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)

Short but Concise Review

First of all, kudos to KeepHiFi and shipping as it only took less than a week for me to receive my item here in the Philippines. This is not going to be long as this has been detailed below with more in-depth coverage.

All I can say is this is the DAC/amp dongle that you need as it has one function that other DAC dongles do not have: it works with mic input! Hence, you do not need to switch audio devices even when gaming or online calls/meetings as it works with gaming headsets/mics.



As for the sound, it has a very energetic, powerful albeit colored grand presentation with a wide soundstage. It goes louder than the Hidizs S9 Pro at single-ended. The '3 modes' is nice to have and is flexible with what you're using it with (music, movie, game). Separation and micro details could be handled with more finesse though but overall, this is a killer product at this price. Aside from the less-premium plastic build and proprietary magnetic attachment cables (which means if you lose the cables, you have to get it from ikko) , I have no qualms. Worth to note that for ios users, you do have to get a separate lightning configuration from ikko as well. In a nutshell, definitely a must-buy for your quick, budget sound upgrade and worth more than its price!

Introduction

One could already say that Ikko is a brand of IEMS and DAC/Amps, because this new device is not the first of its kind presented by the brand. This time it is the first sound card optimised for gaming. Thanks to the introduction of the F11 interface, the ITM01 is able to meet the needs of today's PS5, Switch, Xbox, TV, iPhone, Android phones and PC devices, with optimised algorithms for three usage scenarios: music, cinema and gaming. With a simple press of the central button it is possible to switch between the three modes. As usual lately, it uses an ESS DAC, in this case the ES9298Pro, capable of decoding files up to 32bit/384kHz, achieving up to 2V output at 32Ω. Of course, it supports DSD DoP128 and adopts Ikko's customised anti-interference magnetic interface connection method. All this and more at a very competitive price. Below we will discuss the other features of this new device, as well as its sound quality.



Disclaimer

Penon Audio Store, offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.



Specifications

• DAC: ESS ES9298Pro.
• SNR: 118dB@32Ω(A-weight)
• Frequency response range: 20Hz-40kHz(-0.5dB)
• Output impedance: <0.8Ω
• Impedance of connected headphones: adaptable 16Ω - 600Ω
• Output level: 2V@32Ω(125mW@32Ω)
• THD+N: 0.0006%.
• 3 sound modes: music, cinema and game.
• PCM: 32bit/384kHz.
• DSD: 128
• Size: 58x22x11mm

Packaging

The presentation is a bit different from the traditional cardboard box. It is a transparent hard plastic box, which is wrapped in a thin bag for protection. The box is rectangular in shape with rounded corners, with a size of 138x80x34. On the main side you can see the device encased in a white foam mould, as well as the magnetic USB Type-C connector. On the top is a white cardboard protection, with a diagonal cutout, on which is the brand's logo. As if from the same cut, on the bottom is the other half of the cardboard, on which you can read the name of the model, its description and some features, in black ink on a complete white background, with a silver line dividing the two sections.
On the back side, the rest of the features can be seen, three realistic photos showing the colours that the ITM01 can adopt to notify the selected mode and the brand's signs. At the top of this side, there is a hinged metal clip, which allows the packaging to be hung on a commercial shelf.
On the left side it is marked "TypeC & USB" and there are 3 QR codes.
After opening the box the rest of the contents are as follows:

• The Ikko Zerda ITM01.
• A short USB TypeC cable.
• One long USB TypeA cable, textile covered, with a leather strap.
• One instruction manual, in Chinese and English.
• A customer service card.

The packaging is distinctive and quick to consume, drawing attention to the product because it is visible from the first glance. It is simple and has only the minimum accessories, a short and a long cable. It is understood that the short cable is for use with other mobile devices and the long one for PC. But I would have liked a USB TypeC to TypeA adapter. Otherwise, there is little to ask for in this type of device, as most are equally sparse in their content.



Construction and Design

There is no doubt that the ITM01 has a distinctive shape. It is a rectangular pickup with a clear oval tendency. So far nothing seems new, except that it consists of two parallel, convex metal plates, with the connections at the ends in between and a translucent plastic plate at the sides, which allows the light indicating the mode to be seen. This light is quite diffused and has little power. It has a brighter central spot and expands towards the ends, dimming rapidly. On the top face are three elongated rectangular buttons, forming a central column. The bottom button is used to lower the volume, the middle button to change the mode and the top button to increase the volume. They are marked with a '-', 'o' and '+' respectively. At the base of the tablet is the brand logo. All signs are white and the device is black with a very fine, smooth sandblasted finish. The connection of the base is USB input and is magnetic. It has a particular connection and shape, larger and oval, different from any regular USB connector. At the other end is the 3.5mm SE output. The inside is plastic, but has a gold crown around it. The back face is smooth, except for a small column in the centre, made of a hardened silicone-like material, which marks the model name in white letters.
The specifications state the size as 58x22x11mm, but do not indicate the weight, although it is not heavy.
It comes with two USB cables, the shorter one is TypeC, has a plastic coating and is curved due to storage in the packaging. The other cable is longer, I'd say 1m, and has a textile coating and a USB TypeA connector. Both magnetic USB connectors that fit the device have a flat, rubbery funnel shape.



Connectivity

The ITM05 is compatible with many devices, such as game consoles (PS5, Switch, Xbox), but also TVs and mobiles (iPhone, Android). Of course, it is compatible with Windows 10 PCs and other DAPS. I have tested it with DAPS, PC and my android smartphone and it connects without any problems, just like any other dongle. Connected to Windows 10 there is no need to install any drivers, but it doesn't have ASIO drivers either. This is the only disadvantage I find.



