Audiocular TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro

Review Of The Audiocular TP20 Pro & TP30 Pro​

Introduction​

This is the first time I've reviewed a product from the new company Audiocular. According to what I've heard, this brand is a recently established Indian business that specializes in audio products, particularly dac/amps, iems, etc. I was given two of their products, the TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro, for a sincere evaluation even though any information about them is still only vaguely known and cannot be guaranteed. As a result, I will be reviewing these two dac/amps today, but first, I'd like to clear up a few things.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the grateful people at ConceptKart, I am grateful to them. And 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 these links: TP20 Pro and TP30 PRO
*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 "TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro"
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

TP20 Pro ​

A dual independent DAC chipset (CS43131) from Cirrus Logic is built into the TP20 Pro, and it supports 4X MQA decoding in addition to native DSD (up to 256 bits) and 32-bit PCM. The TP20 offers single ended 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm dual ports output with this. Apart from the specifications, the device feels heavy in the hand and is made entirely of metal (a zinc alloy). I can use it with my iPhone, my Android phone, or my Macbook. However, it differs from user to user because, if the situation calls for it, I wouldn't like a block of metal dangling from my phone. In terms of features, it has a high and low gain switch, three buttons—play, pause, and volume up and down—and a high and low gain switch. Unless certain apps, like hibY, allow it, the volume rocking has no effect on the device's volume settings. These interconnecting cables, either type-C to type-C or type-C to lightning, are included with the DAC. Based on the file bitrate, an RGB light indicator is present.



Other Technical Specification

Output power : Unbalanced 2 Vrms(125MW@320)/ Balanced 4 Vrms(151 MW @320)
Decoding: PCM 32bit/ 384KHZ/DSD256
THD+N: 0.0008% (A-weighting@0.5v)
Frequency response: 20HZ-40K
Signal to noise ratio: 130DB
Channel separation :100DB
Dynamic range: 30DB
Output impedance :320

TP30 Pro​

The ES9038Q2M DAC chip found inside the TP30 Pro supports 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512 Native, and MQA 4X decoding. The TP30 Pro offers single ended 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm dual ports output with this. I thought it handled better than the TP20 Pro and has a smaller form factor and lighter weight. Although it only has two buttons, the volume up and down, the volume on the device it is paired with is still affected. According to what I understand, the power output is greater than the TP20 Pro's, but it lacks a high- or low-gain switch. These interconnecting cables, either type-C to type-C or type-C to lightning, are included with the DAC. Based on the file bitrate, an RGB light indicator is present.

Other Technical Specification

Output power: Unbalanced 2Vrms(125MW@320)/ Balanced 4Vrms(270MW@320)
Decoding: PCM 32bit/ 768KHz/D5D512
THD+ N:0.0007% (A-weighting@0.5v)
Frequency response: 20HZ-48KHZ
Signal to noise ratio: 122DB
Channel separation: 75DB
Dynamic range: 25DB
Output impedance: 320

Overall Sound​

TP20 Pro ​

Overall, the TP20 Pro sounds better because it is cleaner, has less bass control, and has a stage that is big enough to sound wide and add depth to the sound. Any IEM in my collection felt more impactful and cleaner when used together. Although less detailed than the TP30 Pro, the vocals and instruments still managed to sound revealing. As a result, the vocals and instrument felt finished.

TP30 Pro ​

The TP30 Pro's audio is very expressive and detailed. In the lower frequencies, the signature that it enables the IEMs to sound like feels more bright. Despite the control, the mix felt fantastic overall, particularly in the lower frequencies. Bright IEM can make the sound slightly brighter, which might be slightly offensive but won't have a significant impact.

Sound Impressions​

Thieaudio Monarch MKII ​

When I listened with the TP20 Pro, the sound was more immersive, clear, and introduced more depth while also introducing more pronounced vocals and instruments. When paired with TP20 Pro, listening to rock, classical, and blues felt more vivacious and charismatic.
When compared to the TP20, the sound was clearer and more expressive when listening with the TP30 Pro, though the bass felt less pronounced and boomy. When used with TP30 Pro, the sound was clearer and more precise.

Thor Mjolnir MKII ​

When listening with the TP20 Pro, the upper midrange region of the sound became more energetic while the lower midrange remained the same. Instead of sounding stereo, there was a greater sense of closure and encirclement. The impact of the bass seemed stronger. It sounded intriguing to pair the Mjolnir MKII with the TP20.
When using the TP30 Pro to listen, the sound started to sound a little peaky or tinny to my ears because it felt aggressively energetic, especially in the lower treble, even though this only happened when bright tracks were played. Though it sounded more clean, the bass felt very well controlled. The TP30 Pro pairing felt overly energizing.

