ddHiFi TC44Pro Eye 3 - Tiny yet Mighty

 3⭐️

+ Clean, slightly V-shaped sound signature

+ Very small and compact 

+ Solid build quality 

+ Independent volume control and gain switch

+ Lots of power through balanced output

+ USB-C cable that matches the design theme

- More clinical sounding than musical

- Light on functions (no EQ, digital filters, Bluetooth, or app support)

- Might not pair well with brighter tuned IEMs/headphones 

- Battery drain

- Body gets quite warm and quickly 

- Priced higher than the competition 

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was sent to me by ddHiFi in exchange for my honest and impartial review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Non-affiliated link for those interested:

https://www.ddhifi.com/en/product/eye3/

Gear used: 

● Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

● HiBy R3 II

● Various IEMs

Source:

● Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files. 

Introduction:

The Chinese-based company ddHiFi is well known among audiophiles for their well-built adapters and accessories, but they also produce earbuds and IEMs as well. I've not had the opportunity to try one of their products before, so I was very excited when I received the new TC44PRO Eye3. This latest release from ddHiFi comes with a price tag of $106, which means it has a ton of competition in today's market. Let's break down this new DAC/amp and see what it has to offer.

Unboxing and build quality:

The E3 comes in a small and simple white box, and there's not much to unpack. Inside, you'll find the DAC amp, a bit of literature, and a USB-C to USB-C cable. First of all, the E3 has got to be one of, if not the smallest dongle DAC with a removable cable that I've come across so far. It's actually much smaller than I thought it would be based on pictures alone. In fact, ddHIFi boasts that this newest model is 20% smaller than the previous one. The body is made of an aluminum alloy, and it feels very sturdy with a nice weight. The silver and copper aesthetic is premium-looking, and the sleek design also helps it stand out from the competition. There are three buttons located on the face of the device: volume up, volume down, and a gain toggle. The buttons are quite small and embedded into the body, which makes it all the more sleek but also a little difficult to operate. One end of the unit houses a 3.5mm and 4.4mm output, and the other end the USB-C connection. On the back of the E3, you'll find two indicator lights: one for the bitrate and one for the gain. The included USB-C cable is really nice. The connectors have a similar aesthetic to the body and match very well, and the nylon-braided cable is soft and flexible. Overall, I'm quite impressed with the design and build quality of the E3.

Technical specifications and features:

● Dimensions(mm): 44.3x17.5x11.6

● Weight: 13.6g

● DAC Chips: Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198

● AMP Chips: Dual SMG8262-2

● 60 step independent volume control

● Low/high gain switch

● 3.5mm single ended (high gain @ 32Ω)

Output Power: ≥175mW@32Ω

Output voltage: 2.35Vrms

● 4.4mm balanced (high gain @ 32Ω)

Output Power: ≥510mW

Output Voltage: 4Vrms

● SNR: ≥123dB

● Dynamic Range: ≥120dB

● THD+N: ≤0.004%

● PCM decoding support: up to 32bit/384kHz

● DSD decoding support: Native DSD64/DSD128/DSD256

● Indicator lights: Blue - PCM, Green - DSD, Yellow - high gain

The features section of the E3 will be short, sweet, and a little disappointing since this particular dongle DAC doesn't have much to talk about. This device offers high/low gain modes and 60-step independent volume control. There's also a bit rate indicator light, but one could argue that is a very small feature at best. It's true that not everything nowadays needs to include Bluetooth, but I think it's a bit of a missed opportunity from ddHiFi considering the asking price. I would really appreciate something more to flesh out this little device, such as digital filter options or app support for EQ, but as it stands, its biggest draws are the small form factor and balanced power output. It's not as bare bones as it could be, but for the price, I expected much more if ddHiFi wants to stay competitive.

Power consumption:

With my devices in airplane mode, I let my library play at a medium-high volume with high gain enabled, while limiting unnecessary screen interaction. Here are the battery drain results after one hour:

~28% on HiBy R3 II through 4.4 and ~20% through 3.5.

