HiliDAC Audirect Portable USB DAC/AMP Guide!!
HiliDAC is China-based audio equipment manufacturing brand widely known for its Audirect Beam series of portable USB DAC/Amps. These products especially the Audirect Beam 2 have got great reviews from the community. Last week they released their latest USB DAC/AMP, the Audirect Beam 2SE. It is a toned-down variant of the highly appreciated Audirect Beam 2. Today we are going to compare the specs of their current market lineup that consists of four products.
Spec Comparison:-
| Specifications | HiliDAC Atom Pro |
HiliDAC Beam 2SE |
HiliDAC Beam 2 | HiliDAC Beam 2S |
| PRICE (USD) | 69.99$ | 89.99$ | 139.99$ | 149.99$ |
| DAC Chip | ESS9218C | ESS9218C | ESS9218C | ESS9218C |
| Input Type | USB - C/Lightning | USB - C/Lightning | USB - C/Lightning | USB - C/Lightning |
| OPAMP Type | No OPAMP | Independent Standalone OPAMP | Dual Independent OPAMPs | Dual Independent OPAMPs |
| Output Type | 3.5mm | 3.5mm | 2.5mm/3.5mm | 4.4mm |
| Output power: | 60mW@32Ω | 120mW@32Ω | 240mW@32Ω(Bal) |
208mW @32Ω |
| Operating System supported | Android, Windows, Mac OS & Linux |
Android, Windows, Mac OS & Linux |
Android, Windows, Mac OS & Linux |
Android, Windows, Mac OS & Linux |
| PCM | Up to 32bit/384kHz | Up to 32bit/384kHz | Up to 32bit/384kHz | Up to 32bit/384kHz |
| DSD (Direct Stream Digital) | DSD up to DoP 128 | DSD up to DSD128 | DSD up to DSD128 | DSD up to DSD128 |
| App | No | No | No | No |
| THD+N | 0.0003% | 0.0003% | 0.0003% | 0.0003% |
| Signal To Noise Ratio | 118dB | 118dB | 118dB | 118dB |
| Accessories | 1*DAC, 1*USB C to USB C(Type , 1* USB C to Lightning(iPhone variant) | 1*DAC, 1* USB C to USB A adapter, USB C to Lightning Connector. | 1*DAC, 1* USB C to USB A adapter, USB C to Lightning Connector. | 1*DAC, 1* USB C to USB A adapter, USB C to Lightning Connector. |
| MQA Playback | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
All four of these are equipped with a high-performance ES9218C DAC chip from Sabre Technologies. It offers outstanding audio signal decoding with ultra-low distortion and high signal to noise ratio, providing a super clean output for the users. Also all of these features hi-res MQA support for a superb audio experience.
HiliDAC Atom Pro:-
HiliDAC Atom Pro is one of the smallest and lightest portable USB DAC/AMP in the market. It weighs just only 6 grams. It can be connected to Android, iOS devices(Lightning cable variant to be bought separately). The name Atom Pro suits it well as this small, cute device can really improve the sound quality output from your smartphones. Also, it supports MQA decoding for a hi-res audio experience. You can grab this ultra-portable device for just 69.99$.
HiliDAC Beam 2:-
HiliDAC released the much-awaited Beam 2 earlier this year. It came as an upgrade to the highly appreciated Beam 1. The Beam 2 features a high quality ESSS9218C audio signal decoding chip that provides outstanding signal decoding characteristics to the device. It supports PCM decoding up to 32-Bit/384kHz and DSD128 natively. It features two headphone output ports, one 3.5mm single-ended and the other 2.5mm balanced. Also, the Beam 2 features dual independent OPAMPs for clean audio signal amplification. The balanced port has an output power rating of up to 240mW@32Ω. The Beam 2 can be connected to iOS and other Apple devices straight out of the box as the package includes a Lightning connector. Grab the awesome Beam 2 for just 139.99$.
HiliDAC Beam 2S:-
HiliDAC released the Beam 2S as a side-grade to the Beam 2. It features a 4.4mm balanced headphone out port with an output power rating of up to 208mW@32Ω. Other than that the device is identical to the Beam 2 performance and spec-wise, so incase you are looking for a portable USB DAC/AMP for your IEMs and headphones with 4.4mm termination plugs the Beam 2S is the one to go for. It is available for just 149.99$.
HiliDAC Beam 2SE:-
Just like the Beam 2S, the Beam 2SE is also a side-grade for the highly appreciated Beam 2. It has the same specs just two differences, first instead of dual independent OPAMPs, the Beam 2SE features one single standalone OPAMP. And second, instead of 3.5mm and 2.5mm output ports, the Beam 2SE features a single 3.5mm headphone output port. It has an output power rating of up to 120mW@32Ω. It also saves some bucks for your pocket priced at just 89.99$. You get similar performance as you would get with a Beam 2 just missing out on a balanced port here and that is saving you about 50$. This can be considered if your IEMs and headphones have a 3.5mm termination and you don't want a balanced output.
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