The ddHiFi M130B 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. The price of the ddHiFi M130B is $109.99 and you can buy it directly from here.
ddHiFi
ddHiFi is a relatively small but well known audio brand that makes very unique and rare audio adapters as well as various USB DAC dongles, cables, earphones and other useful accessories. You can check previous ddHiFi reviews here.
ddHiFi M130B
The latest trend in the portable audiophile world are USB earphone cables that attach directly to your phone’s type-C port and upgrade the audio experience without adding much bulk or weight. These cables are available with either 2-pin or MMCX connectors so they are compatible with most earphones that feature a detachable cable system.
ddHiFi is a brand that is not just following the trend but is among the first that designed such cables. The ddHiFi M120B springs to mind, a high quality USB type-C cable that has now been upgraded to the M130B version.
The M130B is equipped with a new DAC/amp chip, the ES9603Q which is considerably more powerful than the ALC5686 that is used in the M120B as it offers 45mW*2/32Ω instead of 15mW*2/32Ω. The measured power consumption of the M130B is just 0.03A so it is very efficient and battery friendly.
The ddHiFi M130B is plug ‘n play with Android, iOS, Windows and MacOS devices that have a USB type-C input and supports PCM decoding up to 32bit/384kHz. The cable doesn’t support app connectivity or DSP features like the Moondrop Quark 2.
The cable has embedded an in-line controller with a MEMS microphone and a single rounded button that can be used to answer/hang-up calls and control music playback but not volume level.
Cable design and build quality
The ddHiFi M130B is an exceptionally well made cable that is designed with a high purity OCC main core and an OFC shielding layer in a braided style. The 1.20m long cable is beautiful looking, it is reinforced with a durable exterior sheathing in a brown color, it is quite soft, it doesn’t get tangled and doesn’t produce any microphonic noise. The USB plug, the earphone connectors and the in-line controller are all made from high aluminum alloy. The ddHiFi M130B weighs 25 g and is available in either 2-pin or MMCX versions, the latter being compatible with Sennheiser’s IE series of earphones.
Listening impressions
The ddHiFi M130B feels at home with easier to drive earphones, like the FiiO FD15 that I have mostly used. More demanding loads will make it clip and distort at louder listening volumes.
The audio performance is stellar with a sound signature that combines class leading neutrality and transparency with plenty of musicality. The timbre is mostly natural without much artificiality in the treble and with a colorful and harmonious mid-range.
The bass is fast, dynamic and impactful with surprisingly good layering and excellent control, as long as the earphones are an easy load. The mid-range is present, well defined and precisely articulated with great resolution and refinement for the category. The treble is rather smooth and polite but not lacking in energy and clarity. The overall tonal balance is exceptionally good and the sound is characterized by excellent coherency throughout the whole frequency band.
Detail retrieval is satisfying and the soundstage appears to be spacious and expansive with unexpectedly good depth and imaging. The overall sonic and technical performance of the ddHiFi M130B is very competitive and at least on par with full sized USB DAC dongles of the same category that have similar power output capabilities. The M130B pairs well with various earphones, no matter their tuning style, and sounds good with all kinds of music from classical to modern beats.
Vs the ddHiFi M120B
Simply put, the ddHiFi M130B is much better than the M120B both when it comes to sonic performance and build quality while it also looks more premium and aesthetically pleasing. It is also two times more powerful without consuming much more energy and it should be considered as the natural update path for everyone who loves the M120B but is looking for a little more of everything. However, the M120B is more lightweight as it weighs 19 g and has the advantage that can be worn both in a straight down and ear hook method.
Vs the Hidizs ST2 Pro Nebula
A similar USB type-C cable is the Hidizs ST2 PRO which features the ESS ES9281AC DAC chip instead of the ES9603Q. This chip is bit more powerful but also less efficient as it produces 70mW*2/32Ω for 0.05A of power consumption. The $36 ST2 Pro is less expensive (Kickstarter price) but while well made, it can’t really match the build quality and the aesthetic design of the ddHiFi M130B, however at 16 g it is considerably more lightweight.
Their sound performance is more or less on the same level, the most notable difference is that the ST2 Pro is a little more energetic and bright in the treble than the smoother sounding M130B. The ST2 Pro is a slightly better option for driving more difficult loads but the M130B is more efficient and well made.
In the end
The ddHiFi M130B is a fine example of a well designed USB type-C cable as it combines exceptional sonic performance with excellent build quality and premium appearance. It is not very powerful but it is ultra efficient and pairs well with all easy to drive earphones. An excellent solution for anyone looking for an upgraded sound experience on the go without adding much bulk or weight while keeping battery consumption as low as possible.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Stellar audio performance for the category
+ Neutral and transparent sound signature
+ Competitive technicalities
+ Natural and musical timbre without much artificiality
+ Plug 'n play with all USB type-C devices
+ In-line microphone and control button
+ Ultra low power consumption
+ Very well made with premium materials
+ Lightweight and aesthetically pleasing
- Relatively low power output
- No DSP features or app connectivity
- Slightly heavier than similar products
- Doesn't support DSD decoding
- No volume control buttons
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