Cozoy Takt C

ezekiel77

Reviewer at Headphonesty
Cozoy Takt-C – Intravenous Intellect
Pros: -Value for money
-Sleek design and top-tier build quality
-Lightweight with small footprint
-Ease of use, just plug and play
-No charging required
-High bitrate and DSD support
-Highly-detailed and neutral signature
-Superb clarity, dynamics and transient response
-Commendable bass performance
-Hiss-free background
-Precise imaging and layering
Cons: -Threadbare packaging and accessories
-Cable does not inspire confidence
-No LED indicator for sample bit-rate
-Heats up easily
-Unable to fine-tune volume
-Inadequate power for high-impedance headphones
-Tone and timbre in mids and treble
-Thin notes bordering on sterility
-Average soundstage
If the cellphone isn’t giving you the eargasm you deserve, show him who’s boss by introducing a dongle to your audio setup. Cozoy’s no-nonsense Takt-C provides premium sound in a tiny form factor.

Once upon a time in audioland, headphones, IEMs and cellphones lived together in perfect harmony just like the old McCartney/Wonder song. This was thanks to their mutual friend, a demure little opening known as the headphone jack. The partnership was sacred and unquestioned, because how else could you deliver private, personalized audio to the discerning listener?

Then came September 7th, 2016 and the unfathomable happened. A certain fruity company deemed the headphone jack surplus to requirements and sent them the way of Nokia and Netscape. It felt like the death of Superman. Or if you’re younger, maybe Tony Stark? To fill the void, wireless headphones and IEMs came into the fray, and so did, less glamorously, dongles.

Feeling like a freak on a leash?


Dongles are adapters that convert the cellphone’s charging port to our old friend, the headphone jack. The demand exists because in the eyes (and ears) of audiophiles, wired headphones sound superior to their wireless counterparts. Some companies sweeten the deal by adding a dedicated DAC to the dongle, taking over audio processing and promising better sound quality. Like an audio SWAT team.

Today we look at a dongle by Hong Kong’s Cozoy, the Takt-C (pronounced “taxi”, probably). A pocketable DAC/amplifier the size of your pinky, it connects to cellphones, tablets and laptops via its USB-C connector. Featuring a Sabre DAC by ESS Technology that supports DSD256 and sample rates up to PCM 32bit/384kHz, these buzzwords are sweet music to audiophiles’ ears. The Takt-C promises to “turn your phone into a top tier DAP”. I love that catchphrase.

The Takt-C comes in svelte black or sleek silver, and is currently available through HiFiGo. I would like to thank Nappoler Hu of HiFiGo for reaching out with a review unit, without which this review would not have been possible.

Equipment Used:
  1. Cozoy Takt-C
  2. Samsung Galaxy S9
  3. Radsone EarStudio HUD100
  4. Dunu Luna
  5. Hidition Violet
  6. Fearless Audio x Crinacle Dawn
  7. Sennheiser HD660S
Albums Listened:
  1. Amber Rubarth – Sessions from the 17th Ward
  2. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
  3. John Coltrane – Blue Train
  4. Lana Del Rey – NFR
  5. Michael Jackson – The Essential
  6. The Weeknd – After Hours
  7. Tool – Fear Inoculum
  8. Various Artists – Jazz at the Pawnshop
Technical Specifications:
  • Audio Chip: Advanced Sabre DAC ES9018Q2C
  • Sample Rate: PCM Decoding up to 32-Bit/384kHz
  • Native DSD Support: up to DSD256-11.2MHz
  • Output Power: 1.5Vrms (28mW) @ 32Ω per channel
  • Housing Material: CNC 6063 Aluminium Alloy Body
  • Input Power: Device dependent
  • Input: USB Type-C
  • Output Port: 3.5mm TRS jack
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 120dB
  • Cable Length: 10CM
The treasure was inside you all along.
“The treasure was inside you all along.”

Packaging and Accessories
Look, I know you came here looking for a good time, but Takt-C provides an unboxing experience as simple as the device itself. The Takt-C is housed in a thick, white cardboard box, with a photo of said device printed in front, and main features printed at the back. Open it up, and sitting there comfily in its foam insert, is (ta-daa!) the Takt-C. A user manual printed on a piece of black card completes the unboxing.

Does the minimalist, shall we say environmentalist approach and predominantly-white packaging remind you of another, much larger company? One which recently deemed the cellphone charger redundant? Don’t be afraid to draw comparisons, for imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Apple fanboys will appreciate the little touches. Probably, I don’t know. My last iDevice was 10 years ago lol.

Pull my finger.
“Pull my finger.”

Design and Build Quality
This sleek stick of steel is agonizingly well-built. It’s not steel? Sorry. Then this altruistic amplifier of aluminium is just a wonder to behold. Takt-C is CNC-machined with aircraft-grade AL6063 aluminium and confers toughness with a hefty side of elegance. The dongle is extremely well-made throughout, from the uniformly smooth, anodized surface to the flush finish, nothing is out of place.

In front are the play/pause button, volume rocker, and a smartly engraved Cozoy logo. The buttons are rock-solid, while tactile response is excellent with minimal delay. Despite the robust quality, the dongle is fantastically lightweight and occupies just a tiny footprint. The Takt-C is utterly handsome from all angles, and the screwless design means it’s not one to be scre… I mean messed with.

Up top, the dongle leads off to the cable and the gold-plated USB-C connector. The plug’s build and finish are flawless, just that the gold doesn’t match the rest of the dongle’s aesthetics. However, the 10cm off-white cable might be the weakest link of the Takt-C. Eerily reminiscent of Apple cables, I’m not sure the rubber sheath will stand the test of time and toil. I’d much prefer a braided cable instead.

The world's tiniest game controller.
The world’s tiniest game controller.

Connectivity
The Takt-C is a plug-and-play device with mind-boggling simplicity (how’s that for an oxymoron). Cozoy did all the number-crunching and hard labor, and the end result is a wonderful device that doesn’t need charging nor installing drivers. All you have to do is connect Takt-C’s USB-C connector to your device, plug your headphones/IEMs into Takt-C’s 3.5mm jack, and start your usual music app. For people like me who have trouble following instructions at the back of a ramen packet, the ease of use is a godsend.

The Setup
Cellphone/tablet/laptop > USB Type C connector > Cozoy Takt-C > cable > transducer (IEMs/headphones)

Kinky! The cable I mean.
Kinky! The cable I mean.

Features and Functions

Sabre ES9018Q2C DAC Chip

Developed by American company ESS Technology, this DAC chip comes with a built-in amplifier. It is capable of decoding sample rates up to PCM 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256. It also implements an ultra-low power consumption design, discarding the need for a separate battery.

Time Domain Jitter Eliminator
Audio jitter is characterized by distortion or irregularities in the audio signal. Exclusive to ESS Technology, Time Domain minimizes jitter coming from the input clock, resulting in a purer signal and hence, improved clarity.

TCXO Crystal Oscillator
This oscillator circuit uses a piezoelectric crystal and temperature regulation to create a stable clock signal with constant frequency. This necessitates a steady, sturdy performance over a wide temperature range, practically producing a crystal-clear sound.

4-Layered Gold-plated PCB
Inside the Takt-C is a rigorously-engineered circuit board that comes in 4 layers to maximize performance from a slim form factor. The gold plating is not just for show, but to improve durability and resistance to oxidation. The more you know.

You're either in, or you're out.
“You’re either in, or you’re out.”

Usage
Takt-C aims to be your solution for high fidelity audio on-the-go. In my experience, my commuting needs are fulfilled. It’s stupendously easy to connect and plays music in no time. The lightweight, sturdy build is the icing on the cake, and having such a small footprint means I can have the Takt-C in my backpack at all times without making any concessions in space.

The buck stops with several hindrances during regular use. Firstly, Takt-C’s volume changes too suddenly, especially for sensitive IEMs. One press on the volume rocker can make music either too loud or too soft, because the typical Android phone has just 15 volume steps. To circumvent this you’ll have to increase the steps via a separate volume control or music player app, so Takt-C has more wiggle room. Tedious, but good for your sanity.

Also, the Takt-C tends to heat up fairly quickly, and the rise in temperature is obvious if the dongle is in your pocket. This takes the term pocket rocket a little too literally, and mars an otherwise pleasant experience. Last of all, the Takt-C doesn’t come with a color-coded LED to indicate the sampling bit-rate. I took them for granted in my last three portable DAC reviews, so the absence really hit home.

