ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 Review

  

Introduction:

ddHiFi, a Chinese audio brand started in 2017, has been making Ascendant in the portable audio space with its well-crafted adapters, DACs, and cables. Led by Demond Ding, a former engineer from FiiO and Oppo, the company focuses on combining quality materials with practical design. The TC44Pro M3 (aka Mountain 3), the latest in their TC44 lineup, is a T-shaped Hi-Res DAC and Amplifier adapter built to enhance your mobile audio experience. It features dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips, both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, and a compact aluminum alloy body.

This review covers its design, technical features, and sound performance, along with comparisons to similar devices.

 

Disclaimer:

I’d like to thank ddHiFi for providing the TC44Pro M3 (aka Mountain 3) sample for this review. I’m not affiliated with ddHiFi beyond this review, and the opinions here are my honest thoughts about the product.

 

Price & Availability:

The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 is priced at a reasonable $89.99, making it a compelling option for audiophiles seeking a compact and portable DAC/AMP solution without exceeding their budget. More information can be found at the link below:

• ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 (Mountain 3)

 

Package & Accessories:

The TC44Pro M3 comes in a small, cardboard box with simple branding and a product sketch on the front. It’s the kind of no-frills packaging you’d expect from ddHiFi. Inside, you get:

• 1 x ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 DAC/Amplifier Dongle
• 1 x Leather lanyard with a snake knot
• 1 x Printed manual

The leather lanyard is a nice touch. It’s practical for keeping the tiny device secure and adds a bit of style with its brown finish.

 

Design & Build Quality:

The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 (aka Mountain 3) belongs to the brand’s “Surface” series, which emphasizes precision-machined aluminum craftsmanship with a clean, minimalist aesthetic. The T-shaped chassis, measuring 30.4 x 12.4 x 17 + 3.5 mm and weighing 11 grams, achieves a balance between durability and portability, making it compact enough for everyday carry without adding unnecessary bulk.

The main body is crafted from CNC-machined aluminum alloy and features a striped texture in a dark metallic grey finish. This texture enhances grip and reduces fingerprint visibility, contributing to both practicality and visual refinement. The structured design maintains a precise form, avoiding excessive ornamentation while emphasizing machining precision.

On the side panel, the device houses dual headphone outputs, including both a 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced jack. The gold-plated connectors provide solid engagement when plugging in headphones, reinforcing durability. Adjacent to these ports is a dual-color LED indicator, which glows blue for PCM playback and green for DSD, providing a clear reference for the active decoding format.

The USB Type-C male connector section contrasts with the textured main body, featuring a smooth, copper-toned surface. This variation in finish and color distinctly separates the connector area from the striped-texture aluminum shell. The direct-plug configuration eliminates the need for an intermediary cable, reducing potential failure points and ensuring a more durable connection over time.

Additionally, the device incorporates a lanyard hole, allowing users to attach a leather strap for added security during transport. This feature provides extra convenience for those who prefer keeping the DAC/AMP tethered to a bag or keychain.

Overall, the TC44Pro M3 presents a compact yet robust construction, with a dark metallic grey striped aluminum body, a contrasting smooth copper-toned connector section, and an emphasis on precision machining. Its durable materials, direct-plug format, and carefully positioned ports make it a practical and well-engineered portable DAC/AMP.

 

Technical Specifications:

• Model: TC44Pro M3 (aka Mountain 3)
• DAC Configuration: Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198
• THD+N: ≤ -110dB
• SNR: >125dB
• DNR: >120dB
• Output Power: 120mW @ 32Ω (4.4mm Balanced), 90mW @ 32Ω (3.5mm Single-Ended)
• Digital Input Interface: USB-C OTG
• Outputs: 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced
• Supported Formats: PCM up to 32bit/384kHz, Native DSD64/DSD128/DSD256
• Dimensions: 30.4 x 12.4 x 17 + 3.5 mm
• Weight: ~11 grams

 

 

Hardware & Software Features:

DAC, Amplifier, Driving Power & Hissing

The TC44Pro M3 integrates a dual CS43198 DAC configuration, each chip featuring a built-in amplifier, which contributes to a clean output with low distortion and a high signal-to-noise ratio of over 125dB. This setup ensures accurate digital-to-analog conversion, preserving audio fidelity across a wide range of frequencies. The device delivers an output power of 120mW at 32Ω through the 4.4mm balanced port and 90mW at 32Ω via the 3.5mm single-ended port. This power level is sufficient to drive most IEMs effectively, providing enough headroom for dynamic swings in music without clipping or distortion, even with moderately demanding earphones. However, it may struggle with high-impedance headphones that require significantly more power, as the output is relatively modest compared to desktop DAC/AMP solutions.

I tested the driving capability with a variety of IEMs, including the ddHiFi Janus 3 and Oriveti OH700VB, and found that the TC44Pro M3 handles them well, delivering a consistent volume level and maintaining clarity across different genres. The balanced output, in particular, offers a noticeable improvement in channel separation and dynamics compared to the single-ended output, which is expected given the design.

