Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini

A beautifully simple usb-c headphone dac amp​

The Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini is a small, lightweight USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier designed for those who prioritize portability and convenience. Priced under $25, it competes with other ultra-portable DAC/amps while promising impressive audio performance for its size. Does the Allegro Mini live up to its claims? Let’s find out.




Note: Thanks to Kiwiears for providing the Allegro Mini for this review.
If you are interested in more information check out Kiwiears product page here

Unboxing​

The Allegro Mini comes in minimalist packaging:



The back of the box showing some support and contact information:



Opening the box you see the Mini nicely displayed with a small user guide:



This no-frills approach keeps costs down but provides everything you need to get started.

Build Quality​

The Allegro Mini is impressively compact, weighing just a few grams and small enough to fit into any pocket or stay attached to your earphones without adding bulk. The casing is made of durable plastic with a matte finish, giving it a clean, unobtrusive aesthetic.



The device features a single USB-C input and both a 3.5mm and 4.4mm output depending on which side of the mini you look at:



[PHOTO with iPhone]

Features​

The Allegro Mini supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD up to DSD128, ensuring it can handle high-resolution files without issue.

Sound Quality​

Despite its small size, the KiwiEars Allegro Mini punches well above its weight in terms of sound quality with its Neutral response. Here’s a breakdown:

Bass​

The Allegro Mini delivers tight, well-controlled bass with a slight emphasis that adds warmth without becoming overpowering. Tracks like Billie Eilish’s “You Should See Me in a Crown” highlight its ability to provide a solid low-end foundation without muddiness.

Midrange​

Vocals and instruments are rendered with clarity and natural warmth. Listening to Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why”showcases the Allegro Mini’s ability to maintain a balanced and engaging midrange, making it suitable for vocal-centric music.

Treble​

The high frequencies are crisp and detailed, avoiding harshness or sibilance. Classical pieces like Vivaldi’s “Spring” are reproduced with clarity, allowing string instruments to shine.

Soundstage and Imaging​

While the soundstage is understandably narrower than larger more powerful DAC/amps, the Allegro Mini provides good spatial separation for its size. Imaging is precise, making it easy to identify individual instruments in complex tracks like *Pink Floyd’s “Money.”

Specifications and Measurements​

• DAC Chip: Built-in DAC/amp chip for consistent audio decoding.
• Output Power:
  • 3.5mm: L+R ≥ 30mW+30mW (32Ω, THD+N < 1%)
  • 4.4mm: Slightly higher output for balanced configurations.
• THD+N: < 0.004% (32Ω load, A-weighted).
• SNR: ≥ 114dB (32Ω load, A-weighted).
• Frequency Response: ±0.2dB (20Hz-20kHz).
• Input: USB-C
• Output: Choice of 3.5mm or 4.4mm depending on the model.
• Compatibility: Works with most USB-C devices, including Android smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Practial Measurements and Comparisons​

Why I am calling this a ‘practical measurement’ section?

DAC should be transparent windows into your audio collection​

You will often see reviews on head-fi (and other websites) talking about the subjective differences between different headphone DAC amps, one having a better bass response or another focusing on the midrange while a third might give you a more detailed treble and this was certainly the case in this market as recent as 3 years ago. And especially was the case at both the cheaper end of the market (as the technology was not as matured) but it can also for the very high end where manufacturers want to distinguish their devices with unique sound signature.

But in my opinion, DAC and Amplifiers should not change (by design) the sound signature, though obviously some implementations are better than others and some implementations (like Tube amps) will deliberately ‘colour’ your sound (like a stained-glass window). Older cheaper designs would also affect the extremes of your sound (the sub-bass) or poor filter implementations (near 20,000Hz) - maybe like glass that has ‘blurry’ or ‘frosted’ edges but then crystal clear in the middle.

I believe the best DAC and Amplifiers should be perfectly transparent and let your music be ‘seen’ perfectly clear by your headphones and IEMS (and Speakers), unless you choose some EQ to your preference.

Measurements of an old DAC compared to a modern one​

Few manufacturers previously would publish their measurements but as an example I did find during my recent review of the FiiO KA15 some earlier measurements of the FiiO K3, for comparison and the difference I think perfectly illustrate the point that the industry has moved on. Below is the FiiO DAC K3 from 2019 compared to the latest KA15:

While from 20-20,000Hz the K3 was a mostly flat it does roll off while a modern DAC will (should) be transparently ‘flat’.

Selection of a Headphone for ‘Practical Measurement’​

Rather than compare DAC Amp SINAD charts, I thought for this review it might be more fun to see how well does this DAC Amp (and a few other portable DAC amps) perform when driving a real headphone to loud ‘90+ dbSPL’ volumes and then measure the output from that the headphone to see if it is still transparent. This is to remove most of that typical uncertainty that I read when people just read DAC or Amplifier measurements (i.e. ‘but how will it perform with my XXXX headphone’ ).

So over at AudioScienceReview Amir has been putting together an interesting graph of how hard it is to drive any headphone that he has measured, and it is becoming a very extensive and interesting list covering most of the ’normal’ headphones (and some very expensive ‘high end’ headphones). Here is the latest version of that chart:



For those interested here is the source of this version of the list is from his latest: DCA Noire X review

So I thought I should use a headphone from the bottom end of this chart as a good ’test’ of these DACs, so I picked the Hifiman Sundara (as I am about to publish a review of that headphone). So here is that section of the list zoomed:



As you can hopefully see I thought the Hifiman Sundara was in the good ‘challenging’ part of this chart. So lets see how the Allegro does. But first I thought I should measure the Sundara with various Headphone DACs to compare if there is any ’tonality’ differences:

Hifiman Sundara FR with various DACs​

So in this test I measured the Sundara using my KB501X softear pinna and a 711 clone coupler and I decided to ‘volume level’ the output measured (as close as I could) with the various DAC Amps:



As you can hopefully see each one of the devices used produced the same result (i.e. they were all transparent at 90+ dbSPL). I even started using my Macbook Pro own headphone jack, then the Apple usb-c, and then I followed up with both the single ended and then the balanced output of various dongles.

Here a photo of the dongles (including the Allegro) that I used in this measurement (though I didn’t measure the Qudelik 4K and the FiiO KA17 in this particular comparison):



So in this photo the ones I used are Fosi Audio DS2, FiiO KA15, iBasso Jr Macaron, Kiwiears Allegro and the Kiwiears Allegro Mini on the right-hand side of this photo and is the smallest of these devices.

So the point of this is each of these devices can drive a ‘hard to drive’ headphone but the question is still what ‘headroom’ they leave for that ‘high dynamic range’ track or for applying EQ filters (often needing an extra 10dbSPL).

To capture and understand this I used my Macbook Pro to ‘record’ what volume was needed to drive each device to this ‘volume matched’ level(through with the Macaron I had to use Macaron own volume buttons).

I believe you should always have some headroom when driving headphones so having more volume available, the better but which of these devices has ’enough’ for your use-case (on this relatively hard to drive headphone), so low volume is better:

I think it’s pretty impressive that all these devices could drive the Sundara to a pretty loud 90+ dbSPL, but what does each cost:

So the KA15 is considerable more expensive but does have a little more power, a screen and PEQ capabilities via a companion application.

The Allegro Mini is slightly more powerful than the Apple USB-C dongle, and it benefits are the conveniences of having both a 3.5mm and 4.4mm and its super compact size so is a good choice for most headphones but from the Sundara downwards in that graph I presented earlier it will get more challenging from a power perspective.

