The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 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 TC44Pro M3 is $89.99 and is available from here.
About ddHiFi
ddHiFi is a Chinese audio brand known for producing high-quality, compact, and aesthetically pleasing products for audiophiles. They specialize in items like portable DAC/amps, audio adapters, cables and storage cases. ddHiFi focuses on minimalist industrial design, premium materials (such as aluminum and stainless steel), and precision craftsmanship.
Their products are widely appreciated for balancing performance, portability, and visual appeal with affordable prices. You can explore their extensive catalog of products by reading further reviews here.
The TC44Pro legacy
The TC44Pro is ddHiFi’s most renowned portable USB DAC/amp that is available in several versions with different shapes and DAC chip configurations.
We have the original ddHiFi TC44Pro with dual CS43131 DAC chips that was later upgraded to dual CS43198. Then there is the ddHiFi TC44Pro E2 with dual CS43131 & dual ES9603Q op-amps, the recently released TC44Pro M3 and the very fresh TC44Pro E3.
ddHiFi TC44Pro M3
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 is a T-shaped USB DAC/amp dongle with an embedded type-C plug and two headphone outputs (3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced). The device features dual CS43198 DAC chips in order to achieve a real balanced audio architecture that can reach a maximum power output of 120mW*2/32Ω.
The M3 supports PCM decoding up to 32bit/384kHz and native DSD64/DSD128/DSD256. A tiny indicator LED lights blue for PCM content and green for DSD. In order to play DSD files on an Android phone you must use a suitable player application with support for USB exclusive mode and set DSD output to native.
Design and build quality
The chassis of the TC44Pro M3 is made from high quality aluminum alloy with an innovative design that combines two surfaces with different color patterns. An angular shaped part in bronze color that integrates the USB type-C plug and the silver finished main body that has striped textures curved in a parallel arrangement.
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 is exceptionally well made and is one of the most luxurious looking and aesthetically pleasing USB DAC dongles in the market. Actually, it only compares with other ddHiFi products as it is really difficult to surpass this company when it comes to the quality of the materials used, the innovative design and the attention to precision.
Usage
The TC44Pro M3 is ultra compact (30.4×12.4x17x3.5mm) and very lightweight (11g) making it ideal for use on the go without adding much bulk and weight under your phone. I am not 100% sure but I think that it is the most compact sized USB DAC dongle with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs.
The USB type-C plug is long enough to fit phones together with their protective case. This means that it may come as a little long and loose fitting in phones or tablets without a case but ddHiFi has made sure to provide some silicone washers that you can apply around the plug in such cases. The TC44Pro M3 also comes equipped with a genuine leather lanyard making it easy to carry.
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 is plug ‘n play with various operating systems, Windows included. The device doesn’t have any physical buttons for volume and gain adjustment or music playback control. There is no accompanying application and the volume is controlled by the host device which limits the available steps to 15. Thankfully, the TC44Pro M3 is supported by the iBasso UAC application that allows for 63 steps of precise volume adjustment.
Power output and efficiency
The small size means that the ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 must rely on the embedded amplifiers of the DAC chips as there is no space on the board for additional amplifier op-amps. With 120mW*2/32Ω from its balanced output, it feels at home with earphones and some very easy to drive headphones. However, let’s not forget that the TC44Pro M3 is designed for use on the go and nothing more.
The measured power consumption of the TC44Pro M3 is 0.05A/0.26W when idling and 0.09A/0.49W during music playback, so it is pretty efficient and is not going to drain the phone’s battery too fast.
The noise floor is exceptionally low and the device is well shielded against EMI from the cellphone. For this review I have mostly used the FiiO FD15 and LETSHUOER DX1 earphones.
Listening impressions
The sonic performance is stellar for such a small sized USB DAC dongle with a sound signature that is typical of the CS43198 DAC chip. Neutral frequency response with good extension to both ends of the frequency range. The sound that reaches your ears is balanced and mostly depends on the earphones used and not the TC44Pro M3 itself as it doesn’t have the tendency to boost any particular frequency. The TC44Pro M3 is neutral enough to pair well with various earphones while it doesn’t add sterility or any other sound coloration except a touch of nice warmth.
The technical performance is very competitive, the bass is fast, tight and controlled with admirable physical impact given that you are using easy to drive earphones. The low-end is well defined with good resolution and refined textures that are rather weighty and not particularly thin or dry.
The mid-range is tonally balanced with clear articulation and excellent separation. The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 is not lacking in harmonic richness and can sound very musical and engaging with the right earphone combination.
The treble is sparkling and luminous but it never becomes bright or sharp. This is a lively and fast paced little DAC that doesn’t sound boring or as lacking in excitement while it has a timbre that is quite natural, without much digital glare or artificiality.
The dual DAC architecture delivers an enlarged soundstage that feels considerably wide and open from the balanced output. The TC44Pro M3 images surprisingly well for the category and doesn’t lose composure with more demanding music, while it offers a great sense of depth and space.
The single ended output
The single ended output is not less good sounding than the balanced, however its lower power output somewhat limits the dynamic range and doesn’t sound as open and spacious as the balanced. Still a nice feature to have for people that own both single ended and balanced earphones.
Vs the competition
The truth is that the ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 doesn’t sound that different from other USB DAC dongles with the same audio architecture. Not surprisingly as the board space is limited so you can’t add more components to do fine tuning to the stock sound signature of the CS43198 which remains more or less the same in every other similar DAC dongle. It’s sound signature is quite alike with the TC44Pro with the dual CS43198 DAC chips, however it is a little better from the original TC44Pro with the CS43131 chips.
In the end
The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 offers stellar sonic performance for the size, while it is exceptionally well made and more premium looking than most of its rivals. It might lack some features but it must be the most compact and lightweight USB DAC dongle with balanced circuitry and dual headphone outputs, thus giving it the clear advantage when maximum portability and less bulk, together with good audio, are the requested features.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Stellar audio quality
+ Neutral tuning with a touch of warmth
+ Competitive technical performance
+ Good clarity and resolution
+ Not that artificial or digital timbre
+ Open and spacious soundstage
+ Silent operation without EMI from the phone
+ Low power consumption
+ Exceptionally well made with premium materials
+ Minimalistic and practical design
+ Dual headphone outputs in a compact and lightweight shell
+ Great value for money
- No physical controls
- No accompanying application
- Limited power output but sufficient for the size
- USB A adapter is not included
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