Hidizs S3 PRO - Reviews - Head-Fi

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• Added by Added by cqtek
• Create date Create date Jul 7, 2021
• Tags Tags 384khz dac dsd128 hidizs mqa s3pro

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• 4.00 star(s)
• May 17, 2024

Hidizs S3 Pro Review Pros: Very Portable, Dynamic Sound, Low Power Consumption Cons: Low Output Power, Not the cleanest, Stiff competition HIDIZS S3 PRO REVIEW Introduction: - Today at Aural Cafe we are reviewing the Hidizs S3 Pro Dongle DAC and Headphone Amplifier. This is our second interaction for reviewing Hidiz products. Hidizs is a China-based company founded by Tamson in 2012, who himself is an avid audiophile and fronted an underground rock band and decided to dedicate his life to making HiFi music affordable. As an audiophile, it was a no-brainer; music should be heard as intended. In these 12 years, Hidizs has consistently produced the highest quality portable digital audio players (DAPs), earphones, USB DACs, etc. Hidizs products have been recognized by winning the VGP Golden Prize for three consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021). Their first landmark product in this audiophile world was Hidizs AP100- a HiFi Portable Music Player in 2014. Today we are reviewing their latest offering in budget dongle categories, S3 Pro. It has a 3.5mm single-ended output. The S3 Pro retails for US $45.00 at the time of review. Specifications: -

• Input: USB-C
• Formats Supported: DSD128 / PCM32Bit-384kHz / MQA.
• DAC Used: ESS ES9281C PRO
• Headphone Outputs: 3.5mm Single Ended
• Power Output: LR 55mW @ 32Ω
• SNR: <117dB
• THD + N: <0.0008% (±10%)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 40kHz (±0.1dB)
• Dimensions: 90x10x20 mm, 6g

Disclaimer: - The Hidizs S3 Pro is a review unit that was sent to us directly by Hidizs for free. We are very much thankful to them. However, this review reflects our unbiased opinion as always. Packaging & Accessories: - The Hidizs S3 Pro comes in a small-sized box with the DAC/Amp and all the accessories. The unboxing experience is very simple. Taking out from the outer box, we have the inner plastic box. Inside it, we found the DAC/Amp in a foam assembly. The Type-C cable is non-removable. The package comes with a USB Type-C to Type-A male adopter. All come under the price tag of just US$ 45.00. Build & Design: - The S3 Pro features a small-sized circular and compact build. The DAC features a full metal Alloy enclosure because the DAC/Amp feels very robust and even so lightweight in hands. The housing is made up of good-quality machining. The cable attached to it also feels just about right. However, we are getting a USB Type-C to Type-A male adopters inside the package. We have a tiny but bright enough notification LED on the front side of the dongle, that changes color to Red, Purple, and Blue according to the decoding formats. But an independent volume control would be nice to have. Sound Analysis: - Since we have reviewed Hidizs items before, this is the first DAC/Amp from Hidizs we are evaluating. We found it to be a device with good balanced sound quality. They have chosen the ESS ES9291C Pro DAC chip inside. We have tried the S3 Pro with multiple sets of IEMs, which don’t seem to have had any issues driving. However, we are not claiming that it could drive demanding IEMs also. Let alone the Full-Size Headphones. The sound is balanced, with a hint of warmth at the lower end. The trebles have sparks and enough energy. Due to the lack of driving power headroom, the sound started to get distorted with higher volume. The lower end got a serious punch in the sound in terms of both quality and quantity. The soundstage is decent and more open at the given price tag. The imaging is precise and does justice to the paired transducer’s properties. The cable is made up of silver-plated copper conductors separately in a twisted pair configuration resulting in a clean sound. When it comes to pairing it will pair well with warm neutral IEMs. The S3 PRO supports three firmware options that offer different sound tunings. Transparent treble for bright, clean, crisp, and detailed sound. Tonal balance with a pure pleasing sound. More prominent bass with incredible elasticity and phenomenal depth. The Firmware can be installed from a PC with Windows 10, or a higher version installed in it. However, we would not mind if there were more amount of resolution present. We at Aural Cafe would love to hear a more refined sound with better technicalities. The output power is okay only for beginners in this hobby and only for those starting to explore the portable audio world. Conclusion: - At Aural Café, we are impressed with the design idea of Hidizs S3 Pro. It is a lightweight and sturdy dongle with a clean sound. But we have in our mind that can it hold its ground strongly in its super competitive product category after 2 years of release? If you listen to your music casually and are starting to explore the hobby while at home through your mobile phones and laptops and you want a super small and convenient form factor, then S3 Pro could be one of your choices. It also brings on board a decent clean sound with an exciting punch for IEMs. Non-Affiliated link:- - https://www.hidizs.net/products/hid...able-hi-res-dac-dongle?variant=44441334775995

• 

Reactions: ErikEars and Leonarfd

• 4.50 star(s)
• Jan 7, 2024

Hidizs S3 Pro Pros: Its extremely compact and lightweight design makes it ultra-portable Cutting-edge decoding supports high-res, MQA, and DSD formats Refined yet engaging sound with smooth, natural timbre Spacious soundstage and accurate imaging abilities Swappable tuning via firmware flashing A handy RGB indicator displays sampling rate Headset mic pass-through facilitates calls. Plug-and-play functionality; no extra software required High efficiency preserves connected device's battery life Cons: May lack sufficient power for high-impedance headphones or Planars A slightly subdued treble; could benefit from added sparkle and airiness No onboard physical volume controls, dependent on source device Tedious firmware reflashing needed; to change sound signatures The Hidizs S3 Pro is a feature-packed USB DAC/amp dongle that offers excellent build quality, technology, and sound in a super compact form factor. It uses the ESS ES9281C Pro DAC chip, capable of decoding high-res audio up to 32-bit/384 kHz along with DSD and full 8x MQA unfolding. The sound signature is smooth, balanced, and natural, with good detail retrieval. Bass is deep and controlled, mids are slightly forward with good timbre, and treble is non-fatiguing. Unique features include an RGB sample rate indicator, microphone passthrough support, and changeable sound signatures via firmware flashing. It has enough power (55 mW at 32 ohms) to drive most IEMs and efficient headphones under 80 ohms. But they may struggle with high-impedance models. Easy plug-and-play usage with smartphones, laptops, etc. There is no need for extra drivers. It also works with USB audio apps seamlessly. At its compact size with premium build and features, the S3 Pro provides excellent value compared to more expensive DAC/amp dongles. In summary, the Hidizs S3 Pro packs an impressive set of features into a tiny yet premium chassis. It offers smooth, natural, and detailed sound with the ability to tweak the signature. Easy usage, good drivability for most IEMs, and efficient headphones make it a versatile dongle DAC/amp. Lack of onboard volume controls and limited power for high impedance models are the only notable drawbacks. But overall, it provides great value.