The iBasso Jr Macaron, the Kiwiears Allegro and the Fosi Audio DS2 also provide excellent powerful audio. So, as you will see in their individual reviews it a more personal choice of what design suits you. But, the Kiwiears Allego Mini makes an excellent choice with it excellent convenient design and ability to drive a good selection of your headphones you own, especially the ones you would be happy to use with a ‘mobile device’.

Given that all these devices are “transparent” with a relatively ‘hard to drive’ headphone at 90+ dbSPL we are at a golden age for ‘pragmatically’ price portable audio devices.

So, here is a comparison of various published specifications for these devices:

Rating​

I have given the Allegro Mini a pragmatic rating of 4 stars. I love the concept and the ability to easily use either 3.5mm or 4.4mm from such a tiny device. But it is a pity that the 4.4mm does not have any more power than the 3.5mm output. At this price, the Mini does a reasonable good job with its power, but it is to be expected that the Allegro Mini does not have the power for more demanding headphones.

Conclusion​

The KiwiEars Allegro Mini is an impressive tiny DAC/amp that offers excellent sound quality for its size and price.

If portability and ease of use are your priorities, the Allegro Mini is a great companion for your smartphone especially if you want you a 4.4mm balance cable with your smartphone. It should work well with all IEMs and most efficient headphones. With its reliable performance and attractive price, it’s a solid addition to KiwiEars’ lineup.

Review of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini​

Introduction​

Kiwi Ears has been incredibly innovative in its new direction towards DAC/AMP. Their curiosity has led them to produce exceptional IEMs, particularly the Quintet, Orcehstra, Orchestra Lite, and so on. It’s also worth mentioning that they successfully created a remarkable dongle DAC, the Allegro, which received widespread acclaim from audiophiles for its exceptional aesthetic appeal and compact form factor, in addition to its impressive sound output. Recently, they’ve released an ultra-budget and ultra-portable version of the Allegro Mini, and I’m fortunate enough to have my hands on it for a review. However, before we delve into the review, I’d like to clarify a few points.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the kindly people at Linsoul, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to this device as “Allegro Mini”.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Mini based on its performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

Though it is not mentioned what dac chip Allegro Mini houses, but from what I read it supports PCM up to 32bits/384kHz and DSD upto DSD128. More technical specifications are mentioned below:

Design and Aesthetics​

I never imagined that Kiwi Ears would produce an even smaller version of the Allegro. When I first saw the Allegro Mini, the first thing that came to mind was its ultra-portable and ultra-convenient design, which is shaped and designed to primarily accommodate smartphone usage. The aesthetics are similar to the Allegro, featuring a silver accent with a black Kiwi Ears logo. What’s most interesting is that they managed to fit not only a 3.5mm jack but also a 4.4mm balanced jack in such a small form factor. Another one of its best features is the placement of the USB-C connector. This helps create a smooth and flush layout for both the DAC/amp and the device connected to it. Instead of placing the USB-C connector in the center, they positioned it at a convenient location on the DAC/amp, allowing the DAC and the device to sit flat on any surface. I’ll delve deeper into this feature in the later section.

Usage ​

Now that I’ve been using Kiwi Ears, I’ve mostly used it outdoors because of its compact form factor. However, I’ve also enjoyed using it with my MacBook. One advantage I’ve had is that I can use it almost anytime I leave home and keep it in my jeans pocket. With such a great advantage, there are certain aspects that make me wary of its disadvantages. One of them is that the connection of the Allegro Mini is fixed and non-flexible, which can cause it to break if not handled properly and may damage your device’s jack. Another issue is that using it in a pocket creates a structure that prevents you from putting other items in the pocket, even though there’s still a lot of space left. Overall, Kiwi Ears is not an indestructible product that can withstand wear and tear, so it ultimately depends on your lifestyle whether it works out for you or not. However, it doesn’t negate the fact that it’s incredibly portable and convenient to use anytime you need it.

Sound Impressions ​

Thieaudio Prestige LTD​

Prestige LTD is the very reason I am now able to find the truth in my musical dreams; I have never heard another IEM that plows your ears with faith in each note, no matter how those notes should sound, and nurtures your senses with dynamics and presentation as if I were hearing reality. Previously, I owned the Monarch MKII, which established what one would expect, but once the Prestige’s magic began to flourish, I knew I could explore so much more with it, especially when it came to the air and presence of each nuance the notes were able to grasp over and tingled my senses. To summarise the Prestige’s response sounds as if the Monarch MKII were given steroids and enhanced the upper frequencies in all directions with better authoritative flow in the lower response. The response is neutral with sub-bass boost, similar to the Monarch MKII, with the exception that the notes are airier and more revealing than any other IEM prior to this era. However, the thinner notes and excessive clarity provide obnoxious features that expose bad mixing and recordings, which were highly obvious when heard on my V6 but smoothed out on my WM1A, indicating source dependence.

So, my initial concern with this pairing was the power. I mean, would Allegro Mini be able to drive the Prestige LTD, and surprisingly, it did very well. However, in my opinion, this pairing brought more of my cherished Monarch MKII feel. So, it seems like the treble is somehow affected, which reduces the zing and sparkle in the air and upper extension, which is why I felt the response was very similar to how my Monarch MKII used to sound. Nevertheless, if someone is not satisfied with the Prestige LTD and wants a more Monarch MKII-like sound with improved vocal details and a more rounded and lifelike bass, then Allegro Mini is the perfect choice.

Thor Mjolnir MKII​

Mjolnir is a very bassy set which has a lot of sub-bass emphasis. The treble and upper mid-range is also very forward in the mix. The upper treble has great extension as well. The bass is very punchy and boomy while acting fast. Mjolnir is a great V-shape sounding IEM with a different approach to explosive bass that has better technicalities, especially in this price range. The stage is great with a nice surround stage and depth where the separation of each element sounding distant enough to procure space to breathe and distinct themselves. The attack and decay of the driver capability is really quick and performs great. The vocals may feel lean and sparkly; the warmth or the fuller experience is something that these lack. Th bass response does vary from source to source, whether I listen to a warm source or a neutral one, the bass becomes either overwhelming or authoritative or both.

While listening to Thor with Allegro Mini, I was fortunate to experience a more dynamic and enjoyable sound. The lower treble was effectively controlled, and a touch of warmth was added to the mix. This combination feels like one of the best pairings I’ve had while listening to Thor. I felt that the bass was more prominent but never felt any bit out of place, considering that this is a bass-focused set with overwhelming amount of bass.

INWAKEN Dawn Ms​

Alright, this isn’t anything new to hear when it comes to a tuning like Kiwi Ears has done before. Their sound response and driver design are quite similar. However, I found the quality of these IEMs to be truly worth the money, especially considering their price of just 50 dollars, compared to the Singolo which goes for 80 dollars. While the response is more accentuated in the higher frequencies, I prefer this kind of tuning because it strikes a better balance for me. Nevertheless, I believe that technical aspects aren’t the primary reason you’d buy these IEMs. After using these for over a month and comparing them to several other IEMs in the same price range, I’ve concluded that the overall sound of these IEMs satisfies my need for a balanced all-rounder. They have controlled yet thumpy bass, forwarded yet natural-sounding midrange, and extensive yet smooth treble.

When listening to Dawn Ms with Allegro Mini, I was thoroughly impressed by its clarity and power. The soundstage felt more intimate and neutral, enhancing the overall listening experience. The bass was boomy yet clear, while the vocals were more natural and lifted up, thanks to their forward placement in the mix. Dawn Ms’s sound preserved the wholesome and rich response, but certain areas, particularly the treble, felt a bit recessed and less noticeable due to a lack of sparkle and forwardness in the notes.