Beer makes everything better, even audio!
Beer makes everything better, even audio!

Power Output
The Takt-C ran the gamut with a selected collection of varied transducers.
  • Dunu Luna, a single DD IEM rated at 16Ω impedance
  • Hidition Violet, an IEM with 11BAs rated at 32.5Ω
  • Fearless Audio x Crinacle Dawn, a hybrid IEM with 6 BAs and 2 electrostatic (EST) drivers, rated at 20Ω
  • Sennheiser HD660S, a DD headphone rated at 150Ω
The Takt-C drove all IEMs flawlessly, with good volume, bass quantity, spaciousness and dynamics, set against a jet-black, hiss-free background. The sound was intricately detailed and immersive, without distortion at high volumes. Job well done.

The HD660S though, tells a different story. At a higher impedance rating, it’s a full-sized headphone meant for a desktop system, so I’m just trying my luck with Takt-C. No dice. The bass is sluggish with transients masking one another, while imaging is not as clean and clear-cut. Worse still, there’s distortion at higher volumes, suggesting that Takt-C is an IEM specialist.

Don't mean to diss you, here's a tissue for your issues.
Don’t mean to diss you, here’s a tissue for your issues.

Sound Quality
It’s often tricky to assess sound properties of DACs and sources, since what we hear comes mostly from the transducers. To get an idea of Takt-C’s sound, I used it with several IEMs and headphones to hunt for common characteristics. It was apparent that Takt-C discreetly left its stamp throughout.

Overall Sound Signature
At first listen, I paused, and checked for errors in connectivity. Cellphone to dongle to IEMs, what could be simpler? Upon further listening I found what was bothering me – the Takt-C had a cunning, uncanny resemblance to my Samsung Galaxy S9’s sound signature. It was neutral-bright, with a penchant for clarity, air and dynamics, often at the expense of tone, timbre and thickness.

No matter what I used the Takt-C with, there it was, clear as day. The thin, nimble notes, the take-no-prisoners speed and transient response, the slightly accented midbass and upper mids for fun and excitability… all the hallmarks of my beloved cellphone. Only, with a dedicated DAC in charge, the Takt-C was essentially a turbo-charged Galaxy S9, with steroids to boot.

Compared to S9, the Takt-C has a darker, more stable background, better note definition and texture, and more appreciable dynamics across the spectrum. I appreciated the Takt-C for what it was, a direct, transparent gateway to your music rendered as clean and true-to-source as possible, like a shower of crystals.

Listening Conditions
The Takt-C was burnt-in for 50 hours before serious listening, because I don’t trust the Apple-esque cable. The main setup for review is Galaxy S9 > Takt-C > transducer of choice, but mostly IEMs.

Feeling the cop movie blues.
Feeling the cop movie blues.

Bass
Takt-C’s bass is a story of haste and grace, like Thor in a tutu. Sub-bass extension is seabed-deep with good rumble, yet never overwhelms. When needed, the bass punch is as thunderous (heh) as they come, aided by an ever-so-slight accent in the midbass. Notes are full-bodied, but after the impact, they round off in a graceful yet swift decay, leaving an immaculate background.

The bass is the best-balanced in the spectrum, with an organic fullness going toe-to-toe with the electric (heh) clarity. Takt-C takes painstaking efforts to render every fibre of bass detail so you never miss out. Layering and definition are superb, as are the dynamics, the hallmarks of technical mastery. Sometimes the texture is caught out for dryness especially at the upper bass, due to its eagerness in extracting detail. Looking at the big picture, Takt-C’s bass is rousing, exciting, and as good as they come.

Who knew an orifice could bring so much joy?
Who knew an orifice could bring so much joy?

Mids
Like rows of glistening, neatly-arranged kernels on an ear of corn, Takt-C renders mids with a-maize-ing detail. Don’t kill me. The focus of the sound signature is the mids, demanding your attention with eye-popping clarity and meticulous texture. From the lower to center mids, they are as perfectly neutral and uncolored as they come, with precisely-defined attack and decay, navigating complex passages with gleeful aplomb.

The upper mids, meanwhile, are slightly emphasized, giving female vocals a touch of forwardness and instruments a clarity boost (as if regular clarity wasn’t enough). Throughout the mids, transient response, articulation and airiness leave nothing to be desired. However, the tone is a separate matter altogether.

The pursuit of technical excellence has left timbre and tonality in their wake. Notes seem dry and overly-textured like having too much fiber in one day. Vocals, especially male, are throaty and lack emotion. Towards the upper mids, the tone drifts toward the cold and brittle, like Ebenezer Scrooge before his brush with the supernatural. A bit of warmth (and maybe some Christmas spirit?) would have made all the difference.

The 'C' stands for curious, I'm sure.
The ‘C’ stands for curious, I’m sure.

Treble
From here we go sublime. Takt-C’s treble ascends to lofty heights, building on the upper mids rise and extending expertly. Lending a waft of crispy, airy, uh, air, the treble is absolutely transparent with an emphasis on (what else?) detail, oh holy grail of boundless detail. Notes are immensely clear from start to finish, with well-defined borders and a quick, fluttery decay.

The brilliant sparkle is addictive, as is the ringing clarity. The clinical incisiveness is a testament to Takt-C’s remarkable technical ability. However, again, the Takt-C won’t do any favors in terms of smoothness nor tonal accuracy. The notes are thin and skewed bright. So while the brightness is no doubt invigorating, the treble texture has a raspy grain to it, taking a notch or two away from absolute enjoyment.

Soundstage and Imaging
Like the petite-sized Takt-C, the soundstage isn’t what you’d call full meal. The dimensions are average, with width, depth and height just hovering at the margins of the head. This lends immediacy and urgency to tracks that are sometimes too close for comfort. Of course, you could artificially increase the soundstage by lowering the volume, but that’s not how we roll.

Fear not though, because Takt-C’s saving grace is the brilliant scalpel-like imaging accuracy. The lusciously dark background and quick, incisive notes contribute to the exactness in positioning of instruments and voices. You can practically ear-map the entire soundscape like only Daredevil can, locating positional cues with preciseness and profound ease.

The crossed-out Apple was intentional.
The crossed-out Apple was intentional.

Comparisons

Radsone EarStudio HUD100

For a few dollars more, you could afford the HUD100, now in its second iteration. The original is already a stellar product with the same function as the Takt-C, and addresses some of the latter’s shortcomings. The USB cable is replaceable, for one, so you don’t have to worry about Takt-C’s cable fragility in the long run. The HUD100 also runs cooler, and has an LED indicator that tells you the track’s sampling rate, something I love.

The driving power of the HUD100 is significantly better, capable of handling my Sennheiser HD660S with finesse, authority, and no audible distortion compared to the Takt-C. And perhaps most vitally, the sound signature boasts some levels of refinement, imbuing a sense of musicality and smoothness despite being equally as detailed as the Takt-C.

HUD100 sounds more relaxed and mature than Takt-C, besides being more tonally accurate and spacious. Anakin to your Vader if you will. For laptop use, HUD100 gets an easy, head-and-shoulders recommendation above the Cozoy. However, for cellphone and tablet use, Takt-C is miles ahead in portability because of its slim profile, not to mention HUD100 needs an additional adapter for USB-C connections.

Takt-C hails a taxi home.
Takt-C hails a taxi home.

Final Words
One fine day, wireless headphones and IEMs will finally catch up in sound quality. And when that day arrives, wired transducers will approach their twilight knowing they’ve served their purpose for generations. But until then, like a defiant rendition of Paramore’s The Only Exception, dongles will continue to exist and serve a specific niche, supporting cellphones without headphone jacks.

Make no mistake, Cozoy’s Takt-C is very worthy of your consideration, combining plug-and-play user-friendliness and a detailed, dynamic sound signature in a slim, lightweight form factor. It also happens to be built like a tank, which is good news for gadget abusers like me. A few niggles prevent them from achieving true greatness, but for what it’s worth, Takt-C is a reliable companion for when you crave portable, pocketable fidelity.

05.vishal

New Head-Fier
Cozoy Takt Review
Pros: 1. Very Good Sound
2. Good Build Quality.
3. Good Dynamic Range
4. Improvement in separation
Cons: 1. Poor Cable
2. Too Much of Heat
3. Expensive
Disclaimer
This unit has been provided to me by HiFiGo as part of their review tour. I am in no way related to them or working for them. All impressions are based on my individual experience and subjective to my own listening as well as sources. You can purchase it from HiFiGo using the below link:

https://hifigo.com/products/cozoy-t...0bb&_ss=r&sscid=91k4_o3ezn&&sscid=a1k4_4me9i&

Introduction
The Cozoy TAKT C is an external portable DAC/AMP module that has a built-in cable with USB-C port and has been designed for use with smartphones, tablets, or PC using the compatible ports. This is specially designed for phones with no 3.5 output.

