IKKO Zerda ITM01

I've purchased two of these dacs now off scAmazon and I was initially blown away by the sound quality. I used it everyday on my iMac and phone for about a 1.5 months and one day the sound cut out in the right channel. I tested thoroughly through both included cables and multiple devices. The problem replicated on every device used and both included magnetic cables.

Fast forward a week and I received my new ITM01 and this time one of the cables came completely dead so I couldn't use that one right off the bat. Now right around the same time frame @ 1.5 months, the same exact problem happens to my second unit, but this time in the left channel. So now I'm just done with IKKO at this point and just want something with higher quality in terms of components used.

I really wanted this to work because of how good the sound was, but who can use one channel? I guess if I had kept my old one, then I can just use one for left and one for right channel... Hmmm...

IKKO Zerda ITM01 Dongle DAC AMP - Music Movie Game Changer



Ikko designed a new DAC/AMP with a pocket-friendly price point of 50 USD, under the Zerda naming. It features a high-quality decoding chip or DAC, and a magnetic detachable cable with a proprietary interface. The main competitors, given the price point, will be iBasso DC05 (69 USD), Soundmagic A30 (50 USD), and HIDIZS H2 Bluetooth AMP (50 USD). Most IKKO products are in the entry-level price range, but they are known to offer some of the best overall performance you can get for their money, being often cited with love by customers and fans from all over the world.

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Introduction

IKKO is one of those companies that appeal to you if you're a weeb, or someone who's really in love with Anime, Manga and Gaming culture. They have beautiful aesthetics for their package, but are growing, and are reliable, and their products have always offered good price / performance ratio, along with excellent support from the company.



It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with IKKO. I'd like to thank IKKO for providing the sample for this review. This review reflects my personal experience with IKKO Zerda ITM01. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in IKKO Zerda ITM01 find their next music companion.



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:





The package of ITM01 is really simple, but also effective. It includes the DAC AMP Dongle, and two USB Cables, one short USB cable for smartphones, in type C, and one long Type A cable for PC computers and laptops. You need to dig the paperwork out of the plastic case to discover the longer cable, but it is a nice addition for an entry-level DAC AMP.



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Features

Starting with what we know for sure about IKKO Zerda ITM01, it is a Dongle DAC AMP with three modes, Music Game and Movie, just like the GravaStar Sirius Pro TWS IEMS I reviewed recently. It is also widely compatible with all smartphones and Windows machines, and has a plug and play design. It uses the ESS 9290 DAC, a fine choice, and can decode PCM up to 32 Bit and 384 kHz. It has DSD decoding abilities up to DSD 128, but via DoP.



We have really nice SNR numbers of 118dB, and a low output impedance of 0.8 OHMs, so it shouldn't hiss with sensitive IEMS, nor cause impedance shifts that would induce changes in tuning and signature. We also have the output voltage rated at 2V at 32 OHMs, and the output power at 125mW at 32 OHMs. It is not quite clear whether this is per channel or total, but usually it is better to assume that it is the total output power.



Now, the unit has a magnetic cable, with a proprietary interface, which is kinda cool, because for a dongle dac amp that is always in your pockets, this design means you will never break that interface and the cable. Exactly as IKKO states, you just need to hover the cable around the Zerda ITM01 and it will attach automatically. The unit has lights on the lateral sides that look much more badass than what I managed to picture, and it has three buttons on the face, one center button for switching the mode, and volume minus / volume plus buttons. You need multiple presses to change volume a bit by bit.



By default, ITM01 Zerda enters at maximum volume in Windows, and it is extremely loud for headphones and IEMs, having more than enough power for the likes of KLH Ultimate One, Dunu Falcon Pro, IMR Audio Ozar, Campfire Mammoth, Blon B60, Earsonics Corsa and 7Hz timeless. I couldn't find any hissing or background noise with any of the IEMs and Headphones I tested the ITM01 Zerda with, but given the 0.8 OHM output impedance, it is possible you may notice some with IEMS that have an impedance lower than 8 OHMs. The unit gets ridiculously loud even with hard to drive headphones, like Sendy Audio Peacock, or HIFIMAN Arya Stealth and Audeze LCD-XC. It even has good overall performance with Crosszone CZ-8A, although for that one I would recommend a Palab M1 Mini at minimum for best sonics.



The unit gets warm during usage, but not hot, and it draws medium amounts of power from my smartphone. Being light and small, with multiple sound modes, ITM01 Zerda is on top for dongles when it comes to its performance.



Sound Quality

The overall sonic performance of ITM01 Zerda is extremely different between its sound modes, and they are color coded. Let's go through them, but keep in mind that Green = Music, which is the default mode for it, and this is where ITM01 Zerda sounds best, which I will explore in detail. The main pairings have been with Sendy Audio Peacock, KLH Ultimate One, Earsonics Corsa, Sivga SV021 Robin, Campfire Holocene, and Queen Of Audio QoA Adonis.