~12% on Galaxy S25 Ultra through 4.4 and ~7% through 3.5.

Unsurprisingly, the 4.4mm takes a bigger toll on the battery life of the connected source, which is to be expected considering the difference in power output between it and the 3.5mm connection. The E3 does seem to generally draw a bit more power than some other DAC amps that I've tested, which could be due to the extra power or perhaps simple inefficiency. Either way, I'm not crazy about the results.

Comparisons:

● Questyle M18i ($350) - This is probably an unfair matchup for the E3, but it's always good to see how some of the more budget-friendly products compare to those in the tier above. The E3 does have the size advantage here, being only about a quarter of the size of the M18i, but the M18i has better build quality, and I think the all-black design and glass top look sleek and much more premium. Feature-wise, the M18i offers three modes (Phone, PC, and Bluetooth), low/high gain, independent volume control, and a separate power port for charging while in use, while the E3 is a little simpler with just low/gain and independent volume control. Regarding the sound, the M18i has a more neutral and natural presentation when compared to the E3's more V-shaped sound signature. The E3 also puts more emphasis on the sub-bass physicality and upper mids/lower treble energy. The M18i, on the other hand, is a little airier in the top end and simply exhibits a far more balanced and mature sound. There are some technical differences between the two as well, most notably the M18i's better layering, detail, and soundstage. In fairness, the E3 is the more dynamic and exciting sounding of the two, but it also has a thinner note weight, which can make the treble sound brittle at times. Honestly, I didn't expect the E3 to fare that well against the M18i, and in this case, you really do get what you pay for. The M18i's sound quality, build quality, and functionality make it the far superior product, if money is not a factor, of course.

● iFi GO link Max ($70) - The GO link Max is one of iFi's smallest and simplest dongle DAC amps. Its body is slightly thinner but also a little longer, and it utilizes a permanently attached USB-C cable. Both have metal builds and feel solid, but their designs are quite different. The Max has a very simple dark metallic green aesthetic, while the E3's design is more premium and eye-catching. The E3 also takes the win in overall features since it includes independent volume control and high/low gain, while the Max only has a bitrate indicator light. When it comes to the sound, the Max is more V-shaped with better extension on both ends. The E3 has a bit more emphasis on mid-bass than the Max and is also fuller sounding with a slightly longer decay and a more robust impact. It also lends a more musical quality to the midrange where the Max is a bit thin and dry, especially with female vocals. The treble of the Max sounds a little more crisp but also thinner, and the extra emphasis makes it a bit more prone to sibilance. Also, cymbal crashes tend to be a little splashier. The E3 has a slightly deeper stage, more note weight, better layering, and sounds a little smoother, whereas the Max has a bit better separation, note definition, and detail. I think both of these models could exist in a collection without too much redundancy. The Max is a great, simple budget option without any unnecessary bells and whistles, and its energetic sound signature tends to liven up more relaxed tunings. The E3, though, does have a little more musicality in comparison, and the extra functions add to the value as well.

● DUNU DTC480 ($70) - These two may be the best for a direct comparison, seeing as how they have similar builds and limited features. The E3 does have a better-looking design for me and a smaller form factor, but the DTC480 is also solidly built and sleek. Both include independent volume control and low/high gain modes, but that's it as far as features go. When it comes to the sound, these two are quite similar. Both have somewhat of a V-shaped signature and energetic presentation. The E3 does have a little bit of a colder tonality and a slightly crisper texture in the treble, while the DTC480 is a bit more V-shaped, with a little more emphasis on the bass and upper midrange. It's also more incisive with "s" and "sh" sounds, which might be good or bad depending on the transducer it's paired with. The E3 has a slightly better stage width to my ear and better layering. These two are so close that keeping both would likely be unnecessary. When it comes down to it, the E3 does sound a little more balanced and has a wider soundstage, but at almost double the price of the DTC480, I would expect something more. Granted, the DTC480 doesn't have the power output that the E3 has, but otherwise I'm not sure there's enough difference here to justify the price discrepancy. There's a reason the DTC480 has been a staple in my audio chain for a while now.

