Whizzer DA1: the affordable dongle that could have been the best...
Intro
Whizzer had already amazed me with its Kylin HE10, an IEM with a truly spectacular V-shaped signature that had the ability to stand out in the mid-frequencies despite the tuning. Today, I am pleased to bring you a different proposal from Whizzer: the DA1 dongle, the budget option ($27 USD) that the brand offers for listening to high-quality music.
If you wish to read this review in Spanish, click here
Check out previous reviews here (or in spanish here)
Disclaimers:
Unboxing, Build & Accessories
The Whizzer DA1 is the smallest dongle I own, measuring 51mm in length, 16.5mm in width, and 9.2mm in height. The DA1 is crafted from CNC-machined aluminum. It features a non-removable USB-C cable made of oxygen-free copper with 5N purity. Additionally, the product includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter, allowing the dongle to be used with devices such as PCs and laptops.
The output comprises a 3.5mm port, and on its left side, you'll find two volume buttons (the volume-up button has a small relief for easy identification without needing to look at the device). There is also an LED strip indicating the device's status (Red: paused - Blue: music playback 32/48K - Green: music playback DSD 64 - Fluorescent Green: music playback DSD 128).
Specifications
For the DA1, Whizzer employed an ESS9270 chip, which will be discussed in the "Sound Profile" segment. The maximum power the DA1 can deliver is 2Vrms with an output power of 70mW at 32ohms. Its power allows it to amplify a wide variety of in-ears, and even some over-ears, though it may struggle with demanding headphones like the Hifiman HE400SE. This limitation is quite understandable given its price. Lastly, the DA1 supports DSD 128 decoding, as mentioned earlier, and offers a resolution of up to 32 bits/384 kHz.
Sound Profile
The ESS9270 and its chip family typically have a warm signature, and the DA1 is no exception. The sound profile subtly modifies the bass by elevating it, but without unbalancing the entire spectrum or making the bass overly boomy. There is a subtle coloration from 100 to 800 Hz, adding thickness and substance to vocals and instruments with more prominent sounds in these ranges. However, it maintains the original technicalities of the headphones being reproduced. The DA1 will have better compatibility with IEMs that may have somewhat deficient low frequencies, such as the 7Hz Salnotes Zero.
Functionality and Performance (Music and Gaming)
I wanted to love the DA1 because on paper, it seemed to be a strong contender as one of the most affordable options for quality music listening. However, a problem arose. I tested this dongle with easily amplifiable in-ears, difficult-to-amplify ones, and over-ears. The issue emerged with the IEMs that the DA1 is primarily oriented towards—those with a sensitivity/impedance ratio classifying them as easy to amplify.
To illustrate, I tested the DA1 on both my phone and PC with the 7Hz Salnotes Zero (Impedance: 32 ohms – Sensitivity: 108dB/v@1kHz) and the Kiwi Ears Cadenza (Impedance: 32 ohms – Sensitivity: 110dBSPL/mW). I noticed something peculiar in songs with passages where the volume decreases significantly. In the introduction of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, there is a clear noise resembling a crackle or interference noticeable in the first 5/6 seconds when no instruments are playing yet. I managed to replicate this issue in songs from Beethoven's “Symphony No. 7” performed by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, indicating that this is not an isolated case of a particular song.
In Windows, when not using music players, watching videos, or engaging in situations involving sound reproduction, I noticed the return of the noise. Therefore, I wouldn't consider it ideal for use when connected without actively listening to something specific. However, when playing energetic songs without significant volume variations, the annoying noise is only very slightly perceptible. I had a great experience listening to Tove Lo's "Dirt Femme" and the DA1's signature helps highlight those bass frequencies, turning them into a delightful and notably impactful experience.
Regarding gaming, I tested the DA1 with the 7Hz Salnotes Zero while playing Overwatch 2. Despite the slightly colored bass in the sound signature, it doesn't affect the clarity of footsteps or shots and also offers good spatial awareness for the user. The annoying sound produced by the dongle is only noticeable if we pay close attention to it, and in combat situations, it won't be discernible amid gunfire and other abilities. Overall, the performance is in line with the price (excluding the unwanted noise).