Blue = Movie mode is pretty much just the music mode with a very forward midrange. The mode also widens the soundstage, but results in a somewhat unnatural midrange with some harsh reflections in the treble, and less bass depth / impact than music mode. It works ok for watching movies, especially if you can't quite hear the dialogue, but it is not perfect for music, since there is a music mode, which sounds considerably better. Movie Mode enhances the textures significantly, along with background information, so you will hear a ton of detail you normally don't, but it can't sound quite as natural as the Music Mode.

Purple = Game Mode takes what Movie mode does and widens the soundstage even more, creating the feeling that music is coming from all over the place. It helps when gaming because you can hear precisely where your enemies are in fps games, but the stage is extremely wide, not deep. The sound in Game Mode has the least bass, which does not help a lot with impact, but it sounds dynamic, and is much less harsh than movie mode on textures, still sounding wider and more holographic (width and height of stage is over the top). Female voices sound sweet, and all electronic music sounds great in this mode.

Green = Music is the main mode, and this is how I used ITM01 Zerda most of the time. The soundstage is natural, and music has a natural amount of width and depth, textures are natural and everything is just pleasing to the ear. ITM01 Zerda is really fun to listen to, being musical, full, and deep, with low distortions and good dynamics.



The bass is clean and deep, can reach as low as 20 Hz, when the songs calls for it. The bass gets better with higher impedance on headphones, and with lower SPL on headphones and IEMS, and IKKO Zerda has best sonic performance at quiet and medium listening volumes, having a slightly overdriven sound extremely loud. With top of the line headphones like Sendy Audio Peacock and Audeze LCD-XC, the sound is natural and full, detailed, and the bass has good nuance.

We have a really musical, sweet and fluid midrange that has smooth textures and a clean presentation. Zerda has a very slight coloration towards being thick and warm, but it is mostly natural and clean. Even Vocaloid and synthetic voices sound natural and smooth, musical and pleasing. ITM01 Zerda has good overall detail, and the music is dynamic. I cannot emphasize this enough, but when paying 50 USD, I am not expecting much in terms of driving power, yet Zerda can make Sendy Audio Peacock and HIFIMAN Arya Stealth dance on my head, so you will never feel like you need more power unless you're using something ridiculously hard to drive like HIFIMAN HE6SE. Of course, there is more quality to be found at higher price points, but



The treble of Zerda is clean, detailed and has a natural texture. There's a good sense of air and space in music, but the music mode sounds the most intimate from all its modes, while movie mode will enhance the stage width, for some added harshness and grain in the treble, while gaming mode keeps the width, but turns the textures smoother.



Comparisons



IKKO Audio ITM01 Zerda vs Hidizs H2 Bluetooth AMP (50 USD vs 50 USD) - We're talking about two slightly different devices here, and H2 is a bluetooth device, which is even smaller than Zerda. Sadly, H2 has slightly worse overall technicality, which means less detail and resolution, less dynamics, and ITM01 Zerda has much better driving power, details and clarity, but H2 is Bluetooth and wireless. ITM01 Zerda also has three sonic modes, which H2 does not have.

IKKO Audio ITM01 Zerda vs iBasso DC05 (50 USD vs 69 USD) - This comparison is important as DC05 is now becoming the most recommended and most purchased DAC AMP Dongle out there, and besides the physical differences between the two, where I prefer ITM01 Zerda as it should survive better to long term usage, the cable not being attached to it. The overall sound is more dynamic and vivid on DC05, has similar driving power between them, and ITM01 has three sonic modes, being able to achieve a wider, more holographic soundstage than DC05, at the cost of naturalness in the midrange.

IKKO Audio ITM01 Zerda vs Soundmagic A30 (50 USD vs 50 USD) - A30 is larger physically, and has the cable attached to it, but it also provides a thicker, warmer sound. ITM01 Zerda has much more driving power, it sounds more dynamic, and has much more driving power, and where A30 is mostly best for IEMs and portable headphones, ITM01 Zerda does a great job with harder to drive headphones and planar magnetic alternatives. If you want a thicker, warmer, smoother sound, and don't need a ton of driving power, Soundmagic A30 is great, while if you need more driving power and punchiness, ITM01 Zerda should be the obvious choice.



Value and Conclusion

We can all say for sure that just like all of the other IKKO products I reviewed to date, ITM01 Zerda has excellent value, and that the company delivers, just like always, on their promise. While the Movie and Gaming modes won't be useful for absolutely everyone, if you're one of those who will engage them from time to time, Zerda is surely a versatile DAC AMP Dongle.



At first, I assumed that I would have some trouble using and recommending it because the cable is proprietary, but after using it for a long while, the magnetic proprietary cable is actually pretty cool, and I like having it, makes the unit light, but versatile, plus, instead of the type-c port breaking, if you sit on it, it just disconnects. The cable does not have exposed pins either, so it is all pretty cool.



At the end of the day, if you're at the beginning of your audio journey, but if you want a versatile DAC AMP Dongle with good driving power, a versatile shape and great dynamics, that will work well for both IEMs and Headphones, IKKO Zerda ITM01 is one of the best I can recommend right now.