Operativity

The operation of the device is very simple. When it is connected to the PC, it does not detect it until an earphone is connected to it, so be aware that even if the light comes on as soon as it is connected, you need to plug in an earphone for Windows to work. So you have to bear in mind that even if the light comes on as soon as it is connected, you will need to plug in an earphone for Windows to work, so don't think it's broken! Once plugged in, operation is very simple, two buttons for volume control and the central button, which has a dual function: a single press pauses or restarts playback, while a long press toggles between the three playback modes (yellow for HiFi, purple for gaming and blue for cinema).
Connected to Win10 each volume press changes the value in two steps. Connected to my Tempotec V1-A, each press changes the volume by 1 point out of 100. Connected to my smartphone, it changes the volume by one point, out of a possible 14 on my Redmi.
The different sound modes they have can be very useful for many people. But I have focused on the Cinema and HiFi modes. Cinema mode expands the soundstage and makes the music more spectacular, suitable for watching movies and series, giving a multi-channel and immersive feel. HiFi mode is the traditional pure music mode, which tries to maximise music fidelity. With no consoles or games available, the corresponding mode has been a bit of a miss for me.
I'm not a big fan of devices with built-in volume. Others that I have only have 32 steps and they are too short for me. The possibility of having 50 or 100 steps is much better, even if you lose the ASIO compatibility. This has made this device one of my favourites when it comes to using it as a source for watching movies or films on my PC. Thanks, too, to a specific mode that allows you to enjoy the sound even more.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the ITM01 has a Fade-In function every time playback starts. I have said on other occasions that I am against this function, I don't like to lose the first bars of the music.
On the negative side, at the beginning, I have occasionally noticed some clicking or unreliable operation, which disappears immediately. Maybe it has to do with some kind of setting associated with that Fade-In. In any case, it's not the best dongle when it comes to music start-up. Fortunately, this disappears quickly.



Measures

The specifications indicate a relatively high power rating for a dongle of its price: 2V@32Ω(125mW@32Ω). And it is true that these values are met, which I’m very happy about.

No load

The Ikko ITM01 is capable of delivering just over 2V RMS and has a very slight voltage roll-off, located at the audible end.



15 Ω

By setting the volume to the point where no pure wave distortion is observed, the ITM01 is capable of delivering 1.28V @1kHz, which is 110mW of power at 15 Ω, providing a current of over 85mA, which is quite high for a dongle of this price.



33 Ω

At maximum volume, the ITM01 gives slightly more than it specifies, with no trace of visible distortion: 2.07V @1kHz, that's 130mW at 33 Ω, a very serious value. Another thing that can be observed when a load of this value is connected is that the output impedance is very low, practically zero, as there is no voltage drop between 33 Ω, 100 Ω or no load at 1kHz.



100 Ω

The values at 100 Ω are similar to those at 33 Ω, which means a power of almost 43mW for this impedance.



Frequency Response

There is no problem with the fidelity of the device, it is very linear in the audible range and its roll-off at the 5hz and 40kHz extremes is less than 1dB.



Sound

In assessing the sound, I focused on the HiFi mode. It is clear that the cinema mode can expand the scene, giving it a more spectacular touch, but coloured in some aspects, and even cut down on definition in the high end. Undoubtedly, something that is there and that can be an improvement, or at least, a difference that can be positive, it would be foolish of me to ignore it. But as a purist, I prefer to focus my analysis on the music mode, whose fidelity is superior, as well as having a higher definition. On the other hand, I can only praise the cinema alternative for enjoying series and films.
When I hear a source for the first time, my instinct sharpens and it is then that I can guess its quality. It is a rather pure and primal inner feeling, which is then very difficult to change. This first contact can make up a very high percentage of my opinion about the device in question. My first feeling with the Ikko ITM01 was very good, surprising, falling into the hackneyed thought of "how far can the sound quality of a device that is getting cheaper and cheaper". It's clear that Sabre is covering the maximum protagonism in this time that AKM is not present. And I can only hope that those famous chips from the factory that burned down will return to reignite the battle for the audio DAC throne. But in the meantime, ESS has gone from signifying a pure, analytical sound, to softening its signature, arriving at a warmth that doesn't lose its roots. It is noticeable that there is a very slight drop in the treble at the audible end. It may not be enough to justify this warmth, because it is already noticeable in the mid-range, but it is there. This is not a bass-centred source, but rather a profile that is not strictly neutral, where the low and mid range have a greater prominence due to their body and exuberance, without this implying a difference in emphasis between the three bands. As I say, the lower range is rich and forceful, with a desirable and pleasing density, but with good definition and a sense of complete range. The weight of the notes has power and good depth, but is not excellent. There is no lumpiness, no sense of opacity in the bass and its resolution is very adequate, though not luxurious. I perceive no colour beyond a sense of warmth and the separation of layers and layering is noticeable. It's a great area for its price range, with muscle and fullness.
The middle range is the one that shows this warm character most clearly, distancing itself from a more analytical or highly descriptive profile. Despite the level of transparency, I find the midrange more musical and cohesive, rather than bright or defined. The result is a very pleasant midrange, with a good level of resolution, although it doesn't have a very high separation and I miss a point of greater dynamics, which would give the sound more vivacity and extension. Thanks to the slight warmth of the sound, this range has a good feeling of complete body, fullness and a good level of musical complexity.
The tendency of the high end is towards a smooth and controlled naturalness. It is not a cold or crisp dongle, but neither is it a clipped treble, only subtly lightened. But this does not detract from the fact that this range is far from being unrepresentative. The roll-off is too small to have a clear influence on the sound. Thus, both the extension and the amount of air is more than realistic and more than sufficient.
Technically speaking, I would rate the ITM01 one step above its price range. It has a remarkable level of detail and resolution, crispness and separation. But I think it is in the scene where it is not as well developed as other features. The width is palpable, there is a good sense of depth, although it doesn't go as far as other sources. But both in height and in three-dimensional recreation, the feeling is lighter. It's not quite an intimate scene, but it's not an ethereal or enveloping sound, but the music's provenance is more frontal, albeit with good laterality. The level of separation doesn't go so far as to offer absolute darkness between notes, but rather the cohesion and warmth of the sound, smoothing out the background and detail. While micro nuances are only hinted at, the degree of the level of resolution falls short of something more explicit.



