AkLIAM PD4 Plus Portable DAC AMP

Review Of The Akliam PD4 Plus​

Introduction​

This is the first time I've heard about the firm Akliam, which has lately emerged and is being recognized by audiophiles. I suppose it already has other goods related to electroacoustics. After doing some investigation, I discovered that this firm also manufactures full-size desktop DACs and amplifiers. I recently learned about their product, the PD4 Plus, which is a dongle dac garnering the attention of audiophiles, and I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one, but before I go any further, I'd want to clarify a few issues.

Disclaimer​

*This is a review unit, courtesy of Concept Kart. All thanks to them for providing. As I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to this device as “PD4”
*Finally, I will only evaluate the PD4 based on its performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

The twin CS43131 DAC chipset in the PD4 is paired with an SA9312 audio bridge chip, a strong amplifier, and sophisticated oscillators to provide native DSD256 and 32-bit/384kHz PCM. As a more user-friendly device, the PD4 supports type-C and lightning data transmission in addition to 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced connections. One side has three buttons, while the other has a toggle switch for high and low gain. The play/pause, volume up/down, forward track, and previous track functions are all controlled by these three buttons. Additional technical details are listed below:

Design And Aesthetics​

The PD4's ergonomic and portable design makes it simple to use and transport. Measuring 57x25x10 mm, it weighs a mere 22g. Because the PD4 has a clear glass covering that shows half of the chip that is being utilised, it looks expensive. All in all, it's a work of beauty. The glass feels solid and stiff, and even if it scratches readily, I think it won't break easily. Additionally, there is an LED indication that illuminates red when it is in DSD mode and green when it is in PCM mode.

Usage ​

In terms of use, I was rather pleased with the features and quality it offers, along with how convenient it is. The nicest thing about it is that, although having a simple user interface, the same buttons that control volume also let you switch between the previous and next tracks. A USB converter and lightning to type C cable are included in the packaging, which adds to the user-friendly method of connecting to any device—Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS—and is highly welcomed.

Sound Impressions ​

IEMs​

Thieaudio Prestige LTD

Prestige LTD is the very reason I am now able to find the truth in my musical dreams; I have never heard another IEM that ploughs your ears with faith in each note, no matter how those notes should sound and nurtures your senses with dynamics and presentation as if I were hearing reality. Previously, I owned the Monarch MKII, which established what one would expect, but once the prestige's magic began to flourish, I knew I could explore so much more with it, especially when it came to the air and presence of each nuance the notes were able to grasp over and tingled my senses. To summarise the prestige's response sounds as if the Monarch MKII were given steroid and enhanced the upper frequencies in all directions with better authoritative flow in the lower response. The response is neutral with sub bass boost, similar to the Monarch MKII, with the exception that the notes are airier and more revealing than any other IEM before this era. However, the thinner notes and excessive clarity provide obnoxious features that expose bad mixing and recordings, which were highly obvious when heard on my V6 but smoothed out on my WM1A, indicating source dependence.

The voice response sounded forward when listening to Prestige LTD with PD4, however the bass did feel boomier. While the mid-range region made the response seem closer and richer, the treble appeared less expansive, but the note quality did decrease. In addition, the LTD shouldn't have sounded as compressed while using the PD4 in comparison to other sources I've heard.

Thieaudio Hype2

The hype2 is an IEM with a natural sound that completely outperforms IEMs in this price range in terms of tonality, sound imaging, separation, and resolution. The sound is fuller and richer, and the imaging and separation make it easy to listen to vocals, particularly female vocals. It is hypnotic to listen to because it is easy to distinguish between the various vocalists or the vocal layering. The Hype2 is a very capable IEM because I never noticed any changes in tone or quality missing from the response from any of my sources, including the Sony WM1A, Tempotec V6, or other sources I had the chance to listen to like the RU7, BTR7, or Astell & Kern Khan Max. It is only when the vocals are slightly provoked or subdued using sources that there is a slight difference, but that is mostly what I heard while listening. The Hype2 is one of the top IEMs in this price range in my opinion, and it can layer and image just as well as the Monarch MKII.

Hype2 sounds a little laid back in the mid-range, but when I listened to it with PD4, the response sounded very excellent. This combination pulls the mid-range forward, but it doesn't seem as well resolved as it did with other sources of mine. The bass continued to seem energising, but the treble also felt subdued.

Thor Mjolnir MKII

Mjolnir is a very bassy set that has a lot of sub-bass emphasis. The treble and upper mid-range are also very forward in the mix. The upper treble has great extension as well. The bass is very punchy and boomy while acting fast. Mjolnir is a great V-shape-sounding IEM with a different approach to explosive bass that has better technicalities, especially in this price range. The stage is great with a nice surround stage and depth where the separation of each element sounds distant enough for them to procure space to breathe and distinct themselves. The attack and decay of the driver capability are really quick and perform great. The vocals may feel lean and sparkly, but the warmth or the fuller experience is something that these lack. The bass response does vary from source to source whether I listen to a warm source or a neutral one, the bass becomes either overwhelming authoritative or both.