Sony MH755 ​

The sound improved with the MH755, becoming more transparent and clear with better bass control. The vocals also sounded more forward and crisp. The sound quality and details were better, but the stage still felt the same. The TP20 Pro and this pairing produced rich, detailed audio.
The sound quality improved even more when using the TP30 Pro to listen than it had with the TP20 Pro. Even though the bass got a lot less warm and dense, which made it feel less natural when listening to the MH755, the sound got leaner because the driver isn't very detail-oriented. The TP30 Pro pairing felt more revealing but a little leaner.

Tracks Used​

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 Oyester 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​

The TP20 PRO and the TP30 PRO sound excellent for the price, especially when it provides a lot of power for some IEMs that require a lot of power, to sum up this review. Despite having different sound signatures, the TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro were equally good at delivering a refined and satisfying response. There are feature differences that depend on your preferences; for me, the TP30 Pro was the better choice. If you're looking for a dongle dac around this price range, I'd without a doubt recommend either of these two.

Disclaimer:

The Audiocular TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro were sent to me as part of a review tour organized by Concept Kart. The units were loaners for an audition in exchange for my honest opinion. The views expressed in this write-up are solely mine. There was no undue influence (monetary or otherwise), or pressure to write anything positive or negative about these dongles from Concept Kart.





Introduction:

Audiocular is an in-house brand of Concept Kart, a popular online store for audiophiles in India. Under the Audiocular brand, Concept Kart has been selling high-quality personal audio accessories at affordable prices. One can view their range of accessories at:
https://conceptkart.com/collections/audiocular

With the TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro, Concept Kart (CK henceforth) is expanding the Audiocular range to include personal audio equipment, such as USB dongle DACAMPs for starters. Both the TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro support USB C input and provide both 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm Balanced output.



Audiocular TP20 Pro:

• Dual Independent DAC Chipset (CS43131)
• 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL output
• DSD256 / 32bit-384KHz PCM and 4x MQA decoding
• Two gain modes
• Onboard media controls (Playback and volume)

The dongle comes neatly packed in relatively luxurious packaging, especially when compared to the other options at this price point. It comes with 2 cables included in the package, namely type c to type c and type c to lightning. Unlike pack-in cables from other brands, which are either too flimsy or just way too short for practical usage, Audiocular has included cables that look, feel, and most importantly perform like a premium cable. Oh yes, the cables are detachable, which IMO is a plus point.



The unit itself is quite heavy, so much so that I prefer calling it an “audio brick”. Perhaps the full metal enclosure is to blame for the weight. The TP20 Pro comes with a black casing and looks quite sleek. The dongle has a gain switch on one side and 3 buttons (Vol. Plus, Play / Pause, Vol Minus) on the other.



In terms of sound, this is a no-nonsense implementation of CS43131. There is a good balance between musicality and technicality here. There is a hint of warmth, making the bass sound slightly more pronounced, especially when compared to the TP30 Pro. Mids are well detailed and so is the treble. Overall, there is plenty of detail with a tinge of warmth, making it sound the more musical of the two.

Audiocular TP30 Pro:

• High-Performance ES9038Q2M DAC Chip
• 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL output
• DSD256 / 32bit-768KHz PCM and MQA decoding

The Audiocular TP30 Pro is a tad bit lighter than the TP20 Pro. It doesn’t have a gain switch or a play pause button but has the volume plus and minus buttons. The TP30 Pro comes in a golden full metal enclosure which IMO makes it look too blingy.



In terms of sound, this one has a vanilla implementation of an ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC chip. Fortunately, the typical ESS glare has been tamed to a certain extent. What we have is a more neutral-sounding output wherein the treble is well-detailed, while the bass is slightly leaner. The mids retain excellent clarity. Overall, the TP30 Pro is the more analytical of the two with excellent detail in terms of treble.



Before I wrap up, I’d like to highlight that these are white-labeled products, hence there’s a chance that you might come across similar-looking products on the internet with different brand names. If you’re in the market for a new dongle DAC, (especially in India), the Audiocular TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro are good choices offering premium DAC chips and accessories at an affordable price.

Look and Feel
Both of these DAC/AMPs are built robustly of metal and feel good in the hand. However, I do find them to be a bit too heavy. They are made of metal, so they could be used for self-defense if need be. The TP20 Pro is a bit larger in size and surprisingly has two more buttons than the TP30 Pro. The TP30 Pro has buttons for increasing and decreasing volume, while the TP20 Pro also adds a play/pause button and a High/Low gain selector switch. Due to the extra hardware, the TP20 Pro weighs a few grams more than the TP30 Pro.

