Today’s feature is Thomas’s review of the ddHiFi TC35M2, a tiny 384kHz capable DAC and USB-C to 3.5mm converter for mobile phones. It is priced at $35.99.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank ddHiFi for their support.
You can read about previous ddHiFi products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics here.
This article follows our latest scoring guidelines which you can read here.
ddHiFi has provided portable audio fans with outstanding accessories for almost a decade. Their extensive lineup includes everything from compact dongle DACs such as the TC35C to earphones such as the Janus series, cables such as their new Nyx range, headphone stands, and more.
I have been using their gear since 2020 and still routinely use the original metal-sheathed TC05 OTG cable because it looks great and has been tough as nails.
Other products of theirs have remained a part of my regular gear rotation because they are genuinely useful and fill needs that products from competing brands do not cater to, at least not as cost-effectively or to the same quality standards.
The TC35M2 is an exciting product for me because the aging TC35B is still my go-to DAC when I need something small and simple.
While the TC35M2 is larger, though still quite tiny, it retains a similar sound signature, is more powerful, better built, and more synergistically versatile.
It’s the perfect replacement for my TC35B and a worthy addition to any budget-minded everyday carry setup where size is a key consideration.
Features
ddHiFi equipped the TC35M2 with ESS’ reliable SABRE ES9603Q amplifier chip. This chip provides good audio quality with a clean background and enough power to drive most earphones comfortably. The TC35M2 supports lossless music formats and can decode up to 32-bit/384kHz files.
In-line controls are available when pairing earphones and headphones with the TC35M2 since the dongle supports the CTIA standard.
Design
Given the small size, the TC35M2’s design is more interesting than you may have expected. The main body is an irregular hexagonal prism with Type-C and 3.5mm ports at either end.
The sides of the devices are subtly concave giving your fingers purchase when grasping it. The seam that connects the two halves of the shell also provides additional grip when plugging in or removing the TC35M2 from your source device.
Down one side of the TC35M2 are the brand and model details. These details have been laser etched into the aluminum shell and won’t wear off.
Overall, I found the build quality to be quite good. The machining of the aluminum parts is flawless, and the ports feel solid and stable with no connectivity issues.
The only fault I could find was some excess glue around the Type-C port where it enters the shell. That was quickly removed with a fingernail, leaving the TC35M2’s design looking as clean and neat as it should have been out of the box.
I/O
As a compact, simple device, the TC35M2 is not rich with various inputs and outputs. On one end is a type-C port used to connect to your phone, DAP, PC, etc., while on the other is a 3.5mm port.
The 3.5mm port accepts 4-pole plugs following the CTIA standard enabling support for earphones and headphones with an inline microphone and controls.
These ports also feature insertion detection so the TC35M2 won’t turn on and override onboard speakers until each port’s needs have been satisfied.
Packaging & Accessories
I’ve always appreciated ddHiFi’s earlier packaging since it was visually appealing with natural coloring and, for some products, used real wood.
The packaging for the TC35M2 has moved away from this by going for a fully recyclable cardboard box and outer sheath with a white, Apple-adjacent color scheme.
On the front of the sheath is ddHiFi branding with a detailed image of the TC35M2 while the top and bottom contain model details.
Flipping to the back we find the product specifications. Sliding off the sheath reveals a plain box with an 8-bit inspired ddHiFi logo and the slogan, “Life and HiFi”.
Removing the lid reveals a foam insert covering the TC35M2 inside a recyclable plastic bag, a quality assurance certificate, a warranty card, and a silica packet. And that’s all there is. Simple and efficient. Minimal fluff and waste.
Sound Impressions
Testing was done with the TC35M2 paired with a Huawei P40, HiBy R1, and ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme. I listened to the Campfire Audio Clara, ROSESELSA Distant Mountain, and ddHiFi Janus E2020B.
Summary
Most DACs I’ve tested provide a warm-leaning signature. The TC35M2 takes things in another direction with something more neutral-bright that sounds excellent when paired with warm, bassy products.
