Mecha Dongle

 

Ratings

 

 

Pros

 

• Design that blends in very well with smartphones.
• Good power level for its size. Performance is as specified.
• Sound clear, energetic, vivid, transparent.
• Very well executed bass.
• Very good level of detail, resolution, plus wide scene, separated and distanced elements.
• Very low weight.
• Versatility: includes in-line control and is HD microphone compatible.
• Lightning to Type-C cable as accessory.

 

Cons

 

• It gets a little warm when power is demanded.

 

Purchase Link

 

https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-sd2-hifi-type-c-to-3-5mm-adapter-dongle-dac

https://www.amazon.es/dp/B09G9YMHV5

 

Link to the WEB

 

https://www.hidizs.net/

 

Introduction

 

Hidizs has brought a new small dongle to the market. It is true that they have several, and some small ones like the S3. But it seems that they are still looking for a more appropriate design for use in conjunction with the smartphone. I’m the first to think that having an extra cable hanging from my phone can be a nuisance. But how about creating a much more integrable design? I think that could have been a starting point for Hidizs’ new product. The SD2 is a small, irregular pentagon-shaped dongle with a USB Type-C male connection and a 3.5mm SE headphone output. It uses the ES9270 DAC that supports up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD128. It also supports in-line control and HD microphone. It has a sample rate indicator light and, of course, high-resolution audio transmission thanks to its Hi-Res Audio certification. The scope of its use is very versatile and it is useful on smartphones, laptops, PCs, tablets and game consoles. It has a power of 70mW for 32Ω. And it is compatible with Windows, Android, iOS and Harmony OS. Let’s see what this new little device is capable of in the following review.

 

 

Specifications

 

• DAC: ES9270.
• Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz.
• DSD: Native DSD64/128.
• PCM: Supports up to 384 kHz/32-bit.
• Output option: SE 3.5mm.
• 32Ω output power: Up to 70 mW+70 mW SE 3.5 mm.
• Sample rate indicator:
  • Red colour: PCM 44.1-48 kHz.
  • Blue colour: PCM 88.2-384 kHz and DSD.
• External material: Aluminium alloy + resin.
• Transmission interface: C-type interface.
• Supported system: Android, Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS.
• Distortion: PO (3.5): 0.0015%.
• Signal-to-noise ratio: PO (3.5): 118dB.
• Separation: PO (3.5): 64dB.
• Dimensions: 34.5×20×10mm.
• Net weight: 6g.

 

 

Packaging

 

The Hidizs SD2 comes in a small black box whose dimensions are 83x83x27mm. There is a realistic photo in the centre of the top face. The brand logo is on the bottom right. On the bottom left are the logos of Sabre, DSD and Hi-Res Audio. At the top right is the model name and a product description. On the back side are the specifications in several languages, as well as the branding. The Hidizs logo appears on the sides of the box. After lifting the lid, the SD2 is encased in a thick black foam base. There is a cloth strap to remove the product, as well as the protective layer. Underneath are the rest of the accessories. In summary, the contents are as follows:

 

• The Hidizs SD2.
• A Type-C to USB-A adapter.
• One Lightning to Type-C cable.
• One user manual.
• One warranty card.

 

The presentation is very compact, matching the price of the product, almost $40. The lightning adapter cable and the quality of the small USB to type-A converter are appreciated.

 

 

Construction and Design

 

The SD2 has been constructed from aluminium alloy and resin, with a Mecha-style appearance. Its dimensions are 34.5×20×10mm and its weight is only 6g. It is an irregular pentagonal tablet, with rounded corners. On the long side is the USB Type-C male connector and on the opposite side is the 3.5mm SE headphone output. The headphone output is diagonally aligned with one side of the SD2 and is covered with gold-plated metal. It is available in three colours, black, grey and white. On my black unit the brand lettering is red. There is a small LED indicator and some red dots. The faces are not smooth and have almost concentric shapes in threes, reminiscent of the shape of the dongle itself. The edges are smooth. The USB Type-C male connection is long and projects over the surface of the edge. The design is very compact and despite its irregular shape, it fits very well into portable devices. The fact that it is a cordless tablet elevates it above its competition, in ergonomic valuation.
Inside is an ES9270 DAC that delivers up to 70mW for 32Ω. This chip features a patented 32-bit HyperStream®II QUAD DACTM architecture. With PCM support up to 384kHz/DSD128 and an integrated SABRE headphone amplifier, it has a distortion of 0.0015%, a signal-to-noise ratio of 118dB and a separation of 64dB.
It is certainly a differential design that is small and very useful.

 

 

Connectivity

 

The SD2 is compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, HarmonyOS and other systems. It can connect to PC’s, laptops, smartphones, tablets, iPhone 15 and game consoles. Supports in-line control and HD microphones.
It can convert microphone audio streams to 24-bit, 48 kHz.

 

 

Operativity

 

The SD2 has a sample rate indicator LED. Red indicates PCM 44.1-48 kHz. Blue indicates PCM 88.2-384 kHz and DSD.
When connected to Windows 10 or higher, it is automatically recognised both as a sound card and as a microphone. Thus it is an all-in-one device for the office, which can be used for meetings and video conferences. The SD2 supports integrated equalisers in conventional music applications.
It has a Lightning to Type-C adapter cable and a small Type-A adapter.
It doesn’t go much further than any dongle, but the double addition of allowing in-line control and HD microphone makes it much more suitable for use in many more everyday settings than more music-specific ones. Certainly, for its size, performance, design and functionality, it can become a highly effective little travel companion.
When you start using it and the sound starts to flow, there is a small Fade-In.
Finally, the SD2 gets a little warm when power is demanded.

