HIDIZS XO USB DAC Review (2) – Pocket Discotheque
BEGINNINGS
Launched on Kickstarter but now for sale direct for HIDIZS, the HIDIZS XO USB portable DAC seems aimed at the gamer crowd. How RGB and gaming became so entwined I have no idea, but anything that has flashy lights screams gamer these days. The HIDIZS departs from the usual for the unusual features.
If I was going to geek out with the blinkly lights I think it would have been cool to make it more of a VUE meter. The HIDIZS XO utilizes a singled ended 3.5mm jack along with the 2.5mm balanced out built around two of the ES9219C SoC ESS SABRE DAC chips. It adds to the growing and seemingly infinite options for portable USB DACs, and I hope to highlight what I found different. Jürgen has already launched his thorough review.
Disclaimer: The HIDIZS XO DAC and HIDIZS BL2.5-C cable were sent to me before the pre-order stage free of charge. I had a good laugh that Jurgen and I have similar titles. Pre-sale price is $89 (Dec 15-21, 2022), and $99 after Dec 21, 2022.
FEATURES
MQA 16x
32bit/384khz PCM
Native DSD64/128/256
78mW 3.5mm (single ended)/195mW 2.5mm (balanced)
OPERATIONS AND DESIGN
So the HIDIZS XO main draw appears to be the RGB lighting- 15 modes to be exact if you count off as a mode. I am not sure where this is useful other than to look cool during streaming episodes on Youtube, Twitch, or Facebook. If my pants were glowing not just from the extra heat put out by the HIDIZS XO, I might look a little strange walking down the street. Thankfully, the lighting is not overly bright to draw that kind of attention.
The unit is wrapped in a solid one piece aluminum body available in black, silver and Rose Gold (Copper-ish) that feels lightweight and strong. It is one of the smaller DAC dongles in my possession. There are two buttons, one for the lighting options it toggles with each button press and the other to switch between the two filter modes.
The light around the button changes to indicate what sampling rate is active in 5 different colors, while the exterior side lights change to show the filter mode briefly. Red or Blue.
One of the design choices can become a nuisance, mainly the decorative metal screen mesh along the sides covering the light bars. It likes to collect your pocket fuzz, so after a while it might start to resemble a mini Sasquatch.
After I plugged it into my computer it phoned home somehow and downloaded a firmware update. Since the update it switched from 128 volume levels independent of the app being used and it is now controlled via what ever music app you are using with a normal amount of volume steps. It was awesome that it updated without extra work, but scary at the same time. I would think production units will already have the latest firmware, but I can only speak of my experience.
SOUND
The HIDIZS XO originally sounded a little low on the volume, lower than my LG G8 built in quad DAC. After the automatic firmware update volume output is now very powerful and more than my sensitive IEMs (and ears) can handle.
I did also pair it with the 2.5mm balanced cable BL2.5-RC from HIDIZS which is a nice un-obtrusive option that I found favorable on the MS-1 Rainbow back in the day. I do not particularly enjoy heavy cables because they pull on the IEM’s and also add extra thumps and thuds from banging against my chest. The HIDIZS balanced cable improves the channel separation so you hear less left in the right channel and vice-versa. The cable also came with a light carrying pouch just enough to keep your IEM’s stored in something.
Bass is tightened up and enhanced slightly over the LG G8. Treble is softened if not laid-back, I would classify the HIDIZ XO as a warmer sounding DAC. Compared to the Shanling UA3 however, the treble is more enhanced and prominent on the HIDIZS XO and softer yet on the Shanling UA3. There is more metallic shimmer on tambourines for example portrayed by the HIDIZS XO.
Surprisingly I find it flattens out the soundstage a bit, with the LG G8 sounding more layered and open. The HIDIZS XO is equipped with the same SoC DAC as the HIDIZ AP80X Pro and one generation newer than the LG G8. Surprisingly there is a minor difference in these SoC DAC implementations.
The HIDIZ XO is quite powerful enough to drive the 300 ohm Sennheiser HD6XX to enjoyable levels, but this is the tail end of the volume control. I would not be satisfied with 600 ohm headphones connected.
THIS IS THE END
The HIDIZS XO makes for a good warm sounding DAC with fuller bass output and less attention in the upper treble. I apologize for the stereotype of gamer when talking about RGB lighting, I was young once and found the allure of year-long string lighting in my bedroom attractive.
Before the firmware update I was ready to call this a miniature desktop DAC since it is a power hog (I also noted ~130-140ma of power consumption), but now that full power output can be achieved it does work for portable use with the caveat – not my favorite option. They are the only game it town with an RGB USB DAC so keep that in mind.
DISCLAIMER
Get it from the HIDIZS Store.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
