DDhiFi has been rapidly growing in the audiophile scene, thanks to their innovative designs and reliable build quality. They have been expanding their lineup and are slowly but surely becoming the go-to brand for audiophile accessories. We have previously reviewed the TC35B (3.5 mm to USB Type-C DAC/Amp) and C-2020 carrying case and were very impressed by their quality and performance.
This time around, we will be checking out more of ddHiFi’s adapters. We have the TC25B 2.5 mm to USB Type-C, DJ35AG 2.5mm to 3.5mm, and DJ44B 4.4 mm to 2.5 mm. Keep on scrolling to find out how good they are and why we recommend them as essential accessories to your audiophile collection.
Disclaimer
The review unit was provided by ddHiFi. We want to thank them for their support and for making this review possible. However, this does not influence our review in any way. Everything written here is my honest opinion.
Contents
Packaging
Before we head on to the individual items, I want to go over DDHiFi’s unique packaging. Due to the small size of ddHiFi’s accessories, it is expected to have compact and minimalist packaging. But instead of going with the traditional throwaway packaging, ddHiFi has opted for a more creative approach.
DDHifi packs all of its small items in a small eco-friendly wooden box. The presentation is kept clean, with minimal branding and information. But they have carved their logo on the side of the wood to give the packaging some personality. I have unboxed a few of ddHiFi’s products, but their creative presentation never gets old.
TC25B (2.5 mm to USB Type-C)
The first item that we will be taking a look at is the TC25B. It is the follow up to the massively successful TC35B, which we have previously reviewed. This dongle is a perfect addition to ddHiFi’s lineup, especially given the popularity of 2.5 mm balanced cables. But before you grab one of these, there are some things that you need to know first regarding the sound quality. We’ll talk more about it once we get through the basics.
Design and Build Quality
DDHiFi has been universally praised for the unique design of its products. They are one of the few companies that manage to turn mundane accessories such as adapters into interesting pieces of gear. And they perfectly showcase it here in the TC25B.
The TC25B sports a unique design that is different from the rest of the offerings in the market. What sets it apart is its small factor, the lack of cable, and its all-metal build quality. You can immediately feel that the TC25B is made to last. And since there is no cable, there are virtually no points of failure.
Its small size makes it easy to carry around. You can even leave them on your IEMs so you won’t forget them.
When compared to the TC35B, the TC25B doesn’t deviate too much from the formula. They both have the same high-quality build and are roughly the same size. The only difference is in the logos present at the bottom and the slightly redesigned USB Type-C connector. The TC25B manages to reduce the metal parts surrounding the USB Type-C connector, which gives it an overall smaller appearance.
Sound Quality
Everything about the TC25B seems good, but here is the catch. The ddHiFi TC25B does not feature a true balanced circuit and instead features mostly the same electronics found on the TC35B. This means that the TC25B won’t behave similarly to the balanced output of DAPs, and you won’t get more power or improved dynamics.
I was able to confirm this when testing the unit. I couldn’t tell major sonic differences between the TC25B and the TC35B, and I was mostly getting the same level of amplification. Efficient IEMs like the BQEYZ Spring 2 had no problems, but full-sized headphones like the Sennheiser HD660s struggled.
However, I don’t find this to be a bad thing. The sound quality of the TC35B was already great, and now I can have that same experience without resorting to using 2.5 mm to 3.5mm adapters on my balanced cables.
The signature is also quite neutral. You don’t get too much coloration on the sound, and you get plenty of detail. You can learn more in our TC35B Review since most of my observations also apply here. Overall, this is still one of the best sounding and most compact solutions for those who want to use their balanced cables with their smartphone.
Compatibility
The ddHiFI TC25B is compatible with most modern devices such as Windows devices, Macintosh devices, and Android devices. The TC25B is also available in a lightning configuration for Apple devices. But unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch does not support both the TC35B and the TC25B.
DJ35AG (2.5 mm to 3.5 mm Adapter)
DDHiFi perfectly shows that adapters do not need to look bland and uninteresting. Despite their simple function, they deserve the premium treatment like all other audiophile accessories. And they perfectly show it with one of their most popular products, the DJ35AG.
Like the ddHiFi TC25B, the DJ35AG deviates from the usual adapter formula. Instead of having braided/sleeved cables, ddHiFi has opted to make their adapter small and compact. You can leave it on your IEMs or headphones without adding too much weight or bulk.
It also converts into a right-angled jack, which is more pocket friendly compared to straight plugs. And it also assures you that your 2.5 mm cable is less prone to accidents, especially due to the volatile nature of 2.5 mm plugs.
The materials used here are simply top-notch. You have a gold plated 3.5mm jack, which makes for a very reliable connection. Compared to the DJ35A, which is an older version of the product, almost the entire adapter is covered in gold. This further improves the already premium aesthetics of the DJ35A.
In terms of the sound that you get, it was very clean and free from noise. I did not notice any degradation or odd changes. Overall, the DJ35AG is a great looking product that efficiently and reliably does its intended function.
DJ44B (4.4 mm to 2.5 mm Adapter)
The last accessory in today’s review is the ddHiFI DJ44B (4.4 mm to 2.5 mm). It has a T-Shape and is noticeably larger than most ddHiFi adapters, which is understandable due to the 4.4 mm’s larger size. However, it is still more compact and elegant compared to the alternatives in the market.
Like most of ddHiFi’s accessories, the DJ44B looks clean and classy. You will see the only branding on the back, where you’ll find ddHiFi’s logo and a 4.4 mm jack symbol.
The DJ44B sits well on most DAPs and DAC/Amps despite being bulkier than most ddHiFi adapters. It was stable enough on my Fiio M11. However, some DAPs such as Astell & Kern’s offerings may not be as stable.
When I tried using this with my Sennheiser HD660s and Astell & Kern AK70 Mk2, I found the adapter too big and not stable enough. It was fine when using on a desk, but this setup did not seem too practical when on the go. I imagine this would also be the case with the AK SR15 and AK SR25, given their sizes.
Luckily ddHiFi has the DJ44K, which utilizes both the DAP’s 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm output. But for everything else, I had no complaints with the DJ44B.
Verdict
Overall, ddHiFi continues to impress us with their products. They are all built well and have an innovative design that makes them stand out from the competition. We highly recommend adding these to your audiophile gear collection. And if you are interested in a carrying case that can store your adapters, DAPs, and IEMs, make sure you check out our review of the ddHiFi C-2020.
DDHiFi’s products can be purchased from ddHiFis AliExpress Store, HiFiGO, and Amazon.
About the Company
DD Electronics Technology Co. was founded in 2017 and specializes in accessories for different kinds of audiophile equipment. They currently offer adapters, bags, DAP leather cases, and IEM cables. DDHifi is also venturing into the IEM market and is expected to debut their IEM lineup soon.
Stephen is a musician, cinematographer, and headphone enthusiast who is passionate about reviewing audio equipment. He has been playing guitar for at least a decade, which introduced him to professional recording equipment such as headphones and in-ear monitors. With the help of reviews and online content, he was able to learn the ins and outs of the hobby. His goal is to give back to the community by providing quality content to help others enjoy the beautiful (and expensive) world of audio.
Favorite Headphones: Sennheiser HD660s