The response sounded distant and deep while listening to Mjolnir MKII with PD4, but it wasn't dispersed. In contrast to the bass, which was broader and beautifully bodied but seemed farther away when contrasted to the mid-range tight response, the upper mid-range was particularly emphasised and projected forward. With less vigour, the treble felt the same.

Simgot EA500 LM

I must say that I am astounded by the degree of improvement felt while listening to the EA500LM compared to the EA500, even though the tuning is nearly identical but with higher sound quality and quantity. I already feel that the EA500 sounds great, but when compared to the EA500LM, it appears to be lacking in technical ability as well as tuning, which might be because I like that type of response. To be honest, I can't tell much more about the differences because I don't have the EA500 to compare them to, but I was able to listen to it lately and evaluated the two based on that memory. However, I don't believe any other IEM in this price range can compete with the quality that SIMGOT provides unless the listener desires a different tune. The EA500LM's response is more V-shaped than balanced, with notes that have a distinct clarity unlike any other IEM I've heard in this price range, and this time I like the bass response.

When paired with the PD4 Plus, the response was nicely resolved, with a pleasant tonal sound that retained the same details as any other source. The midrange is more accentuated, and the bottom seems slightly meatier than previously. The response sounds more intimate, with less treble extension.

Rose Technics QuietSea

To be honest, in this price range, most IEMs tend to provide a linear and defined-sounding IEM that is pretty well V-shaped or neutral sounding to cater to audiophiles who want details and clarity. The Sea's sound leans towards a warm balanced thing, which I believe to be a safe tuning. The notes are thick and dense which makes the response pleasing and satisfying to listen to. The upper frequencies are heightened regarding such a warm response to surface more clarified and detailed notes without introducing any offensive characteristics. Regarding the Sea, I think its enveloping and calming response makes it a very well-balanced and warm-sounding IEM that anybody may enjoy.



When listening to Sea with PD4, the reaction seemed less energising and more dispersed, which contributed to its unified sound. It sounded more presentable and more linear in terms of energy thanks to the treble. Overall, the bass did feel weaker but the sub-bass had a stronger sense of authority.

ND ZR

The midrange and sub-bass are the main areas of focus for the ZR's dark response. Since it sounds different from any other generic Chi-fi IEM in this price range, its tuning approach is not generic. The reaction is non-offensive and permits a more revealing midrange response. The tone of the response is similar to that of the rivals, although it is not as well-tuned technically as it could be.



The response seems even more forward in the midrange when listening to ZR with PD4, which finally muffles the upper extension and produces a mid-centric sound. On the other hand, the bass appears more subdued and under control inside the mix.

Tracks​

Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, Josh Pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

To summarize this review, the PD4 Plus is acceptable for the price, whether it is in terms of aesthetics, convenience, or sound quality, and is an excellent pick for any newbies or novices to check out and settle into. As a result, I highly suggest them.

The Akliam PD4 plus dac dongle is part of the review tour organised by Concept kart and thanks to gadgetgod for coordinating the same.

Overview

The PD4 plus (https://conceptkart.com/products/akliam-pd4-plus-portable-dac-amp) is a dual CS43131 Cirrus Logic chipset, that comes with a 4.4mm and a 3.5mm output option.
Like most other CS43131 chipset dacs, the PD4 Plus comes with a gain switch and physical volume control buttons. They do have a transparent window on top, similar to the newer dac dongles (like the Tempotec BHD Pro, Questyle dacs, Muse M4 etc).

Performance impressions

The PD4 plus is a nice little dac dongle, with a USB C input and works out of the box with all the devices I tried - laptop, mobile phone etc. The CS43131 is a well received chipset, with sound sitting between the ESS and AKM chipsets.
The dac dongle runs fairly cool over long listening sessions, and provides a decent amount of power for most iems. It was able to power the notorious Tin P1 fairly well on high gain, with good sound.

The sound signature is a slight warm with excellent detail (typical of the CS chipset). They perform similar to the Audiocular TP20Pro, and is priced similarly.

There are LED indicators for PCM and DSD decoding, with support for upto 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256.

Overall a decent dac dongle in a hotly competitive space at a matched price in comparison to the competition

Introduction:-


Hey everyone, today I will be reviewing the Akliam PD4 Plus. I am really excited for this budget dongle. As for the price of $54 this is a really good dongle.


I have also shared a video version of the review at YouTube any support there in form of a view, A like or A subscribe is greatly appreciated. But if you so wish to read the written version you can read this.



This is a review unit from Akliam, But all the thoughts and opinions you are about to hear are my own.