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• 4.00 star(s)
• Apr 19, 2022

Great for most IEMs Pros: small and portable with a neutral / balanced signature Cons: Nothing really could use a bit more power to drive higher impedance IEM Build quality is as expected, the cable is good and the rest is metal and built well. The device has good specs despite being so little. SPECIFICATIONS: MQA Support: X8 Sampling Rate Indicator Light: Supported D/A Chip: ESS ES9281C PRO Sampling Frequency: Up to 32Bit/384kHz DSD: Up to 128 Output: Single-ended 3.5mm headphone port Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.0008% Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 117dB Channel Separation: 70dB Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz (±0.1dB) Output Power: LR 55mW@32Ω 3.5mm SE Power Connector: Type-C Supported Systems: Windows 10, Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS or newer systems. (For iOS users, the Lightning OTG cable has to be purchased separately) Sound: The sound signature can be changed via a firmware update, I chose the default mode for the review it has a little more warmth and Bass is more emphasized still it is balanced and has a natural tonality to it. Bass; is detailed and has good speed and punch. Even in default mode it is not over emphasized and maintains good control. Mids are rich and have excellent emotion and timbre, vocals are forward and natural sounding and are pleasant. Treble: Presents Neutral and with good extension but has a fast roll off keeping it polite and still retaining enough sparkle and details to enjoy without harshness. Soundstage and imaging: are better than average with accuracy and separation being very good. Overall the S3 pro is a great little dongle with a long list of features and support for MQA it defiantly makes for a pleasant experience on the go providing you don't have power hungry IEM or Headphones.

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Reactions: Wuzhishan

• 4.50 star(s)
• Feb 22, 2022

HIDIZS S3 PRO – MODERN TRANSPARENT Pros: Clean and Transparent Sound 8X MQA and DSD Support Three Firmware Modes Minimal Power Draw Sleek Design Price Cons: Power Output INTRODUCTION: Hidizs, the brand based out of China is a well established brand in the ChiFi audio industry producing Dac, Amps, In Ear Monitors, Cables. Their Mermaid earphones are one of the best in the game and the S9 pro dac is also a great performing one. The S3 Pro being in a budget ground let’s check out how this performs against the crowd. DISCLAIMER: This unit has been provided to me as a part of a review circle organised by the team HiFiGo. The whole views are based on my pairings and sources hence it might differ from person to person. If you are interested in purchasing this unit then please feel free to go through via this unaffiliated link: https://hifigo.com/products/hidizs-s3-pro SPECIFICATIONS: MQA Support: X8 Sampling Rate Indicator Light: Supported D/A Chip: ESS ES9281C PRO Sampling Frequency: Up to 32Bit/384kHz DSD: Up to 128 Output: Single-ended 3.5mm headphone port Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.0008% Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 117dB Channel Separation: 70dB Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz (±0.1dB) Output Power: LR 55mW@32Ω 3.5mm SE Power Connector: Type-C Supported Systems: Windows 10, Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS or newer systems. (For iOS users, the Lightning OTG cable has to be purchased separately) DESIGN AND BUILD: The design is pretty unique in the S3 Pro and that's what makes this price a modern looking one. The whole construction is made out of metal except the cable which is nicely braided and will last longer for sure. Nice strain reliefs are provided on both the termination and connector end. The termination end is nicely designed having a circular shape with disc pattern on the top also accompanying a small LED indicator. FUNCTIONALITY: The S3 pro comes with a little LED light mounted on top of the connector area to indicate the sample rate at which the track is being played and the colour indication as follows: Red- 44.1 - 48 kHz, Blue- 88.2 - 384 kHz, Pink- MQA. The S3 Pro has the dac from the house of ESS namely ESS9281C which supports playback of 8X MQA, DSD128, and 32bit/384KHZ PCM audio. The Dac also has the inline mic functionality hence that's an added advantage. The firmware upgrades are the BASS, BALANCED, TREBLE which can be chosen by the user by flashing the respective firmwares. SOUND: The overall output if the S3 Pro is more on a clean and natural presentation overall without any bug amount of added colouration. The S3 Pro comes in three modes namely the Bass, Default and Treble mode where if you need to change the profile you must update the respective firmware to the dongle. My whole sound observations are made using the default mode where the other two increased their respective frequencies quite noticeably. BASS: The low end in the S3 Pro sounds a lot tighter, faster and clean. There is subtle reduction in the rumble quantity and reach in the sub bass region but still the bass quality has been consistent and beautiful. The texture and the clarity was very good with excellent separation in the low end. Overall technicality aspects of the low end are beautifully presented in the S3 Pro while the quantity is the only aspect where the S3 Pro misses out but still it's quite fun and engaging in the low end department. If the sub bass reach and rumble was increased in the default mode then it would have been perfect and if you still wish to have more just update the bass firmware to the S3 Pro. MID RANGE: The midrange sounds beautiful with no added colouration to the tonality and timbre. The vocals sound nice and forward with natural tonality. The instrument separation was presented out neatly without any sort of compression since the staging was kept the same. The timbre of the instruments is presented really well without any artificial, metallic or dried out sense. The upper midrange was kept under control too hence no harshness or hotness is seen in this region where the female vocals are kept without any noticeable sibilance. TREBLE: The treble has a slight hint of added warmth making them more pleasing hence the treble heads out there will be slightly disappointed, but here’s the trick where if you change the firmware to the Treble mode the treble will sound more pleasing and bright enough. The treble in the default mode sounds smoother to correlate with the longer listening sessions. All those percussion instruments notes are presented well and clean without any hindrance. The cymbal crashes have that natural strike and splash. Overall the treble sounds more pleasing and smoother and if you are in need for more brightness then just flash the firmware to the treble mode which will definitely bring a big smile on your face. TECHNICALITIES: The technical aspect delivered by the S3 Pro is very good especially the clarity , separation and the layering effect. The placement of the instruments are precisely done without any congestion. The staging being presented as actual the presentation felt clean and wide enough for the instruments to be separated out. POWER OUTPUT: The power output in the S3 Pro is pretty nominal rated 55mW @ 32 ohms. The output may not look big considering the competition out there which can deliver 1.5x the power for half the price but the S3 Pro just nails it when it comes to the overall presentation. Most of the earphones can be driven via this except some power demanding headphones and planar earphones out there. The other aspect that S3 Pro nails is in the power draw where it just uses a very minimal amount of power from the source hence that's a big plus! The dongle doesn't get heat even after extended periods of usage. VERDICT: S3 Pro, the latest dongle offering from the house of Hidizs which has already released quite a bit of DAC, Amps is a well rounded package overall. Especially the clean transparent sound, three firmwares, sleek design, minimal power draw, MQA support makes this Dongle a solid buy for the audiophiles out there waiting to get a reliable and sleek looking dongle. The added functionality like the Mic support gives this dongle an added advantage in the competition. Overall the S3 Pro is a MODERN TRANSPARENT piece considering its sound which is as transparent as possible and the looks which is modern, sleek making this Dongle Dac a solid purchase in the current competition.