Comparisons

Hidizs S3 Pro

The Hidizs S3 Pro is a very small dongle, similarly priced, quite powerful for its size and has the advantage of being able to change its sound via firmware, with three tunings to choose from. For this occasion the balanced tuning has been used. It is clear that its description is accurate, as the sound offered is pure, flat and detailed. It is not as powerful as the ITM01, just half as powerful, but I think it is quite sufficient for use with IEMS, and could even be used with something bigger. It is also much smaller and has an integrated cable, which can be an advantage in many ways. The easy mode switching and volume control offer better operation on the Ikko, but may be less practical in some other scenarios.
The centre range of the ITM01 is more complete, complex, fuller and punchier. A similar situation arises in the low end, although the bass sounds different. In the S3 they sound cooler, while in the ITM01 the warmth is noticeable and the bass is a little thicker and more powerful. The S3's profile is more analytical, with thinner and finer notes, although the detail doesn't quite blossom, remaining at a similar level to the ITM01. The result is that the Hidizs offers a brighter, crisper feel, with even more separation and expansive feel. Whereas the ITM01 is denser, cohesive, musical, nicer and smoother, less splashy than the S3. This feeling would seem to favour the micro detail over the ITM01, but this is not the case, as I say, the two remain fairly even, even though the Hidizs is more descriptive at first glance. It is clear that the character of the Hidizs is more Sabre than that of the Ikko, which is more analogue, natural and organic. The sense of dynamics is a little bigger in the S3 and it offers more separation due to its thinner notes, something that favours the perception of a darker background. That's why I think that the character of both, cool vs. warm, may be one of the characteristics that tip the balance towards one or the other, as far as sound is concerned. If the most important parameter is power, there is no doubt, the Ikko is twice as powerful.



Conclusion

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 is a great multimedia sound device. It is highly versatile and is ready to connect to PCs, SmartPhones and consoles, it has 3 sound modes, HiFi, Cinema and Gaming. It also has a volume control and can pause/play music. Its power specs are excellent and it is capable of delivering 125mW@32Ω, with really low distortion: 0.0006%. In terms of sound, it plays in a league above its price and I think there are few devices as complete as it, hence the excellent quality/price ratio. Anyone who wants to buy a device with a lot of features should seriously consider the ikko ITM01 before making a decision.



Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis

• HiBy R3 Pro
• Tempotec V1-A
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
• NiceHCK Topguy
• ISN H40
• Rose QT9 MK2
• BQEYZ Autumn
• Ikko OH2
• Yanyin Aladdin
• BLON BL-Max
• Dunu Falcon Pro
• NiceHCK EBX21
• Hessian Ansata Pro
• Takstar Pro 80
• SoundMagic HP150

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 82
• Packaging and Accessories: 70
• Connectivity: 85
• Operability: 82
• Sound: 88
• Quality/Price: 95

Purchase Link

https://penonaudio.com/ikko-itm01.html

You can read the full review in Spanish here:

https://hiendportable.com/2021/12/19/ikko-zerda-itm01-review/

IKKO Zerda ITM01 ($59): A three-way for your pleasure.

Zerda ITM01

Disclaimer: After reviewing the IKKO OH1s, Rebecca contacted me about reviewing the Zerda (called that throughout for ease of use). I agreed, and a unit was sent to me. The following is my honest words after approximately 6 weeks of use from my iPhone and MBP. Having had several others, including to me the class leading EarMen products, it would be good to judge the Zerda against what I consider the standards. It is also understood that the unit is mine to keep, but not flip, as that still remains uncool to this day. The unit may be asked back for or forwarded to another at the request of IKKO. Until then, the unit is mine to keep. I do thank Rebecca for the unit.

One does not need to be a fanboy (I really don't appreciate the use of this term for either platform...) of either iOS or Android to appreciate the Zerda, for it works equally well on both platforms (as do most produced items today).


Specs:

Specifications:

1. Decoding rate
PCM: 32bit/384kHz
DSD: Dop128

2. SNR: 118dB @ 32Ω (A-Weighting)
3. Frequency response: 20Hz - 40kHz (-0.5db)
4. Output impedance: <0.8Ω
5. Adaptation impedance: adaptive 16 ohm-600 ohm
6. Output level:2V @ 32Ω (125mW @ 32Ω)
7. Green LED: music, Blue LED: video, Purple LED: gaming


In The Box:

ITM01 * 1
TYPE-C cable *1
USB A cable *1
iOS Lightning cable * 1


Comparisons:

EarMen Eagle $129
EarMen Sparrow $199


Gear Used:

iPhone 13 Pro Max
MacBook Pro

Campfire Audio Dorado
BGVP DH5
cat. ear Hitam


Songs Used:

BHT & TM
Alex Fox
Tommy Emmanuel
Jesse Cook
Peter Frampton


Unboxing:

Coming in a nice hard plastic case, the unit sits encased in medium cush foam, complete with a cutout for the unit (and thumb hole to take out) and a curved area, which holds the cable of choice. Since I am an Apple user, I opted for the lightning connection, but a USB-A was also included. Lifting out the unit, the long USB-A/proprietary connecting cable was wrapped below along with an instruction manual. Since the Zerda has no battery, it is a dongle/DAC/Amp only, there is no need for a charging cable. The USB-A was easily registered through a commonly found USB-C adapter for my MBP, and in both instances, it was plug-n-play.

I will note that on my iPhone XS Max (which I had at the beginning), I had to put the lightning cable in “upside down” for it to register. On the 13 Pro Max, I did not.

That’s it. That’s the packaging. You do get all the necessary information on the back of the case from the insert, which is used as the “sleeve” for the container, so you do get the pertinent information regarding what chipset is used, etc.



Technicals:

Using the newer ESS ES9298 Pro DAC chip, the Sabre input comes across well. Many ESS chips are on the warmer side of life, and this would be no different. Known for excellent detail, with a rich warmer sound, the 9298 is no different. But this does not mean it is sloppy, or slushy. No, the sound comes across as quite detailed.

You also get three modes of operation, with the signature tailored specifically for each mode; gaming, music or video. This is the first portable iteration of such changing of circuitry of which I know. There could well be more, but I know not of any at this price or use. A long press switches mode effortlessly and can also be used across all three platforms. I found it fun to do so playing music or a movie; essentially tailoring the sound to my tastes. Be VERY cautious when changing though. Moving from blue to purple (video to gaming), the source is rightly paused as the increased volume level is potentially deafening. I did find the blue setting of movies to be too much for music. A push across the spectrum made the music become not only louder at each level, but it became a near jumbled mess. For less complex songs, this would work, but stick to the green setting for music. Each level from music to video to gaming not only raised the volume from the previous, but also raised the potential volume ceiling. For gaming, I would recommend some seriously high ohm headphones as a result.

Supporting PCM up to 16Bit/384kHz and DSD up to DoP128, the Zerda does a fine job for its intended sources. I immediately appreciated the sound emanating from within, when I plugged the unit in.