Tracks​

Millet - Anytime Anywhere
Anri - I Can’t Stop the Loneliness
Kohana Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Uru - Kimino Shiawasewo
Uru - Kamihitoe
Kujira Yumemi - Kenka
Majiko - Kokoronashi
Anly - Sukinishinayo
Kohama Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Miliyah - Kono Yumega Samerumade
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
Yu-Peng Chen - A New Day with Hope
Yu-Peng Chen - Another Hopeful Tomorrow
Yu-Peng Chen - For Riddles, for Wonders
Valentino Khan - Satellite
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Jawns - Erotica
ISOxo - how2fly
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Weeknd - Popular
YUNGBLUD - When We Die(Can We Still Get High)
Bring Me the Horizon - Kool-Aid
Middle Kids - Bend
FLETCHER - Leads Me On
Loathe - Aggressive Evolution
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Sigrid - Burning Bridges
AURORA - Black Water Lilies
AURORA - Runaway
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can’t Hold Us
Goyte - Somebody That I Used to Know
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladytron - Ghost
Travis - Love Will Come Through
LINKIN PARK - Somewhere I Belong
DJ Shadow - Six Days (Remix)
Hoobastank - The Reason
Ricky Martin - I Don’t Care
Tool - 7empest
Tool - Vicarious
A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Son
Zack Hemsey - Vengeance
Elton John - I’m Still Standing
The Moody Blues - Nights in White Satin
Michael Sembello - Maniac
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
A.R. Rahman - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

To conclude, I believe this compact device with impressive features is already a strong recommendation for its budget price of $25. However, if you can overlook the disadvantages mentioned in the Usage section, I think it can be incredibly convenient and portable, making it an ideal travel companion for audiophiles.

The Allegro Mini Dongle
Redcarmoose Labs November 19th, 2024


Allegro Mini first impressions:
The TypeC works with Android, Windows, iOS and Mac. First thing I did was hook up a cable to the IEM and go to town. Gets way loud. The difference from this $24.00 DAC/Amp to a DAP that costs $1000s...........is basically harmonic overtones. Maybe lacking too is a little fullness, to where stuff is only slightly thin. But that said when the dynamics of the music start to take over, you will be surprised at the Dynamic Range, the quietness of the noise floor and the stage. Really a big stage, and of course way better than a phone.

When things really got good was when I put on a hi-res file off my MacBook! Truly I almost take back some of what I just wrote. Remember it is a $24.00 purchase, but the improvement with hi-res over standard outputs are fully noticeable?

https://kiwiears.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-mini

The Allegro Mini supports high-resolution audio formats, including PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD up to DSD128. I just put in some DSD 128 and sure enough it does it flawlessly! Does it sound like a full fledged DAP, no.........but really it is incredibly easy to hook up to a laptop and gets going with no software needed, at least on the MacBook Air it was like that. I would describe the tone as cut off a slight bit in bass, but what bass is there is super fast and fun, the treble is also just slightly rolled off. And the midrange is really where the most action is…….but it is fast and holds a medium stage to medium large stage.

Even though I haven’t heard the original Orchestra Universal IEM and The new Punch Universal IEM……I have heard a few Kiwi ears products.

The Kiwi ears KE4 Universal IEM $223.00
The Allegro Mini DAC/Amp $24.00
The Canta Universal IEM $89.00
The Flex Ear-tips $14.99
The Allegro DAC/Amp $59.99
The Singolo Universal IEM $79.00
The Melody Universal IEM $89.00
The Forteza Universal IEM $59.00
The Dolce Universal IEM $24.99
The Quintet Universal IEM $219.00
The Orchestra Lite $249.00
The Quartet $109.00
The Cadenza $34.99

As such the Kiwi ears company is both imaginative and forward thinking, introducing crazy experimental designs for IEMs that actually work. Examples of their creativity range from the strange design of the new Flex ear-tips. Whoever thought of placing an X of material right at the Nozzle exit port? What this does is keep the nozzle exit round and open shaped and reduce a little of the treble brightness adding to essentially a smaller nozzle exit circumference. The other striking thing recently is the innovative Quintet Universal IEM.

The Quintet:
So imagine for just $219.00……..getting 5 drivers and 4 unique driver types all in the same IEM. Yep, a diamond like carbon DD, 2 BAs, a PZT and a Planar driver.

A PZT and a Planar for treble!

What this does is make the Quintet ultimately unique. Unique in build ideas and unique sound. The basic way I see the Quintet is offering better treble detail than its price range would have you guess, and there is character other than BA (tones) inside the treble. Typically PZTs have their own sound and offer longer decays than BAs or Planar IEMs. And sure this character in many ways revolves around a slight fizzy disposition that the treble puts out, but when you are as jaded and bored at times with so many IEMs in playback, this new additional personality becomes both endearing and fun, let alone unique.

So why am I mentioning the Quintet? There is a noticeable innovation going on here. A way for Kiwi ears to climb out of the pack of IEMs being offered by making something original and cool. You see it isn’t often to have something original if it isn’t cool and useful, plus good sounding.

There needs to be a section of replay that centers around correct, even and complete tone and technicalities. Sure everyone has their own idea about frequency response character, some like darker IEMs and amplifiers, and some like brighter more analytical ideas as to playback. There is nothing wrong with both sides of the street here, it is just some like chocolate ice-cream, and some like vanilla. And some purists don’t even like their vanilla messed with, don’t try to add sparkles or syrup on-top. They want clarity and find the basic flavors to be interesting and pure.

Probably to get down to earth here I am going to compare the Allegro Mini to the Apple Dongle.

And let’s talk about the Apple Dongle and Allegro Mini. First off, to give you a basic understanding of the Allegro Mini it is on the thinner side and possesses lesser harmonic complexity in relation to regular Dongles. And in many ways this is a given when you see the price of the Allegro Mini. I never want to promote it to be anything more than it is. But what I want to do is truly describe the use and performance of the Allegro Mini for better or worse. In comparison to the Apple Dongle we are given way more Allegro Mini output power for starters.

The Apple Dongle choice:
Some may even question my choice of Apple Dongle as a competitor today. I will defend that action by first-off saying the cellphone output in 3.5mm started to wake-up the general population to the idea of IEMs for music.

Back before the Apple iPhone was introduced in 2007, regular people really didn’t have a want or a need for portable audio. Sure you had your die-hard weirdos who were trying IEMs as a portable alternative to their home (full-size) rigs. IEMs were also really not a thing except used on-stage for performers. And while brands like Jerry Harvey’s JHAudio started also in 2007, it is safe to say they were really used primarily by musicians and mixing staff in live music applications. Even fully involved audiophiles at the time (like myself in 2007) viewed IEMs as missing something, and you know what that opinion means to an audiophile.

While we can view the portable audio wave as starting in 2007, it was not until later that a swarm of Chinese manufactures as well as European and domestic builders brought the plethora of choices we have today.

The Apple Dongle:
This device was first introduced in 2016 (as an audio solution to) the removal of the 3.5mm port in the iPhone 7. And nowadays we have individuals who promote the Apple Dongle as all you would ever need. Now in many ways I question that, but also instead of arguing with the Apple Dongle fans I have slowly come to understand their place in the audio community.