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Reactions: Wuzhishan and 05.vishal

• 3.50 star(s)
• Feb 20, 2022

Hidizs S3 Pro - Compact DAC Dongle for IEMs Pros: Clean and balanced sound. Premium build quality. Support for inline mic and controls Cons: Relatively low power output Disclaimer: The Hidizs S3 Pro was sent to me by HiFiGO as part of a review tour in my country. The impressions shared in this write-up are based on my usage of the device. I am in no way affiliated with either Hifigo.com or Hidizs and have no incentive whatsoever in writing anything positive or negative about the unit. The Hidizs S3 Pro can be purchased from HiFiGO using the following link: https://hifigo.com/products/hidizs-s3-pro Build Quality: The Hidizs S3 Pro looks and feels premium thanks to the entire body being made of metal and protectors on both ends of the attached cable. Although I’d prefer a detachable cable, the build quality of the S3 Pro inspires confidence and I don’t see the cable wearing out anytime soon. Sound: Moving on to the most important part of this review, the sound. Hidizs S3 pro has 3 different modes that can be changed via firmware:

• Transparent Treble
• Tonal Balance (Best option IMO. I used this mode for this review)
• Prominent Bass

The sound of the Hidizs S3 pro is very clean and balanced. There is a good amount of detail retrieval. There is good extension in both bass and treble combined with an organic mid-range that results in a very natural sound without any coloration. In terms of soundstage and resolution, the S3 Pro does a decent job for the price, although a dongle like Paw S1 or the TC35Pro range from ddHifi has a better dynamic range and seems to offer more spacious and detailed sound. This could perhaps be due to the lower power output of the S3 Pro. The S3 Pro wasn’t able to drive my Shure SRH1540 to potential. For IEMs though, the S3 Pro has sufficient power. Another factor to bear in mind is that the S3 pro consumes relatively less battery from the source, making it ideal for usage with smartphones. Features and Functionality: One feature that I usually look for in dongles is the support for inline mic and controls, as I spend a considerable amount of time on phone calls, thus, prefer having a dongle that allows me to easily switch between calls and music. I’m happy to report that the S3 Pro supports inline mic and controls. Other features of the S3 Pro include an LED indicator for sampling rate and also supports 8x MQA, 32bit / 384KHz PCM, and DSD128 thanks to the ESS9218Pro DAC chipset in the unit. Conclusion: The Hidizs S3 Pro is a compact dongle DAC that has a premium build and good technicalities for the price point. The balanced firmware seemed like the best sound profile. The S3 pro packs sufficient power for IEMs and is a great option for anyone who is looking for a compact dongle DAC that can be used for music and calls, thanks to its support for inline mic and controls.

• 4.00 star(s)
• Feb 18, 2022

Pros: Rich metallic build Led indicator Clean and transparent sound Three tuning firmwares Cons: Low on output power, can power IEMs or low power requiring Headphones at best Non-detachable cable. Hidizs is a popular brand in china making DAPs, dongles, Bluetooth DACs, and even earphones. They are no strangers in this industry. They introduced the S3 (non-pro) a few years back which was a dongle DAC. They recently updated the S3 to the S3 Pro with new features and a completely redesigned chassis and form factor. Disclaimer:- This unit was sent by Hifigo as a part of a review tour but it does not affect my review in any form. If you are interested in purchasing the S3 Pro, you can buy it here. Build Quality:- The build of the S3 Pro is really good. Its puck-like form factor is very ergonomic and minimalistic in design. It is completely made out of metal and the puck has fine knurling on it which adds a premium feel to it. The cable length is not too long for a dongle. The cable quality is very good and the overall feel of the S3 Pro is premium. Features:- S3 Pro comes equipped with a status LED light that changes colors based on the sample rate of the music being played. Red- 44.1 - 48 kHz, Blue- 88.2 - 384 kHz, Pink- MQA. There is good news for phone users; the S3 Pro supports an inline microphone which makes taking calls much easier. The unit also supports 8X MQA, DSD128, and 32bit/384KHZ PCM audio. The DAC chip used is ESS9281C Pro and the unit houses 4 high-quality Panasonic capacitors. The best feature of the lot is that there are 3 firmware to choose from which changes the sound profile. There is "Treble", "Balanced" and "Bass". Detailed performance analyses have been given in the following section. The S3 Pro is very light when it comes to battery impact. I barely found any noticeable excess battery draw from my phone and laptop. The S3 Pro is quite power efficient which is good for long listening sessions. Sound Quality:- The following analysis has been done in the balanced firmware. In the bass and treble firmware, there is a subtle increase in the low and high frequencies respectively. The sound quality off the S3 Pro is very clean, clear, and transparent with just a very slight hint of warmth in the treble region. Instruments and tone sound natural with great layering and instrument separation. It brought forward the characteristics of the earphones I connected to it effortlessly. The bass is tight and fast with good detail, although I found it a tiny bit lacking in heft and rumble. The midrange is totally natural sounding with no obvious coloration in it. Vocals are clear and forward and the timbre of the vocalists are rendered honestly and clearly. I found no glare or harshness in the upper midrange either, which I found to be smooth and natural sounding. The Treble region is also natural and smooth with no awkward emphasis in any spot. Detail retrieval in this region is very good for the price. Based on my personal preference I would have liked a little more energy in this region to enhance the engagement. Instrument separation and layering are strong points for the S3 Pro and these are the stand-out features of the unit. The S3 Pro did not interfere with the final music reproduction when it came to dynamics and instrument separation. Output Power:- The S3 Pro is rated at 55mW at 32 ohms. This is on the lower side compared to the competition these days but I had no issues driving various earphones off it. The output power is sufficient for most earphones. But as expected by the specs, it fails to drive high impedance full-sized headphones. But at this price point and such a tiny form factor, I am not complaining. This is meant to be used with earphones and it drives them without any hassle. Conclusion:- The S3 Pro has a very small and compact form factor and also looks and feels quite premium. It also performs very well, offering a clean and transparent sound with adequate power for earphones. People looking to give their source a nice upgrade should definitely take the S3 Pro into consideration. The added support for inline microphones makes it much easier to carry outdoors connected to the phone.

