The ddHiFi M120B was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. You can buy the M102B from the official ddHiFi AliExpress shop.
ddHiFi
ddHiFi is a well known manufacturer of audio gear who specializes in making small sized USB DACs, various audio adapters, cables and accessories. The company was established in 2017, and the founder of the company had working experience in both OPPO and FiiO. The basic characteristics of all their products are that they are very well made and offer handy solutions for various connectivity issues that are commonly found in the personal audio world.
ddHiFi M120B
The ddHiFi M120B is an all-in-one earphone upgrade cable with an embedded DAC chip, microphone and in-line controls. The cable is available with USB type-C and Lighting plugs for connecting to a phone while both of them can be ordered with either MMCX or 2-pin 0.78mm connectors on the earphones end. The MMCX connectors are also compatible with the Sennheiser IE series of earphones such as the IE200.
The decoding chip used in the type-C version is the well known ALC5686 which supports audio decoding up to 384kHz/32bit and can output 15mW+15mW/32Ω with a very low power consumption.
The Lighting version uses the original C100 chip which supports 48kHz/24bit decoding and has a lower power output of 8.4mW+8.4mW/32Ω due to the limitations of the iOS operating system.
A novelty is that unlike traditional cables, the M120B places the circuit board at the splitter position for optimized sound quality. Two separate silver-plated wires are used to connect from the in-line controller to the decoding plug, providing high-fidelity transmission with no shared loop ground wires for signals. Hidden inside the in-line controller is a high-performance MEMS microphone circuit that allows for daily calls, gaming, live streaming, and more. The round button in the middle enables easy control of phone calls and music playback.
Cable and build quality
The cable base of the M120B is derived from the shielded upgraded cable BC125A “Air Ocean”, featuring a main core made of high-purity OCC and a small amount of pure silver. It uses 25.6AWG Litz high purity OCC and pure silver for the core and 22AWG Litz silver plated OFC for the shielding. The cable has a green colored outer sheathing and is well made with sturdy strain reliefs, high quality aluminum plugs and a robust aluminum splitter that houses the main board. The cable is soft to the touch, it doesn’t get tangled and is free from microphonic noise.
Usage
The M120B is designed with no fixed ear hook allowing both for straight-down wearing when pairing with earbuds and over-the-ear style for added comfort and convenience. The use is pretty simple, you just attach your favorite earphones and then plug the cable into your phone’s USB port. You don’t need to use a special application, you can immediately start listening to music from your favorite streaming services or watch movies and play games without lag.
The ddHiFi M120B is equipped with a single multifunction button that is used to answer/end calls and control music playback. A single press is for play/pause, a fast double press will skip to the next track and three times to the previous.
Listening impressions
The review focuses on the USB type-C version of the cable with MMCX connectors. To evaluate its performance, various earphones such as the FiiO JD7 and FH15 were used.
The ddHiFi M120B provides an immediate improvement in sound quality compared to generic 3.5mm phone outputs, unless you own a device with a dedicated audio circuit. The sound produced by this cable is remarkably clear and free from noise, offering excellent transparency for an entry-level DAC. It does not introduce any coloration to the sound and pairs well with all types of earphones.
In terms of sound, it is well-balanced, musical, and highly enjoyable, with good technical capabilities for its category. The bass is extended, weighty, and dynamic, with adequate control and definition. The mid-range is spacious and open, delivering realistic timbre and precise articulation. The treble, which is not rolled off, is neither offensive nor lacking in excitement, while providing satisfactory resolution and detail retrieval for its category.
The power output may be lower compared to larger USB DAC dongles, but it is sufficient for driving sensitive earphones. Additionally, the M102B boasts very low power consumption, resulting in minimal impact on the phone’s battery life.
It is important to note that the ddHiFi M102B is not intended to compete with or replace higher-quality USB DAC dongles like the iBasso DC03 Pro. Instead, it is designed as an entry-level solution with portability and compactness in mind. In this regard, it successfully exceeds expectations with its performance.
Vs the ddHiFi TC35B
The ddHiFi TC is an entry-level USB DAC adapter that utilizes the ALC5686 chip to convert your phone’s USB port into a 3.5mm jack. Interestingly, the TC35B and the M102B share a striking resemblance in terms of sound, with the latter offering a touch of extra clarity and transparency, particularly when replacing a subpar stock cable. Consequently, one might question the rationale behind spending twice the amount on the ddHiFi M102B instead of the TC35B.
However, there are several reasons why the ddHiFi M102B may be worth the investment. Firstly, it presents a minimalist and compact alternative to the TC35B, featuring a built-in plug. Additionally, the M102B boasts additional functionalities such as a microphone for calls and in-line controls for music playback. Furthermore, it serves as a replacement for low-quality stock cables, thereby enhancing the overall audio performance.
In the end
The ddHiFi M102B is a cleverly engineered device that enhances the audio capabilities of your phone and enables the use of earphones even if it lacks a 3.5mm jack. With its impeccable craftsmanship, lightweight design, and minimalist aesthetics, it delivers exceptional sound quality considering its compact size. Additionally, it incorporates a microphone and in-line controls, enhancing the functionality of your preferred earphones.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2023.
+ Exceptional sound quality for the category + Noise-free and transparent audio output + Capable of powering sensitive earphones with ease + Low power consumption + Comes with type-C and Lighting plugs + Available in both MMCX and 2-pin connectors + MMCX plugs are compatible with Sennheiser IE series + Features in-line controls and microphone + Plug 'n play design + Excellent build quality + Minimalistic design and lightweight - Falls short in terms of power output and sound quality compared to larger counterparts - Limited power output and sampling rate support of the Lighting version
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