First off we need to respect everyone's opinions as to DAC/Amplification applications. But to get to my basic theory of how this could be, we have to realize that there are two styles of audiophiles. One, the person who gravitates towards darker and smoother ideas of sound, and Two, the analytical listener who feels that those extra added harmonics are cluttering up the show. Now obviously there are many listeners who find themselves in-between. Yet stuff like soundstage being performed by a DAP is pretty much all the time larger, the bass is larger with DAP use, and so on. Wait, even the detail…..lol……the details are greater in DAP use than with the Apple Dongle.

Defending the Apple Dongle:
So how do these people defend that? Part of it may have to do with desired volume levels as those Apple Dongle users seem to get all the volume they need. But beyond that I have a theory that the Apple Dongle crowd are really centered on midrange, and yes the Apple Dongle does the mids well, there is also a nice balance in that the Apple Dongle doesn’t do a whole lot wrong. You could even say the Apple Dongle is even, complete and correct to a point.

Choices:
And depending on your original sound device performance, being a computer, or phone...............the Apple Dongle may just provide that boost in performance that many are looking for and in the end sedated with.

Apple Dongle V Allegro Mini:

Testing with the KZ AS24 IEM, SIMGOT LC7 cable and Apple Dongle:

Apple Dongle:
More midrange and less separated! But at the end of the day stuff just doesn’t have the note-weight of the Allegro Mini. I have to give the Apple Dongle at least credit for stepping-up into this IEM/Cable arraignment.That's right this is the improvement that the Apple Dongle people hear!

Allegro Mini:
More harmonic complexity. More bass, better note weight and a totally different positioning into the stage. But all and all it is smoother, really that is one of the main differences I get with the Allegro Mini? Also the more I listen the more I start to notice how the stage is opening up, there is now full-on space between imaging and inside that imaging instruments and vocals are better drawn into a closer idea of what they are with full-size Dongles.

Specifications
PCM Specifications: 44.1-384kHz @ 32bit
DSD Specifications: DSD64-DSD128
Output Power: L+R ≥ 30mW + 30mW (32Ω, THD+N < 1%)
SNR: > 114dB (320 load, A-weighted)
THD+N: < 0.004% (320 load, A-weighted)
Background Noise: < 3µV (A-weighted)
Frequency Response: +0.2dB (20-20KHz)
Output & Inputs: USB C to 3.5 Single-ended to 4.4mm Pentaconn



Deep Dive:
So now that we have tested the Apple Dongle and found it inferior sonically, it is time to do a deep dive into describing the total character of the Allegro Mini. Switching once more to the modular 4.4mm plug on the LC7 we are now once more joining the Allegro Mini to the Hiby 3 II. Now remember this will be very simple to use the regular phone with the Allegro mini. The Knowledge Zenith KZ AS24 Pro with the Flex tips.



Maybe some of this smoothness is from the SIMGOT AUDIO LC7? Why am I asking? I know that it is. We live in amazing times for personal audio, really this is the golden age of personal Hi/Fi. This LC7 cable comes with both a 3.5mm plug and a 4.4mm plug, all for $69.99. And the thing is this cable does not hold a lot of the energy in the midrange and treble as typical aftermarket cable upgrades. What the LC7 is doing is smoothing out the highs and mids that while relatively detailed it doesn’t have that pure stage expansion of pure silver, nor the high-up energies. Combine that with the lower midrange heft it does and we kind-of have a fire-putter-outer. Which with the AS 24 Pro is fine. Also the LC7 does all this without adding a color to your system, so the KZ and the Allegro Mini sound just like they are.

One of the questionable features is the wobbly-ness of the USB TypeC connection. Now maybe this was done on purpose, but not every USB connection has this loose side to side movement. I mean I have other TypeC connections with Dongles that literally lock in place, but not here. The more I think about it must be arranged so that the placement of the device doesn’t put unnecessary strain on your phone.

Sound in comparison to the original Allegro:
The sound is way better than the Apple Dongle and remains musical. Comparing the original Allegro we are witnessing a stage that is just slightly less filled in. Meaning the Allegro has a tad more details, but there is something else……….the Mini is actually a tad smother in playback, forfeiting a slight add of details for a more romantic idea, a more fluid and not as separated idea, but slightly more musical win for the money.



What this offers in the end is that the Allegro Mini ends a simple instantly connecting device with no buttons or controls or lights, and that while it is not the most detailed, it is the smoother take on the overall sound that has won me over, and in many ways I would take this idea over the original Allegro Dongle. Now keep in mind that the KZ AS24 Pro is performing with a hint of dryness to start with, I am using it with the added 1 and 2 switches up to give extra bass. Yet still it being a full-on all BA invention, what this does is offer a clean and clear window into the character of your playback device.

So adding to this smoothness is the slightly darker nozzle occluded Flex ear-tips, the LC7 cable and the character of the Allegro Mini……..plus the two IEM switches up.



The Kiwi ears Quartet:
Now we witness full-on add of bass physicality. This is from the IEM in use and not the Allegro Mini, I mean the bass now from the Allegro Mini is accentuated!

The Quartet is also a hair harder to drive. With only three clicks (more juice) up of the HiBy R3 II volume wheel..............we seem to have arrived at equal volume. A smoother and darker yet still detailed adventure here. In many ways we are now in the opposite style of KZ AS24 Pro playback territory. Of course there is still a balance found. Where the Quartet has more upper bass and mid-bass than sub-bass. Still the amount and physicality is ample in comparison to the leaner and faster KZ AS24 Pro. There are more decays and a rolling groove that has taken over for pin-point details. But the Quartet BA in the upper midrange and separate BA for treble has fact given us our smooth yet detailed upper-end. In fact I think the scientists over at Kiwi ears tuning have been looking to detune a little of any off timbre out of the BAs. Choosing tone over brighter technicalities in daily playback. In the end these two IEM showcase the perfect opposite to see into our window of Dongle attitudes.

It was true that the Kiwi ears Quartet went and added the musicality to the dryness of the original Allegro to come out ahead, much of that was found in my last Kiwi ears original Allegro review. Where the original Allegro is pristine and clear as a bell, it is lacking a little in bass, so the Quartet playback adds that back in. And I hope you understand the Quartet also goes with the Mini, but it is smoother and more a flying sound, streamlined and hot held back by grabbing every single detail that comes along to play. Still this is maybe my preferred Dongle from Kiwi ears. The Allegro Mini can even power full-size headphones if desired!


Construction:
A multi-piece construction is very low weight at 11 grams. Two plug, one 3.5mm and one 4.4mm. Due to USB TypeC going in either way, the side you have your cable come from is an option.



Packaging:

Shown here with the Kiwi ears KE4 as a purchase package for $209.00!

Conclusion:
What can I say? The Allegro Mini is maybe a slight improvement even over the original Allegro. Maybe? This depends on how much emphasis you put on detail. Because sure there is a clearer pond to look into with what the original Allegro does, even pace is sharper and more business to the attitude the Allegro walks daily. It is just Kiwi ears must have known that the original Allegro dryness may not be everyone's cup of tea? So they issued a new little brother and made him not quite as smart to delineate facts, but gave him a well-rounded personality offering up smoothness and friendliness both in price and friendliness in tone.

Sure the Allegro Mini is regularly $24.00 and only an extra $10.00 if you order it with the Kiwi ears KE4 Universal IEM. The thing is if this Allegro Mini was all someone had, they still would be fine in daily listening, or if it was all they had was the Allegro Mini during the day to use with their phone, out-and-about there are times when you can’t hear, or appreciate the tiny details anyway. You just need the extra power to drive full-size headphones off your phone, or are looking for a quick-fix to bring life to your daily driver IEM.