• 

Reactions: Wuzhishan

• 3.50 star(s)
• Jan 30, 2022

Pros: Clean and balanced sound output. Small and compact form factor. Cons: Power output on the lower side. Technicalities are not the best in class. Disclaimer : The Hidizs S3 Pro was sent by Hifigo as a part of a review tour but all thoughts and opinions are my own. You can purchase the S3 Pro here. Build Quality S3 Pro's tiny form factor feels premium due to almost exclusive use of metal. The chassis is entirely made of metal. Thankfully the attaching cable is not unnecessarily long, thus you will not be having a dangling dongle at the end of your phone or laptop. There are strain reliefs on both ends so overall it is a durable cable. Functionality S3 Pro is light on the source's battery. It was plug and play with Windows 10/11 and Android, no drivers required. However there is the provision for installing 3 different firmware : bass boost, balanced, treble boost. I would recommend leaving it at balanced stock mode for the best performance as the other two modes made it sound a bit artificial. Although, choose according to the synergy of your chain. The really useful feature is the support for inline microphones. I faced no glitches with the microphone play/pause of the KZ EDX. It also supports phone calls needless to say. Sound Performance The sound was indeed quite surprising. It is well balanced and clean with nothing lacking or overemphasized. The top end is open and the bass extension is good. To top it all off the midrange feels natural and uncolored. When compared to the competition, the S3 Pro is more natural and capable than the all time popular Sonata HD Pro. Although I have heard better spaciousness and resolution from other dongles like the E1DA 9038x series. Power output is also not as high as the competition offers so the S3 Pro must be used with sensitive earphones of low impedance. It does not pack enough juice to run full sized headphones or heavily inefficient planar earphones. Conclusion While the S3 Pro is not the most technical sounding dac, its tonality and overall balance in the sound quality is good. A good sounding tiny dac for sensitive earphones.

• 4.00 star(s)
• Jan 25, 2022

S3 Pro: Little Champion Pros: 1. Surprisingly Clean Output. 2. Natural Tonality. 3. Balanced Profile. 4. Decent Treble Extension. 5. Great Details retrieval. 6. Great Separation. 7. Minimal Battery Drain. 8. Supports Earphones with Mic. Cons: 1. Power on the lower side. 2. Soundstage is lesser as compared with Lotoo Paw S1 and L & P W2. 3. No Hardware Buttons. Disclaimer: S3 Pro was provided by folks over at Hifigo.com in exchange for my honest opinions. The following review is an amalgamation of all my experiences and thoughts on the Device. You can buy the S3 pro by clicking here. Technical Specifications:

• Dimensions 20*10*90mm
• Net Weight Approximately 6g
• MQA Support X8
• Sampling Rate Indicator Light Supported
• D/A Chip ESS ES9281C PRO
• Sampling Frequency Up to 32Bit/384kHz
• DSD Up to 128
• Output Single-ended 3.5mm headphone port
• Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise 0.0008%
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio 117dB
• Channel Separation 70dB
• Frequency Response 20Hz-40kHz (±0.1dB)
• Output Power LR 55mW@32Ω 3.5mm SE
• Power Connector Type-C
• Supported Systems Windows 10, Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS or newer systems.
• (For iOS users, the Lightning OTG cable has to be purchased separately)

Firmware: Three firmware –

• Transparent treble, bright, clean, crisp, and detailed.
• Tonal balance with a pure pleasing sound.
• More prominent bass with incredible elasticity and a phenomenal depth.

LED indicator lights up in different colors, synchronized with the sampling rate of the currently played track:

• Red: 44.1k-48k
• Blue: 88.2k-384k
• Pink: MQA

Test Setup:

• Samsung Galaxy S10
• Shanling M2X
• Windows Laptop via USB-C port
• IEM: Fiio FD3 Pro, Fiio FH5, Kinera Skuld, Yuan Li

Sound Impressions: Test Tracks: Mids:

• Raavan by Amit Trivedi ( )
• Chandralekha By A R Rahman ( )
• Cold Heart By Elton John and Dua Lipa ( )
• Levitating By Dua Lipa ( )
• Marhaba From Janasheen ( )
• I'll do the talking Tonight from Agent Vinod ( )
• Naughty Naughty From Cash ( )

Track One: My Favorite Track, the bass slams in the tracks were felt with a full-bodied quantity and punch. There was ample depth experienced when I used FD3 Pro for this track, with S3 Pro. The mid-bass was also more controlled and the overall experience for the tack was elevated. Although when compared with paw S1, you will feel S3 pro lacks the final punch that Paw S1 offers Track Two: A classic by A.R.Rahman, this track never fails to amaze. Same observations as with the Track One. The Punch is present and will satisfy the needs of many but if you are running the dac on Profile 2 which is for Tonal balance then you will feel Bass slams are lacking. Mids:

• Kaho na Kaho from Murder ( )
• Mann Tu Talbat From Super Star ( )
• Chupke Se From Saathiya ( )
• Hey Pillagaada From Fidaa ( )
• Oo Chandruda From Hey Pillagaada ( )
• Kallolam From Padi Padi Leche Manasu ( )
• My Lovely Lalana From Padi Padi Leche Manasu ( )
• Tum Itna Jo Muskura rahe Ho by Jagjit SIngh ( )
• Shaam se Aankh Me Nami Si Hai By Jagjit Singh ( )
• Aasmani rang By Bhupinder & Chitra ( )
• Pani Pani Re By Lata Mangeshkar ( )

The mids are natural and not forwarding sounding. At the same time, they are not recessed as well. Use any of the tracks above and you will feel that the mids are full-bodied and they present themselves with excellent textures. Highs: Test Tracks:

• In you Eyes ( )
• Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins ( )
• Hold Me Now by Thomson Twins ( )
• True by Spandue Ballet ( )
• The Funeral By band of Horses ( )
• No One’s Gonna Love You by Band of Horses ( )
• Simple Song by The Shins ( )
• Chasing Cars By Snow Patrols ( )
• This Modern Love By Bloc Party ( )

Treble is well extended and transparent. Highs never became sibilant during the course of my review. There was enough resolution in the highs and the pairing was very decent, to say the least. The separation was also decent and instruments like Guitar or Cello sounded life-like. Conclusion: While S3 pro is one of the smallest dongles I have used, it does heat up at prolonged usage. It struggles to drive power-hungry IEMs or HP, but it unfolds MQA up to 8 times, has compatibility with multiple options and yes, it is priced very competitively. It should be more than enough to satisfy your cravings.