Build/Function:

The Zerda comes in at 58mm x 22mm x 11mm and weighs a svelte amount of grammage. Not given, it does feel fairly light, but with the cable attached, does tend to weigh the unit down. Laid on the table, it is fine, but when you pocket the item, be careful for you may indeed pull the magnetic attach point from the unit. This did not happen to me, but. Could very well do so. I will note that the attaching magnetic force seems to have a “click,” allowing a secure connection but do be careful.

Build is typical of dongle/DAC’s as the plastic parts fit together well and without fault. The controls operate smoothly and without fault. One click up or down on the volume equaled the same on my phone without the Zerda attached. Nice to see.

As stated above, the unit functions easily and is indeed plug and play. Switching between modes is easy, and again caution is warranted when going between modes with the volume. Switching to movie to watch the Seattle v Green Bay football game (#GoPackGO), was seamless save for the silent switch. More on the sound in the next section, but seamless operation is all one can ask of a portable dongle/DAC.



Sound:

Summary:

The unit functions smoothly and without fuss, adding a bit of bass to the sound. And contrary to the other review posted, the signature lies a bit closer to warm than neutral to me. That could be the richness pervading as the added bass as well. For music, the control is easy and provides a clarity on par with others in this price, but it is not spectacularly different than a normal current Smartphone. There is a difference, with added detail and soundstage depending upon the mode chosen. Calculating sound differences in something of this ilk is so hard, but differences can be had. The added bass “boost” (not really that much) can show itself as richness and a warmth to the signature, but that could be a false “benefit.”

Overall the Zerda functions well, providing a boost across the spectrum, but not overly boosted to where the signature becomes muddy and cloddy. Plus, as you cycle through you get the requisite volume increase, which works for the intended “media.”

More:

Many of today’s dongle/DAC’s promote a “stylized” signature for the benefit of being different. That is, they either add or subtract from a solid near-neutral sound to tailor the sound. This can give them good PR, but I have found it not to work on all models. By adding something, you are essentially stating that your product needs artificial reinforcement to separate it from the crowd. The Zerda is not of that ilk, thankfully.

While it does have to me a slight tilt towards a rich, warmer signature; it is close to near neutral. I find the push in the upper mids to benefit the signature for a richer amount of detail. Clarity is slightly above average, but the detail wrought from the innards of the Zerda make it near the top of this device range to me. Not overly boosted at all, but a boost across the spectrum as mentioned above allows the Zerda to exert an almost forceful approach, but one without being too boisterous.

Add in that you can go across all three modes when listening to music, and this can make for a raucous sound indeed. Again, caution is needed when going from movie to gaming. In fact, if you are listening to music, and switching between the two, your music should pause. Mine did while on Tidal thankfully. The other review does mention that it is a good idea to pause the music or application and lower the volume when going between modes. I would second this. At minimum, lower the volume.

The ESS chipset does its job, allowing for an enhancing of the stock sound across your mobile device. Yes, I know many will now argue that their CXfG235T Smartphone has a better chipset and this isn’t needed. But I would also posit that those looking for this type of device are in possession of a less than TOTL Smartphone. I can even hear a slight difference on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, so there. I can’t really say it is better, but different with the boost.



Comparison:

IKKO ITM01 Zerda ($59) v EarMen Eagle ($129):

Neither of these is really a fair comparison, as at minimum the price is 2x the Zerda. But valid, for it shows how far these darn devices have come. The Eagle is a phenomenal unit, with sound pretty much unmatched to me at the price. Using an ESS chip as well, you get a clarity nearly unheard-of at this price. But it lacks volume control and three mode operation. So, in that regard, the Zerda ups the ante. Pure sound desired? Eagle. Options desired? Zerda.


IKKO ITM01 Zerda ($59) v EarMen Sparrow ($199):

Hands down, this is my favorite all-time dongle/DAC. Coming with a 2.5mm balanced port as well as the 3.5mm, you are not left wanting when using your balanced cables on your favorite IEM/headphone’s. That cannot be underestimated. Plus, throw in the ability to use other cable connections such as the excellent DDHiFi connection ones and you have a unit, which is hard to beat. But it comes at what many would consider a steep price. You will have to justify the added price over sound, and again this comes down to pure sound and a balanced connection, versus options in mode and volume control. I would take the Sparrow, only knowing I have heard it and can use it across many platforms. Had I not heard it, the Zerda would be hard to beat.



Finale:

Shorter than normal (many will say, thank goodness!!!), but defined pretty much as it lays; the Zerda is what I would call the next iteration of dongle/DAC’s, which can function across platforms and source options. Having its own volume control and the ability to change source or mode on the fly (with caution again) gives this a healthy start against some lofty competition. You do realize that to get a very good dongle/DAC you should spend a bit of coin. But how much is up to you, and I would recommend a listen to the Zerda (either model) for it may just satiate your need in the ultra-portable market and make you forget about much more expensive options. This is a very fine device and should be worthy of a long look if you are in the market.

I again thank Rebecca and IKKO for the review sample. It is a good unit. Very good.

IKKO ZERDA ITM01 REVIEW

TONALITY: 8/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8/10
AMPING QUANTITY: 8.5/10
AMPING QUALITY: 7.8/10
CONSTRUCTION&DESIGN: 8.2/10
SOUND VALUE: 8.5/10

PACKAGING

Nothing to be amazed about here, it's minimalist in term of presentation and accessories, but it do include an extra USB cable of good quality.

CONSTRUCTION & CONTROL

The built is good for the price. It's a mix of thin allumium and plastic. It's light and doesn't feel extremely sturdy, so I would be afraid to dropit on hard floor. Button are well implemented and have an easy click to it. The jack is a mix of metal and plastic, it feel of good quality. The connector is unique, it use an anti-interference magnetic port but it need a proprietary cable to be used, so this can represent pricey compromise when it come to buy an IOS cable or replacing a broken or lost one.



Control is excellent, I'm a big fan of Play-Pause button when it comes to the dongle and it's a shame it isn't as widely used. IKKO did a great design job with the ITM01 and the interface is flawless.

BATTERY CONSUMPTION

Listening at high volume, I get around 5H of use with my LG V30, which have a rather poor battery life. Even if the ITM01 isn't battery-powered and do drain your phone battery life, it isn't problematic

AMPING


QUANTITY

The ITM01 ES9298Pro DAC has an integrated headphone amplifier circuit that delivers up to 2V into 32ohm impedance load. In that regard, it is very similar to the ES9280 and ES9218 DAC. But unlike those two, it bypasses adaptative gain to deliver max power output which is 125mw@32ohm.


125 Megawatt is plenty of power for about 99% of IEM and 75% of headphones, for example, my Surface Pro 3 laptop max volume sound as loud as 25% of ITM01 volume, so to those wondering if it will be a big a noticeable upgrade from their laptop, tablet or smartphone, it will certainly be at least in volume loudness.

Another example will be the fact that ITM01 delivers more power single-ended than FIIO BTR5 which is stated at 80mw@32ohm , but BTR5 balanced output delivers near 2 times more power at 220mw@32ohm.

All in all, you have plenty of driving quantity which makes the ITM01 very versatile for those using earbuds, IEM and headphones with diversified impedance and sensitivity. Anything portable can be driven by the ITM01, apart from perhaps extremely hard to feed IEM like the Tinhifi P1 or Final E4000.

QUALITY

Cool, we have decent amping power but is it noisy, hissy? Did the dynamic is deliver with authority?

While this is no THX ultra-lean and clean amping, it isn’t hissy or dirty by any means. Sure, if you use very sensitive IEM like the Audiosense T800 (9ohm), it will not sound as clean in the background as let say the Final A8000 or E1000. It must be noted that the 0.8ohm impedance output is quite low but not as low as other top high-end DAC or DAP. For example, the Ibasso DX90 has an impedance output of 0.1ohm and delivers a way cleaner spatiality and blacker background.

Still, their no hiss or distortion with my Audiosense T800, which is surely a sign of stable power output. It did had some warmth, and thicken the sound too, it stole some air on top. The SABRE headphone amplifier seems to add an analog filter to the overall sound that softens the edge of its tonality, making it smoother and more organic as a whole but less transparent and crisp. The dynamic is weighty but not perfectly articulated.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS
(using Audiosense T800, Final A8000 and Final E1000)


The IKKO ITM01 has 3 sound preset. They can be selected by holding the center button. Each one has it’s own color indicator lighting: lemon yellow for Music, blue for Movie and Purple for Gaming. I will only review the Music and Movie mode since we can’t select the Gaming mode for music which is a serious drawback because the Movie mode can be very interesting for music for those that wanna open the soundstage and boost it’s imaging perception.

PS : We ‘’can’’ use the Gaming mode with music app but their no volume control and the sound feel distant, acting more like a line out.

MUSIC MODE

Lush in a lean way, with dense timbre and slightly warmed neutrality. This isn’t at all similar to ES9038 tonality, which is way colder and sharper than the more relaxed ES9298 tonality. It’s similar to ES9218 implementation in the FIIO BTR5 or ES9281C implementation in AUDIRECT ATOM2, to the point some will not notice any difference (unless going balanced with BTR5).

The TREBLE is slightly smoothened (roll-off around 15khz), it isn’t sparkly and very revealing, but it sounds full and relaxed in impact and we don’t feel it lack at anything apart from crisp precision. We have a slight boost in 10khz section that helps to deliver the intricate details part, but it’s far from being over-emphasized. Treble density gives a sens of weight and immediacy but lack proper definition to extract each individuality of music sound info. If you want your dongle to extract all micro-details in a track, the ITM01 isn’t the right one, but if you want a treble that melts organically in a cohesive tonality and add some spice to the top, this is a good one.

The MIDS is the lush part of the sound, vocal are wide and dense, timbre is natural but slightly colored with warmth. Again, mids don't jump at you but flow naturally. They aren't very transparent nor crisp and imaging is just average. Tone is accurate, but the attack lack a bit of edge. Without being hollow, the mids lack a bit of clarity in micro-details and definition and benefit more the macro-resolution as a cohesive whole. Inoffensive, yet without lacking in presence.

The BASS is the warmest part and not very textured. Separation is average and flow in mid-range in an opaque organic way. The ITM01 will not help your IEM to deliver highly clean and articulate bass, and the extension doesn't feel complete. Kick drum and sub bass tend to melt togheter a bit.

IMAGING is rather average both in layering which are condensed and spatiality that lack crispness and precision.

SOUNDSTAGE is wide enough, but not very deep or tall. It's rather intimate.

RESOLUTION is above average but lacks a bit of transparency for proper sound layering.

MOVIE MODE

The biggest difference from Music mode is the spatiality and imaging, the soundstage is notably wider and deeper and instrument placement is crisper with better separation and layering.

The Clarity is boosted in treble and overall signature a bit more V shape as it packs more punch and dig more micro-details.

The overall timbre is thinner, especially in mid-range which has a brighter tone. Vocals aren't as smooth and present as music mode.

All in all, this mode is very interesting to open up the sound of IEM that has a small soundstage.



COMPARISONS

VS TEMPOTEC HD PRO (DAC-CS43131-45$)

BUILT is made of metal and a bit smaller with HD PRO, as well, it use micro-usb connector compared to the proprietary magnetic connection of the ITM01.
CONTROL button are better implemented with ITM01, volume have more step and by-pass stock volume control, HD PRO button lack pressure click and feel cheap. You don't have Play-Pause button nlike the ITM01, which is a big drawback too.
AMPING power is about 2 times lower with HD PRO, but it's cleaner too.
TONALITY is quite different, HD PRO is cleaner, crisper and more neutral. It dig more micro details and have notably more precise and revealing imaging. The background is blacker. Bass is leaner-clearer. Mids are thinner but more transparent and agile. Treble is more emphasized and detailed. Timbre is colder. Attack is faster-edgier.
RESOLUTION is better in both transparency and definition precision with the HD PRO.

All in all, the HD PRO offer a neutral reference sound that is better technically but colder tonally, amping power is notably lower and overall interface poorer making the ITM01 a more versatile, mass appealing choice.

VS AUDIRECT ATOM 2 (DAC-ES9281-80$)

BUILT is way smaller with Atom2 and doesn't need extra cable, which mean it can't be used for different IOS-Android too. Being all thick metal, Atom2 promise longer durability than light plastic built of ITM01.
CONTROL go to ITM01 since you don't have any button with Atom2.
AMPING power is about 2 times lower again (62mw vs 125mw), it's very similar in term of quality both have slight amping warmth added to their tonality. But once you unlock gain boost with Atom2, it seem they deliver about same level of max loudness. Strangely, Audirect didn't specs it with the use of a 3.5mm male to female adapter that permit to get max gain at 32ohm.
TONALITY is very similar, as expected with similar DAC that doesn't need independent amplifier. ITM01 is a bit more lean and neutral, bit brighter too. The sounds layers aren't as thick and well extracted and the presentation feel a bit less dynamic. Mids are lusher and more boosted with Atom2, bass is warmer and have more slam.
RESOLUTION is better with the ITM01, its cleaner, less warmed by bass and treble is sharper.