Regarding noise performance, the TC44Pro M3 shows a low noise floor, with no audible hiss or background noise even when paired with sensitive IEMs like the ddHiFi Surface. This is a strong point for the device, as many dongle DACs in this price range struggle with noise when used with high-sensitivity earphones. During quiet passages or silent moments, the output remains clean, ensuring that the focus stays on the audio rather than any unwanted artifacts. For a device priced at $89.99, the TC44Pro M3 offers a respectable combination of DAC performance, amplification, and noise control, making it a practical choice for portable audio setups.

 

Supported Sampling Rates:

The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 supports PCM decoding up to 32bit/384kHz and native DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256. For the best DSD playback on Android, ddHiFi recommends enabling USB exclusive mode and setting the output to Native, which I found works well with my setup.

 

Connectivity:

The TC44Pro M3 is available only in a USB-C OTG version, making it compatible with most Android devices and Windows PCs and Macs. It’s plug-and-play on modern systems, though older Windows versions like XP, 7, or 8 might need a driver from ddHiFi’s website. The direct-plug design connects firmly to my phone, and I haven’t noticed any noise or signal issues.

 

List of Features: 

• Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips.
• Supports PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and native DSD256.
• Output power of 90mW @ 32Ω (3.5mm single-ended) and 120mW @ 32Ω (4.4mm balanced).
• 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs.
• Direct-plug USB-C OTG design for cable-free connection.
• CNC-machined aluminum alloy body with striped texture for durability and grip.
• Compact dimensions of 30.4 x 12.4 x 17 + 3.5mm, weighing 11g.
• Low noise floor with no audible hiss, ideal for sensitive IEMs.
• Compatible with Android, Windows, and Mac devices (plug-and-play on modern systems).

 

Equipment’s used for this review:

• DAC’s            : ddHiFi TC44Pro M3, Hidizs S8 Pro
• USB Source  : Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, MSI Vector GP68 HX
• IEM’s              : ddHiFi Surface, ddHiFi Janus 3 , Oriveti OH700VB 

 

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Apple Music Lossless)
• Adele – My Little Love (Apple Music Lossless)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Apple Music Lossless)
• Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Apple Music Lossless)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Apple Music Lossless)
• Hans Zimmer – The Dark Knight OST (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Apple Music Lossless)
• Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Apple Music Lossless)
• Miles Davis – So What (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

 

 

The Sound:

The TC44Pro M3 delivers a neutral sound signature with a slight warmth, allowing it to work well across various music genres. Its dual CS43198 DACs produce audio that is clean and detailed, with a consistent dynamic range and a soundstage that provides a sense of space. I ran a 50-hour burn-in period before testing, and then paired it with IEMs like the ddHiFi Surface, ddHiFi Janus 3, and Oriveti OH700VB to assess its performance. For a compact device priced at $89.99, the TC44Pro M3 performs well, offering a balanced sound profile that suits its size and cost.

Bass:

The bass on the TC44Pro M3 is characterized by a controlled and tight delivery, with a slight elevation that adds depth without overpowering the midrange or treble. The subbass extends to a decent level, providing a solid foundation for low frequencies. When paired with the ddHiFi Surface, the TC44Pro M3 offers a full subbass response, ensuring electronic beats and low-end textures are present and defined. With the ddHiFi Janus 3, the bass has a precise punch, allowing kick drums and bass guitars to come through clearly, especially in faster tracks where separation is key.

The Oriveti OH700VB benefits from the TC44Pro M3’s ability to deliver a textured midbass, adding a touch of warmth to percussive elements like toms and basslines while maintaining clarity to avoid muddiness. Across these IEMs, the bass maintains a smooth transition from subbass to midbass, providing a balanced low-end response that handles complex arrangements without congestion.

Midrange:

The midrange of the TC44Pro M3 is forward and carries a subtle warmth, giving it a musical quality without sacrificing detail. It presents instruments and vocals in a natural manner, maintaining clarity across the frequency range. When used with the ddHiFi Surface, the TC44Pro M3 delivers a detailed midrange, ensuring pianos and acoustic guitars have a warm, cohesive tone with noticeable texture.

The ddHiFi Janus 3 benefits from the TC44Pro M3’s ability to provide clear midrange reproduction, with male and female vocals sounding natural and well-defined, while strings and woodwinds maintain a smooth presentation. The Oriveti OH700VB gains a slight boost in midrange airiness from the TC44Pro M3, with brass instruments and vocals showing precision and avoiding any harshness or sibilance. The lower midrange gives male vocals a sense of body and warmth, while the upper midrange keeps female vocals clear with a natural tone. This balance ensures the midrange remains versatile across the tested IEMs, performing well for its price and size.

Treble:

The treble on the TC44Pro M3 is detailed and maintains clarity without becoming harsh, striking a balance between brightness and smoothness. Its extension adds a sense of openness to the sound. When paired with the ddHiFi Surface, the TC44Pro M3 brings out the finer details in string sections and cymbals, providing a controlled brightness that avoids sharpness. The ddHiFi Janus 3 benefits from the TC44Pro M3’s ability to render hi-hats and ride cymbals with a natural decay, adding detail to percussive elements while keeping them in check.

