Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Hyde
1119
Nov 28, 2019
I actually wrote a very detailed review but then when I click "post review" I got this "ops we couldn't display your page" and lost all the things I wrote. Tried it a few times and keep getting the same thing. So I'll just post this here instead. My current dongle DAC is Hidizs Sonata HD II, I've been comparing it with the Xduoo the last 2 days.
  • Xduoo Link is cleaner sounding, but almost too analytical and cold.
  • Xduoo Link has more forward vocal.
  • Hidizs Sonata HD II has warmer tonality.
  • Hidizs Sonata HD II has better mid range.
  • Hidizs Sonata HD II has more bass in general and also deeper bass (sub bass).
  • Hidizs Sonata HD II has wider sound stage.
So while Xduoo physically has everything that I wanted, nice build quality (metal), nice functional volume play/pause buttons (even work in Windows), nice orange accent. Drawback is somehow the USB C plug is super super tight and almost feel like it was gonna break my phone, the 3.5 mm plug side also has non-existent "click" when you insert the headphone jack. But the biggest drawback is that as a whole, I think I still like Hidizs Sonata HD II better (For my preference, Hidizs sounds better). And it's about the same price as Xduoo. So unfortunately I probably would still recommend Hidizs Sonata HD II over Xduoo Link. Hope this helps. :) EDIT: By the way this is not to say Xduoo Link is bad, it's actually very clean and detailed dac/amp. But the very very top end and bottom end is just not extended as Sonata HD. Also for my preference I prefer a warmer signature. But if you're after neutrality then the Xduoo is a good choice.
(Edited)
bozo007
19
Dec 26, 2019
HydeThanks. This helped validate my decision to buy the Sonata.
Hyde
1119
Dec 27, 2019
bozo007Oh apparently there is a new Hidizs S3 dongle that uses the same DAC but just better construction and better wires. If the price difference is low I'd go for S3, but if it's too much then I'd imagine Sonata HD II should be almost identical. Also here are some random tidbits that I don't know if it would help or not. But when people say "all sub $200 DAC more or less sound the same" and "all DAC if done correctly should all sound the same", I would say it's not entirely correct because it took me many many tries until I found the Sonata HD II which fits my preference perfectly also works for the headphone pairing (Denon AH-D2000). To my ear that SDAC sounds different than Burr Brown DAC sounds different than Cirrus Logic DAC and sounds different than Wolfson DAC. I've gone through FiiO E10K, NuForce UDAC-3, Schiit Fulla 1, SMSL M3, iFi Nano Black Label, SDAC/O2, Apple dongle, Pixel 2 dongle, Pixel 3 dongle, a third party random dongle and finally Xduoo Link and my favourite out of all is Hidizs Sonata HD II. It might just be that I like how the Cirrus Logic CS42L42 sounds or maybe it just match my headphone well, no clue lol. Denon AH-D2000 is only 25 ohm so your mileage may vary (say... If you try to run planar or something lol). Hope this help people save some money. Because I know I've wasted quite a bit lol. :P
(Edited)
bozo007
19
Dec 28, 2019
HydeThanks again for generously sharing your research. The S3 is currently for $42.50 on Amazon, after a 15% coupon, while the S2 is for $35. The big difference also is that the S3 supports a microphone whereas the Sonata II requires a firmware downgrade to do so. I have cancelled my Sonata II order and ordered the S3. Thanks again.
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile