EPZ TP20 PRO

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#EPZTP20Pro

EPZ TP20 PRO: Clear, detailed & simple.

1. Intro​

• I got a review unit from a friend of mine who didn't want to be named.
• For this review is purely my personal opinion based on what I felt during the study.
• It is one of the most used applications by professionals in this area.
• For the build quality is still quite okay for the price. With body & frame made of aluminum. The physical buttons also feel clickly & click for the gain settings are also okay. Because it's a pity to make the weight so hollow in a less dense form, it's a pity to come back again according to the price too. For this cable to be good, both constructively and the sound produced. So I compared the same cable carry it UA4 he felt better open his voice & felt more solid too.

2. User experience​

• First this dongle in power can be used not really big but not too small. You could say the standard aja power, just enough to make a lot of iem. I tested using Epz Q1 pro at 3.5 low gain only 40% wrote enjoy.
• The second such he can be called cold. I played 1 hour with the conditions above the temperature is still limited cool. In terms of power, he doesn't belong on the bench. With the purchase conditions above certain kena 10% on my cellphone, mayor dongle that I try is usually around 15%.
• Third, the TP20 Pro feature looks less attractive when compared to its competitors. To get a smaller volume, this EPZ TP20 Pro does not have it, so for limited volume settings it fits. Yes although this could be a little different using the ibasso UAC app. It just keeps bothering me.

3. Sound quality​

• First of the bass EPZ TP20 Pro is no different from the bassnya. So the presentation is so much more punchy, cleaner & neater.
• Second to mid weights also no change. So the presentation is so much brighter, cleaner, more advanced & more open.
• The third for the treble is more open, more detailed, more spacious & more extends.
• Fo Technical It is very helpful to improve the quality of life in ever better detail, ever clearer resolution, ever clearer clarity & faster separation.

4. Comparison​

- EPZ TP20 Pro VS Tempotec BHD :​

• The bass bhd is a little bigger, a little deeper. While the tp20 pro has a firmer, cleaner & more agile bass.
• Midnya bhd has a softer, smoother, softer & more natural taste. While tp20 pro with cleaner, clearer, sweeter & more loose taste.
• For treble bhd little smooth. While the tp20 pro has more open, more detailed & more extends.
• For the technique easier good stage in bhd more balance with Right-Left & top-bottom. While in tp20 pro with more detailed specifications, more clearly separated also neater.

5. EPZ TP20 PRO IS SUITABLE FOR ANYONE​

• For the IEM that is present, the sound starts to warm or relax. Rich C3, delci or elixir.
• Suitable for those who want iem upper middle section more open or better presentation.
• For those who use a simple dongle aka plug & play, there is no need to update the firmware or make Settings.

6. Conclusion​

This EPZ TP20 Pro is a dongle that used to be good in terms of sound but there are some shortcomings in terms of user experience that does not have an independent volume (although it can be used for ibasso UAC applications) & also the build feels less solid. It's just that all the shortcomings are actually still tolerable for me considering the price. So I think this dongle is still recommended to try because I think the sound is very good for the price, even though there are several broken ones.

7. Song samples​

• Kessoku Band - Chronostasis
• Kessoku Band - Shine as usual
• Ado - Unravel
• Green Day - Wake Me Up When september ends
• Red jumpsuit Apparatus - Face down
• Ten2five - I will fly
• Yorushika - Sunny

SPECIFICATION:​

Single-Ended: Gain Switch Gear - High Gain

Output Power: 2Vrms@32Ω (125mW@32Ω)
Decoding: PCM 32bit/384kHz/DSD256
THD+N: 0.0018% (A-weighting@0.5V)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 125dB
Channel Separation: -75dB
Dynamic Range: 125dB
Output Impedance: 32Ω (Refers to the maximum thrust output after connecting the 32Ω headset)
DSD: 256


Balanced: Gain Switch Gear - High Gain

Output Power: 4Vrms max (151mW@32 ohms)
Decoding: PCM 32bit/384kHz/DSD256
THD+N: 0.0008% (A-weighting@0.5V)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 130dB
Channel Separation: -100dB
Dynamic Range: 130dB
Output Impedance: 32Ω (Refers to the maximum thrust output after connecting the 32Ω headset)
Net Weight: 56g
Size: 5.5x2.4x1.2cm



For testing, I primarily used my phone. I attempted to use it on my computer, but since it lacked a USB-A to C adapter, I utilized one from DDhifi. It was also tested on the TempoTec V6 using the Hiby application, and it functioned well. With a large collection of headphones and IEMs at my disposal, it underwent thorough testing, especially with the EPZ G10, Q5, Q1 Pro, Westone Mach70 and 60, Moondrop Blessing 3, Simgot EW300, SuperMix4, Letshuoer Cadenza 4, S15, and S12 PRO, KiwiEars Orchestra Lite and Quartet, and finally, the Etymotic ER4XR.The headphones tested included the Meze 99 Classic, Fostex T50RP Mayflower, Dekoni Blue, HifiMan Sundara Closed, and the SIVGA Robin. They performed decently in terms of dynamics and, surprisingly, better than expected with planar magnetic drivers but its more towards 32ohms and IEM in terms of power. It does handle planar IEM no problem and I feel has good volume and clarity even with hard to drive equipment.