What we find with the Allegro Mini is a device that thwarts off many of the ideas about regular Dongles. Arriving at only 11 grams the Allegro Mini never even gets warm to the touch and simply goes about its day providing a smooth yet detailed (enough) idea as to your file personality. Really in so many ways the Mini is more musical than what tone is found with the original Allegro Dongle, and for that it holds value, at least its own special charm in the end.

$24.00
https://kiwiears.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-mini

$10.00 + Kiwi ears KE4 total package X2 products $209.00
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-ke4

Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Evelyn Zhou from Kiwi Ears for the Allegro Mini review sample.

Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.

Equipment Used:
HiBy R3 II DAP Type C USB digital output
Apple Dongle
Samsung phone USB TypeC
MacBook Air Type A to TypeC USB

Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini – Pocketable, Miniaturized Companion​

You may know Kiwi Ears from its portfolio of IEM hitters such as the Orchestra (which put them on the map), the Orchestra Lite, Quintet and others as well as its previously lone DAC/Amp which is the Allegro. They recently released a smaller, no frills version which I may say is one product you shouldn't leave the house without, especially for your mobile DAC needs. Let's take a quick look as to why this is one is for you.



Build and Packaging
The Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini is packaged in a white box as featured, nothing else. The build itself feels solid, sturdy and classy but very lightweight. Connecting to mobile phones, even with their cases on seem to be hassle-free and unintrusive with both of my Samsung Galaxy S23+ and A35 5G. It has both 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL ports which covers most of your IEM needs, which is a very nice welcome since dongles at this price usually feature only a single 3.5mm port. It also feels more secure without a dangling cable port which makes it feel as though part of your device.



Sound and Conclusion
The Allegro Mini is more than enough to give your everyday IEMs the juice and sound it requires for your mobile needs. It has a bright-neutral sound to give your IEMs a bit of liveliness but not much of a coloration. With just enough power to go loud for most applications it seamlessly connects to your USB-C devices plug-and-play without the need of manual installation of a driver (so far with my experience). What I loved about this is you can take it anywhere, stick it in and fits along most IEM cases, or just in case you leave it connected hanging - it's not much of a bother unlike cabled dongles. If all you need is a compact DAC/amp without the frills, buttons, and controls then the Allegro Mini definitely fits your bill - and at just $24 at that.



The Allegro Mini is available through Linsoul for $24 - https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-mini?_pos=1&_psq=Allegto+mini&_ss=e&_v=1.0

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Disclaimer:

• I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
• Linsoul sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, transparent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

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Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• - Tanchjim Space DAC
• - Hidizs S9 Pro DAC
• - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
• - Sony Xperia X Compact
• - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock small Kiwi Ears Flex eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume.

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Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini concise review:

• The Kiwi Ears Allegro mini is a plug and play, neutral sounding dongle, with a slight coloration present on the upper end. It does not affect or add any type of “changes on the IEM paired most of the time. It has 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports, which are more than enough for most of the IEMs in the market. However, harder to drive IEMs will not be the best pair with the Allegro Mini, such as planar IEMs, and headphones. Lack of customization can also be a thing to note of, especially for those people who prefer their sound EQ’d or modified. I also did not have any problems with its minimalist build quality. Battery consumption lasted for 8 hours on my phone. The Kiwi is Allegro Mini is one of the best dongles under 30 USD in terms of build and sound quality, based on what I have used and encountered so far.

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Pros:

• Minimal, durable industrial design! (allegro mini)
• Plug and play! (allegro mini)
• Small and pocketable! (allegro mini)
• Features 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports! (allegro mini)
• No cable required means fewer points of failure! (allegro mini)
• DSD128 support! (allegro mini)
• “Neutral” sound profile (allegro mini)
• Very good price to performance ratio! (allegro mini)

Cons:

• Will be lacking for some people in terms of customization, such as gain modes and EQ (allegro mini)
• Will lack power when paired with power hungry sets (allegro mini)

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Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated link here:

• Allegro Mini: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-mini

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Additional Photos Here:

Sometimes, the best things come in small packages, and the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini is here to prove just that. I had the pleasure of testing this little marvel with my Hidizs MP143 Salt, and to my surprise, this mini DAC had no problem driving a planar IEM. If you’re someone who thought you needed a big, beefy amp for that – think again! And while it doesn’t come with a lanyard hole (a small but handy feature for a device this tiny and easily misplaced), it’s hard to hold a grudge against something this capable.

Whats in the box:







Build & Design:

The Allegro Mini is ultra-compact, made of sturdy aluminum alloy, and fits snugly into your pocket without you even noticing. Its right-angled USB-C port is a game-changer, making it an ideal companion for smartphone users who want a portable music setup without the dangling dongle drama. It sits flush against your phone like a mini appendage , transforming your device into a portable DAP (Digital Audio Player) without adding bulk.

The caveat? Its design can cause a bit of an issue when dealing with crowded USB-C ports,i have tried it on my USB hub and the spacing of the usb hub port is too closed together. But honestly, this is a minor quirk, especially if you’re mainly using it for on-the-go listening like with my android tablet since there is no ios lightning version for the mini so i cant use it on my iphone. I guess no one can have it all, not even the Allegro Mini.

Sound Performance: Neutral-Bright, With a Splash of Clarity

Tonally, the Allegro Mini lands in the neutral-bright camp. letting your IEMs do all the talking. It’s as if it’s saying, Audiophile purists will appreciate this approach, as the Allegro Mini delivers sound with minimal coloration, keeping things crisp and clean.

Bassheads might feel a bit left out, though. The bass is present but not particularly boomy. You’ll get decent punch from the midbass, but the subbass doesn’t rumble as deeply as you might want for those heart-thumping moments. Still, the Allegro Mini holds its own with good extension at both ends of the frequency range, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out entirely.

Technical Abilities:

For a $20ish DAC, the Allegro Mini isn’t here to play. Its technical abilities are impressive for the price. Soundstage? Spacious. Imaging? Accurate. It handles micro-details well enough that you’ll hear subtle nuances in your favorite tracks, and the separation between instruments is commendable. It’s not competing with high-end gear, but it definitely holds its own in its price bracket.

And while 30 mW at 32 ohms might not sound like much on paper, it’s surprisingly efficient. I found it handled my planar IEMs with ease, which is no small feat. Granted, it’s not going to power high-impedance cans, but for most IEMs, it’s more than enough to bring out their best.

Usability: Simple and Effective

In the functionality department, the Allegro Mini keeps things refreshingly simple. There are no buttons, screens, or apps to fiddle with – just plug it in and control the volume through your phone or laptop. It’s minimalism at its finest, and honestly, sometimes that’s all you need. No frills, no fuss – just sound.

That said, if you’re a fan of tweaking settings or boosting certain frequencies, you’ll have to rely on upstream EQ options. The Allegro Mini isn’t designed to offer customization, but in this case, that’s part of its charm. It’s like a blank canvas, waiting for your IEMs and personal taste to paint the sonic picture.



Final Thoughts: Small but Mighty

At the end of the day, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini is a solid, no-nonsense DAC that punches well above its price point. Sure, it’s not going to blow away audiophiles looking for the most nuanced, high-end experience, but for those of us on a budget, it’s hard to fault this little guy. Its compact design, neutral-bright sound signature, and solid technical chops make it a great choice for anyone looking for a pocket-sized upgrade to their audio setup.

Just don’t misplace it – a lanyard hole would’ve been a nice touch for something this easy to lose.

Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini Linsoul link : https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-mini?_pos=2&_psq=allegro&_ss=e&_v=1.0

This hobby is an escapist's dream. Escape from daily routine and distress that's causing you via something as sincere and everlasting as listening to music. I believe that the power of music is still not fully understood since it works in mysterious ways. Allow it to do its magic on you and let your worries dissolve in melody.