Technical Specifications
Advanced Sabre DAC ES9018Q2C
PCM Decoding up to 32-Bit/384kHz
Native DSD support up to DSD256-11.2MHz
4-Layers reinforced gold-plated PCB
TCXO Crystal Oscillator
Output Power: 28mW @ 32 ohms per channel
USB Type-C Input
Output Port: 3.5mm TRS Headphone jack
Cable Length: 10CM
CNC 6063 Aluminium Alloy Body
Low Power Consumption Design

Practical usage:

Cozoy TAKT C can be easily paired to different smartphones and laptop/PC using USB-C port. With Windows 10 there was no need to install any additional 3rd party drivers and works well with Foobar and other streaming apps like Spotify/Tidal.

Cozoy 3.jpeg
Cozoy 4.jpeg
cozoy 1.jpeg
cozoy 1.jpeg
Cozoy 2.jpeg
Cozoy 5.jpeg
Cozoy 6.jpeg


You can pair the Takt with different smartphones and laptops using USB C port. On a Windows PC, it works seamlessly with foobar and streaming apps.

Sound Impressions:

The Takt can drive high impedance IEMs or Headphones with ease. The sound is on the warmer side despite of the fact that this uses an ESS chip. I noticed improvements in the soundstage, dynamic range and the separation got wider as well. Get good detailing and treble get more extensions.

The highs Get good detailing and treble get more extensions.

The Mids become clearer and natural. Vocals get forwarded and excellent.

The bass gets improvements as well. You will feel that sub-bass rumble and mid-bass as well.

The One Con:

This heats up quite a lot after extended usage. This makes the on-the-go usage a bit of a drag.

aakashk

Head-Fier
Cozoy Takt-C USB-C DAC Review
Pros: Good Build Quality & Power Output, Balanced sound with good amount of details and soundstage, Compact enough and very well built
Cons: Heating, Can get bright at times, Drains battery
Disclaimer
This unit has been provided to me by HiFiGo as part of their review tour. I am in no way related to them or working for them. All impressions are based on my individual experience and subjective to my own listening as well as sources. You can purchase it from HiFiGo using this link.

Introduction
Cozoy TAKT C is a portable USB Type-C DAC/AMP that you can use easily with your smartphones, PC, Laptops, Digital Audio Players and more, the DAC/AMP is powered by ESS Sabre DAC Chip, ES9018Q2C.
Cozoy Takt-C is made of aluminum, which feels very nice to hold. It has 3.5mm SE output. It has three buttons, one each for play/pause, volume up and down functions. I feel the buttons could have been slightly bigger and/or elevated as it could be inconvenient for people with big fingers.


IMG_4049.JPG

IMG_4051.JPG


Technical Specifications
Advanced Sabre DAC ES9018Q2C
PCM Decoding up to 32-Bit/384kHz
Native DSD support up to DSD256-11.2MHz
4-Layers reinforced gold-plated PCB
TCXO Crystal Oscillator
Output Power: 28mW @ 32 ohms per channel
USB Type-C Input
Output Port: 3.5mm TRS Headphone jack
Cable Length: 10CM
CNC 6063 Aluminium Alloy Body
Low Power Consumption Design

Sound Quality
Takt C is a very good sounding DAC with ample amount of power. The inherent sound is pretty much balanced however presence of ESS Chip is evident as the sound can get bright at times depending on the earphones or headphones used.

The bass is good in quantity as well as quantity, and is fairly clean. Mids are natural and did not seem recessed. The highs are pretty detailed and energetic with good treble extension but it may sound harsh at times depending on the source or transducer. I would not recommend using it with bright or neutral IEMs or HPs, like the QoA Mojito. It will be better paired with warm sources and headphones.

Final Verdict

Cozoy TAKT C is very capable DAC given its size and can drive semi hungry headphones with ease. I tried it with my Focal Clear and it did not have any issues driving it. However, in general it is certainly not meant to be used with full size cans in terms of driving them to potential. My main gripe is that the unit gets too hot to handle at times and I wish the makers resolve this issue in future builds. Other than that I find it fairly good for the price and would recommend it to IEM users who wants to enjoy good music out of their smartphones while on the move.

abheybir

500+ Head-Fier
Cozoy Takt-C Dac/Amp (USB-C Version)
Pros: Small and Sleek design
Hardware Music Controls on DAC
High driving power for low impedance IEMs
Cons: Heats up insanely
Impacts Battery life of source as no internal Battery of its own (Expected behavior)
Disclaimer
The following unit has been provided to me by HiFiGo as part of their review tour. I am in no way related to them or working for them. All impressions of sound are subjective to my own listening and my sources. One can purchase it from HiFiGo using the following link.


Introduction
The Cozoy TAKT C is an external portable DAC/AMP module that has built in cable with USB-C port and has been designed to be used with various devises such as smartphones, tablets and computers using similar ports or adapters. Now a days lot of smartphones are adapting to USB sound architecture instead of using a 3.5mm jack, for those devises this comes as a bliss as of its portable and high fidelity design.

Cozoy Takt C decoder and amplifier is engineered with AL6063 aircraft-grade aluminum and advanced metal procession fusing high-efficiency circuitry designs with leading software implementations. With minimal design footprint Takt C powers earphones effortlessly across a wide band with great detail and dynamics. Takt C supports multi-platform and is device-powered. It has advanced SABRE9018Q2C Reference D/A Converter for unprecedented dynamic range and ultra low distortion, and it also equipped with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology, the build achieves an impressive 120dB signal to noise ratio (SNR) performance. Its 32-bit HyperStream architecture natively supports 32-bit 384KHz PCM signals and signal processing up to DSD 11.2MHz.

IMG_20200713_001129-01.jpeg


Build Quality
The Takt C DAC is entirely made of aluminum with a sleek and sturdy form factor. The unit feels quite rugged, even the build-in wire is quite sturdy. It has also designed with volume up and down keys along with a play/pause button and all of them work with quite a precision.

IMG_20200713_003442-02.jpeg


Specifications
DAC Chip – SABRE9018Q2C
32Bit 384kHz master file decoding
Native decoding playback, DSD 256-11, 289, 600 (11.2MHz)
Output power: 1.5V RMS@32Ω per channel
Housing material: 6063 Aluminum Alloy
Input: USB Type-C
Output connector: 3.5mm TRS Stereo earphone
SNR: 120dB

Sources for Testing
For this review the unit has been paired IEMs Noble Audio Sage, ISN H40, QOA Mojito, Ibasso IT01 and headphones DT880 Pro (250Ohm)

Usage
Cozoy TAKT C can be easily paired to different smart phones and laptop/PC using USB-C port. With Windows 10 there was no need to install any additional 3rd party drivers and works well with Foobar and other streaming apps like Spotify/Tidal.

IMG_20200713_003421-01.jpeg


Testing Apparatus
LG V30+ (Built in Sabre 9218P) vs Cozoy (Built in Sabre 9018Q2C)
Vivo X50 Pro (Built in AK4377A) vs Cozoy (Built in Sabre 9018Q2C)
PC/Laptop vs Cozoy (Built in Sabre 9018Q2C)

Sound Analysis
Takt C is equipped with the SABRE9018Q2C DAC chip but to me it felt bit different from what sabre are known for; instead of neutral and transparent signature it offered a bit of warmth. The warmness induced is neither overpowering nor is completely negligible. The mids and lows are crisp whereas highs represent exact sabre nature so pairing with bright IEMs is not at all recommendable.

Talking about noise floor, its negligible with all the IEMs I have tested upon, still I doubt same with high sensitivity IEMs. There is no Electromagnetic interference of smartphone or WiFi at any point of time despite of which frequency spectrum has been utilized.

Moving towards full sized headphones it was kind of a deal breaker, when paired to Beyerdynamic DT880 pro (250ohm) it failed to impress even a little, the headphone output became much congested and was not even close to any entry level DAC/AMP such as Dragonfly Black at similar budget.

IMG_20201006_014836.jpg


Comparisons
In comparison to LG V30+, it has got a head start with bit gain factor that increased the whole headroom definition due to nice amplification factor as well as the bass punch. As discussed earlier as well, it possessed a bit warmish signature as compared to inbuilt Sabre quad DAC setup of LG V30+ and which was definitely an improvement over smartphone output. Soundstage and imaging somehow felt similar to V30+.