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Reactions: Wuzhishan and Kathiravan JLR

• 4.00 star(s)
• Dec 31, 2021

Minimal and competitive Pros: + Good sound + Powerful enough for sensitive earphones + Three different sound profiles + Very compact and lightweight + Quality cable + Good build quality + Low power consumption + MQA + PCM 32Bit/384kHz and DSD128 Cons: + Not class leading in technicalities + Less power than some of the competition + No auto standby mode + Calling volume cannot be adjusted + The sound tuning firmware is available for Windows 10 only The Hidizs S3 PRO was kindly provided by HiFiGo free of charge and I only covered import fees and tax. This is my honest and subjective evaluation of it. The S3 PRO is available in black and silver at $69 but you can find it as low as $62. You can use this - non affiliate - link to check the current price and buy. HiFiGo Introduction and technical specifications The Hidizs S3 PRO is an ultra Portable Hi-Res, plug and play DAC/amp dongle that supports 8x unfolding of MQA audio, PCM up to 32Bit/384kHz and DSD128. The DAC chip used is the low power consumption, ultra-low distortion ESS9281C Pro that is commonly used in a lot of similar devices. Hidizs have gone one step further by adding 4 Panasonic capacitors for an enhanced listening experience. The power output is rated at 55mW@32Ω. Three firmware options to tune the sound The S3 PRO supports three firmware options that offer different sound tunings. - Transparent treble for bright, clean, crisp, and detailed sound. - Tonal balance with a pure pleasing sound. - More prominent bass with incredible elasticity and a phenomenal depth. These aren't the usual low pass filters that apply to the time domain and alter the impulse response but rather three different frequency response curves. The firmware can be installed through a Windows 10 PC only by using the flash tool that can be downloaded from the Hidizs website. The default firmware is the balanced one. Physical appearance The S3 PRO has a small rounded body made from aluminium alloy CNC integrated molding with only 20mm of diameter and 90mm of length with the cable included. The cable that leads to the USB type C plug is of high quality with a mixed Braiding of 2 core high purity silver + 2 core OFC wires (60 strands each) plus strain reliefs to both ends. A small LED indicator lights up in different colors, synchronized with the sampling rate of the currently played track: - Red: 44.1k-48k - Blue: 88.2k-384k - Pink: MQA Operation The S3 PRO is plug'n play compatible with Windows 10, Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS or newer systems. (For iOS users, the Lightning OTG cable has to be purchased separately) It is also compatible with the official HiBy Music app that supports both Android & iOS. The S3 PRO will not pause or enter standby mode when the earphone is disconnected from the device. Another feature that a lot of users will find convenient is that the S3 PRO supports wire control of playback/pause and volume functions plus phone calls, without having to pull it out from your mobile phone when a call comes in. Well at least in theory because with my phone I was able to make and receive calls without the need to unplug but the calling volume was set to a fixed level not allowing me to adjust it. This might be an issue with the specific only phone but I haven't been able to test with another. The S3 PRO is mostly immune to electromagnetic interference but at a few rare instances it picked some noise from the mobile antenna. Sound impressions Prior to listening tests I left the S3 PRO playing music for about 80 hours. Sound impressions are with the balanced firmware installed unless noted otherwise. I have mostly used iems like the FiiO FD3, DUNU Falcon Pro and Final Audio B3 but the S3 PRO is also pretty adequate at running easy to drive headphones like the Sennheiser HD660S, not to their full potential though. The general impression is that of a linear, balanced sounding DAC with a good factor of engagement where music flows with ease and has a mildly warm presentation with a hint of treble brightness. The top end is sparkling with plenty of energy, a little bright but not harsh, slightly lacking in ultimate extension but with good overall clarity and detail retrieval. The treble is transparent and true to the source material but timbre is slightly metallic/artificial with a sense of roughness and a leaner texture that leads to a somewhat rushed decay. On the other hand the low end is full bodied and weighty while retaining good amounts of technicalities (given the price range) with sufficient layering, tight texture and immense dynamics although clarity and brute force are not on par with the top contenders. Mid range sounds open and atmospheric with a good sense of separation, the timbre is natural so voices and instruments are presented in a lifelike manner with fine articulation and fluidity in their expression. The soundstage is spacious with plenty of air around the instruments and precise positioning so the S3 PRO will never be the bottleneck and can certainly do justice to the staging properties of a given earphone. Firmware The method of installing the firmware wouldn't allow for quick A/B comparisons so for testing I used only two tracks and listened to them with every option back and forth. The balanced firmware has a linear frequency response leading into the above mentioned impressions. With the treble firmware I have noticed enhanced top end clarity and sparkle with a more energetic character, a little better detail retrieval but the overall sound signature became brighter. The bass firmware added a mild mid - bass (mostly) boost giving some extra low end oomph and warmness without mudding the sound too much. The two non balanced firmware options are quite well executed to offer a fine tuning to the sound and this is the feature that differentiates the S3 PRO from the competition. In the end The market is flooded with portable USB DAC dongles which are built around the same chipsets and sound more or less the same. Given this context the Hidizs S3 PRO sounds equally good without any noticeable flaws but slightly inferior to the category leaders. In the end the deciding criteria should be mostly focused on form factor and power output. From this perspective the Hidizs S3 PRO is indeed class leading with ultra compact size and minimal footprint but on the other hand power output is slightly lower than some of the newer products like the iBasso DC05. However S3 PRO has an ace in the hole, the advantage of the three different sound profiles that is a unique feature among the category making it the best option for people with diverse music tastes and larger collection of earphones. Test playlist Copyright - Laskis Petros 2021.

