Sound Impressions
The following sound impressions were completed using a mix of the ddHiFi TC44C, and the EarMen Sparrow dongle DACs.
Summary
Effect Audio has taken the standard PILGRIM’s vibrant, technically impressive presentation, and toned down the energy via added warmth and a more comprehensive midrange.
While there is a sub-bass bias, the added low-mid emphasis provided by the dual 2300 BA setup provides a fuller mid-bass region that adds more thickness to the presentation.
The separation of mid-low and mid-high frequencies between the two midrange drivers keeps vocals and instruments present and coherent amid big bass notes and sparkly treble.
This signature of the PILGRIM NOIR is tonally accurate and realistic, with smooth mids and treble that match well to the girthy low end. It’s non-fatiguing and easy to listen to but retains energy and excitement.
Bass
Effect Audio’s take on the PILGRIM sees little change to the low-end performance. There is a sub-bass bias with moderate mid-bass warmth and thickness that is prominent, but not overpowering. The technical ability of this driver is a positive as well.
It is quick and well-controlled, offering plenty of texture and detail, even when a track is mastered with excess bass quantities. Notes hit with a solid kick and the sub-bass bias provides a satisfying visceral aspect to your media.
The mid-bass tuning adds a welcome warmth and density to the overall presentation, matched by the additional warmth of the new midrange driver setup. In the PILGRIM review, I said this driver could easily handle itself in a higher price bracket, which we are witnessing in the PILGRIM NOIR.
Mids
The new Hypercore Twin Thrust Module (aka. dual Sonion 2300 armatures) set up in the PILGRIM NOIR transforms the midrange. The mid-low and mid-high frequency division between these two drivers provides a full-bodied, comprehensive presentation that isn’t lacking anywhere.
Instruments and vocals are clear and articulate, with plenty of detail and a complete lack of sibilance. The additional warmth it has over the original PILGRIM brings the overall presentation together, making it sound more well-rounded and complete.
That warmth also improves timbre quality leaving the PILGRIM NOIR more accurate and realistic than the base it was built on. Texturing is also outstanding, with vocals and instruments having plenty of depth to their presentation.
Treble
The new Knowles armature used in the PILGRIM NOIR provides an impressive extension into the brilliance region. This gives the PILGRIM NOIR plenty of shimmer and sparkle.
This new driver is smooth and refined through the entire frequency range, avoiding sibilance and harshness completely. Adding to the air provided by the brilliance region are mild presence region peaks that ensure the PILGRIM NOIR is highly detailed and clear.
Attack and decay qualities are also rapid, with a strong level of control that means notes are crisp. There is no splash or slop to hinder the experience to be found.
The presentation is also well-weighted, avoiding sounding thin and wispy. These qualities combined provide a technically adept, smooth, fatigue-free but high-energy listen.
Staging & Dynamics
The sound stage of the PILGRIM NOIR is open and spacious, doing a great job of enveloping the listener within their chosen tracks. With plenty of width and depth available, it is easy to get lost in the presentation.
The default vocal positioning of the PILGRIM NOIR finds itself right around the opening to the inner ear. From there, sounds and effects can move close to replicate intimate moments on a track, or well off into the distance giving a convincing sense of space.
Channel-to-channel movement is smooth and accurate, with a strong off-center accuracy that lesser products struggle with. The spacious staging of the PILGRIM NOIR helps highlight above-average instrument separation qualities.
They let you pick apart individual track elements quite effectively. The PILGRIM NOIR is also quite adept at rendering the various layers of a track, further adding to its immersive qualities.
Synergy
Efficiency
The PILGRIM NOIR has a sensitivity of 103 dB @ 1 kHz @100mV and an impedance of 8.3 Ohms @ 1 kHz.
I found it to be quite flexible across a variety of sources. There was no hiss from my TEAC HA-501, even with the filter set to maximum. My FX Audio D302 Pro sounded clean, but increased brightness across the mids and treble, though not in a detrimental way.
The Earstudio HUD100’s high-output port, designed for use with hard-to-drive headphones, was the only thing that caused issues. It caused a painful pop when plugging the PILGRIM NOIR in, with a constant background hiss.
None of my other dongles, DAPs, or DACs ran into any problems with the PILGRIM NOIR.
Pairings
ddHiFi’s performant TC44C and the Earmen Sparrow were recruited for testing the PILGRIM NOIR. A ddHiFi DJ44B 4.4mm to 2.5mm adapter was needed to run the PILGRIM NOIR with the Sparrow.
Starting with the Sparrow, it made for a fantastic companion to the PILGRIM NOIR. Upon connecting the two, you are greeted with a dead silent background and more than enough power to bring the PILGRIM NOIR to obscene volumes, while also having the ability to listen very quietly.
Through the Sparrow, the PILGRIM NOIR’s sub-bass gets a kick in emphasis, with the treble seeing a small boost too. Staging opened further with an additional distance between instruments.
I don’t hear any real downsides to pairing the Sparrow with the PILGRIM NOIR, save for the slight alteration to the overall signature. They are changes I like, however, so your mileage may vary.
The ddHiFi TC44C is generally my go-to DAC as it pairs well with nearly everything. While it is a solid option for the PILGRIM NOIR, it is not my favorite.
As with the Sparrow, the TC44C provides a dead silent background. The power output is flexible enough to listen quietly, or at blisteringly high volumes.
Sound quality is where I found the TC44C lacking when paired with the PILGRIM NOIR. The TC44C has a balanced signature with a warm tilt, which when matched with the PILGRIM:NOIR results in increased thickness in the presentation through the mid-bass and lower mids.
I found this reduced detail retrieval and vocal coherence, especially when compared to the Sparrow. It doesn’t sound bad by any means, it’s just not ideal.