Now coming to Vivo X50 pro it’s a day and night difference in terms of details and imaging of inbuilt AKM chip. The complete spectrum improved and felt more fun induced and richer. Same was the impact using over window 10 PC.

Final Verdict
The Takt C DAC is a very capable external DAC/AMP to be used with smartphones and computers in terms of portability and build quality and surely improves the default sound quality of any device with usual audio codecs. It is perfect for the people who want to upgrade the sound quality of any basic device without carrying any bulky DAC/AMP setup to drive their low impedance dark sounding IEMs/Earphones in budget friendly terms.

Although, this certainly is not fit for full sized cans. One must compromise a bit to battery life of the smartphone/tablet as this DAC/AMP doesn’t come up with inbuild battery. Last but not the least, it causes bit irritation due to quite a lot heat build up even after minutes of usage.
Last edited:

Ace Bee

Headphoneus Supremus
Cozoy Takt-C: Little Bright Hotty
Pros: Balanced Sound
Availability of Mic and Volume Control
Good power output to drive higher impedance iems
Cons: Does not pair well with bright sounding iem
Heating issues
Disclaimer:

The unit has been sent to me from Hifigo as a part of a review circle. I am not working or affiliated to Hifigo and I am not being paid or influenced otherwise to say anything positive or negative about this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Details:
USB-C Dac
DAC: ESS9018Q2M chipset
Output: 3.5 mm SE
Construction: Aluminium
Buttons: Play/Pause, Volume Up & Down
Extra: Mic passthrough feature that enables the in line mic present with earphones or headphones to be used.

Sound:

Soundwise it's a small powerhouse. Has the ability to drive headphones or iem or earbuds with higher impedance comfortably. Sound is neutral, slightly on brighter side. The classic ESS glare is evident. Best pairing warm iems, worst pairing bright iems.

While paired with warm iems, the bass gets tighter and cleaner, transparent mids, more energetic highs. The dynamic range improves a lot, improving the soundstage and separation. Note definition improves much also, giving more realistic feel. I tried Penon Orb and BGVP DH3 with it. Orb's slightly rolled off upper highs came back to newfound life, and the sound just became more alive. DH3 sound got more cleaner and added more depth to the soundstage. Details improved in both the cases, goes without saying.

Conclusion:

It does a lot, and does brilliantly but there's a catch: it heats up crazily after continuous usage. And it's a real drawback, the reason why it gained only 3.5 star. Wish they could address this issue in an upgrade.

RoXor

New Head-Fier
Cojoy Takt C - (not so)Portable but Good sounding DAC
Pros: Good balanced sound signature
Good detail, soundstage and imaging
Ample power to drive all IEMs and most headphones
Cons: Slight infamous ESS glare
Gets quite hot
Technical Specifications:-

>Advanced Sabre DAC ES9018Q2C

>PCM Decoding up to 32-Bit/384kHz

>Native DSD support up to DSD256-11.2MHz

>4-Layers reinforced gold-plated PCB

>TCXO Crystal Oscillator

>Output Power: 28mW @ 32 ohms per channel

>USB Type-C Input

>Output Port: 3.5mm TRS Headphone jack

>Cable Length: 10CM

>CNC 6063 Aluminium Alloy Body

>Low Power Consumption Design



Disclaimer:

The unit has been sent to me from Hifigo as a part of a review circle. I am not working or affiliated to Hifigo and I am not being paid or influenced otherwise to say anything positive or negative about this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Purchase Link: https://hifigo.com/products/cozoy-t..._pos=1&_sid=02d6ad0bb&_ss=r&sscid=91k4_o3ezn&

Note: Please note that my opinions and ratings are based on price, category, market competition and personal expectations and are subjective in nature.

IMG_20200923_121039.jpg

Introduction:

Cojoy Takt-C is a USB C dac with a Sabre DAC chip – ES9018Q2C. The sound output is via single ended 3.5mm jack. It has a well finished aluminium body with volume up/down buttons and play/pause button. The build quality is quite nice looks premium.

Usability:

Takt-C can be connected and used with phone with type-C port, or used with laptop with type-C or by using a type C to USB adapter. It also works with DAP having type C port. It has a very important mic passthrough feature which enables user to use in line mic present with earphones or headphones.

The issue with Takt C is that it becomes quite hot and quite instantly, sadly heating issues is something that is least expected of a portable DAC.

Sound Quality:

Takt C is a very good sounding DAC with good amount of power. The sound is pretty much balanced and sounded neutral to me. Having an ESS Sabre chip does reflect with minimal amount of glare in the sound profile. It might not be the best pairing with bright sounding earphones or headphones.

The bass sounded tight and good in amount, mids were natural and highs were detailed. I tried pairing Sennheiser HD650 with the Takt C and it was able to drive it at normal listening levels at about 80% volume however it sounded nothing close to a proper desktop setup that can do justice to the HD650. But in terms of power Takt C can drive almost all IEMs/earphones and efficient headphones too.

Conclusion:

Cojoy Takt-C is a good piece of portable hardware with good sonic capabilities. However the heating issue makes them unfit for putting into pocket and use on-the-go. If you are looking for something portable but would mostly listen to them off the desk, this might be decent option with IEMs as well as most headphones.
IMG_20200923_121027.jpg

mRaaghava

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Very Good Sound
Good Build Quality
Cons: Poor Cable
Too Much of Heat
Expensive
Battery Guzzler
Cozoy Takt-C USB-C DAC Review

Disclaimer


Cozoy Takt-C USB-C DAC dongle is provided for review purposes by HiFiGo as a part of their review tour. I am in not affiliated to them or paid by them. All views expressed here are subjective and based on the gear used. You can purchase Cozoy Takt-C for $110 from HiFiGo from the following link:

https://hifigo.com/products/cozoy-t...-dsd-hifi-decoder?_pos=1&_sid=02d6ad0bb&_ss=r

About

Takt-c1.jpg


Cozoy Takt-C is an USB-C DAC. It uses ESS9018Q2M DAC chipset. Takt-C is made up of aluminum, which is nice to hold. It has 3.5mm SE output. It has three buttons on its façade, one each for play/pause, volume up and down functions. Buttons are very small and pretty difficult to use for big hands, especially closely placed volume up and down buttons. Overall, body size is on taller side. Cable quality is poor. Which is a letdown considering its price point of $110 and $50 iBasso’s DC01 has better cable.

Sound Analysis

Bass quantity and quality is very good. Sub-bass rumble is good. Bass attack and decay speeds are fast.

Mids sound natural, clear with good amounts of details. Vocals are right at center. Female vocals sound quite lively and energetic, whereas male vocals sound little less energetic.

Dynamics are very good. Detail retrieval capabilities are very good for the DAC of this size. Soundstage has good width and decent depth. Instrument separation is good. Attack and decay of instruments are pretty good. Imaging capabilities are good.

Treble has good extension, with good detailing. May sound harsh when paired with brighter IEMs.

Overall Takt-C has good sonic capabilities. Where it falters is in its size, which is too tall and in the amount of heat it generates, which is too much. Even with easy to drive IEMs, it becomes quite hot after a single song! And it becomes too hot during extended usage.

It drains off smartphone’s battery pretty fast too. In my testing I found it sipping 10% of my smartphone’s battery in an hour.

Verdict

Takt-c2.jpg


Sonically Takt-C performs quite good and provides decent upgrade over a smartphone’s jack. But at $110, it’s hard to recommend it over a $50 iBasso DC01, considering its shortcomings in its size, poor cable and the absurd heat it generates.

machinegod

New Head-Fier
Pros: Oodles of power.
Sounds just like a SABRE dac should.
Very good build quality.
Cons: Absurd amount of overheating.
Poor driver control at higher impedance.
Disclaimer: The unit has been sent to me from Hifigo as a part of a review circle. I am not working or affiliated to Hifigo and I am not being paid or influenced otherwise to say anything positive or negative about this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Purchase link (non-affiliate): https://hifigo.com/products/cozoy-t...84khz-dsd-hifi-decoder?variant=31684552785969

IMG20200731190030.jpg


Build Quality: The Takt C is made up of aluminum entirely. The form factor is sleek and is on the longer side. The unit feels solid in the hands and the machining is exquisite with rounded edges and buttons. It has volume up and down keys with a play/pause button. However, there is a design flaw involved with the volume buttons, being that the volume keys are flush against each other with no spacing and on top of that, the buttons are quite small in size leaving most of the surface empty. This makes changing volume a chore for people with big fingers. I would have liked if the volume buttons were elevated to the height of the play/pause button for ease of press. These gripes aside, the unit feels solid in the hands from every angle.