• 

Reactions: Wuzhishan

• 3.50 star(s)
• Dec 11, 2021

More of the Same Pros: very powerful, compact, clean sound Cons: broken mic controls, does not pause on headphone disconnect The Hidizs S3 Pro is a digital-to-analog converter and amplifier (DAC/AMP) combination unit in a dongle form factor. It has a 3.5mm single-ended output. The S3 Pro retails for $69.99 at HiFiGo. HiFiGo provided me with the S3 Pro in exchange for my impressions. PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES: The Hidizs S3 Pro comes in a small black square plastic case with a black slipcover. The front of the slipcover is illustrated with the S3 Pro and is branded with the Hi-Res Audio, DSD, and MQA logos in addition to the Hidizs logo. Technical specifications for the S3 Pro are provided on the rear of the slipcover in English and Chinese. In addition to the device itself, the package includes a user manual, a warranty claim card, a quality control pass chit, a 10% discount coupon for the Hidizs online store, two extra Hi-Res audio stickers, and a USB-C female to USB-A male adapter. This adapter does not have active circuitry to prevent back-powering and I do not recommend using it. POWER DELIVERY: The Hidizs S3 Pro seems average in terms of its power delivery compared to similar devices but is more than capable of powering any IEM. Achieving my testing volume with the Moondrop S8 required a 32% system volume setting in Android. FUNCTIONALITY: The S3 Pro’s implementation of the Android 3.5 mm Headset Accessory Specification is incomplete. I tested the S3 Pro with two different microphone-enabled cables. With a generic KZ cable and the cable from the Kinera BD005, the S3 Pro registered a short press as play/pause, double press as next track, triple press as previous track, but it did not register long press as the trigger for voice assistant. It treated a long press the same as a short press. With the KZ cable, the Apple dongle registered the headset accessory control functions correctly according to Android specifications (Play/pause/hook (Short Press), Trigger Assist (Long Press), Next (Double Press)). I also tested the BD005 cable with the Apple dongle and could not get my phone to register any mic button inputs. Your experience may vary depending on how your cable is wired. However, one core piece of functionality of a dongle-style DAC/AMP which was consistently broken across all the IEMs I used with the S3 Pro was the pause on disconnect behavior. The S3 Pro does not pause playback when headphones are disconnected under any circumstances, though it does pause playback when the S3 Pro itself is disconnected. While this behavior is tolerable from devices that are largely intended to be used as external sound cards for a laptop or personal computer, I find this unacceptable in a dongle intended for portable use. POWER CONSUMPTION: The Hidizs S3 Pro has an average power draw compared to similar devices. There is not much difference between the power consumption while in use as compared to idle. There does not appear to be a power-saving mode or auto-shutoff function. SOUND: 20 Hz — 20 kHz 20 Hz — 96 kHz In terms of sound quality, the Hidizs S3 Pro falls into the broad bucket of adequate. It sounds as uncolored and clean as I would expect any competently designed generic source device of its price to sound. It also lacks any real distinguishing characteristics in terms of its intangibles or transient delivery. CLOSING WORDS: I find it difficult to get excited about the Hidizs S3 Pro. This is not an indictment of the S3 Pro specifically, but of the broader audiophile dongle ecosystem. There are a lot of very similar devices on the market at this price point which do little to stand out from each other. I would love to see more innovation in this space, either in terms of additional functionality or major improvements in power efficiency. The S3 Pro also comes with significant functionality limitations with respect to portable use. I continually experience the same issues with Hidizs devices regarding their compliance with basic USB specifications and the situation does not seem to be improving. If all you are after is clean sound, the S3 Pro is a valid choice, but I would like Hidizs to solve some of these basic issues before I recommend any of their products again. The Hidizs S3 Pro can be purchased here: Hidizs S3 PRO Ultra Portable Hi-Res DAC Dongle — HiFiGo Please consider checking out my blog at https://medium.com/bedrock-reviews

• 5.00 star(s)
• Jul 8, 2021

Hidizs S3Pro – tiny high-tech USB DAC with MQA Pros: good sound, enough power from such little device, LED, MQA, 32bit/384kHz Cons: no volume buttons, DSD128 Seems that Hidizs company is on march with the release of new products this year. A whole bunch of USB dongles, DAC/amps and several IEMs. Most of the products have either became a bestseller or joined the leading tribe, at least. The last announcement was S9Pro – more powerful and revised version of S8/S9 type-C ultraportable DAC/amp that won several customer polls in social networks as one of the most balanced / feature-packed options. The passion has not yet subsided while Hidizs has announced S3Pro type-C USB DAC dongle with fresh design and MQA support – which is the topic of our review for today. What makes S3Pro different in comparison to S9Pro, for instance? Most apparent are: significantly smaller and more handy form factor which is more likely to fit into any pocket and 8x MQA support that was not available in S8/S9/S9Pro dongles. The rest of the features are quite close, some of which are slightly more advanced in older series with only one that would really matter – the output power. Let us remind you that S9 produced 90mW @ SE / 120mW @ BL outputs (for 32Ohms load) while S9Pro has jumped up to 100mW @ SE and 200mW @ BL which is astonishing for such size and has made this dongle one of the mot powerful portable devices. Similarly, S9Pro supports DSD up to 512 and PCM up to 32bit/768kHz. Now, let’s look at new S3Pro specs:

• DAC: ESS9281C PRO
• DSD: up to 128
• PCM: up to 32bit/384kHz
• MQA: up to 8X unfold (Tidal Masters, HiBy Music, etc)
• Interface: type-C, USB A converter
• LED: sampling rate indication
• Output type: 3.5mm SE, supports in-line remote and mic
  • Output specs:
    • Power: 55mW @ 32Ohms
    • FR: 20Hz – 40kHz
    • SNR: 117dB
    • CH Separation: 70dB
    • THD+N: 0.0008%
• Size: diameter 20mm, thickness 10mm
• Weight: 6g
• Hi-Res audio certified

So, the difference in power output is apparent but still much better than in most of the smartphones. 55mW @ 32Ohms is a good figure, almost 2X as much… Anyway, in such comparison between S3Pro and S9Pro we can see very different targeting – one is made for maximum versality + Hi-Res streaming services and the other, more powerful one, to retrieve maximum quality from offline audio collection. S3Pro packaging and design: Hidizs S3Pro made its way from China in a perfect state and totally undamaged. The main reason for keeping box shape in a perfect condition during the transportation is that Hidizs used hard plastic box with cardboard outer layer this time. Besides that, such box can further be used as secure storage case for S3Pro. Outer layer contains all necessary technical/manufacturer data and product graphics at facing side. Box contents are:

• S3Pro dongle
• USB A adapter
• Warranty card
• User manual
• Plastic storage box (i.e. main box)