The Oriveti OH700VB, which has a detailed treble response, gains a slight improvement in high-frequency extension from the TC44Pro M3, allowing flutes and high-pitched percussion to stand out with clarity and a touch of airiness. Compared to the TC44A, the TC44Pro M3 offers better treble extension and control, reducing any roll-off and providing a more open presentation across these IEMs. For a device in this price range, the treble is well-handled and avoids fatigue during longer listening sessions.

 

Soundstage & Imaging:

The soundstage of the TC44Pro M3 offers a decent width and depth for a dongle DAC, creating a three-dimensional listening experience. When paired with the ddHiFi Surface, the TC44Pro M3 provides clear placement of instruments like violins and cellos, with good separation between elements. The ddHiFi Janus 3 benefits from a wider and deeper stage, enhancing the positioning of vocals and acoustic instruments for a cohesive sound. The Oriveti OH700VB sees improved layering, with brass and percussion elements positioned distinctly, though it doesn’t match the breadth of a desktop setup. Compared to other dongles in its price range, the TC44Pro M3’s soundstage performs adequately, offering a satisfactory spatial experience for its size and cost.

 

Comparison:

ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 versus Hidizs S8 Pro:

The Hidizs S8 Pro, equipped with dual ESS Sabre ES9219C DACs, leans toward a brighter, The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 and Hidizs S8 Pro Robin are both strong contenders in the portable DAC/AMP market, each bringing distinct strengths to the table. The TC44Pro M3 features a T-shaped aluminum alloy body with a striped texture, offering robust build quality and a minimalist design that enhances grip while resisting fingerprints. Its compact size of 30.4 x 12.4 x 17 + 3.5mm and light weight of 11g make it highly portable, and its direct-plug USB-C design provides a durable, cable-free connection to devices, adding practical convenience. The 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs are placed on the side for easy access. In contrast, the S8 Pro Robin comes with a wing-shaped aluminum alloy frame featuring glass panels, measuring 58 x 23 x 11mm and weighing 17g. Its construction is solid but slightly less refined, with three rose gold buttons for volume, play/pause, and filter switching, though it relies on a detachable cable that introduces a potential wear point. Both devices offer 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, but the S8 Pro Robin’s glass panels are more prone to scratches, while the TC44Pro M3’s all-metal build gives it a practical edge in durability and portability.

On the technical side, the TC44Pro M3 is equipped with dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, delivering a clean signal with an SNR over 125dB and supporting PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and native DSD256. Its outputs include a 3.5mm single-ended option at 90mW @ 32Ω and a 4.4mm balanced option at 120mW @ 32Ω, enhancing channel separation for a richer sound. The S8 Pro Robin uses dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs, supporting PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD256 via DoP, with a 3.5mm single-ended output at 80mW + 80mW @ 32Ω and a 4.4mm balanced output at 160mW + 160mW @ 32Ω, offering slightly higher balanced power.

When it comes to sound, the S8 Pro Robin leans toward a brighter, analytical profile with sharp, extended treble that highlights details like violin harmonics or cymbal shimmer in orchestral or jazz tracks, though this can lead to fatigue over time, especially with sibilant recordings. Its tight subbass suits electronic music well, but the leaner midbass lacks warmth for rock or soul, and the recessed midrange prioritizes precision, making vocals feel less engaging. The TC44Pro M3 delivers a neutral-warm sound with smooth, controlled treble that preserves detail in highs like strings or flutes without harshness, perfect for long listening sessions across classical or pop. Its warm midbass adds depth to toms or bass guitars in rock or jazz, while the forward midrange brings a natural, musical quality to vocals and instruments like pianos, ideal for acoustic tracks. The S8 Pro Robin’s wider soundstage benefits orchestral pieces, but the TC44Pro M3’s deeper, layered soundstage enhances immersion in classical or progressive rock, offering a more balanced and versatile listening experience.

 

Conclusion:

The ddHiFi TC44Pro M3 (aka Mountain 3) stands out as a practical and effective solution for those seeking to enhance their mobile audio experience on a budget. Priced at $89.99, this compact T-shaped DAC and amplifier adapter leverages dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips to deliver a clean, balanced sound with a slight warmth, making it versatile across various genres. Its robust aluminum alloy construction, featuring a striped texture and a direct-plug USB-C design, ensures durability and portability, while the inclusion of both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs adds flexibility for different headphone setups. The low noise floor and sufficient power output for most IEMs further solidify its appeal for everyday use. While it may not rival high-end dongles or drive power-hungry headphones, its performance relative to its size and cost makes it a reliable companion for mobile audiophiles.

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Offers a clean, neutral-warm sound profile suitable for diverse music genres
• + Dual CS43198 DACs provide good detail and dynamic range
• + Compact and durable aluminum alloy build
• + Includes both 3.5mm Single-Ended and 4.4mm Balanced outputs for versatility
• + Low noise floor with no audible hiss, even with sensitive IEMs
• + Good value at $89.99, performing well for its size and price point

• – Lacks volume control or app-based customization options
• – Treble extension could be more pronounced for certain tracks
• – Output power may not suffice for high-impedance or demanding headphones

 

Thank you for the Read!