All in all, ITM01 sounds like a more refined Atom2 even if dynamic is more weighty with the Atom2.

CONCLUSION

Just 2 years ago, we had very few choice when it come for the affordable dongle and ultra portable DAC-AMP, it was FIIO or nothing really. Well, apart from overpriced Dragonfly stuffs.
In that regards, Tempotec HD PRO was a much-needed miracle, but it was lacking a bit of amping power to make it greatly versatile.
While I wasn't a fan of the first ZERDA dongle from IKKO, which use a cirrus CS43198, the ITM01 take me by surprise delivering a superior sound and higher power output for half the price of it's predecessor.
The fact it have 3 sound mode as a plus is another interesting factor that make the ITM01 uniquely appealing because the Movie Mode can be use to magnify your music too, offering a bigger more holographic sound presentation that transforms your movie or music into 5.1 surround sound experience.
I'm not sure why the Zerda ITM01 isn't more hyped than this, but really, for 50$ it's among the best do-it-all dongle dac-amp you can find nowadays.
If you search for a dongle that has a volume control, pause-play button, a changeable cable, 125mw of amping power and 2 sound signature plus a dedicated gaming mode....well, their only one option and this is it.



----------------
PS: I wanna thanks IKKO for sending me this review sample. I'm not affiliated to this audio company and didn't gain any money. As always, this is my 100% honest unbiased audio impression.
You can buy the IKKO ZERDA ITM01 for 59$ HERE.

For more audio reviews, give a read to my blog here:https://nobsaudiophile.com/

Disclaimer​

I would like to thank Rebecca from IKKO for providing this review unit. It can be purchased here: https://www.ikkoaudio.com/products/...e-audio-dac-detachable-magnetic-cable-adapter

Executive Summary​

The IKKO ITM01 is a swiss army knife of the budget dongle DAC/AMP arena. It has a music, gaming and movie mode, making it quite versatile. It also has volume controls and boasts a very innovative magnetic cable system. There is good power on tap, yet this set can still drive low impedance type IEMs because of its low output impedance.

Specifications​

• DAC uses ESS's high-performance ESS9298 chip
• PCM supports up to 16Bit/384kHz
• DSD supports up to DoP128
• Adopts ikko's custom anti-interference magnet thread connection method
• SNR: 118dB@32Ω (A-weight)
• Frequency response range: 20Hz-40kHz (-0.5dB)
• Output impedance: <0.8Ω
• Adaptation impedance: adaptive 16ohm - 600ohm
• Output level: 2V @ 32Ω (125mW @ 32Ω)
• Distortion: < 0.001%
• Decoding ability: Simulation (multiple sound optimizations)
• Size: 58x22x11mm
• Output: 3.5 mm
• Tested at $59 USD

Accessories​

• 1x Ikko ITM01 Dongle
• 1x USB A cable
• 1x Type C or lightning cable (you can choose either option at order).

The USB A cable is very long, so no worries of a too short cable limiting your usage. In fact I found it too long and dangly, and had to tie up the cable when using it with my laptop. This cable is cloth braided and there is an included faux leather strap to tie the USB A cable.



A second cable is included, this is either a Lightning or USB Type C connector, depending on which one you choose at ordering. Well that depends if you are of the Apple or Android persuasion, but this cable is very much shorter.




These 2 included cables feature a very nifty and innovative magnetic connector to attach the cable to the DAC/AMP device. The magnetic end of the cable locks on easily and can be used in either direction; this may lessen wear and tear for frequent cable changing.

Contrary to the impressions that a magnetic connector can cause an easy dislodgement of the cable from the DAC/AMP, it is actually not easy to remove this magnetic clamp once the cable is inside, and I had no issues with dislodging the cable on the go.

This cable is unfortunately proprietary. I do appreciate that this DAC/AMP dongle's cable is detachable, as a non-detachable one may be a point of failure down the line. In this current year of 2021, it is really not excusable to have a non-detachable cable for these dongles (unless we are talking about an ultra-budget set), as a non-detachable cable is one awkward yank away from being a white elephant.

Build​

The ITM01 is made of plastic, but is sturdy yet light. As mentioned above, the detachable cable definitely should prolong its lifespan.

Measuring in at 58 x 22 x 11 mm, this set can easily fit into a jeans pocket on the go.

This set has a 3.5 mm output (single ended) and has no balanced option.

Functionality​

The IKKO ITM01 is a plug and play set, and is compatible with desktops/laptops, apple and android phones (depending on the cable type you order), without any need to install drivers.

Disclaimer: I am not an Apple fanboy and do not own any Apple products, so I opted for the USB C version and tested this set on Android phones and a Windows laptop. Please check with others who have bought the Lightning version if they have any issues with Apple products.

The volume buttons work as advertised on the IKKO ITM01, they can be pressed down with a satisfactory click. I appreciate that the volume steps in the ITM01 are quite fine, unlike the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, which have huge volume levels in between each volume step.

Pressing the middle button once (short press) pauses or starts the music. This middle button also controls the mode if pressed for 3 seconds: music (yellow LED), movie (blue LED) and game mode (purple LED).

Technical Aspects​

The IKKO ITM01 can support PCM up to 16Bit/384kHz and DSD up to DoP128.

I did not note any RF interference when putting the IKKO ITM01 through its paces. Neither did I hear any hiss nor clicking with changing tracks midway. There is a bit of a clicking noise however, when changing modes.

On the music mode (yellow LED), the IKKO ITM01 essentially is neutralish with a slight bass boost. This keeps it from sounding sterile and adds a little bit of fun to the equation. The background is pitch dark with highly sensitive IEMs.

In fact with the advertised <0.8Ω output impedance, this set is perfect for multi driver low impedance IEMs (rule of eights in audiophile teachings). I've tried some 9ish ohm low output impedance sets like the Audiosense T800 and TRI Starsea on this DAC/AMP without any issues.

With very high impedance earbuds and cans eg ~ 300 ohms, the IKKO ITM01 faired well and could drive such gear adequately. When paired with some power hungry IEMs, eg KBEAR BElieve/Final E3000 (low sensitivity) and TRI I3 (planar tribid), these all sounded good, with a lot more headroom to spare.