Not much, no additional clip. Although, the purpose of this device is fully covered by the box contents except for Lightning adapter for iOS users. Peculiar thing is that there is a special Lightning to Type-C adapter cable that Hidizs has developed for iOS and S8/S9/S9Pro dongles but it wouldn’t do any good to S3Pro users since it has integrated Type-C cable. We hope that Hidizs would release Lightning to Type-C adapter in a similar form factor of their Type-C -> USB A to satisfy iPhone fans. Regarding design and choice of materials: S3Pro is fully made of aluminum, feels sturdy and solid. Our sample has “gun metal” color but there would be some other color options to choose from. Round notches forming concentric circles radiating outward together with sampling rate LED indicator at the center of the top (facing) side are playing the main role in S3Pro design. Reverse side has nothing to catch a glance at while the SE output is located on the edge. The opposing side of the edge is where the integrated 2 core, 60 strands OFC wire comes from and which ends with Type-C connector in aluminum wrap. Twisted cable is thick enough to last long, additionally equipped with anti-banding protection. And yes, S3Pro is very small, close to a size of one US cent with only the significant thickness showing that we are dealing with tightly packed high-quality element base. Such small dimensions are much easier to fit into a pocket together with a smartphone. No need for additional clip to hang this dongle on your clothes like with S9, for instance. When connected to a smartphone, S3Pro feels more like a regular IEM cable with large aluminum Y-splitter or other design furniture on it, rather than a separate device. In overall, S3Pro design is great. It is made of durable material, looks great, perfectly crafted, has active multi-color LED that shows sampling rate and it is very small for such sophisticated features. Device in use: Similarly to S8/S9 series, this DAC requires type-C interface connection to smartphone or PC and USB-A adapter from the bundle to be able to connect to PCs that are not equipped with type-C USB port. Android-based smartphones require some applications that would implement USB OTG function and force audio stream to pass to S3Pro. Such as HiBy Music app, UAPP, etc. Or streaming services like Tidal with MQA support to use S3Pro as unfolding processor. We have tried all features with Xiaomi Redmi Note 8Pro running Android 10 and HiBy Music V4.1.0 b.5546 and found no problems in the consistency and logics of this device operation. Switching back and forth between different types, containers, quality and formats of tracks, changing volume, reconnecting didn’t cause any issues which means that the current FW is stable and reliable. Not sure whether any updates would be available in future but what we would really expect from Hidizs is to release ASIO drivers for Windows 10/11 in the nearest future. It would provide more control over the resulting quality when connected to PC. For now, S3Pro is natively recognized by Windows OS as USB DAC, has no apparent audio lag but only allows to use WASAPI transport in such popular audio software as Foobar. LED identifies sampling rate but when there is nothing being played for more than 5 seconds – S3Pro LED goes off. We would prefer some indication of “standby” state just to know that S3Pro is correctly connected and consumes smartphone battery charge. As usual, be sure to set the volume in an app to lower level after connecting S3Pro to any device since it might be set to maximum on the first power cycle. Additionally, in order to control volume in DSD over PCM/DSD native modes with HiBy Music app – volume control should be set to “Hardware volume” in Settings->”Volume Mode” and USB device volume control should be unlocked (USB output setting -> USB Audio volume lock -> Unlock). Now, about the firmware. First of all, S3Pro is a flashback to what was initially introduced in Hidizs Sonata type-C audio cables/dongles – different FW versions for different purposes. But now, instead of different processing paths, S3Pro firmware versions would cover 3 tuning styles. The default one would be “Tonal Balance” whereas other two (treble and bass-oriented) would be available at Hidizs website support section for further manual uploading. (Interesting feature that needs more development from Hidizs: allowing end-users to tune sound to their liking in some dedicated smartphone app that would also allow to push different FW to S3Pro.) One thing noticed is that S3Pro case heats up noticeably during audio processing and stays ~47C until music is stopped. Perhaps, very tight space inside and aluminum chassis are playing the main role in heat dissipation as a result. Sound: In general, we liked it. We have tested it with different fairly neutral headphones like Hidizs MS1 / MS2, and impedance up to 32Ohm. In such combination and loaded with “balanced” firmware, the output power is quite enough for good driving ability at high volume (half the level). If you go higher than half, noticeable distortions in the sound caused by a lack of power step in – the sound becomes louder, but the quality on treble and midbass begins to suffer. Therefore, we can conclude that there will be no problems with headphones up to ~ 32-50Ohm even in noisy environment. Higher loads are better for enjoying in quiet environments. Despite the fact that the firmware is balanced, the bass portion is quite pronounced which enlarges stage size and volume. Bass is deep, well-defined and does not overwhelm the rest of the frequencies. Midbass is powerful and dynamic, with excellent attack and moderate pitch – not too sonorous and not ruining the overall impression of tonal balance. Mids are full-bodied, a little thick due to the lower part of the range, which is rather a plus (certainly not dry or flashy thin). Treble is clean, but simplified in detail – sounds accurate and doesn’t hurt with sibilants, but not astonishing in terms of the amount of details. The overall resolution as well as the stage size are average – neither disappointing nor astounding, but quite impressive for a device of this type. Significantly better than a smartphone, but worse than a good DAP in $100-200 price segment. As a result, the sound is very good, especially considering the main purpose and size of the device. More than enough to deal with Hi-Res streaming services with noticeably better sound quality and drive than from a regular smartphone. Conclusion: Truthfully, it is a tough decision for us, personally, which device to choose from a whole bunch of “S” series Hidizs type-C DAC/amps. S9 and its Pro version have BL outputs and outstanding ability to drive significant loads. S3Pro is less capable in this respect but offers MQA support for streaming services or offline MQA collection. We think that this choice is more about lifestyle and personal preferences in music. Maximum mobility and constant curiosity in current music trends would definitely be better off with Hidizs S3Pro, whereas S9/S9Pro are more closer to calm, desktop type of use with once established audio taste and music collection. If to consider on its own, S3Pro is a tiny piece of tightly packed and perfectly crafted technology, both software and hardware-wise, that totally does its job, yet delivering much better sound quality than a regular smartphone or PC and driving end headgear much better. With the declared price and features, we think that Hidizs has managed to create another participant for its winner formation.

• 

Reactions: kadinh, PlantsmanTX and cqtek

• 4.00 star(s)
• Jul 8, 2021

Hidizs S3 Pro Pros: - Great 8X MQA Unfolding - Polished ESS tuning by Hidizs - Sparkly and vibrant timbre Cons: - Power limited up to 100 Ohm for full dynamics - Runs slightly warm on max resolutions

Hidizs S3 Pro​

DAC Chip: ESS Sabre ES9281C PRO (Single) PCM 32bit – 384khz 8X MQA DSD128, SNR: -117dB, Power: 55 mW 32Ω , USB Type-C Male, 3.5mm SE (Microphone: YES), 6g, Aluminum Chassis, SPC Cable

Listening Equipment: Etymotic ER4SR, HZSOUND Heart Mirror, VE Monk GO, TIN HiFi P1, Moondrop Aria. Source: USB 3.2 Samsung S20 (Tidal)​ Click to expand...