Having had the possibility to try so many different sets in a relatively short time I felt obliged to go ahead and express my gratitude by trying to help some lost souls out there, just as I was when I first stumbled upon this weird hobby about wired earphones – so yesteryear! … I thought. Possibilities are seemingly endless and only by getting to meet the right people did I manage to jump onboard the train heading the 'right' direction without getting off-track thousands of times along the way. Make sure to understand the helping person's preferences and you too can find your footing and hit the ground running in no time.

Quick Intermezzo About Me

I won't bore you for too long with personal trivia, however my quick & short background resume goes as follows. Currently I am 27 years old and more in awe of sheer power of music by the day. I have always been moved by music just that slight bit more than average, I'd say. My spending started with a roughly 200€ Bose bluetooth speaker back in my first grade of highschool. What an extraterrestrial thing that was in early 2010s. And it keeps on playing to this day – a true testament of quality. Also sounded fantastic back then, nowadays … yeah, not so much. Lots of BT speakers, TWS, car audio speakers, IEMs, etc., later bring me to this day when I truly consider myself an audiophile. What brings me the most joy beside listening to music is singing, so I am currently participating in a choir and challenging myself with solo vocal covers (check the links in my signature to hear my projects). Unsure where all this leads, but the journey itself is marvelous and life is nothing but a journey.

My preferences lie somewhere in the neutral camp with just an ever so slight bass boost, but I try to keep an open mind and truly appreciate any outliers that dare do it differently. Our ears vary, so do our brain and tastes. I am an advocate for respectful discourse, especially in topics that don't even have many objective undeniable truths. Audio is one of those.

My most listened genres are, in no particular order: jazz, singer/songwriter, slow-paced electronica, ambient, rock, metal, blues, trance, techno & pop.


Disclaimer: I have received the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini from Linsoul in exchange for my honest thoughts. Even if I wanted to shill this to the moon and back, I am way too mindful of others' money to overly hype stuff that does not deserve it, so there's that.

Here is the link to Linsoul's listing: https://www.linsoul.com/products/ki...5G3LjzlFNi4pDjNqhjLoyeFA5qUNPPAb1U5Q1Wnrmo1c9


Let's Get Going!

The Technical Stuff

Who could describe this thing's underpinnings better than Kiwi Ears themselves, so here are the ins and outs of what this small thing is hiding inside.



Packaging & Accessories

Accessories start and end at NONE. None at all. Great, I am all for simplicity. Still waiting for the day when manufacturers start offering IEMs without cables, tips, cases, swappable nozzles, foams etc, etc.

And the packaging is just as straight-forward too:




My Findings About The Allegro Mini

I admit, featuring a dongle is something a bit different for me, but there's no time to lose, let's go. Today's feature is the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini dongle DAC/AMP. I have got a simple yet effective plan worked out on how to present this cute little item.

One of the critical aspects of dongles is battery drain and the fact they dongle and cause stress on your USB-C port of your phone/tablet/laptop. Battery drain really seems a non-issue on the Allegro Mini. But sure, it will increase consumption, but by a minuscule margin. The comically small size and lightweight structure of the Allegro Mini should in theory minimize the strain on your port, but I feel this design might be even riskier than the usual cable-connected dongles. This requires a whole lot more caution since there is no wiggle room and all movements are having a direct effect on the USB-C port. This is made worse by the fact the Allegro Mini has a small lip around the edge of the connector which makes it sit a couple of milimeters away from the phone or tablet's body and applying side pressure is all too easy. Also, the normal cables will peek even further than the edge of the phone, left very exposed and impractical. Some of this is remedied by using a 90° cable for your IEMs. Pulling this in and out of your pocket is not too difficult in itself, but I don't trust myself to do so, at least not on a regular basis. Getting it caught somewhere and pulling on something is almost inevitable. This is what cost it the score at the end. I just don't see this as a solution to the dongle 'problem'.




Here you can see the couple of milimeters on either side of the connection. Adding unwanted pressure sideways is too easy. I dare not disconnect and connect IEMs without pulling the dongle out of the port first.

Since I am sure by now that my most neutral sounding source is the iBasso DX180, I will compare the TONALITY with that one. Of course, I do not expect this grape-sized dongle to be able to compete with the 500USD DAP in any category. Then, I will reach for two IEMs, one is Kiwi Ears' own KE4 and the other my cheapest, 10USD, single DD, the Tripowin Piccolo to see how far a total of 34USD can get you nowadays – spoiler alert: pretty far! Diminishing returns is the term that comes to mind.

Tonal Character

Without further ado, here comes the tonal comparison with the DX180 after listening to all three IEMs on both.

Going through some of my favourite and well-known tracks I use in most reviews, the performance differences are clearly noticeable, but we're not here for those. Instead, I'm only interested in tonal colouration of the Allegro Mini. Changes are the low-priced dongle segment's usual warmth addition, more boominess, and slight reduction in treble forwardness to prevent any spiciness. The added boominess and warmth are welcome on the Tripowin Piccolo, while the reduced and less crisp treble are not. The KE4 does not respond well to either of these colourations, but isn't stressed either, so it will depend on the song.

Song Examples



House of the Rising Sun, alt-J & Tuka

This song has this mysterious vibe going on throughout the song. It requires the DAC to display that in a way larger than believable. This won't happen on the Allegro Mini, but just how much do we want for 24 bucks? Overall, it's sounding well enough. Then the bass comes in with its multiple drops and Allegro Mini does audibly replay even the lowest notes without too much stress. It just slightly struggles with texture and making the subbass feel like this great big comfortable sound, like your favourite pillow. This dongle does, however, have enough power to maintain control over the movement of the driver and not to completely fall apart and distort like wild. At low to mid volume no distortion can be noticed, while higher there is a bit of a stressed character and notes get crunchy and overflow one another, but we're talking unlistenable volumes already, at least for longer periods of time.

Piccolo is a set that has a very tasteful bass in its arsenal. While the Allegro Mini does not necessarily ruin that balance and bass mostly stays in line, it does not help improve it either. Lowest notes are fine for this simple single DD and small yet feisty dongle, so is the midbass control. But to put things back into perspective of someone that does not obsess over ridiculous details like we audiophiles do - at 34 bucks, this is insanely good.

KE4's bass gets amplified and since it's a good quality bass to start from, it's still mightily impressive off of this tiny little unit. In other technical aspects it does indeed fall flat against current ~100USD dongles which can actually get the technicalities up a notch or two.


Kuwait, Mazde

A special song that requires good atmosphere and resolution.

Starting off with the KE4 here. I am quickly reminded that it's a lower range source I am listening to because the clarity and layering are just not up to par with gear I'm more used to. Then, when I look at this from someone's perspective who's just joined the hobby perhaps and was told that he needs a dongle to raise the bar, I can see the appeal again. That is until I try to unplug the unit and struggle to do so in an effortless way – not happening.

Piccolo is so joyous here, just a sweet yet energetic listen, there is some chemistry between the two. This song is not too midbassy and that helps to get the overall balance into a bit more of a U-shape. Even the atmosphere is more enveloping than on the KE4. No real downsides to report, except some technicalities such as imaging which could be improved – a combined issue between the IEM and the dongle.


Lonely island, Amble

Piccolo's rendering of the guitar is sweer, but just slightly restrained with all notes smoothened a tad too much. His rich and heart-melting voice is perfectly placed and still allows the guitars to accompany him. I'd prefer a crisper guitar and better supported vocal, but again, 34USD.