Finally, I highly appreciate that Whizzer has implemented 30 volume steps for adjusting it to our preference. The downside is that these volume steps are not saved between devices. Therefore, if you use the DA1 at maximum volume on a smartphone and then connect it to a PC or another device where you had previously lowered the volume, the volume will remain at maximum. So, one must be cautious not to risk damaging their eardrums (I say this from experience).
Battery Consumption
Test Conditions:
- Battery consumption in 1 hour = 10-12% (approximation)
vs TempoTec Sonata HD PRO
Points in favor of Whizzer DA1:
Points in favor of TempoTec Sonata HD PRO:
Considering the minimal $9 USD price difference (DA1 = $27 USD / Sonata HD PRO = $36 USD), I believe it's more worthwhile to go for the more powerful and versatile option. However, if the budget is tight and the noise issue I experienced is an isolated case, I can still comfortably recommend the DA1.
Conclusion
I find myself conflicted in this review, as the performance and power of the DA1 are more than decent considering its price. However, I cannot overlook the fact that my unit has those annoying noises that I can clearly hear in songs with widely fluctuating volume levels. The score reflects my dissatisfaction with this particular aspect but it still receives a "passing grade" as I give Whizzer the benefit of the doubt and it's possible that I just happened to receive a defective unit.
Intro
Whizzer had already amazed me with its Kylin HE10, an IEM with a truly spectacular V-shaped signature that had the ability to stand out in the mid-frequencies despite the tuning. Today, I am pleased to bring you a different proposal from Whizzer: the DA1 dongle, the budget option ($27 USD) that the brand offers for listening to high-quality music.
If you wish to read this review in Spanish, click here
Check out previous reviews here (or in spanish here)
Disclaimers:
- I would like to express my gratitude to the Whizzer team for sending me this unit for an honest review
- You can find the DA1 here: https://whizzer.store/product/import-placeholder-for-882/ (Official Whizzer Website) – https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005004290859068.html (Official Whizzer’s Aliexpress Website)
- Review based in 2-4hs listening sessions each day across 4 days
- All music used is lossless (Qobuz > 16-bit – 44.1kHz).
- Gear used: Samsung A50, PC
Unboxing, Build & Accessories
The Whizzer DA1 is the smallest dongle I own, measuring 51mm in length, 16.5mm in width, and 9.2mm in height. The DA1 is crafted from CNC-machined aluminum. It features a non-removable USB-C cable made of oxygen-free copper with 5N purity. Additionally, the product includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter, allowing the dongle to be used with devices such as PCs and laptops.
The output comprises a 3.5mm port, and on its left side, you'll find two volume buttons (the volume-up button has a small relief for easy identification without needing to look at the device). There is also an LED strip indicating the device's status (Red: paused - Blue: music playback 32/48K - Green: music playback DSD 64 - Fluorescent Green: music playback DSD 128).
Specifications
For the DA1, Whizzer employed an ESS9270 chip, which will be discussed in the "Sound Profile" segment. The maximum power the DA1 can deliver is 2Vrms with an output power of 70mW at 32ohms. Its power allows it to amplify a wide variety of in-ears, and even some over-ears, though it may struggle with demanding headphones like the Hifiman HE400SE. This limitation is quite understandable given its price. Lastly, the DA1 supports DSD 128 decoding, as mentioned earlier, and offers a resolution of up to 32 bits/384 kHz.
Sound Profile
The ESS9270 and its chip family typically have a warm signature, and the DA1 is no exception. The sound profile subtly modifies the bass by elevating it, but without unbalancing the entire spectrum or making the bass overly boomy. There is a subtle coloration from 100 to 800 Hz, adding thickness and substance to vocals and instruments with more prominent sounds in these ranges. However, it maintains the original technicalities of the headphones being reproduced. The DA1 will have better compatibility with IEMs that may have somewhat deficient low frequencies, such as the 7Hz Salnotes Zero.