IMG20200731190313.jpg


Utility: Driverless Recognition in Windows 10 and multiple Android phones that I have tested. It passes through microphone audio and people on the other end did not complain about the voice quality. Now coming to the biggest con of this unit, the heat generation. I have used multiple type c dongle DACs that provide the same amount of power as this but show minimal to no heating while the Takt heats up in barely a minute and gets absurdly hot in even 2-3 minutes which is a big factor to take into consideration. You might be thinking that I am over exaggerating, but this device overheats almost instantly. After about 30-40 mins of usage, it gets absurdly hot. The overheating will be a deal breaker for a good number of people.

IMG20200731190050.jpg


Sound Analysis: Takt C is equipped with the SABRE9018Q2C dac chip, and it is reflected in the sound quality. It sounds exactly how a modern DAC/Amp should sound like. There is nothing much to write about the sound quality except that it does everything quite good. The bass, mids and highs are exactly how a SABRE dac usually sounds like. Which might not be good news for all as the treble region has the signature SABRE Glare and is quite analytic in nature. I would avoid pairing it with bright IEMs/Headphones as it would be fatiguing after some time. It is best paired with relatively dark sounding IEMs/headphones. It does have oodles of power at 28mW @ 32 ohm per channel, to drive almost any IEM and easy to drive headphones with ease. However, with higher impedance transducers it shows poor driver control just like the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, making them sound sibilant and harsh. For example, with the HD6XX, the treble is quite accentuated and sibilant. I would avoid pairing with higher impedance transducers.

IMG20200731190843.jpg


Conclusion: As of writing this review, the Takt C retails for $110 and for its price, it has enough power to drive almost any iem in the market and it sounds just like the standard SABRE dac should i.e great. It is revealing, analytic in the treble region and doesn’t feel lacking in any department. However, it does seem to take a hit in the utility department with that absurd overheating and weird button placement.

IMG20200731190041.jpg

Meloman54

New Head-Fier
Pros: great sound
convenient control
quite large power reserve
compact size
Cons: high price
strong heat
weak wire
Cozoy takt c.
photo_2020-06-22_21-21-55.jpg

Hello everyone, I recently started to get acquainted with hi-fi sound.
I got acquainted with this device thanks to the HiFiGo store.
Appearance and equipment.
The oblong box is white.
Inside the device itself and a brief instruction in the form of a card.
The DAC itself is made of aluminum, it is quite compact, it contains:
Play button
Volume buttons.
All this adds convenience when using.
But the wire is thin and looks flimsy, unfortunately not disconnected, it will not work easily.
photo_2020-06-22_21-21-55 (2).jpg


In general, there are no complaints about the sound, here the engineers tried.
Low frequencies have good punch and subbass, there is no echo.
Mid frequencies are well-designed, good instrumental separation, vocals sound very lively.
Treble have a slight accent. They have a good length, decent resolution, better than even the already "popular" Esynic DAC, but the cost is not comparable.
photo_2020-06-22_21-21-54.jpg

Conclusion: a rather convenient "whistle" with a very decent sound, in the cold winter it can warm well, as it is very hot.
There is also one factor that can scare away the buyer - the price, the device is not cheap, there are enough competitors in the market for the same or even lower price. Here it is up to everyone.
  • Like
Reactions: JuffinHally

ryanjsoo

Reviewer for The Headphone List
ryanjsoo's Reviews
Pros: Excellent value, High-quality build and connectors, Dynamic and refined sound with great driving power, Black background, Low output impedance
Cons: Doesn’t pass through mic or remote, Lightning version is more expensive
TLDR –

The Takt-C is a winning combination of great sound and unobtrusive form factor, now priced for all to enjoy.

Introduction –

Cozoy is a Hong Kong-based company with a vision for ultimate sonic performance and leading design. Though you’ll see very similar sentiments on just about every other company’s website, here, there is a lot of truth to be found. Cozoy has pursued some of the most unique and stunning designs in the industry. And yet, the Takt Pro defied this, while also representing everything the company stands for. This was a hyper-portable DAC/AMP with a gorgeous CNC aluminium design and excellent sound quality. Furthermore, it made no compromise in usability or price in the process. The Takt-C arrives hot on its heels, possessing identical same specifications but with a hard-wired USB-C cable as opposed to flexible micro-USB input. This comes alongside a substantial price cut with an RRP of $115 USD, less than half the price of its forebearer. You can read all about the Takt-C on Cozoy’s website and purchase one for yourself at HifiGO.



Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Nappoler from HifiGO very much for his quick communication and for providing me with the Takt-C for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the dongle free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.



Tech Specs –

DAC: SABRE 9018Q2C with time-domain jitter eliminator

TCO crystal oscillators inside

File support: Master file decoding up to 32bit 384KHz, native decoding DSD256-11, 289, 600 (11.2MHz)

Output power: 1.5V RMS@32Ω per channel, 28mW @ 32 ohms per channel

Housing material: 6063 Aluminium Alloy

Input power: depend on device

Input: USB Type-C

Output connector: 3.5mm TRS Stereo earphone

SNR: 120dB

Cable length: 10cm

Power supply design, without built-in battery



The Pitch –

Power supply


Cozoy have demonstrated themselves to be masters when it comes to power supply circuitry which is an often overlooked aspect of source design as it is hard to quantify on the spec sheet. When it comes to a device that is externally powered, such expertise is more important than ever. The Takt-C features a 4-layer PCB with gold-plated traces. It has a custom PSU with low ripple, asynchronous clock and six discreet voltage regulation circuits. This translates to a clean, low-distortion sound and greater isolation from noise generated by the source, especially in conjunction with its shielded aluminium housing.



Design –

The Takt Pro assumes the same design as its predecessor, so all positive comments made in that review translate here too. The Takt-C is just as compact, with a slender and unobtrusive form factor. The CNC milled 6063 aluminium housings feels relentless in the hand while maintaining an impossibly lightweight construction. The satin finish is immaculate, unmarred by screws and complimented by smooth and tapered transitions. The Takt-C logo is now laser engraved as opposed to printed, contributing to greater scratch resistance. There is but one key difference here besides a lighter coloured coat, the micro-USB port has been replaced with a fixed 6cm USB-C cable.

DSC08074

As it’s fixed, it’s imperative that the cable itself has a solid construction and Cozoy deliver; with a smooth jacket, high-flexibility and just a little springiness. The strain relief on the type-C plug is excellent, identical to Cozoy’s expensive audiophile interconnect cables, while the connector itself assumes a high-quality extruded, gold-plated design. This ensures a more reliable connection than the majority that implement cheap, pressed metal connectors. Obvious consideration has gone into the design of the Takt-C to optimise both aesthetics, practicality and longevity.



Usability –

As above, the Takt-C is also functionally very identical to the Takt Pro before it but will be limited to USB-C devices in addition to USB-A with an adapter (not included). Functionality is straight-forward and intuitive, plug and play on both my Google Pixel 4 and Gigabyte Aero 15 running Windows 10. The dongle is powered by the source device and draws a fair amount of power. Though smartphones tend to be pickier in this regard, I had no issues with my Pixel, Samsung and HTC devices on hand. As the Takt-C does not pass through remote commands from the attached earphone, it employs physical controls on the dongle itself. All are metal, suiting its premium aesthetic with tactile action. The use of a volume rocker also aids easy identification of each button when in a pocket. I found that all buttons worked well on both Android and Windows apps such as Spotify and Foobar in my testing.

DSC08077

Though most smartphone’s limit their output to 44.1KHz over USB, it is possible to take advantage of the Takt-C’s expanded decoding ability via third-party apps such as Poweramp. I experienced no dropouts and a stable connection with the dongle connected to my phone, even when placed in my pocket during commute. As such, the Takt-C is slightly less finicky than the Takt Pro as there are fewer variables to interrupt the connection. I experienced no pops when plugging in and unplugging the dongle with earphones connected. Background noise also wasn’t affected by CPU utilisation or radio activity when connected to my smartphone or laptop suggesting that it’s a well shielded and isolated design. Much like the Pro, the Takt-C’s higher power draw and small metal housings do permeate quite a bit of heat, though this never becomes uncomfortable to the hand or pocket.



