This is the second mobile DAC from Whizzer, but this time they have found something really worthwhile. DA1 is based on the latest generation ESS chip, supports all common PCM and DSD formats, can work with headphones, consumes the battery very carefully, and can output up to 70mW at 32 ohm load. Of course, it also has minor flaws, but from the way it sounds, I’m personally willing to forgive a lot.
Characteristic
-
DAC: ESS ES9270
-
Output power: 70 mW into 32 ohms
-
Audio Resolution: Up to 384kHz/32bit, DSD128
-
Format decoding support: PCM, DSD
-
Frequency range: 20Hz – 40kHz
-
Power supply: 5 volts 0.054 amps
-
Type C inputs
-
Outputs: 3.5mm
-
Dimensions: 51 x 16.5 x 9.2mm
-
Weight: 14.2g
-
Operating system: Android, iOS, Windows 10, macOS
Packaging and equipment
The device came in a small cardboard box with the image of the DAC itself, the approved Hi-Res Audio certification logo, and a detailed list of features on the back.
In the kit we find only instructions and an adapter from Type C to a standard USB connector.
Design/Ergonomics
The DAC casing is metal, with a lot of different information on the front and back, a single 3.5mm output, two volume buttons (they also change tracks) and a small LED that is responsible for indicating the current transmission. . Also, the volume here is not systemic, but internal. That’s all feng shui.
Well, as a drawback, only the non-removable design of the Type C cable can be noted. Although, people have been driving iBasso of similar design for many years and don’t know the pain.
But the device consumes simply in a super human way – only 0.054 amps fall on 5 volts. So you don’t have to worry about the battery at all. Power-wise, we get exactly 70mW at 32 ohms load, which is enough for most full-sizes (up to 70 ohms) and almost all in-ear headphones.
Of the resolutions we have available PCM up to 32 bit 384 kHz and native DSD up to DSD128. The device does not support MQA decoding.
I did not notice any heating here during the entire period of use, there is also no noise in the pauses, but the DAC is compatible with headphones. Yes, and the volume here is with a good margin, on average I heard somewhere at 20% of 100 possible.
Software
With drivers, the situation has not changed in any way, they simply do not exist. This means that Windows only supports the 10th and 11th versions, and those that do not have the ability to use the ASIO interface.
On Android and iOS, the DAC works across all apps and services, including high-quality BitPerfect mode. This is where you have to be very careful, as the volume control in exclusive modes works exclusively with the buttons on the DAC box. So when you turn it on for the first time, it will be very noisy. However, whenever you don’t have to adjust the level, the device remembers the current value even when you switch from source to source.
measurements
I made all measurements at 24-bit 96 kHz resolution on the E1DA Cosmos ADC. And although I couldn’t achieve high accuracy due to insufficient output voltage, all points were rated “excellent”.
Frequency response as you can see is perfect here, noise level is minus 150dB, good dynamic range, intermodulation distortion is minus 108dB and harmonic distortion is minus 105dB.
The latter in numerical terms are 0.0009%. I mean, it’s all very decent.
Sound
Sonically, I was able to compare the Whizzer DA1 to its first competitor: the Hilidac Audirect Atom Mini. And even though from a technical point of view Atom Mini is obviously ahead (ES9270 vs. ES9280 converter), the actual situation is exactly the opposite. For example, where Hilidac draws nearly monolithic aural images, Whizzer succeeds in emphasizing dynamics more strongly and extracting almost many times more detail. At the same time, the overall character of the DACs is very similar, but in terms of craftsmanship, clarity, and instrument positioning, the DA1 is obviously ahead. So if you choose, I will personally give my vote for the new Whizzer product.
Well, given that last year’s flagship xDuoo Link from the first review unexpectedly appeared in my collection, it would be a real waste not to seize the moment and not clash with the more modern DA1. And, this time, both DACs turned out to be good at both dynamics and drawing nuances. But here another moment played: the presentation of the hero of the review is more focused on detail, so the images do not look as rounded as in Link, but, on the contrary, are simply super realistic and accurate. Separately, I emphasize that this is if we compare the devices with each other. It is worth taking, for example, xDuoo Link2 Bal, DDHiFi TC44C or MoonRiver 2 and the result will no longer be in favor of the hero of the review. But this is not surprising, due to the different weight classes of him. But for its price, Whizzer, in my opinion, is simply incomparable.