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 is a digital-to-analog converter and amplifier (DAC/AMP) combination unit. The ITM01 uses a proprietary magnetic device-side connector and has a 3.5mm single-ended output. The DAC chip used is a customized ESSS9298. The ITM01 retails for $59 on Ikko’s webstore. Ikko provided me with the ITM01 in exchange for my impressions.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:​

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 comes in a rectangular clear plastic case. The ITM01 and a short cable with a USB-C transport-side termination are held in a foam mounting tray inside the case. A longer cable with a USB-A transport-side connector is also included with the ITM01. The ITMO1 package includes a user guide and a warranty card.

DESIGN:​

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 has an obelisk form factor with brushed aluminum top and bottom faces and dark translucent plastic side panels. The 3.5mm jack is located at one end of the device, and the magnetic connector is located at the opposite end. Ikko claims the customized magnetic interface is designed to reject interference, but I would have preferred a simple female USB-C port. With this design, you are locked into using Ikko’s proprietary cables for replacements, other transport-side terminations like Lightning, or additional cables in alternate lengths, colors, or materials.


The three button controls are laid out in a line across the top face of the device, and the Akko logo is printed in white between the magnetic connector and the “-” button. The side panels on the ITM01 incorporate lighting to indicate the currently selected sound mode. “Music Mode” corresponds to lemon yellow, “Movie Mode” corresponds to light blue, and “Game Mode” corresponds to purple.

FUNCTIONALITY:​

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 has three multifunction button controls. The center button functions as a “Play/Pause” button and switches between the three sound modes with a long press. There are also physical volume control buttons. A long press of the “-” button skips to the next track, and a long press of the “+” button rewinds.

The ITM01 properly negotiates connection status and playback device priority with Windows. This means that when headphones are not connected to the ITM01, the ITM01 will not be shown as an available playback device in Windows. When headphones are connected to the ITM01, the ITM01 will begin playback through the headphones immediately, and when the headphones are disconnected, the ITM01 will remove itself from the list of playback options and switch playback to another available device.

POWER DELIVERY:​

Note: The following observations were made with a system-wide -4 dB pre-amp setting as suggested here and Spotify volume normalization set to “Normal.” While I recommend using this pre-amp setting to preserve fidelity, it does reduce the headroom of any and all connected source devices. This means that the Ikko Zerda ITM01 is actually more powerful than I will indicate below.

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 is powerful enough to drive all the transducers currently in my collection. The system volume settings required to reach my typical listening volume on my hardest-to-drive transducers are provided below:

Moondrop S8: 12/100
Sennheiser HD500A: 30/100, (-7 dB rather than -4dB pre-amp to account for EQ)
HiFiMan HE400SE: 45/100

Click to expand...

With the caveat that neither of these over-ear headphones is truly hard-to-drive, this is an impressive showing for a relatively compact device.

SOUND:​

20 Hz — 20 kHz

20 Hz — 96 kHz

Mode Comparison (20 Hz — 20 kHz) [PAY ATTENTION TO SCALE]
The ITM01 supports a maximum sample rate of 32/384000 in “Music Mode” and “Movie Mode,” but only 24/96000 in “Game Mode.”

The Ikko Zerda ITM01’s three playback modes make tiny but audible tonal adjustments to sound playback. Music mode should be considered the default playback experience. “Movie Mode” has slightly worse bass extension compared to “Music Mode,” but seems roughly similar otherwise. “Game Mode” is the most different, with increased bass, reduced vocal region emphasis, increased presence, and rolled-off treble. This functionality might be useful in a competitive multiplayer use-case but is mostly a solution in search of a problem in my judgment.

In terms of technicalities, the ITM01 falls into the broad bucket of adequate. In “Music Mode,” it sounds as uncolored and clean as I would expect any competently designed generic source device of its price to sound. It also lacks any real distinguishing characteristics in terms of its intangibles or transient delivery.

POWER CONSUMPTION:​

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 has a lower power draw than many smaller devices intended for desktop use. The following power draw reading was taken while the ITM01 was in use:


The next reading was taken while the ITM01 was plugged into my computer but not being actively used, with no connected headphones:


There does not appear to be a true power-saving mode or auto-shutoff function. Whether this is a drawback or not is a personal preference. I dislike auto-shutoff functions because they generally induce a delay when resuming playback and disable them whenever possible.

CLOSING WORDS:​

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 has impressive output capability for a compact single-ended device, relatively efficient power consumption, and an intuitive and functional user interface. However, these fundamentals are overshadowed by unnecessary design choices like the sound modes and the proprietary magnetic connector. While this would not be my first recommendation for a music playback device, I think Ikko would have a winner if it stripped away some of the excess functionality and offered a minimalist version of the ITM01 with just the “Music Mode” and a universal connection type.

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 can be purchased here:

Don’t forget this… (ikkoaudio.com)