Functionality and Performance (Music and Gaming)
I wanted to love the DA1 because on paper, it seemed to be a strong contender as one of the most affordable options for quality music listening. However, a problem arose. I tested this dongle with easily amplifiable in-ears, difficult-to-amplify ones, and over-ears. The issue emerged with the IEMs that the DA1 is primarily oriented towards—those with a sensitivity/impedance ratio classifying them as easy to amplify.
To illustrate, I tested the DA1 on both my phone and PC with the 7Hz Salnotes Zero (Impedance: 32 ohms – Sensitivity: 108dB/v@1kHz) and the Kiwi Ears Cadenza (Impedance: 32 ohms – Sensitivity: 110dBSPL/mW). I noticed something peculiar in songs with passages where the volume decreases significantly. In the introduction of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, there is a clear noise resembling a crackle or interference noticeable in the first 5/6 seconds when no instruments are playing yet. I managed to replicate this issue in songs from Beethoven's “Symphony No. 7” performed by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, indicating that this is not an isolated case of a particular song.
In Windows, when not using music players, watching videos, or engaging in situations involving sound reproduction, I noticed the return of the noise. Therefore, I wouldn't consider it ideal for use when connected without actively listening to something specific. However, when playing energetic songs without significant volume variations, the annoying noise is only very slightly perceptible. I had a great experience listening to Tove Lo's "Dirt Femme" and the DA1's signature helps highlight those bass frequencies, turning them into a delightful and notably impactful experience.
Regarding gaming, I tested the DA1 with the 7Hz Salnotes Zero while playing Overwatch 2. Despite the slightly colored bass in the sound signature, it doesn't affect the clarity of footsteps or shots and also offers good spatial awareness for the user. The annoying sound produced by the dongle is only noticeable if we pay close attention to it, and in combat situations, it won't be discernible amid gunfire and other abilities. Overall, the performance is in line with the price (excluding the unwanted noise).
Finally, I highly appreciate that Whizzer has implemented 30 volume steps for adjusting it to our preference. The downside is that these volume steps are not saved between devices. Therefore, if you use the DA1 at maximum volume on a smartphone and then connect it to a PC or another device where you had previously lowered the volume, the volume will remain at maximum. So, one must be cautious not to risk damaging their eardrums (I say this from experience).
Battery Consumption
Test Conditions:
- Smartphone: Samsung A50 with 70% battery and locked screen
- DA1 at maximum (30 steps) and 50% volume on Samsung A50
- WiFi on
- IEMs: 7Hz Salnotes Zero
- Battery consumption in 1 hour = 10-12% (approximation)
vs TempoTec Sonata HD PRO
Points in favor of Whizzer DA1:
- Smaller size
- Better-defined volume steps allowing more precise adjustment to preferred volume
- LED indicator
- Contemporary genres benefit from its warm signature (Electronic, Rap, Pop)
- Dongle heats up less in comparison
Points in favor of TempoTec Sonata HD PRO:
- Removable Micro USB to USB-C cable
- Higher power (110mW@32ohms with high gain trick)
- More versatile neutral signature for different musical genres
- This unit doesn't suffer from strange noises (although it may have sporadic microcuts when changing songs)
Considering the minimal $9 USD price difference (DA1 = $27 USD / Sonata HD PRO = $36 USD), I believe it's more worthwhile to go for the more powerful and versatile option. However, if the budget is tight and the noise issue I experienced is an isolated case, I can still comfortably recommend the DA1.
Conclusion
I find myself conflicted in this review, as the performance and power of the DA1 are more than decent considering its price. However, I cannot overlook the fact that my unit has those annoying noises that I can clearly hear in songs with widely fluctuating volume levels. The score reflects my dissatisfaction with this particular aspect but it still receives a "passing grade" as I give Whizzer the benefit of the doubt and it's possible that I just happened to receive a defective unit.