I will say more, in terms of presentation, the hero of the review very much reminded me of my current stationary package of the SMSL DO100 DAC and the HO100 headphone amplifier, and this is already a good level. In general, I was personally bribed by this surround sound, with very realistic, almost vivid images, pleasant deep bass, excellent texture rendering and moderately fast attacks. The device, of course, does not break templates, but to get a similar sound for a little over 2000 rubles, I think, is a real find. As for the frequencies, I repeat, there are quite deep and tasty basses, excellent in expressiveness and at the same time very detailed mids and slightly warm comfortable tops. The main emphasis is on balance of melody and accuracy. In the mobile segment, by the way, this is a great rarity. Manufacturers, in general, choose one thing and try to squeeze the most out of this direction. That is, the Whizzer company managed to make a qualitative leap in the direction of serious stationary sound.
However, there is another important nuance here – if you plan to connect it to devices via an outdated USB 2.0 connector, then you will not be able to reveal the full range of capabilities of the device. The sound will be thicker and softer than in the case of USB 3.0. In addition, you will noticeably lose the clarity and overall processing of the material. So while the DAC is very power friendly, the nature of the sound on USB differs significantly between versions. In terms of headphones, it is not very demanding – it connected both purely dynamic 7 Hz Ethernal and hybrid JQ 4U Pro with BGVP Tang Character, in a word, wonderful. The style is also in full order, I listened to jazz, rock, metal, various ethnic motifs, intellectual and related electronica, and everywhere I received exclusively positive emotions. The device has enough melody to correctly present, for example, jazz or orchestral music, and technicality to correctly play metal or some kind of hard electronics.
conclusions
As a result, Whizzer DA1, as a representative of the initial segment of mobile DACs, frankly surprised me. So cool in the segment of about 2000 rubles, in my opinion, it does not play anything at all. I did all possible comparisons, measurements, tried a bunch of headphones and genres, it’s all just a fairy tale. Yes, the more expensive DACs are capable of doing more, but if we take a frank budget, then the DA1 really has no competition. In technical terms, we took the latest generation codec, thanks to which there is support for a microphone and a headphone unit, and did not chase records in power, so we immediately got good power consumption and a worthy output of 70 mW. That is, everything is made according to the mind and designed for people.
As for the presentation in DA1, we have a kind of balance between a juicy, voluminous sound and an excellent interpretation of the nuances. Which, as I said, brings us closer not to the oldest mobile devices, but to full-fledged stationary solutions. Well, remembering its price, one can only be surprised and rub their hands in anticipation. As for its price, this is almost the best solution on the market. I can fully recommend it, the engineers really tried.
GET THE CURRENT PRICE OF THE WHIZZER DA1
My other reviews, on audio topics and not only, can be found on my profile. And you can quickly find the best AliExpress discounts, coupon distribution, promotional codes on my telegram channel – KVPokupok (the link is below). Check it out and join!
This is the second mobile DAC from Whizzer, but this time they have found something really worthwhile. Based on the latest generation ESS chip, DA1 is compatible with all…
Do you know these mysterious people who wrap a bank card in aluminum foil? And I found myself still missing a tinfoil hat. With the advent of bank cards with the ability to …
Summer has come, which means that you want new emotions and that they will be remembered for a long time. The Digma DiCam 870 action camera, which has a convenient second color screen for shooting control, can help with this.
My 4-camera surveillance system, built primarily from Aliexpress components, has been working flawlessly for three years. I’ll tell you what its capabilities are, what it consists of,…
City scooters are quite a convenient mode of transportation due to their compact size, maneuverability and carrying capacity. Most of them can move not only children, but also adults…
Losiny Ostrov is actually not an island, but a national park, partly located within the city of Moscow. What is the difference between a national park and just a park? An ordinary city park is…
Source: IXBT