Sound –

Small or large, there are fundamentals we expect from a good quality audiophile source, that being a linear frequency response, low output-impedance and an absence of hiss and interference. I’ll be analysing the performance of this dongle in isolation, then by comparison to competitors in its price and form factor to better establish price/performance and its best use cases.



Frequency Response –

Testing Methodology:
RMAA via Startech External Sound Card

Takt-C FR

The Cozoy Takt-C has a perfectly linear frequency response with no bass roll-off or other oddities. This suggests that it represents audio with great fidelity. Due to the quality of my sound card, I am unable to reliably test other measures such as distortion and crosstalk so they will be used as a personal reference only. Qualities here can also impact the sound as I will detail via subjective listening.



Output Impedance & Hiss –

Testing Methodology:
SPL volume matched comparison through an inline splitter to JDS Labs Atom + Khadas tone board to Campfire Audio Andromeda

The Cozoy Takt-C, like the Pro before it, has a sub-1.5-ohm output impedance given that I was not able to detect or measure any deviation in sound signature between the Atom and Takt-C with the highly source sensitive Campfire Audio Andromeda. This is an excellent result which ensures that the DAC/AMP will drive low-impedance multi-driver IEMs faithfully and without colouration. With regards to noise, Cozoy’s efforts with power supply have paid off in spades. There is zero hiss, even on the Andromeda which is especially prone in this regard too. I also didn’t note hiss scaling with volume or noise from the source such as EMI interference. Low volume listeners sensitive to background noise will love the Takt-C for its black background and this design is perfect for even the most sensitive IEMs.



Subjective –

While you can achieve excellent fidelity from even a modestly priced desktop setup, I don’t get such a generally positive impression from portable sources that tend to be less transparent about their specifications for good reason. That was not my impression with the Takt Pro and, luckily, the Takt-C follows suite. It’s simply a nice, clean sounding source. As always, this being a source with low output impedance and a linear frequency response, my sound analysis comments will be referring to the minutiae that cannot be compared to the differences between different earphones per say.

Testing Methodology: SPL volume matched comparison through an inline splitter to JDS Labs Atom + Khadas tone board to Custom Art Fibae 7 (flat impedance). Powered by Pixel 4 with Poweramp Pro via high-resolution output.

The Takt-C is a clean, transparent and delightfully musical portable source. ABing from reference sources such as the Atom setup and iBasso DX200 with AMP5 reveals very minimal colouration. Bass has excellent depth and drive for a dongle but does lack a hint of sub-bass weight compared to the aforementioned sources. Meanwhile, there’s a hint of warmth and fullness in the mid-bass, just a touch, that imbues a full, punchy and musical character. Despite a slightly warm leaning tone, both control and separation remain excellent and notes are highly defined. I attribute this to the Takt-C’s concise note attack alongside natural decay that contributes to excellent pace and timing and grants bass convincing dynamics and solidity.

DSC08076

Such character continues through the midrange which extends linearly from the bass. Timbre is very accurate with realistic vocal size and positioning. There’s an uptick of both body and density to be observed counterbalanced by a clean tone that retains a high level of clarity and definition. The result is a gorgeous smooth and refined midrange presentation with great coherence and wholly resolved notes. I am especially enamoured by this presentation as dongles and small DAC/AMP combo devices rarely provide such a natural and resolving sound here. Even without scrutinising the minutiae, the Takt-C is simply an enjoyable listen.

The high-end keeps character with clean transients and an insightful lower-treble. Detail retrieval is strong with a slight crispness paired with smooth note attack which takes any sharpness out of its presentation. The result is slightly less micro-detail retrieval than more aggressive sources in return for a natural and well-textured image that still upholds a good level of energy and engagement. Instruments have ample body and texture with accurate shimmer and decay. Treble extends linearly before rolling off into the upper-treble. A clean transient response alongside a black noise floor permits an immaculate background which aids the directionality and dimension of its presentation. There isn’t quite the resolution, sparkle and background detail retrieval of a larger high-end source, but impressive balance between timbre and technical performance with none of the 9018Q2X fallibilities of earlier models.

And, as suggested, these qualities work much to the benefit of the Takt-C’s staging properties, boasting outstanding dimensions for its size. Again, the Takt-C doesn’t have quite the resolution of higher-end sources, but instruments fall away naturally to its dark, clean background, creating a sense of space that immerses if not enthrals. Meanwhile, a clean transient response and linear sound signature aid impressively stable imaging.



Driving Power–

NX Ears Opera (106dB, 18ohm):
A sensitive IEM with phase-coherent crossover producing excellent imaging. The Takt-C provided great bass kick with good drive and excellent pace. I hear an uptick of bass body paired with concise attack and excellent control enabling high definition overall. Mids are natural and linear, not too full-bodied despite the Opera already being warm leaning. Highs are well detailed, the slightly more energetic foreground is welcome given the Opera’s more laid-back image. Meanwhile, the background is jet black immaculate. The soundstage isn’t huge but has very immersive imaging, holographic with quick, highly clean transients. Zero hiss.

Final E5000 (93dB, 14ohm): This earphone requires a lot of power as it is a warm, bassy earphone with low-efficiency. My desktop setup provides a slightly quicker, cleaner low end with more information in the sub-bass. Still, the Takt-C provides great depth and solid slam if not the highest definition at the very bottom. Mid-bass remains very well-controlled and well-defined, bass is dynamic and tactile overall. Vocals are a touch warmer, but coherent and well-resolved. Highs are slightly smoother but retain good attack and detail retrieval. The background is black and well-extended fading into an expansive soundstage if lacking a little background detail. Imaging is sharp and precise while separation is slightly reduced due to increased warmth. Zero hiss.

Hifiman Sundara (94dB, 37ohm): The Sundara requires a good amount of volume but mostly a stable current output and low impedance as it’s a planar magnetic headphone. The Takt-C is surprisingly balanced here. As usual, I did miss a bit of sub-bass power and definition compared to my desktop setup, but there is solidity beyond most of my BT receivers and small DAPs. Furthermore, the mid-bass is well-controlled with both good presence and definition. This translates to a clean and linear midrange that is natural and resolving. The high-end also demonstrates good control with clean transients and defined layering. The desktop setup does yield noticeably more resolution here, with a bit more foreground detail retrieval and greater air. That said, the soundstage expansion is very good for a portable source and the dynamic range is very impressive on a whole. Zero hiss.

Suggested Pair-ups

HifiGO quote a power output of 28mW per channel into a 32-ohm load. That may sound paltry compared to a dedicated DAP, but it’s higher than most portable DAC/AMPs and receivers, easily substantial enough to drive basically any IEM in addition to portable headphones. Also note that this is a per-channel specification so it is almost double the power offered by most products in its class. Of course, the Takt-C was never intended to drive full-size headphones, though here too, the results may surprise you. There isn’t the drive of a desktop amp but convincing dynamics and balance remains. The Takt-C likely won’t leave you wanting on either power or volume for any earphone or portable headphone and will do in a pinch for larger gear if not representing the absolute ideal in that regard.



Comparisons –

DD TC35B ($40):
The TC35B is a fine sounding source in its own right but invariably focusses more on form factor and accessible pricing over outright sound quality. The Takt-C is a more focussed device, boasting a lower noise floor and output impedance and bringing immediately greater dynamic range. Both are surely very balanced yet, even from flat-impedance earphones, I perceive the Takt-C as more linear, transparent and resolving throughout.

There’s better drive to the low-end with more sub-bass extension and definition; these qualities also continue through the midrange where there is better note resolution. Meanwhile, the top-end is more detailed with better extension and resolution, producing a much cleaner background and a larger soundstage. Altogether, a grander and more involving sound yet one that is never artificially enhanced in any way.

Zorloo ZuperDAC-S ($89): Slightly cheaper and sharing the same DAC chip, the ZuperDAC-S also sports a minute form factor but with micro-USB input like the pricier Takt Pro. Both the Takt-C and ZuperDAC-S have very linear, resolving presentations, an essentially black noise floor and a low output impedance so they are fundamentally very good options at this price range. I hear a touch more sub-bass weight from the Zorloo granting it slightly thicker bass notes while the Takt-C is cleaner and more defined. The Takt-C has smoother note attack while the Zorloo is more aggressive and harder hitting.