● EPZ TP35 ($60) - Both of these devices have decent build qualities and small form factors, though I'd say the E3 is still about 15% smaller than the TP35. I personally prefer the E3's more solid construction and unique design, but the TP35's glass window revealing the circuitry within does make it look a little more premium. Like the E3, the TP35 also has independent volume control and low/high gain, but it includes five digital filter options as well as the ability to turn off the indicator light entirely. For this comparison, I utilized the NOS filter on the TP35. I'd describe the TP35 as having a slight focus on the midrange and a somewhat rolled-off bass and treble extension versus the E3's more V-shaped sound signature. The bass of the E3 is a little more resolving with a cleaner texture and the aforementioned deeper sub-bass extension. The TP35, though, does sound fuller and has a slightly slower decay, allowing the rumble to linger a bit longer. It also lends a bit more weight to the midrange, which I definitely appreciate, though the treble can be a touch thinner than the E3. Overall, the TP35 offers a bit more versatility, thanks to the digital filters, and at about half the price. The E3, though, does pack more power into its smaller form factor for harder-to-drive transducers, but whether this warrants the price increase is debatable.

● Snowsky Retro Nano ($50) - From a build and design perspective, these two devices are very different. The Nano has a plastic body and a cool 90s style aesthetic, while the E3 has a more sturdy aluminum build, a sleeker design, and is about a third the size. The Nano is also quite feature-rich, including PC, phone, and Bluetooth modes, low/high gain, built-in EQ, FiiO app support, and even a replaceable battery, whereas the more expensive E3 has far less to offer. The Nano has a more mid-centric sound signature with a certain sense of warmth, body, and fullness in the mid-bass and lower midrange. This makes it a great pairing for transducers that are lacking in this particular area. On the other hand, the E3's somewhat V-shaped signature has a cleaner, better-separated midrange presentation, a better overall balance, and a bit better extension on both ends. It comes across as a little more clinical, detailed, and energetic, but perhaps at the cost of some musicality. The E3 also sounds a bit wider in the soundstage, and the timbre is a little more natural, too. I feel like these two devices complement each other well and can definitely coexist in a collection, though it does bring the E3's price-to-performance into question since the Nano is so chock-full of features at less than half the price.

Sound impressions:

The E3 has a slightly energetic, well-balanced V-shaped sound signature with good extension on both ends. It adds a bit of fullness to the bass and strengthens the impact and rumble, while lending a slightly more musical quality to the midrange compared to some of the others I tested. There's also a noticeable crispness and improvement to the treble texture, as well as a wider and fuller soundstage. I think the E3's clean sound and slightly colder tonality might pair well with warmer-tilted tunings, but it also seems capable enough for most tunings, barring treble sensitivity. It performs well enough for the price, but the lack of features really undermines the value here.

In conclusion:

The new ddHifi TC44PRO Eye3 (wow, that's a mouthful) is a nice little device. The first thing people are likely to notice is just how small and compact it is, but perhaps its biggest draw is the output power. This small DAC amp is capable of delivering up to 510mW @32 Ohms when utilizing the balanced 4.4mm output and can power all of my IEMs with ease. It also has a solid build quality and a premium-looking design with a nice cable to match. Unfortunately, there's not much in the way of features, and for $106, I expect more. Independent volume control and a gain switch have become more or less standard on many products under $100, and I think ddHiFi needs to offer more than just a high power output to set the E3 apart from the competition. As for the sound, this one has a somewhat exciting V-shaped sound signature that accentuates both the bass and upper mids/lower treble, though for me it tends to be a little thin and brittle in the upper registers. Ultimately, I find the E3 to be a decent enough product and I can recommend it to those looking for a simple, powerful, and easily portable option. However, with no shortage of DAC amps flooding the market, I'm not sure this one does enough to justify its price tag. Still, as the first ddHiFi product I've tried, the E3 left a good impression on me, and I'd love to see what they can do with a larger, more feature-rich device in the future.