I appreciate the cool look; I own various carbon fiber items and have always been fond of that appearance. The construction is robust, featuring a physical gain switch and buttons for volume, play, and pause.
The TP20 Pro includes a high-quality braided USB-C to USB-C cable, though it lacks adapters for Apple or USB-A. However, the product is packaged in a sturdy box with a minimalist aesthetic.

The device operated impeccably, producing minimal ground noise even with all balanced armature in-ear monitors and the more sensitive models. It delivers outstanding clarity and detail, preserving a neutral signature that enhances the connected in-ear monitor's performance. The quality of the headphones and in-ear monitors is faithfully reproduced without any coloration, which is advantageous for various situations.

EPZ TP20 Pro review

I am an audiophile from sunny South Africa

This TP20 Pro Dac/Amp was send to me by EPZ as part of the Audio Geek South African review tour. This review is totally my own opinion and I receive no compensation in any way from the company as my integrity and name are much more important than any financial gain. Dealing with EPZ is always a pleasure as they respond to email and WhatsApp messages very fast. It’s one of those companies that want to do business and my package arrived within two weeks after discussing with EPZ.

Unboxing

This Dac/Amp sells for R990-00 in my country and the packaging certainly is reflective of the price as this one of the sturdiest cardboard boxes I have ever received portable audio stuff in. I really have to commend EPZ on their packaging as this is now a 3rd product from them I am unboxing and the packaging quality is top notch. When you slide the black box open by the little black piece of lint you are immediately greeted by the TP20 Pro and cable. At the bottom there is just little instructions card and also your quality control card. I am very happy with the packaging and how the product is displayed.


Specs

DAC: CS43131*2

PCM: 32Bit/384KHz/DSD256

Output power: 2vrms @ 32ohm 121mw (3.5) / 4vrms @ 32ohm 171mw (4.4)

Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥125db (3.5)/ ≥130db (4.4)

THD+N: ≤0.0008%

Dynamic range: ≥125 dB (3.5) / 130 dB (4.4)

Output:3.5MM/4.4M

Weight: 25g (excluding packaging box)





Connectivity

This TP20 Pro features a USB- C TO USB- C cable so you can connect it to your phone and tablet, pc and laptop. I connected it to my Windows 10 laptop with a usb to usb-c adapter (unfortunately not included) without any need to install a driver. I also connected it to my Oppo A78 and LG V20 phones. I found the greatest synergy and ease of use by plugging it into the Hiby M300 dap which to me is a great transport if you collect dongle dacs and want to switch between dongles. Also if you are a IOS user you are going to have to get a usb-c to lightning adapter.


Look & Build

The Tp20 Pro is such a fresh new look with the carbon fiber and I like it a lot. It is also heavy and you can feel its quality. The buttons are sturdy and also feels like quality. I liked to use it lying on its side with the wording being on top and I wish the green led would have been just on the opposite side of where it is currently located but that is just me nit picking because if I have to see if the device is on I have to flip it over. I totally feel by this sturdy build quality that you are getting your money’s worth as I handled an almost twice expensive dongle the other day which felt so cheap and plastic. I really like the cable quality even though I prefer 0.78mm 2pin connectors I can’t fault the QDC connectors because that is just personal preference and not universal.



Sound

As I am looking at my written notes and writing this review I am listening to the Tp20 playing dac and amplifier for the Hiby m300 digital audio player. Connected in turn to the Nicehck mx7 mk4 and I have to say that I am enjoying this very much with some Andrea Bocelli- Time to say goodbye and my eyes is closed and I am humming to the beautiful vocals of Andrea and Sarah Brightman. The magic in the sound of a neutral device is it will faithfully reproduce whatever you feed it so the ear tips, iem’s and source and source material will be a far greater influence on the sound than the TP20.

I tested the TP20 pro with various IEM’s like the Nicehck nx7 mk4, Kefine Klanar, Arrti R1, EPZ Q5 and CVJ Nightelf and the Tp20 is so neutral that you can recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each of those IEM and that is a great feat. I have listened to AK, CL and ESS dacs and I don’t know if its psycho acoustics but I can distinguish between them. The AK’s the warmest to me then the CIRUS Logics and lastly the sterile Ess dacs which I have a love and hate relationship with as I love them in all my LG V-Series phones.

I got a really enjoyable sound with the TP20 pro connected to the Hiby M300 Streaming Tidal High res and it shined on any genre and I used the black tuning nozzle on the NX7’S. I also tested the 4.4mm balanced output side with the Kefine Klanar planar IEM’S which came with the 4.4mm balanced cable and never did it feel that the planars were underpowered and on the contrary I could never get the volume past 70% without it getting very uncomfortable on my eardrums.

Whenever I played some better recorded albums like Regina Spektor- Far the TP20 pro stepped up and fed the EPZ Q5 with some audiophile tones and Take Five by Dave Brubeck had my foot tapping.



Conclusion

I did not test the TP20 with any full Headphones so I can’t comment on that but I am very happy to be using it every day with all my in ear monitors. I can definitely recommend the TP20 because its price vs performance ratio is huge and I think it is a good all-rounder dac/amp to own. If the TP20 Pro is this good , I can't wait to try out the TP50.