 

 

Measures

 

According to the specifications the SD2 is capable of delivering 70mW at 32Ω. That implies that the voltage to give that value must be 1.5V RMS. And so it is, the little SD2 has a maximum voltage on its 3.5mm SE output of 1.5V.
On the other hand, the output impedance is very low and less than 1Ω.

 

 

No load

 

As you can see, with no load it delivers just over 1.5V RMS. I find this to be a pretty good value for a dongle of this size.

 

 

15 Ω

 

The round figure of 1V is almost reached. The voltage of 0.986V implies a power of 65mW and 65mA. Enough for IEMS of this impedance.

 

 

33 Ω

 

The SD2 gives it all for this impedance, almost 1.5V, 68mW and 45mA for 33Ω. As specified.

 

 

100 Ohms

 

Nothing is saved for 100Ω either, which means a power of 23mW and 15mA.

 

 

Frequency Response

 

The SD2 is a Hi-Res device whose frequency response reaches 40kHz quite comfortably. From 20Hz to 20kHz the response is flat.
As for the frequency response produced by an IEMS, compared to my reference Burson Audio Playmate I, the SD2 is subtly more moderate from the treble onwards. The difference is minimal, though.

 

 

Sound

 

The Hidizs SD2 boasts the Sabre ES9270 DAC. It is a small SOC, i.e. a USB audio D/A converter, with a 32-bit, 2-channel headphone amplifier. It uses the patented 32-bit HyperStream®II QUAD DAC™ architecture. And as usual with Sabre, its sound is quite precise, with a certain analytical tendency for the cutting of the notes, which are subtly abrupt, giving an account of that somewhat cooler, more marked, energetic and vibrant excited sound that characterises many chips of this brand. Actually, I’ve always commented that I like this kind of slightly punchy profile. The SD2 has a neutral presentation that is more explicit than soft. This makes the musicality more eloquent and intense, which is fine for day-to-day use, as well as for use as a companion when watching series, movies or playing games.
Starting with the pure tone test its behaviour is exemplary. Compared to the S9 Plus Martha, it is barely distinguishable. It is deep, well defined, with good power and volume. The bass is very dark, with a good roughness, something that gives it the ability to generate texture. It is concise and adept in complex situations. It follows unfiltered bass lines smoothly and shreds them neatly. It is true that it is not as smooth and musical as Martha, but it has a model behaviour in the lower range.
In the midrange the idiosyncrasies of the SD2 chip become more apparent. There is a certain level of energy that projects vocals and makes them more prominent, while presenting them as more isolated. Its edges are subtly more abrupt, something that makes certain nuances feel more vivid, but also subtly rougher, when compared to the S9 Plus. However, the SD2 maintains a more energetic and vibrant musicality, accentuating the sparkle and bringing a brightness to the edges that makes it more fun and subtly punchier. In this way, the outline of the notes is more discernible, slightly emancipated. The sounds are perceived as more concrete and well differentiated. The instruments are shown well separated and distanced from each other, producing a good sense of individual and closer representation. This proximity also favours a sense of accentuated dynamics.
All of the above is slightly expanded in the upper zone, generating well articulated, sharp, clear, very well defined and evident trebles. There is energy and a close presence. Although I have commented that the SD2 is somewhat cold and concise, this is not to say that it is a dongle that is totally abrupt and square in its definition. It has just enough definition to round out the notes, but with a sharper character than the S9 Plus. In this sense Sabre is still Sabre, but more polite. The SD2 comes across as very resolving at the top end and brings a subtle sharper touch, to compensate for its very slight drop-off compared to much more expensive DACs.
The very good sense of separation and distance generates a fairly wide scene. There is no sense of congestion and I could say that, in this respect, the SD2 is remarkable. The level of transparency and clarity is high, the scene is airy and the background looks dark. This is also due to an outstanding level of resolution and detail. The SD2 is capable of depicting minute details and presenting them somewhat in advance. Surprisingly, it is able to render micro detail quite well. It doesn’t quite wrap air around it and clear it like much higher priced dongles. But the amount of space and the ability to isolate them without overlapping is very good for its price range. In this way, the image is effective, the positioning is effective and discernible. The elements are clearly distinguishable, the voices subtly forward, as are the solo instruments, which get a little bit of sparkle that pushes them forward. Overall, the scene is wide, quite spherical, thanks to its depth and height. It doesn’t become enveloping, vaporous or gauzy, but the energy level and close presence anchors the elements in the image in a more concrete way.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The Hidizs SD2 defies all other dongles with a compact, wick-inspired design. Its shape fits perfectly into any device with a USB Type-C connection, forming a tightly knit and seated piece. Forget about cables and dangling dongles. With the SD2, integration is seamless. Of course, the sound lives up to this design, thanks to the Sabre ES9270 DAC. Powerful enough for the vast majority of IEMS and beyond, the SD2 is capable of delivering 1.5V RMS for 32Ω. In addition, its output impedance is very low and its frequency response fairly flat. Outstanding are the level of imaging, detail, separation, clarity and transparency, as well as the low end response. Without a doubt, the Hidizs SD2 is a very versatile device, with line control, HD microphone compatibility, a very affordable price, a small design and very effective.

 

 

Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis

 

• Hidizs MP145 Golden Titanium.
• Hidizs MS3.
• Hidizs MS5.
• Hidizs AP80 PRO-X Red Copper LE.
• BQEYZ Wind.
• Letshuoer S15.
• Tanchjim Kara.
• Rose Martini.
• Rose QT9 MK2s.
• NiceHCK F1 Pro.
• Simgot EA1000 Fermat.
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro.