DDHiFi TC35M2

General Information

Screenshot 2025-02-10 at 22-13-18 TC35M2 Full-Featured USB-C to 3.5mm DAC AMP Adapter 2nd gen ...png

TC35M2
Full-Featured USB-C to 3.5mm DAC AMP Adapter 2nd gen

A good partner for wired earphones
The TC35M2 is designed to bring convenience to wired earphones users. Compared with the previous generation, this 2nd generation upgraded the shell craftsmanship, and improved the strength of the plug, which is more durable and reliable.

Support insertion detection and in-line controls
The earphone socket comes with detection function, which can identify if the earphone is connected or not. The TC35M2 also supports four-section 3.5mm earphone cable, allowing answering phone calls and music playback controls.

Stand-alone chips for decoding and operational amplifier
The TC35M2 supports commonly used lossless music apps, such as Apple Music, QQ Music, Netease Cloud Music, Sony Lossless Music, etc. Most of the lossless music formats offered by music apps are 44.1kHz, 96kHz or 192kHz, while the TC35M2 supports PCM decoding up to 384kHz. Being equipped with stand-alone decoding chip and OP-AMP chip, the TC35M2 provides stable performance and output power, and can basically use with most of the 3.5mm earphones available on the market.

Excellent compatibility
Compatible with most of the USB-C terminated audio output devices, such as Android phones, iPhone 15 series , tablet PCs, laptops, etc.

Specifications
Plug: USB-C
Socket: 3.5mm stereo
Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Amplifier chip: ES9603Q (stand-alone)
Output power: L+R≥45mW+45mW (32Ω / THD+N<1%) SNR: ≥112dB (32Ω load/A-wt) Dynamic range: >120dB
<THD+N: 0.008% (32Ω load)
Noise floor: <3μV(A-wt)
PCM decoding capability: Up to 32-bit/384kHz
In-line controls: Supports CTIA standard
Dimensions: 17.8×14×8.9 (mm)
Weight: About 3.6g

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Latest reviews

suicideup

New Head-Fier

4.50 star(s)
Feb 10, 2025

DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC Review!

Pros: One of the smallest, clean-sounding and minimalist USB DAC I have used!

Straightforward, intuitive experience!

Relatively neutral, clean,transparent sound character!

Fairly powerful for its form factor!

Very minimal in terms of battery consumption!

No attached cable means lesser points of failure!

Zero compatibility problems! (As long as your device is using USB-C)

Mic and inline control support!

Plug and play!

Exquisite, precision craftsmanship!

Durable build quality!

Cons: May come across as “too minimal” for some people for its asking price.

Definitely not the most powerful DAC under 40 USD on paper (nitpick)

No DSD support (not really an issue but I have to put it here)

A mini case, strap, or a pouch would be a really good treat for its price.

DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC Review!

Video review here

Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC. Premium transparency!

========================================================================
Disclaimer:

- DDHiFi sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
-I have not tested this with MQA files or MQA streaming since I don’t use MQA at all.
-The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
-No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- I have only tested this with earbuds and IEMs only.
-Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

========================================================================
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 10 days.

IEMs/Earbuds/Source used:

-Etymotic ER3SE
-Dunu Kima 2
-Dunu DK3001BD
-Kotori Audio Zephyr
-Kiwi Ears KE4
-Kefine Klean
-Rose Technics QT-X
-Rose Technics QT9 MK3
-Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
-Roseselsa Aurora Ultra
-Sony Xperia X Compact
-Tanchjim Space
-Rose Technics RZ-550
-Venture Electronics Odo
-Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
-Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96)
-Desktop PC, Laptop.
-Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

Setup configuration: DDHiFi TC35M2 paired with phones/laptop/pc.

========================================================================
Essential Product Specifications:

Plug: USB-C
Socket: 3.5mm stereo
Amplifier chip: ES9603Q (stand-alone)
Output power: L+R≥45mW+45mW (32Ω / THD+N<1%)
PCM decoding capability: Up to 32-bit/384kHz
In-line controls: Supports CTIA standard
Dimensions: 17.8×14×8.9（mm）

========================================================================
Sound signature:

The DDHiFi TC35M2 is by far one of the cleanest, transparent sounding USB DAC I have heard under 100 USD. Its level of neatness and pitch-black background sit well along with the USB DACs within the 80USD upwards, with the Tanchjim Space, Roseselsa RZ550M as some of the examples. It does not seem to affect or elevate any frequencies during my tests, and just presents the sound profile of the earphones plugged in as transparent as it can be. For those people who are coming from warmer, colored sources may find this USB a bit thin, but for those who are accustomed to those USB DACs like the Tanchjim Space will experience things right at home, but in a more portable, cable free manner.