You can buy the Akliam PD4 Plus below (Unaffiliated Link) :-

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805976528283.html?

Apparently for some people the link isn't working. So please try searching for "Akliam PD4 Plus" on aliexpress and then buy the one from the official Akliam store.


As usual since this is not an iem review the format of the review will be a bit different


I will be as usual following my bullet style format for better readability for those who are dyslexic and in general find it hard to read long paragraphs. I follow this guide in general from the British Dyslexia Association.


Lets start the review!

---

Review:-



1. Well the packaging is very simple and minimal and effective. It has the dongle, the usb c to c cable and usb c to usb a converter. I love this simple packaging as it cover all devices. If you want the lightning version please do message them on aliexpress and they can ship you with a lightning cable rather than the usb c.



2. The dac works well with iphone 15 series. I have checked it.



3. It has volume up and down button, the high and low gain button and also a button which I love! Is the play pause button. Almost no dongle dac has the play pause button and here this has it and it works as intended.



4. It can go upto 138mw on 3.5mm at 32ohms and on 4.4mm it can go upto 310mw at 32 ohms.



5. For my collection it drove everything without any issues from 3.5mm



6. Talking about the volume button it has 64 independent volume steps. But there is one small issue I found or could be a feature for some. Is that the volume doesn’t go to zero or mute it but rather the lowest volume setting at 1 still has some sound. Although not much big of a deal, still thought of mentioning it.



7. This uses a dual CS43131 dac and USB audio bridge chip SA9312. It also has a Dual CRYSTEK crystal oscillator.



8. It supports upto PCM 384Khz and DSD 256




9. To talk about the sound they sound very natural yet very detailed.



10. Now as usual its hard to guess a sound of the dac by on its own but rather I need to a-b it to other dac. And also what iem you pair it depends too.



11. The timbre and tonality is quite good and iems like kara, fan 2, nova sounds very good here.



12. The entire range is very neutral.



13. But when listening to the high frequencies there is great amount of crispness but it isnt piercy.



14. The soundstage is wide opens up more power hungry iems like the kara.



15. With iems like ea1000 and aoshida e20 it does a great job with them and it cuts down on the harshness from them a bit while being detailed.



16. For battery test I got around 15.5 hours with smartphone having 5000mah battery using the chu 2 at 30% volume.



17. It does get a tad bit hot although never unbearable.




18. The glass window looks great and is an eye catcher for sure. But I am bit a scared that I might break it if I am rough with it. Also please remove the plastic sticker it has otherwise it scratches very easily.



19. The PD4 plus is fantastic budget product for its MSRP of $54 or an even better buy at $45 when on sale.



20. If you are looking for a dongle but want something with 4.4mm jack and much power but don’t want to break the bank. And also only dongle with play pause button. Then this is the dongle to get.



21. If I had a favourite audio product list then this sure would be on that list. Its an easy recommendation for me for a budget dongle.



22. So that was my review, i hope you liked it. Thanks for stopping by, have a great day ahead! Bye!

---

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day ahead! Bye!


If you have any questions please feel free to ask me and also if you have any issues regarding this format of review please do comment I will try to mend it. Also sorry to those who are used to reading long paragraphs of review in headfi. I hope my review was upto the mark, I appreciate any feedback.

Again a big thanks to Akliam for making this review happen.

Have a great day ahead

I absolutely love this company and their products. They're so responsive when conversing with customers pre and post sales, their products are works of art and formed perfectly from aluminium.

The Akliam PD4 Plus is no exception. It's made of aluminium which has been beautifully crafted to feel soft and strong.I have been using it with my HD559 and SHP9600 on high gain, the sound is lively and deep. The bass has real texture with jungle and drum n bass tracks. With Trance the melodies have real depth as do the vocals, the kickdrum is strong and quick. The highs have good definition and are almost as sparkly and well extended as the AK4493SEQ dongle. Which is crazy considering AKM has leaned more towards the sharp and clear ESS sound with that chip.

With the PD4 Plus the controls available are... independent 64 step volume control, play and pause button, and a gain switch. All buttons feel nice and clicky, with a muted type of click when pressed. The gain slider is solid and is a joy to use! Although there is no volume memory, so if you unplug the device and plug it back in then it will reset to default volume. The unit has a standard single sided 3.5mm output and a 4.4mm balanced. You can find the power specs on the AkLIAM product page, or the Head-Fi gear page.

Overall I would definitely recommend this device. I love that Akliam took on my suggestion of adding the transparent window too.

The unit looks amazing in silver while being lit up in operation!!

I would have given this unit a 5 star rating if it had volume memory and came with a case to protect it.

Even so I am tempted to order a black one before the black friday 2023 sale is over, just so I have a backup. Thats how much I like it!!




DISCLAIMER!!

I purchased this device directly from the AkLIAM store on AliExpress with my own money. They have had no input or influence on this review!