KE4's guitar is just a tad slow and heartless too. His voice gels with the guitars just as well as on the Piccolo, but remains more supported and better positioned in imaging sense. Thus the impression the KE4 leaves turns out more cohesive and impressive. Honestly, not missing much from this experience for a casual listen with nothing out of ordinary.


To Sum Up This Little Cutie

No real issues with its sound were found. That's a positive! Especially at this price, right. And it looks and feels worthy of double its pricetag. However, and this is a big one, usability is less than ideal and needs further perfecting. Not one that I would recommend as an alternative to usual dongles, that, well, dongle.

Thanks for reading and stay wonderful.

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Linsoul for providing this review unit.

The Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini can be gotten here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-mini (no affiliate links).




SPECIFICATIONS/COMPATIBILITY



Tested at $24 USD


I'm not an Apple ecosystem user and can't vouch for this dongle's performance with Apple products. However, the Allegro Mini was easily recognized by various Windows and Android devices I paired it with, with no need for additional drivers on Windows 10 devices and above.


ACCESSORIES

Sadly, the Allegro Mini packaging is barebones, with zero accessories included.

Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Nil. There's not even a USB-C adapter of sorts, so consumers will need to source for these aftermarket stuff.

However, maybe I am being too harsh for an ultra-budget model, and the brand probably cut costs here, so as to funnel more bang-for-buck into the actual sound.


DESIGN/FUNCTION

The Allegro Mini's chassis is made of aluminum alloy, and it is very sturdily built. It is also very compact and easily pocketable.



Uniquely, this dongle has a right angled USB-C port, and this allows it to be snuggly paired with smartphones, eschewing the usual dongle-with-cables concept. In essence, the Allegro Mini can convert a smartphone to become a DAP on-the-fly, without the need to deal with cables or an unwieldy stack. With its length still way shorter than the width of a smartphone, one should avoid inadvertently snagging something and damaging the USB-C port of the connected phone.

This is quite a creative setup from Kiwi Ears IMHO, and I think it will be the Allegro Mini's main selling point, for budget conscious users who want something for their phone, without killing the wallet. On the flip side, the lateral placement of the USB-C port on the rectangular chassis means that the Allegro Mini may not not fit into standard USB-C ports that are close to each other when other devices already inserted, eg in a laptop or USB hub. So pros and cons.

For its $20ish pricing, we can't expect the moon in terms of UI, and the Allegro Mini has no screen, buttons/controls, app, gain settings, EQ or filter options. Well, dongles at this ultra-budget segment usually lack these functions too, so no biggie in my book.

On one end of the fuselage, we have a 3.5 mm (single-ended) port, while the other has a 4.4 mm (balanced) one, depending on your source needs. It is not common to see dongles packing a 4.4 mm port at this price point, so kudos for this addition; this 4.4 mm terminal is also gold-plated, which should assuage the audiophile when it comes to robustness and repeated cable swaps.



The top of the dongle has a little round imprint of Kiwi Ear's logo, and one to use the thumb to press down on this indentation for leverage when unplugging it from a phone, instead of struggling to get a finger-hold during removal.


INTERNALS

The Allegro Mini supports PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD up to DSD128.

Unfortunately, we have no info on the DAC chip or amp that is utilized.




SOUND/PERFORMANCE

I tested the Allegro Mini with Android phones and Windows laptops and PCs. Once again, as I am not an Apple ecosystem user, I can't vouch for its performance with Apple devices.

On phones, I used the HiBy Music Player, with USB bit perfect OTG activated. I cannot vouch for usage with other USB exclusive music apps.

The testing below will be with FLAC/WAV files , on bit-perfect mode.


Tonally, the Allegro Mini sounds neutral-bright. It lets the connected transducer do the colouring, instead of introducing colouration to the music. Purists will be very happy with the sonics as such. However, bassheads or those looking for an injection of fun might need to explore EQ on upstream sources, or look elsewhere. End-to-end extension is good, with no roll-offs at either extremes.

For an ultra-budget source, the Allegro Mini actually has more than decent technical chops. We hear an above average soundstage with spacious instrument placement. Micro-details and imagingare well portrayed for the coin, but of course we are not comparing it against pricier dongles higher up in the food chain.

Power-wise, the Allegro Mini is marketed to hit 30 mW at 32 ohm. No doubt many present-day dongles can trump this, so the Allegro Mini is not the best option for harder to drive stuff (ie low sensitivity and/or high impedance gear). But for most run-of-the-mill IEMs - other than outliers - this dongle can definitely do a very serviceable job.

My acid tests for source evaluation include 3 of my hardest to drive gear:
1) Final Audio E5000 (low sensitivity at 93dB/mW)
2) Sennheiser HD650 (high impedance at 300ohm)
3) Yinman 600 ohm (600 ohm impedance and 87db/mW sensitivity)

The E5000 on the Allegro Mini's 4.4 mm port was never lacking headroom or volume, but the bass texturing could be a bit better - this is nitpicking as some pricier dongles also struggle to drive the E5000, which is an outlier amongst IEMs. Likewise, the Allegro Mini could juice the HD650 to an okay level, though soundstage and dynamics could have been done better if more power was on tap.

The final boss - the Yinman 600 ohm with an ultra-low sensitivity and ultra-high impedance - is inadequately driven by the majority of portable sources or even expensive DAPs out there. So it is no surprise that the Allegro Mini even on 4.4 mm struggles to drive this behemoth; it is not a matter of volume, but more of bass control (texturing) and soundstage - which was quite compressed.



The Allegro Mini does not hiss with high sensitivity IEMs, and it is also does not get hot, which are much appreciated traits. In fact, the Allegro Mini is cool to the touch during prolonged usage! While we do not have any specs on the output impedance of this device, on field-tests I surmise that it should be relatively low, as paired fastidious low impedance IEMs weren't skewed in the frequency response.

While the 4.4 mm port has minimal "popping" when removing or inserting gear, unfortunately the 3.5 mm port suffers from a rather loud "pop", which probably reflects an inadequate pop suppression implementation on the 3.5 mm side. Once again, it is not uncommon for manufacturers to crowbar the 3.5 mm port in as an afterthought or polish the 4.4 mm to shine better, but definitely the 4.4 mm port is the more refined of the 2 terminals.

Yes, some smart alec is going to ask whether both the single-ended and balanced ports can be used at the same time. The answer is yes, but I wouldn't recommend that, as the volume will be different on each output, so one user might be going deaf while the other can't hear much.


COMPARISONS

The Allegro Mini will be compared against other ultra-budget dongle DAC/AMPs.




Apple dongle

Yes the measurebator's gold standard. The Apple dongle is a rather neutralish affair, with good measurements to boot.

However, it only has a 3.5 mm port, with no option for 4.4 mm balanced output. The Apple dongle is likewise weak in terms of driving power, and can't handle high impedance/low sensitivity transducers (not a matter of volume, but of dynamics, bass tightness and soundstage).

Build-wise, the Apple dongle is more filmsy with a noodle-thin non-detachable cable. We do not have any QOL functions on the Apple dongle like EQ, buttons, gain settings, PEQ etc too.

In terms of technicalities, the Apple dongle is inferior in soundstage, and sounds "closed-in". Micro-detailing is about on par.

For those that chase the highest bit rates, the Apple dongle is capped to a 24bit/48kHz maximum sample rate, whereas the Allegro Mini provides up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD128.


Fiio KA11

The KA11 has a warm tonal signature, and has more bass and a thicker note weight. It has a less extended treble, compared to the Allegro Mini.