Build Quality:

Without any doubt, I adore the overall build quality of this USB-DAC. It is very durable, rigid if you may in an almost pea-sized package. Despite being light in weight, it is very compact, tight, and does not exhibit any creaking or loosely built portions, from its USB-C male jack to its 3.5MM female port. In fact, it even makes a satisfying click whenever you plug your earphones, and makes a metallic satisfying “clank” when you unplug your earphones from the 3.5MM port.

Device Compatibility:

As expected, I did not have any problems pairing the TC35M2 across all of my devices given that all of them use USB Type C ports. Inline controls and microphone works with this USB DAC as well without any issues. Streaming and local file playback also plays and works well with this USB DAC during my tests, as I do not have any DSD files with me, which is not supported by this USB DAC. Personally it isn’t a problem to me and never a loss given that I usually play my CD ripped, 16 bit FLAC/WAV files, or I stream music most of the time. In a nutshell, I can confidently say that “it literally just works” on my end.

Battery Consumption:

DDHiFi thought and designed this USB DAC well, in my opinion. While there isn’t an RGB status indicator in this USB DAC, the TC35M2 will not turn on or will make itself recognized by the source if there are no earphones plugged with it, which greatly saves a lot of battery. I used this with my smartphones fully charged and it took around 7-9 hours of continuous usage for my smartphones to reach 20%. I would also like to add that this USB DAC does not heat up at all, which is a good thing.

Power and volume:

I’ll put this remark here first: This isn’t a powerful USB DAC, on paper at least. It isn’t also a good pairing with power hungry headphones or headphones with high impedance, which I somewhat expected before using it personally. When used with IEMs and flathead earbuds that I have here however, it pairs and supplies them more than enough most of the time. I never got pass beyond 30 out of 100 digital volume steps before I find it to be too loud to my liking, which made me conclude that the TC35M2 is reliable and will power pretty much any IEMs and flathead earbuds more than enough than what you need, as long as they’re in 3.5MM termination.

========================================================================
Pros:

One of the smallest, clean-sounding and minimalist USB DAC I have used!
Straightforward, intuitive experience!
Relatively neutral, clean,transparent sound character!
Fairly powerful for its form factor!
Very minimal in terms of battery consumption!
No attached cable means lesser points of failure!
Zero compatibility problems! (As long as your device is using USB-C)
Mic and inline control support!
Plug and play!
Exquisite, precision craftsmanship!
Durable build quality!

Cons:

May come across as “too minimal” for some people for its asking price.
Definitely not the most powerful DAC under 40 USD on paper (nitpick)
No DSD support (not really an issue but I have to put it here)
A mini case, strap, or a pouch would be a really good treat for its price.

========================================================================

Verdict

The DDHiFi TC35M2 definitely is a solid recommendation in my book for everyone! If I will be specific, I wholeheartedly recommend this USB DAC for those people who are willing to spend 40 USD for a USB DAC with a well-thought, exquisite, excellently crafted quality that comes with the price tag. I can justify on my end that its price tag is well-deserved in a practical manner, given that I use and review IEMs and easy to drive flathead earbuds most of the time. Aside from its portable, minimalist approach, what I personally liked about this USB DAC is its transparency/little to no coloration to the overall sound while also delivering pitch black background - which is a quality that most dongles under 50 USD mostly lack. I know, I know, it is just a niche, small thing, but I always like to give credit where it is due, whether it be big or small. Aiming for premium craftsmanship as always, DDHiFi!

========================================================================
Who is the DDHiFi TC35M2 for?

For those people who want a neutral, transparent sounding USB DAC under 50 USD.
For those people who use easy to drive earphones and headphones.
For those people who want an uncompromising, straightforward experience on a tiny package.
For those people who want a premium, durable, well-thought craftsmanship.

Why should you not buy the DDHiFi TC35M2?

If you need extra power for your hard to drive headphones and earphones.
If you don’t want a minimal-built USB DAC.
If you need EQ and extra customization.
If you need DSD support.

========================================================================
Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated links here!:

https://www.ddhifi.com/en/product/tc35m2/

Additional Photos Here:

Reactions: Singaravelan, Cat Music, ddHiFi and 3 others

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