The Takt-C has a slightly more refined midrange, it is denser and more tonally transparent where the Zorloo has a hint of warmth but also a touch less note resolution. The high-end tells a similar story, the Zorloo being slightly more aggressive and crisp but also thinner, the Takt-C being more smoothly articulated but also more natural in timbre. The Takt-C also has noticeably better extension with more resolution and background detail. This works to the benefit of its similarly larger soundstage.

Cozoy Takt Pro ($289): At a considerable price premium, the Takt Pro has identical specifications with the only difference being the design. I would also suggest that there aren’t any sonic changes as, when volume matched through an in-line splitter, I could not detect even the slightest difference between the two. The Takt-C brings the same refined, musical and resolving sound at less than half the price. To my ear, the Takt-C also punches above its price class so spending more for the Takt-Pro does not necessarily make it a poor value investment.

Still, it only makes sense if you don’t have a USB-C device or want one DAC/AMP that will interface with multiple devices. The Takt-C very much supersedes the Pro with its considerably more aggressive pricing and it’s very good to see that Cozoy haven’t diluted the listening experience in the process.

JDS Labs Atom + Khadas Tone Board (~$200): The desktop setup provides excellent value, both boasting outstanding measurements that are confirmed by a transparent and dynamic real world listen. The setup provides more sub-bass extension and power but also higher control with more bass note definition and higher separation. The presentation isn’t bassier, instead, there is simply more bass as it is deeper reaching.

The midrange presentation is actually quite similar, there’s a slightly cleaner tone on the desktop setup in addition to a hair more note resolution. Up top, the comparison reflects the bass, with the desktop setup being more detailed, albeit similarly articulated which makes the Takt-C a very convincing listen on its own. That said, the desktop stack has notably more resolution and background detail, boasting greater soundstage expansion and more involving imaging.

Fiio M7 ($129): I think it’s also important to keep in mind that, for just $10 more, Fiio are offering a full DAP package with the same ESS DAC chip and full Android touchscreen interface. There are obviously clear distinctions between the use cases for both devices that will be up to the buyer such as wanting a dedicated device for the car/workout or wanting to save battery life on your smartphone. The M7 also supports USB audio out so it can serve as a UI to a better audio implementation. But from a sonic standpoint, the results do intrigue. Both sport a low output impedance and low noise floor.

Both sound very similar. Sub-bass extends identically and both have a close presentation. The Takt-C has a slightly fuller note structure through the mid-bass and more concise attack making it a bit more defined and detailed. Through the midrange, this character continues, both are quite tonally transparent, the Takt-C is a touch fuller and warmer while the M7 is instead denser. The Takt-C has slightly higher note resolution. Up top, the M7 is crisper and less extended while the Takt-C is smoother and more natural with a darker background and higher resolution. The M7 has a touch more soundstage width while the Takt-C has more depth. The Takt-C comes across as a bit more refined and musical, the imaging is a bit more stable too.



Verdict –

DSC08079

I was a big fan of the Takt Pro, even at its substantially higher price tag. However, that was a few years ago and the market has since come far. Though I am not one to live and die by measurements, I do admire how they have empowered buyers/reviewers in such a way that manufacturers can no longer get away with subpar products. As such, the vast majority perform to a good standard. So, instead of reinventing the wheel here, Cozoy has instead reinvented their pricing and to great effect. At just 37% of the Pro’s price, the Takt-C brings an identical sonic performance. That means versatile driving power, a refined, resolving sound with great musicality and a stunning form factor that is easily among the most premium on the market. I’m sure some may have concerns over a fixed cable while others may argue that a full player could be had for little more. Still, the Takt-C is a winning combination of great sound in an unobtrusive form factor perfect to invigorate a pre-existing portable audio setup, and it is now priced for all to enjoy.

The Takt-C is available from on HifiGo (International) for $109 USD at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with HiFiGO or Cozoy and receive no earnings from purchases through this link.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed my review, please see my website for more just like it!
  • Like
Reactions: B9Scrambler

B9Scrambler

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Fairly neutral, detailed signature; somewhat cold though – Clean background with sensitive iems – Attractive design with impressive fit and finish
Cons: Flimsy cable – Gets uncomfortably hot – Tiny volume rocker leads to lots of mispresses; not nice to interact with – Not sure about value
Greetings,

Today we’re tackling another unit in the growing dongle army, this time from Cozoy, the Takt C.

Cozoy was founded in 2014, making a name for themselves through the offering of distinctively designed products with performance that matched their bold look. The Takt lineup has actually been around for a couple years now and was initially composed of the Apple Lightning equipped Takt, and more universal Takt Pro. The Takt C is the newest member of the family, sharing its DNA/specifications with the Takt Pro, but for the Takt C Cozoy replaced the micro-USB port for a fixed Type-C cable. They also priced the Takt C much more competitively at 115 USD versus the 289 USD of the Takt Pro.

I’ve been testing this device for the past few weeks and have some words to share about it. Let’s stop wasting time and dive right in…

P1060686.JPGP1060687.JPGP1060688.JPG

Packaging …to the most important part, the packaging!!!! This is everyone’s favourite section and probably the most important part of any review, so I made sure to put it right at the beginning.

The Takt C comes in a bright white, elongated lift top box. On the front is an image of the device with the brand name and some product info, such as support for DSD and that it is for use with USB Type-C devices. On either side of the lid you find the Takt C model name. Flipping to the back you find a paragraph telling you about the device, some bullet points with products highlights, and a simple specifications table. Lifting off the lid reveals the Takt C set tightly within a foam insert and a user manual in the form of a small card (English on one side, Mandarine on the other).

And that’s it. About as basic and straightforward as it gets.

Build and Ergonomics The Takt C is made from AL6063 aircraft-grade aluminum and features the edgy, modern styling we have come to expect from the Cozoy brand. All writing is laser etched into the body of the device so you won’t have to worry about it rubbing off. Extra attention was given to the model name on the back which is highly reflective, looking pretty snazzy when it catches the light. The machining quality is excellent with smooth edges and a neat, uniform finish. All the buttons fit into their respective slots with impressive precision and depress with a satisfying, tactile “snick”. There is no wiggling or slop to worry about. That said, despite having average sized hands, I found the buttons too small, particularly the volume rocker. It is only about 12mm long and 1.5mm wide meaning it is very easy to press both buttons at the same time.

The cable is refreshingly well-relieved for a product of this type, both at the main body of the Takt C and leading to the Type C plug. The cable itself is quite flexible though with a plush feeling sheath that ends up bending sharply and kinking at the strain relief if you let it dangle. This puts extra strain on the Type C plug at the phone as well as the Takt’s cable, so I really don’t expect it to last very long the way most people treat their gear. Less of an issue when paired to a laptop where the Takt C is laying on the table beside it, but when going portable with a phone or DAP I’m not a fan.

Another area of concern is with how hot the Takt C gets. The XDuoo Link and Radsone HUD100 develop some warmth, but nothing quite like the Cozoy. If I opt to avoid the potential cable longevity issues that come with letting it stick out of my pocket, I instead have to deal with a sweaty leg and overly warm phone since it’s now tucked into a confined, insulated area with a miniature heater. Thank goodness the Takt C is aluminum, I can only imagine how warm it would get if made from a material less effective at dispersing heat.

Overall, good looking with a nicely built shell and questionable cable, along with subpar ergonomics and potential heat issues. As something to accommodate a phone or DAP, I can’t help but be disappointed with the way the Takt C handles. Fine for pairing with a laptop or tablet though.

Note: I ran into the occasional glitch where when reducing the volume, the Takt C would randomly crank the volume in the left channel and reduce it in the right to being barely audible. Fixing this required unplugging it and plugging it back in. Not fun when you are someone that typically listens at very low volumes.

P1060591.JPGP1060689.JPG

Sound Contained within the Takt C is Sabre’s ES9018Q2C DAC. I’m sure that’ll excite someone, but frankly I don’t care what’s inside as long as it doesn’t sound like dirt. Physical shortcomings aside, the Takt C performs well and sounds great, if not a tad cold and clinical at times.

I found end-to-end extension to be excellent. There was no dearth of sub-bass when pairing the Takt C with something like the Shozy Form 1.4 or Campfire Audio Cascade, nor was the excellent treble extension of the TinHifi P1 or Hifiman RE800 Gold restrained.

Texture and clarity were also strengths where notes were very well defined with good space between them. They sounded plenty crisp and retained excellent control. It was so good it actually managed to reign in the mild splashiness heard on something like the KB EAR Diamond, though it won’t fix something as loose as the piezo driver in the NiceHCK NX7. This also lead into great layering and separation qualities which enabled the Takt C to showcase the large sound stages found on products like the TFZ Exclusive 3 and Campfire Audio Andromeda.