Likewise, the KA11 comes in a thin cylindrical design, with no buttons, EQ, gain settings, DAC options etc.

The KA11 loses in soundstage, micro-details and imaging and is a step behind in technicalities.

The KA11 only has a 3.5 mm port, but it can juice out 200 mW at 32 Ω even on this single-ended terminal, easily dwarfing the 30 mW of the Allegro Mini. Thus, the KA11 can juice harder to drive gear.

However, the KA11's greater power comes at the expense of more battery drain and making the dongle hot during usage, unlike the ice-cool Allegro Mini.


CONCLUSIONS



Costing the price of a restaurant meal, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini is an affordable ultra-budget dongle with excellent value proposition.

It is built solidly from aluminum alloy, with a right-angled USB-C port that allows this dongle to be nested to the end of a smartphone, immediately converting it to a DAP! Additionally, this device boasts of both a 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced output; arguably something hard to find at its $24 USD asking price.

Furnishing an uncoloured neutral bright sonic profile, the Allegro Mini will let the connected transducer do the colouring, suiting purists to a tee. Technicalities are nothing to sniff at for the coin, and it comfortably beats the measurebator's paragon of the Apple dongle in soundstage and bit-rate playback. The Allegro Mini also runs ice-cool during usage, with no hiss, which are all plus points.

However, the Allegro Mini is not the most powerful of the ultra-budget dongles - the Fiio KA11 claims that title as of the time of writing - and it comes with no accessories. Like its budget counterparts, the Allegro Mini is lacking in some UI features like no buttons, no PEQ, no screen, no gain settings and no DAC filters, which are par for the course at this price range.

One bugbear is a "pop" heard on connecting transducers on the 3.5 mm port, but thankfully the 4.4 mm is better implemented with a much more silent terminal.

All-things-considered, this device gets my recommendation, especially for the budget conscious user who wants to plug this into a smartphone - to become a DAP of sorts - or for those looking for their inaugural dongle, to dip their beaks into this rabbithole. For $24 USD, one can do much worse nowadays, and I'm sure audiophiles won't mind skipping a Big Mac or two to get their paws on the Allegro Mini.

Introduction

A while back, Kiwi Ears have released their first ever dongle, the Allegro. It has such an interesing design, reminiscing that of a gaming controller,;uses an ES9038Q2M DAC Chip, has both 3.5mm and 4.4mm port and very cost effective at just 60$.

And now, as a continuation of the success of that dongle, Kiwi Ears has now released a new miniature version of it, called the Allegro Mini

You can find the product here on Linsoul:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-mini

Specification

The technical specification regarding the Allegro Mini is pretty vague. There’s only so much that Kiwi Ears and Linsoul have shown on their website. There’s no info regarding the DAC chip uses inside, no power output, no output impedance.

Unboxing

The Allegro Mini comes in a really small box. Inside of it is only the dongle itself and no paperwork involved

Design/Build quality:

The Allegro Mini has a really small, compact form factor overall.

Different from most other dongle in the market, the Allegro has quite a special perk, that is to not use an OTG cable (neither detachable nor non-detachable) and just have a male type-C connector sticking out from the side of its body.

The body of the Allegro is made out of CNC aluminum with 1 hollow side, opposite the type C port, for all the electrical component to be put in. On one side is the 3.5mm port, the other side is the 4.4mm port.

The Allegro Mini’s design is very similar to that of the ddHifi TC44 Pro

Functionality

The Allegro Mini is very barebone in its functionality. It has no independent volume control buttons, no screen, no app support. Just plug the dongle into your phone/laptop and use the hardware volume button of the phone/volume slider to control the volume.

Usability

With such a small form factor, with no cable dangling around, the Allegro Mini is unique in a sense that it can transform your phone into a miniature dap, even more so than your usual dongle.

With the usual dongle, you’d have to find a way to secure it to the phone when you want to carry it around. But now, the Allegro Mini hold itself in place, making listening on-the-go a much smoother experience.

Battery consumption/Efficiency

The Allegro Mini has quite a decently low battery consuming rate. It’s a very efficient dongle overall. I can easily have more than 8 hours of listening on my Poco F3 still more battery left. It drains my Poco F3 phone slower than that of the EPZ TP50 in comparison.

During use, the Allegro Mini is only mildly warm, not too hot

Testing transducer: ISN H60, Xenns Mangird Tea Pro, Simgot EA1000.

Sound impression

Tone and timbre wise, the Allegro Mini has a bit of a neutral bright type of sound. It heavily reminds me of the cheaper, widely known CX31993 dongle type of sound. The subbass don’t have the best extension and rumble, while the midbass is quite good punchiness and definition. Midrange is relatively uncolored. The treble is decent, energetic, but feels a bit sharp and dry.

Everything regarding the technical performance like the soundstage, imaging, layering and separation are just slightly above average imho.

Driveability

Using a coupler to measure the SPL of the iem, when using with either 3.5mm port or 4.4mm port, with the same volume level on my laptop’s volume slider, the 3.5mm and the 4.4mm port both outputing the same SPL. This sadly suggest that the 4.4mm port having the same power output as the 3.5mm port.

Possible phase issue?

By using the Allegro Mini to do some measuring, i found out that the Allegro Mini has reverse the polarity of the iem by 180 degree. This maybe a problem to some of you out there that wants to chase the correct polarity during your listening session.

Comparison

1/ 7hz 71

A dongle that has been released a while ago and i believe many have forgotten about it, the 7hz 71.

The 7hz 71 has an AKM 4377 chipset, a non detachable OTG cable and only has a 3.5mm port. The Allegro Mini doesn’t specified what DAC chip it has, has built-in male type C connector and have both 3.5mm and 4.4mm port.

Sound wise, the 7hz 71 has a warm-ish tonality with above average technical performance. The bass region has similar amount of extension, but lacks just a bit of texture and definition compared to the Allegro Mini, feeling more mellow in the notes, while the midrange has this warmer, more organic feeling. The tone and timbre is a notch better and more natural. Treble wise, the 7hz 71 feels smoother, but also feels a bit tamer.

Technical performance are on a similar level between the 2.

The Allegro Mini and 7hz 71 seems to be having similar Gain level, as when putting both dongle at volume level 50/100 on Window’s volume slider, then measure the SPL of the Xenns Tea Pro at that volume level, you’d get the same SPL with both dongle. I’m not saying these two dongles have the same power though, i have no way to confirm that.

During use, the 7hz 71 gets a lot hotter and become easier to be disconnected randomly, especially when using with my phone.The disconnecting part could just be my side only though.

2/ EPZ TP50

The TP50 is more than 4x the price of the Allegro Mini. With that much of a price jump, you’d get a lot more additional features that you can find out more in my review:

Regarding sound quality, it’s apparent that the TP50 has better performance than the Allegro Mini in many aspects. The subbass has more quantity and digs deeper; the plucking sensation of the guitar, the kicks have better definition. The midrange on the TP50 is neutral as well, but it has better transparency and openness than the Allegro Mini’s. The treble sounds less dry on the TP50. The soundstage feels a bit more expansive, along with better layering, separation and imaging on the TP50.

So overall, despite being a decent dongle, the Allegro Mini still have a lot of room for improvements in the sound department.

Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini, i’d say is a very interesting dongle overall. It’s for those that are looking for a compact and easy to use dongle, having a relatively nice sound performance without breaking the bank. Sure it’s not as complete as other more expensive dongle, but for what it delivers, i think the Allegro Mini is a well priced and well made product.

That’s it for my review and thank you for reading.