Signature
The TC35M2 has a cooler, brighter signature that bumps emphasis in the upper mids and lower treble. This presentation can make earphones or headphones with a bright default signature edgy but conversely pairs brilliantly with darker or bass-biased products.
Detail and clarity in the upper regions are good with fine details being represented well. Notes attack and decay as they should, meaning the TC35M2 doesn’t help or hinder these qualities in the headphones you plug in.
The midrange is where the TC35M2 is least impressive. Detail and clarity in this region is a step down from what I’d expect and pairing it with products that already have a weak midrange only highlights that further.
While the mids are not muffled or recessed, micro-details are smoothed over. This leaves vocals and instruments sounding less crisp and clear than they would through other DACs that perform better here.
Bass performance picks up some of the slack with a snappy, textured presentation that brings a lot of energy to the table. While there is some roll-off on extra deep notes, it’s not overly intrusive or hindering to the listening experience.
Staging & Dynamics
Staging out of the TC35M2 is just fine, with it being neither positive nor negative. The default vocal positioning is quite neutral and doesn’t push or pull this quality in any particular direction when pairing it with something that has an exceptional stage, like Campfire Audio’s Clara.
The same can be said for the remaining staging qualities. Imaging is smooth and accurate without any oddities present off-center or to the edges.
Instrument separation is effective and pending it’s possible with the earphones you’ve chosen, you can single out individual track elements easily.
Tracks layering is much the same, with the TC35M2 able to provide a sense of depth when it’s a part of the track and something the chosen headphone can produce. The TC35M2 doesn’t hinder these qualities at all.
Synergy
While the TC35M2’s lowest volume output is a bit high for super sensitive gear, and its power output is too low to drive extremely hard-to-drive gear, for everything else its performance belies the compact size and low price.
Efficiency
When pairing the TC35M2 with picky gear like Campfire Audio’s Andromeda 2020 or more recent Clara, a mild background hiss is present during quiet sections.
It’s easily masked once the music picks up though and is far less intrusive than I’ve heard from considerably more expensive and complicated gear.
Tossing on something with average to demanding specifications like the Roseselsa Distant Mountain, Kefine Delci AE, or Effect Audio PILGRIM NOIR and the background cleans up entirely to provide a noise-free listening experience.
Given the size of the TC35M2, I’m willing to accept some compromises, and a bit of noise with picky gear is acceptable.
Power
At 45mW @ 32Ω, the TC35M2’s moderate power output is enough for most portable audio products.
That said, it won’t bring challenging earphones like Astrotec’s Phoenix up to normal listening levels without struggling.
When running the Phoenix, there is clear distortion when maxing the volume despite still being fairly quiet, the treble drivers are loose and splashy, and the bass driver lacks impact.
In contrast, it is too loud for low-volume listening with sensitive gear like the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020. Some on-board volume control would be nice, but there is no space on the TC35M2 for such a feature.
The power of the TC35M2 was welcome when pairing it with the HiBy R1. That device lacks volume output and is best paired with easy-to-drive gear.
While the TC35M2 is no powerhouse, it makes up for the R1’s deficiencies and helps it become a more versatile daily driver when pairing the two together.
Pairings
Testing the TC35M2 across earphones with various signatures and specifications, it was most comfortable with products with average to less demanding specifications and a signature that was more neutral to bass-leaning.
With sensitive earphones, the TC35M2 added mild background hiss that could intrude during quiet moments in a track. Its output remained smooth and well-refined though, avoiding any harshness.
With more average and tougher-to-drive gear, the TC35M2’s presentation was clean and clear with a black background. Extremely tough-to-drive gear like the Astrotec Phoenix sounded somewhat anemic with a weaker-than-usual bass response and splashy treble.
Pairing it with bright earphones or headphones exaggerated that quality resulting in unwanted aggression and some harshness.
Conversely, pairing it with a darker or bassier earphone made them more balanced, often mildly improving mid-range clarity and presence region detail without hindering their bass depth and impact.