On the movie mode (blue LED), the soundstage was compressed a tinge, with a boost in the upper mids region, giving more clarity to voices. This gave a spherical blob of soundstage with the head as the reference point, and there was some loss in instrument separation.

I didn't get a "surround sound" vibe with this mode though. The volume cap is also much higher here than on the music mode, and the volume levels may jump from the music mode when playing an equivalent track (so beware).

On the gaming mode (purple LED), the soundstage became unnaturally wide (it may not be suited for music listening as such), but this might aid in placement of gun shots and footsteps, especially for FPS players. Instrument separation does take a hit compared to the music mode.

Likewise, the volume cap here is also much more than on the music mode, and the volume can also jump suddenly compared to the music mode, while on the same test track.

Hence, when changing modes to the gaming/movie mode, as they have a different volume level/cap, my advise is to mute the volume of your device and put the source (eg phone/laptop) volume to zero, and slowly increase incrementally, in case of any sudden jumps in volume between the modes.

The IKKO ITM01 does get a bit warm with prolonged usage, but I've definitely had other dongle DAC/AMPs that go much hotter.

Comparisons​

Compared to the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, the ITM01 has about comparable sound quality, but the ITM01 is more fun sounding in view of a bass boost, compared to the rather neutral Sonata HD Pro; the Sonata HD Pro can sound a bit more boring as such.

The Sonata HD Pro also has weaker driving power, and can't drive some more demanding gear, eg 300 ohm cans. Having said that, there are some mods (eg BHD firmware mod, or using a 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm adapter) to get the Sonata HD Pro to output more juice, but the volume steps on the Sonata HD Pro are also bigger, so fine tuning volume levels on the Sonata HD Pro isn't as reliable.

Compared to the E1DA 9038D, the ITM01 has poorer soundstage and technicalities, but that is not surprising considering the E1DA 9038D is around double the price (the 9038D is not better by twice for sure).

Driving power on both sets are good for a single-ended dongle, but the E1DA 9038D drains more battery and gets noticeably warmer. The E1DA 9038D is also very neutral and may sound more boring and analytical than the ITM01.

Conclusions​

The IKKO ITM01 is a swiss army knife of the budget dongle DAC/AMP arena. It has a music, gaming and movie mode, making it quite versatile. It also has volume controls and boasts a very innovative magnetic cable system. There is good power on tap, yet this set can still drive low impedance type IEMs because of its low output impedance.

This DAC/AMP dongle (on the music mode) features a neutral signature with some slight bass boost to add a bit of fun to the music. Soundwise, the ITM01 definitely holds its own at the budget segment, and at $59 USD, has really quite good price to performance ratio. Recommended!

Intro
A dongle, a Dongle DAC, a USB DAC, a DAC/Amp? There are so variations and the boundaries between the devices even more blurred.

The Ikko Zerda is what I would call a USB DAC/Amp. There are modes, which alter the sound. In essence, it is a Mini Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) and Amplifier (Amp) which has a USB data and power connection to your computer or mobile phone. The ITM01 comes with some interesting innovations namely, a unique magnetic data connector and a choice of three sound modes.

Disclosure
The Ikko Zerda ITM01 was sent to me by IkkoAudio for review. You can buy the ITM01 here: https://www.ikkoaudio.com and from various vendors on AliExpress.

All opinions I express here are my own with no influence from anyone. No one has editorial control or influence over the contents of this review. I make an effort to ensure that I give the reader factual information. I appreciate your feedback.

My setup for this review
I paired them with Samsung galaxy note 10 plus and various earphones. I used UAPP as my music player. Specifically I used the Blon B20 headphones, TRI Starsea, TRI Sunshine, Ikko OH10 and the [Banned Name] MT300 to test the ITM01.

Form and Function
The package: The Ikko Zerda ITM01 comes in a mid-sized clear plastic case with the DAC/Amp, a USB cable with a proprietary magnetic connection on one end and the other end a USB type C connection.


The second cable has the same proprietory magnetic connection for connecting to the ITM01 and on the other end, USB A. The ITM01 does not have a Bluetooth option and it does not have a balanced cuicuit.

Form: The outer shell of the Ikko Zerda ITM01 is two inches (5.5 cm) in length and an inch (2.25 cm) wide, with a thickness of less than half an inch. The casing is made of a solid feeling black plastic material which appears to be quite durable but only time will tell.

In terms of size, I categorise, below, portable and transportable DAC/Amps and DAPs in four sizes. A pictorial comparison to Fiio M11:


Micro: examples - phone dongles; etc.

Mini: examples - Fiio BTR5; Ikko ITM01; Qudelix 5K; Ear Studio ES100; etc.

Midi: Fiio M11; examples - Ibasso DX160; etc.

Max (transportable): examples - Ibasso DX300 Max; Shanling EM5; etc.

The Ikko Zerda ITM01 fits in the Mini DAC/Amps group. The ITM01 has one output, which is 3.5mm, the unit does not have a balanced circuit and does not come with its own battery. It has three buttons, the volume up and volume down button, which also change (next and previous) tracks. In the middle of those volume buttons you have a play pause button which also serves to change modes, for music, game and movie modes.

Function: The Ikko Zerda ITM01 is a relatively simple unit to use, the magnetic connector attaches to the main unit which you can then plug into your computer or phone and it simply lights up with you chosen mode, music, gaming or movie. You can then switch modes by long pressing the middle button.

When in any mode, you can listen to your music. In effect the modes do not determine what your media is, they simply determine the sound you extract from this Mini DAC/Amp.

You can then use the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons for volume. The volume controls on the Ikko Zerda ITM01 are step increments or decrease and directly control the volume on your computer or phone. As previously stated, the volume controls also control the next track and previous track selection.

As I alluded to, this DAC/Amp is powered by your computer or mobile phone and appears to use up a relatively small amounts of power. Although I have to say, I have not had the opportunity to determine how much power the ITM01 consumes, over and above usual power drain.

The sound
The Ikko Zerda ITM01 is a resolving and clean sounding DAC/Amp. Taking that as the base, the sound is then complemented with bass prominence which differs depending on whether you choose the music mode, the gaming mode, or the movie mode. Here I have to separate the sound into the three modes:

The Gaming Mode - Purple : sounds quite neutral in most instances and does not appear to colour the sound much.


