There are a lot of causes to get a DAC for your telephone, most of them being that, whereas Bluetooth is splendidly handy, you lose a lot of audio high quality for that comfort. Any audio nerd will let you know that wired is the one true solution to dwell if you wish to absolutely expertise a tune. Now that almost all telephones don’t have 3.5mm jacks, and also you want an adapter anyway, it’s possible you’ll as effectively get one that can enhance the listening expertise, just like the Khadas Tea, somewhat than simply be a go-between like the usual Lightning and USB-C dongles.
I’ve examined a few transportable DACs over time, starting from $99 to $7,000, and the Khadas Tea ($299) appears to strike the correct stability the place it’ll work for most individuals with out going into unaffordable audio wanker territory. Here’s what’s good, what’s advantageous, and what might have been higher:
Khadas Tea specs
There’s a lot that separates the Tea from different transportable DACs, however the first most evident factor is the form. It’s a skinny rectangle, somewhat than the ‘pack of gum’ of different mini gadgets or ‘ghost busting device’ model of extra premium portables. The change in form is for two extraordinarily handy causes:
- It has a built-in battery that enables for 8-hours of audio playback on every cost. This is useful, as a result of a lot of DACs simply drain your telephone battery.
- It has MagSecure built-in, so you probably have an iPhone 12 or newer (or a magnet case for your Android, like a Quad Lock Mag case), it’ll grip on to the again of your telephone as an alternative of simply floating free in your pocket, ready to get misplaced or caught on issues.
Another spec that makes the Khadas Tea a bit totally different is that it has Hi-Res Bluetooth and microphones inbuilt so you possibly can put on your premium headphones and nonetheless take calls over Bluetooth. You can join the Tea to your system utilizing Bluetooth (say, in the event you’re charging, or if it’s a pc and also you need to be on the opposite facet of the room as a result of you possibly can), after which plug your headphones into the Tea. I used to be shocked at simply how good it sounded when related to my Mac Studio through Bluetooth. Like, not simply “wow, how good for Bluetooth”, however simply straight up good. Not nearly as good as absolutely wired, however shut sufficient that not many individuals would discover the distinction. The microphones have been “fine” at finest, however they’re extra of a good to have than a vital on a DAC
You can see the total specs right here if you wish to examine them out in additional element.
OK, however does it sound good?
Yes. Yes, it does. My normal wired in ear screens are the Sennheiser IE600, and every little thing already sounds totally unbelievable on them, however the Khadas Tea does what DACs do and offers the sound a bit extra oomph, so to talk.
‘Simmer’ by Hayley Williams is a tune I’m in awe of. It has a lot energy, and the technical talent and restraint of each musician concerned is so spectacular. It sounds so contained, restrained and easy till you actually concentrate on every component. Listening on this mixture of the IE600 and Khadas Tea, it sounds much more alive. The managed rage, the quiet disappointment, and never understanding what to do with all that grief actually comes throughout so clearly. It appears like how I’d suppose the artists and the producers wished you to listen to it.
Same with ‘Everything At Your Feet’ by Odesza. It’s a nice tune at the very best of instances, however with this combo it’s the audio equal of watching the clouds clear on a cool, however sunny day. The mid tones, which I typically miss on Bluetooth headphones are there a lot extra clearly and powerfully, whereas the bass comes by way of solidly.
‘Full Heart Fancy’ by Lucky Chops sounds shiny and cheerful and stuffed with little particulars that I normally don’t get to listen to. As a drummer, my normal body of reference for music begins from the drums, and right here it sounds virtually like I’m sitting on the equipment. I can’t fairly inform if he’s enjoying with nylon-tipped sticks, or simply notably laborious, new wooden ideas, however I can hear the way in which the sticks strike the journey, and never simply the ring of the cymbal, and I don’t suppose I’ve seen that element as a lot earlier than. I can hear the little sizzle and brightness of the journey extra clearly than normal.
While the improve on good headphones isn’t as life-changing because the higher-end DACs, it’s a noticeable distinction that I discovered additional immersing me in songs that I already know and love, in addition to newer discoveries. I imply, the depth on ‘Surrender’ by Maggie Rogers is beautiful on this combo. I haven’t but listened to a tune or style that I haven’t thought was improved by utilizing the Tea paired with Lossless audio on Apple Music in comparison with my earlier $150 Creative DAC, or simply plugging my headphones in immediately with the lightning dongle. Like, my god, music simply has so many extra layers once you use good high quality tools, and it’s all the time good when that good high quality tools doesn’t value hundreds of {dollars}.
Even utilizing them with the far more reasonably priced “budget” audiophile possibility from Sennheiser, the IE300, the distinction remains to be exceptional.
Is the Khadas Tea good?
Absolutely, unequivocally sure. Given how a lot it might probably do, and the way simple it’s to make use of. If I wished a DAC, and my price range was underneath $500, and I had an iPhone or a telephone with a Mag case, that is the DAC I might purchase. I’ve been utilizing it for round a yr now, and albeit I don’t use wired headphones with out it anymore (except I’m reviewing a fancier, dearer DAC).
Music is among the most unbelievable issues folks can create, and with the ability to take pleasure in it at its finest is among the best pleasures in life. It’s fantastic to see extra reasonably priced and accessible DACs that enable folks to get nearer to music, somewhat than simply having that pleasure reserved for the ultra-rich.
…. to be continued
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