple Music for Hi-Res source, and my own library for local tracks.
Overall signature
So, is the ddHiFi TC35Pro a real upgrade over the TC35C? Yes. However, when juxtaposed with my TC44Pro, it doesn’t quite surpass it – though if you own the TC44A, that sparks a different conversation! In fact, when paired with the 99 Classics, the new TC35Pro audibly parallels the TC44A, an unsurprising revelation given their similar circuitry.
Of course, while the stage width doesn’t quite match the TC44Pro, when pitted against the TC44A, the Mountain2/Eye2 nearly mirrors it in that aspect, occasionally outshining the TC35C. It also feels more natural, with deeper lows and sharper mids, underscoring the brand’s steady progress, fine-tuning every aspect of their sound signature over each generation of products. I didn’t have the chance to review the first generation of TC35Pro, but considering my experience with the rest of the line-up, I do assume that this new-generation offers an improved experience overall.
Still, compared to the TC35C – and TC35i – this Pro version sounds a lot fuller, at any level of volume, and the layering is a big step above its little brothers. It propels an abundance of micro-details and manages low frequencies with heightened precision, especially on the Meze 109 Pro.
Balanced signature, accurate timbre—it’s all there, and the end result is a testament to years of diligent work. This delightful device, capable of delivering such detail from such a compact form, is genuinely impressive. It somewhat evokes memories of the iFi Go Blu in terms of versatility, albeit the Go Blu provides more output power, but it’s crucial to note that the TC35Pro is nearly half the price of the iFi.
Out of curiosity, I also paired them with a set of HiFiman Svanar, great but complex IEM that I also tried with the TC44Pro, which performed surprisingly well. The same could not be said for the TC35Pro, which rendered the Svanar with feeble lows and sub-optimal highs. However, when paired with the Letshuoer S12Pro, the opposite transpired, resulting in an exquisite match!
Pan effects are great, voices are well-articulated, and the TC35Pro gave me clean, authoritative bass, something that I would have not expected for a single-CS43131 powered DAC. Head to head with the Shanling UA1 I previously reviewed, I preferred ddHiFi voices and highs, while the UA1 gave me punchier lows, coupled with commendable mid-tones and resonating vocals,
Paired with the DT 700 Pro X and DT 900 Pro X, it wasn’t too dry – something that I was afraid off – and I even preferred the final result to the one I got with the TC44Pro: better transients, larger soundstage (who knew) and enhanced high-mids. Very nice!
Tonality
Highs: clean and straight. Compared the TC35C/i, the TC35Pro raises the bar and achieves a superb job there, with sharp, harsh-less trebles, and excellent layering. With the right headphone, you’ll get a level of power and accuracy that I wouldn’t believe possible a few years ago, with a DAC this small.
Track : Believe in Me – Jamie Lidell
Mids: good layering and great spaciousness. The mids blend perfectly with the rest of the spectrum. The soundstage is splendid, sometimes astounding even at the highest level of volume. Compared to the TC35C the mids don’t tend to fall behind the highs and lows, and everything sounds much more even now.
Track : Nobody Speak – DJ Shadow
Lows: fast and powerful. Bass is impressive, even if not as impressive as the TC44Pro. Usually, this is where small DAC falls short, but this wasn’t the case here, and I could push volume way higher than I thought. It’s fast, powerful and with a good headphone, you’ll be rewarded by deep, tight, toe-tapping bass. Plus side, it never oversteps on the other frequencies.
Track : The Chasm – Dan Terminus
Noise and power
Noise: nothing noticeable on most headphones and IEM. I only encountered hiss once with my Unique Melody, but 99% of your systems should work flawlessly.
Power: power-wise, you’ll be able to drive almost all portable headphone of your catalog and all IEMs with ease – desktop cans… I would not be so daring. It’s not incredibly powerful, but considering the size, it remains quite impressive and you always feel in control.
Conclusion
All in all, the ddHiFi TC35Pro models are a stellar addition to the brand’s catalog, fitting nicely below the TC44 series but above the “tiny” TC35C/i, pushing dongle-mania even further. The build quality is flawless, performances are head and shoulders above the stock DAC of my phone, and it even tickles the fancy of much larger models.
That said, even though both devices share the same internal layout, if I had to choose only one of the two, I’d consistently opt for the Eye2. The superb design, paired with the additional cable, does make a difference on the go, and even compared to my TC44Pro, I found the Eye2 easier to use over time.
Once again, it’s the perfect on-the-go dongle for anyone in search of a real improvement in a pocket-sized device that won’t break the bank.
Pros
- exquisite design and sturdy built
- plug&play by essence, perfect for on-the-go sessions
- great sound and enough power to driver all kind of portable headphones
- two design for those who prefer one or the other
- single-ended !
Cons
- lanyard is funny but not mandatory
- less powerful than the TC44Pro
- single-ended only…