The Music Mode - Lemon yellow : has greater sub-bass and mid-bass emphasis without changing the rest of the frequencies, so the initial detail and cleanliness remained to a great extent. The stage appeared to be wider in this mode. This mode sounded quite good to my ears.


The Movie Mode - Blue : Seems to also increase bass prominence with a greater mid-bass focus.


It is worth noting that what the modes on the ITM01 do is to alter the sound of your headphones and earphones, thus each set of earphones or headphones you use them with, will give you a slightly different sound so that although generally I got those results above, each set was slightly different again. It was quite an interesting experience, and I intend to explore and find synergy between earphones, the ITM01 and the different modes.

Conclusion
This is a nice sounding DAC/Amp and offers good options to change the sound coming out of your earphones. The power it delivers is quite good and able to power the Blon B20 planar headphones and the TRI Starshines (which are power hungry) quite well. I did not have to go beyond 60% volume. The modes are a matter of taste and the movie mode sounded quite good to me.

They are worth adding to your amplification options if you do not need balanced or Bluetooth options. Ultimately the modes are real and effective and give you numerous permutations you just need to spend some time with the device to find what works for you.

Enjoy your music!

IKKO recently unveiled their new product, called the IKKO Zerda ITM01: a small portable DAC meant to be used with computers and smartphones, it uses an ingenious connector (proprietary, unfortunately) to give you the convenience of a high-quality DAC without the inconvenience of cables that wear out. It does in fact use a magnetic connector that makes it super easy to change the cable - quite a good idea! Add to that the fact that it also has multiple modes and you get an interesting product that's worth taking a look at. So we'll do just that!

This review was originally posted on Soundphile Review.

Disclaimer: I received this unit free of charge from IKKO themselves (thanks, Rebecca!). You can find out more about it on the official shop, where it sells for $59.

Rating: 8/10​

Packaging & Accessories​

The IKKO ITM01 comes in a transparent plastic box which holds the device itself along with a 1.5 m USB-A cable, which comes with a (faux?) leather strap to keep it tidy, and a 10 cm USB-C cable. There's also a manual which is only in Chinese - and unfortunately I can't read it, so I had to ask for a translation of some things.

Design & Build​

The design of the IKKO Zerda ITM01 is quite simple, yet effective: it is not the smallest portable DAC I've seen, being 58 x 22 x 11 mm, but it's still small enough to be easily pocketable; the device is made of plastic with metal plates on the front and back which add a bit of sophistication to the looks. It is entirely black with white text printed on it. The front has three buttons (two to adjust the volume and the central one to perform other actions) and the IKKO logo, while the back only has the model number on it, though this text has quickly started disappearing on my unit, as you can see in the following picture.



The sides are made of semi-transparent dark plastic and the reason for this is that there is LED lighting inside the ITM01. Not only this is useful to understand if the device is working or not, but it also shows which mode the ITM01 is in - something we'll talk about in more detail in the next section of the review. I do find this use of lighting quite interesting and I do see it appealing to the younger folks, especially if they are into the whole gaming kind of design.

What I really like about the IKKO ITM01 is the removable cable. It uses a magnetic connector that reminds me a bit of the MagSafe used on older notebooks by Apple. It is strong enough to keep the device attached without issues, but at the same time it is easy to remove it. It's also agnostic to rotation, which means you can plug it in on whichever side you want just like USB-C. It is unfortunately proprietary, but it is a good solution so that doesn't count too much - and it is also quite a welcome change compared to the higher-tiered ITM03, which had a non-removable cable.

The ITM01 is built well and appears to be robust. The USB-A cable has a braided fabric sheath on it that makes it a bit stiff, but it's overall very nice; it is long enough to make the ITM01 usable at your desk with a desktop PC. The USB-C cable is evidently aimed at mobile phones, as it is short and malleable; it is covered in plastic and lacks the fabric sleeve of the USB-A cable.

Features & Specs​

The ITM01 has three different operating modes: music, movies and games. The first is what you would expect from a portable DAC, so it makes the device operate as usual. The movies mode emulates a 5.1 surround setup, giving you a wider soundstage and an illusion of placement that recalls that of home theatre setups; this mode actually doesn't make much difference in my experience. The games mode, on the other hand, allows consoles to "directly control the sound of the game console system by dual decoding method. [It m]akes it easier for gamers to position the sound and have a better gaming experience", as IKKO's Rebecca explained to me. Gaming on a PC, I can't hear much difference between this mode and the music one; I suspect this has also to do with the USB Audio Class that the ITM01 exposes to the host device, as some consoles like the Switch do not support UAC 2.0.

The Zerda ITM01 is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux, as well as Android (and possibly iPad OS as well). There's also a version that comes with the Lightning connector so that you can use with iPhones.



The IKKO ITM01 uses the ESS Sabre ES9298 DAC chip, which appears to be used only in this device as I wasn't able to find any information on it that wasn't related to the ITM01 - I couldn't find anything on ESS's website, either! It seems like IKKO did their homework, though, as the power output is quite good for a device in this size and price class, while output impedance is great and allows you to drive even very low impedance earphones without issues.

Sound​

I tested the IKKO Zerda ITM01 with a few earphones and headphones, including the IKKO OH1s and the Moondrop A8.

I can't find any fault in how the ITM01 sounds, as it is as neutral as it gets. I can't hear any kind of background noise whatsoever, either. What makes the device more interesting is the presence of various modes but, as I mentioned, I can't really hear massive differences between them. The "movies" mode, which is the most interesting out of the three, doesn't actually make much difference as I can hear some change in how the device sounds, but it's so small it's difficult to put my finger on it - and it doesn't quite give me the full surround-like impression. It's nowhere near Creative SXFi AMP levels, to be clear.

Final Thoughts​

At just $59, the IKKO Zerda ITM01 is simply utterly ridiculous. It does offer quite a decent set of options and it's actually quite convenient to use. It offers enough power for most earphones and headphones to sound good. The fact that it also offers some novel features like the three modes and the magnetic cable only add more value to it. Honestly, I wish IKKO had launched this as the ITM03 as it is just so much better in terms of features and convenience, the only significant difference being that the superior model has optical output. Overall I'm very satisfied with the ITM01 and if you are looking for a portable DAC that you can also use with your computer and your game console easily, this is one very valid option to consider.