Listening Experience
I drove both DAC/AMPs with Apple Music running on my Samsung S22 Ultra. I used the Truthear Hexa, Meze Advar, and Fiio FH7 IEMs. I found that the IEMs sounded more fun to listen to when paired with the TP20 Pro. This is because the TP20 Pro delivers a more bass-heavy output. However, the TP30 Pro is no slouch either. It is more neutral in its sound signature, and someone who prefers that type of sound would likely prefer it over the TP20 Pro. Both DAC/AMPs packed enough power to drive the IEMs to levels that could be painful to the ears if listened to for too long. In other words, they have enough power to drive almost any IEM.

Final Words
These are attractively priced DAC/AMPs that sound good. Based on your listening preferences, you can choose either one and you won't go wrong. However, in my subjective opinion, the lower-priced TP20 Pro is the better choice. This is because it suits my preference for a bass-heavy sound signature, and it also has a few more hardware buttons than the TP30 Pro.

Thanks to Concept Kart for organising this review tour of 2 dacamp dongles. Audiocular is Concept Kart's own brand and is their first foray under the brand. Wishing them the very best in bringing excellent products under the umbrella!

TP20 Pro and TP30 Pro are balanced and single ended dacamp dongles that are affordable and provide excellent features in a tight budget. The review is from a very neutral standpoint and has absolutely no influence in any way from Concept Kart. All opinions are mine only.

Specifications

The TP20 Pro dacamp comes with dual independent Cirrus Logic dac chipsets (CS43131), supporting 3.5mm (SE) and 4.4mm (Bal) ports on the output section, while taking a usb c input. It supports 32 bit/384khz PCM, DSD256 decoding as well as MQA decoding.

The TP30 Pro comes with dual ESS ES9038Q2M chipsets that has a 3.5mm (SE) and 4.4mm (Bal) output with a similar usb c input. The dac decodes 32 bit/768khz PCM, DSD512 decoding as well as MQA decoding.

Both dacamps have an option of USB C or Lightning cables, for use with appropriate input sources.

There are minor differences in terms of THD, sensitivity, SNR, dynamic range parameters, while providing a similar output impedance of 32 ohms. The TP20 Pro has a green LED while the TP30 pro has a red LED indicator when they are powered on.

Package and build

The devices come in identical carboard packages with the corresponding usb-c to usb-c or lightning cable nestled in foam, while the dacamps are nearly identical in terms of dimensions.

The TP20 Pro is a black brick, while the TP30 Pro is a golden brick (or biscuit!). Both look solid with metal construction that looks like it can take a lot of abuse. Both weigh a bit and give a feeling of solid metal mass.

The input and output ports are near identical on both units, with the output ports switching order in comparison to the other.

The TP20 pro comes with a gain switch as well as volume buttons that control the source volume nicely. The TP20 pro also has a Play/pause button that pauses and resumes play on the source (Even on a windows laptop!).

The TP30 pro does not have the gain switch or the pause/play button, but has a similar volume control buttons.

Screen printing on the cases of both dacamps are similar, with the logo on one side, and the name and chipset capabilities on the other side.

Both units came with identical cables.

Sound profile

With impressive output power specs on both units (2Vrms - single ended, and 4 Vrms on balanced), there is plenty of juice to drive iems with ease. I was able to drive KZ PR1 Pro and CCA PLA13 to ear shattering levels on both dacs.

Tuning

TP20 Pro - The TP20 Pro has a slightly more pronounced bass, of the two. Details are good, lots of head room without any distortion experienced at any level. The mids are pushed slightly back in comparison with the TP30 pro, more due to slightly bassiser output.

TP30 Pro - The TP30 Pro is slightly more neutral sounding of the two. The mids are a touch more clearer, with excellent treble detail. The bass is more rounded than the TP20 pro, that has a bit more oomph. The typical sabre glare is mostly avoided, and the sound is very clean.

Conclusions

Coming at excellent price points, both dongles offer very high value in terms of features and excellent sound. The only probably qualm is that both are on the chunkier side. This could auger well as the metal builds inspire confidence in terms of longevity. Standard usb c input means the most common failure point of dac dongles is well addressed.
The TP20 Pro is an easy recommendation for those looking for a fun sounding dongle, while the more detail oriented and technical audience will enjoy the TP30 Pro more. Well done, Concept Kart / Audiocular!