Where the Takt C lost me occasionally was in the warmth, or lack thereof, in it’s presentation. It’s general sound is slightly cool and sterile with just a bit of heat being injected into the mids and upper bass. Male vocals are fine but female vocals really benefit and end up sounding like the more natural of the two. Everything else has a somewhat hard, digital edge to it that is great for highlighting detail and other technical aspects.

Overall I find the Takt C a very capable device. It does a great job with detail and clarity, element separation and definition, and with end-to-end extension. It’s just not the most organic and natural sounding device, reproducing music in a somewhat cold, sterile way.

Select Comparisons

XDuoo Link (49.99 USD): The Takt C is a much nicer sounding Type C dongle than the Link in my opinion. It has a more balanced sound with less warmth thanks to the extra midbass the Link adds. That is exaggerated further by less end-to-end extension than the Takt C that draws focus to mid and upper bass regions. The Takt C also provides more texture to your bass making the Link sound smeared in comparison. The Cozoy’s midrange isn’t as smooth or natural, but clarity and detail are superior when compared to the Link. Treble sound superior out of the Takt C as well thanks to a leaner presentation with greater note separation that also happens to broaden and deepen the sound stage. The Link ends up feeling a little compressed in comparison.

Build and usability are where the Link earns its keep compared to the Takt C. The main body of the device is also made from aluminum and while not as stylish, is just as well constructed. The Link’s button are larger and more prominent, especially the volume rocker which is much longer (~19mm) with better differentiated ends. Mispresses on the Link are very rare. The Link’s cable is are superior in my opinion. It is thicker and less flexible, bending evenly and without the questionable kinks the Cozoy produces at the entrance to the strain relief. Lastly, while the Link does get a little warm, it is nowhere near a hot as the Cozoy and as a result isn’t uncomfortable to have sitting in your pocket.

When it comes to features, the two go tit for tat. They provide the same physical controls. They have very comparable specs and offer the same sample rate support. The Link is ever so slightly more power but at the expense of background noise. They are about the same size and weight. I tried to measure approximate power consumption but that went nowhere thanks to my own shortcomings. I don’t think it’s a negative on either though since I never found myself charging source devices more often; ex. once every two days with my LG Q70.

While the Takt C is unquestionably the better sounding device of the two, it is not enough to overcome the price premium (over double), the delicate cable, the poor physical controls, or the intense heat generation, in my opinion. The Link sounds good enough, and is nicer to use. If all you care about is sound quality, then obviously go for the Takt C, but for everyone else the Link at around or under 50 USD is a great buy.

Radsone Earstudio HUD100 (169.99 USD): The Takt-C has the benefit of being half the size and a DAC/amp with volume and basic media controls. Both are very well-built with durable aluminum shells, but the removable cables that come with the HUD100 feel like they were made to a higher standard than the fixed cable of the Takt-C. The fact that they are removable also enables greater versatility and longevity for the HUD100.

The Takt-C provides nowhere near the driving power of the HUD100, unable to push the same high impedance, low sensitivity products as well. As such it is best suited to earphones and portable headphones. While the Takt-C has an impressively black background that matches the HUD100’s standard output (besting the high-output port in noise), the sound quality is a noticeable step up on the HUD100.

The Takt-C keeps up with the HUD100 in terms of clarity and detail with near equal as impressive end-to-end extension, but it sounds somewhat cold, sterile, and artificial after a/b’ing them. The Takt-C also lacks the high-output mode and sound profiles/filters of the HUD100.

In terms of extras the Takt-C includes nothing while the HUD100 gives you multiple cables and a protective case. In my opinion, the 54 USD premium the HUD100 demands (going off the MSRP for each) goes a long way, giving you a slew of useful features and handy accessories. It feels even better knowing that to get a removable cable option with the Takt lineup you need to step up to the also well-reviewed Takt Pro. It is virtually identical to the Takt-C minus the removable cable and a 174 USD price jump to 289 USD.

LG Q70 (565.00 CAD): Since people rarely compare dongles to their smart phone, I figured I’d toss out some fast and loose thoughts. Obviously I’m not going to discussion features and build, etc. since one is a USB accessory and the other a feature rich smartphone.

In terms of signature the two pretty much mirror each other. The Q70 has the same, slightly cold presentation style with some warmth injected via a fairly mild midbass bump. The big difference comes in refinement. Everything sounds a tad rough and almost grainy straight out of the Q70 when compared to the Takt C. Treble isn’t quite a well controlled either, bring with it a bit more splash from the Q70. Bass is pretty even though, with both reproducing deep notes with aplomb.

Driving power is another area the Takt C makes sense. While I don’t find it great with really hard to drive gear, you need less notches on the volume dial to get the Takt C up to volume compared to the Q70. That does bring to mind a minor issue I have with the Cozoy, which is low volume listening. With a lot of my earphones the lowest volume is still a bit too loud when I’m listening in quiet areas. Not a problem for most people.

Is the Takt C worth buying if you’re just going to pair it with a smartphone like the Q70? For most people, probably not. But then again, products like this aren’t for just anybody. If you want to improve the sound out of your smartphone, it’s very likely the Takt C will offer exactly what you need, even if the improvements aren’t stratospheric.

P1060690.JPGP1060692.JPGP1060694.JPG

Final Thoughts If you’ve read the review and made it this far, you’ll know why I have mixed feelings about the Takt C. If you just skipped to this section for a basic rundown, well here it is.

On the upside the Takt C is a small, well built device with a great sound signature and a black background that makes pairing it with sensitive earphones a reality. I love how it looks and I enjoy how it sounds. On the downside, the volume rocker is far too small, the device gets uncomfortably hot, and I suspect the somewhat flimsy cable will give out fairly quickly if you’re not careful. While these may sound like minor qualms, I’ve been using the thing nearly everyday for a month and those minor qualms haven’t gotten any less qualmy over time.

From a value proposition it doesn’t make a strong case for me either. The XDuoo Link is less than half the price and sure, it doesn’t sound as good, but it sounds good enough and is much more pleasant to use. The Radsone HUD100 is ~55 USD more than the Cozoy but it sounds better and is a more flexible product due to the twin 3.5mm outputs with differing power outputs. The implementation of a removable cable is also nice, something you have to pay a massive premium for in the Takt lineup. The absence of physical controls on the HUD100 isn’t much of a loss either since most DAPs and phones have external controls located in basically the same spot as you’ll find the Takt when using it; your pocket or that general vicinity. Plus you’ll need to take your source out of your pocket to change tracks with either of these DAC/amps anyway since you don’t get anything more advanced than play/pause (on the Takt and Link, nothing on the HUD100).

Unlike others I don’t put sound on a pedestal so high that it overrides all other flaws. Sound is just one of many aspects that I find important. So while overall I like the Takt C and think it’s a good device, I simply find it a hard sell. Its cons aren’t fully outweighed by its pros. If all you care about is getting the best sound for your dollar and everything else is incidental, then absolutely check it out. You’ll have a great time. If you want more out of your device than that, save a few bucks for a slightly worse sound but a much better user experience with the Link, or spend a bit more for the (imo) far superior HUD100 and its improved sound and plethora of useful features.

Thanks for reading!

– B9

Disclaimer A big thanks to Nappoler with Hifigo for asking if I would be interested in covering the Takt C, and for sending a copy for the purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are my subjective opinions based on almost a month of use, and do not represent Cozoy, Hifigo, or any other entity. At the time of writing the Takt C was retailing for 115 USD but could be picked up on sale for 109.25 USD: https://hifigo.com/products/cozoy-takt-c-portable-headphone-amp-32bit-384khz-dsd-hifi-decoder

Devices Used For Testing Asus FX53V, LG Q70, Shanling M0, Shozy Form 1.4, Tinhfi P1, Hifiman RE800, Hifiman Sundara, Campfire Audio Cascade, KB EAR Diamond, NiceHCK NX7

Specifications
– Advanced Sabre DAC ES9018Q2C
– PCM Decoding up to 32-Bit/384kHz
– Native DSD support up to DSD256-11.2MHz
– 4-Layers reinforced gold-plated PCB
– TCXO Crystal Oscillator
– Output Power: 28mW @ 32 ohms per channel
– USB Type-C Input
– Output Port: 3.5mm TRS Headphone jack
– Cable Length: 10cm
– CNC 6063 Aluminum Alloy Body
– Low Power Consumption Design
Back
Top