​

LISTENING EQUIPMENT USED IMPARTED HUGE INFLUENCE TO SOUND IMPRESSIONS & RATING​

PROS​

• Sparkly clean and clear neutral timbre
• Crisp natural tonality with pristine coherence
• Balanced energetic dynamics, realistic vibe
• Great Treble textures and extensions with crisp decays
• Fast Mid-Bass vibe with rich textured body, equally fast decays
• Natural Mids that’s not too forward nor recessed, richly textured and smooth.
• Mild Sub-Bass with equally mild seismic feedback
• Crisp nuanced and smooth details retrieval, very transparent
• Realistic toned guitars, cello, percussions, and piano
• Reference class speed and transients handling, amazing dexterity
• Decently sized soundstage with natural feel to the spatial imaging
• Great separation of layers with precise holographic projection
• Good driving power, 75/100 volume to drive Tin HiFi P1 to proper listening levels
• Great synergy with anything (no lower than 95db of sensitivity & over 100Ω)
• Great clean black background even on high sensitivity IEM (122db Moondrop Aria)
• Very conservative on battery drain

CONS​

• Power limited to below 100Ω 96db Sensitivity
• Bass performance is milder than the bigger siblings Hidizs S9 and S9 Pro
• Less forgiving to poor quality recordings or sources
• Soundstage not as wide as the top performers
• Able to drive magnetic planars, but the dynamics are audibly milder
• No hardware volume adjuster
• Slightly warm to the touch when playing maximum resolution on MQA (Purple level)

VERDICT​

Hidizs S3 Pro. Alright, when I read about the announcement of S3 Pro not too long ago, I asked Hidizs for a review unit for my #donglemadness project (during the 40 dongles test phase). So this unit here with me is not purchased with my own money – Hidizs agreed that I am free to express my findings freely and so here I am sharing my impressions on it. This tiny, cute dongle is quite an eye candy. However, what’s more important is what’s inside. Consistent with Hidizs adept tuning competencies, the S3 Pro does share the same refinement as exhibited from the bigger siblings of Hidizs S9 and S9 Pro – both of which rates very high in my book. The overall tuning is very polished and crisp, faithfully neutral, and sparkly. I daresay that among the eight ES9281C based dongles I have tested so far, this S3 Pro sits a step above the likes of ddHiFi TC35 Pro, hiliDAC Audirect 2SE, ATOM2 and HiBy FC3. And playing on the same level with Questyle M12 and THX Onyx – with the M12 having slight upper hand with more power and the THX Onyx being wider sounding. The only ES9281C that remain on top of the chain would be hiliDAC Audirect BEAM 2S and that’s understandable because BEAM 2S playing field is on the TOTL side with Hidizs S9 Pro, Ovidius B1, iBasso DC04 and A&K PEE51. I have opted to use this S3 Pro exclusively on Tidal Masters, the biggest appeal of this S3 Pro being able to unfold 8X MQA tracks. I believe that’s the maximum available now. Admittedly there’s mixed feelings when it comes to the subject of MQA. There’s equally enough number of people opting to avoid MQA at all costs as it is with those who choose to embrace it. I was one of those who opted to bail out of MQA a few months back, preferring to stick to the good old 44.1/16 FLAC. But I am not opposed to advancement and from what I have observed so far, Tidal especially has been burning the midnight oil to improve MQA experience and I have heard enough feedbacks that MQA is an indulgence worth trying. So here I am back with Tidal, and I am glad I made that decisions. What I am hearing, audibly better spatial imaging and crisper details on the extended regions for records that contains them. The S3 Pro being the latest Dongle in the market to cater for this segment performed greatly and with assured confidence. The only negatives that I am hearing would be the existing artifacts contained within the original recordings or remasters. S3 Pro exhibited great balance between technicalities and organic musical presentation. I absolutely love listening to Diana Krall, Suzanne Vega, Morrissey, and Madonna Masters albums – especially S3 Pro pairing with HZSOUND Heart Mirror, the immersion was nothing short of amazing, the MQA opens up sonic spectrum that was not as audible on my traditional FLACs. Lastly the S3 also impressed with very clean background free of any floor noise even with the super sensitive 122db Moondrop Aria. Due to S3 Pro ability to handle Tidal MQA without any crackling issues as encountered with the likes of Questyle M12, hiliDAC Audirect 2SE & Audirect ATOM2, this S3 PRO rates very highly from my POV. However not all is dandy. S3 Pro falls short on outright driving power and I believe this is quite forgivable because Hidizs already have S9 and S9 Pro to cater for much more demanding use that include Magnetic Planars and High Impedance heavyweights. For my own personal use, the S3 Pro performs greatly with HZSOUND Heart Mirror, VE Monk GO, Moondrop Aria and Etymotic ER4SR. This is something that is still quite applicable as probably 70% of users base are running on 8 to 32Ω IEMs and with sensitivity no lower than 98db. Perhaps somewhere in the near future Hidizs would combine the feature of S3 Pro and S9 Pro to make the ultimate TOTL? that would be really something to wait for. Best Pairing: Low impedance IEMs/Headphones not exceeding 100Ω Last edited: Feb 22, 2022

• 

Reactions: PlantsmanTX, kadinh and cqtek

• 4.50 star(s)
• Jul 7, 2021

In The Small Pot Is The Good Jam Pros: Excellent size/sound/power/price ratio. - Possibility to change the sound profile between 3 modes, using different firmwares. - Low weight. - MQA X8, TIDAL Masters/HiBy Music/Apple Music compatibility. - Technical specifications and remarkable measurements. Cons: It does not come with a case for storage and protection. - The 3.5mm audio jack is not gold-plated. Introduction Hidizs continues to renew and add new devices to its catalogue. Continuing with the DAC/AMP, this time it is a small USB device with 3.5mm audio output. It is made up of a round, metallic tablet containing the audio output, an LED in its centre and a short cable with the USB Type-C connector. It is equipped with a power-efficient ESS ES9281C PRO chip that supports up to 32Bit/384kHz, DSD up to 128 and MQA X8. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS, even newer systems. With the S3 Pro it will be possible to fully experience TIDAL Masters, HiBy Music and even the newly released Apple Spatial Audio. It supports headphones with cable and microphone control. Of course, it is Hi-RES certified and weighs approximately 6g. We will now proceed to discuss the rest of the features and virtues. Disclaimer Hidizs, offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product. Specifications

• Dimensions: 20x10x90mm.
• Weight: about 6g.
• MQA support: x8.
• Sample rate indicator light.
• DAC chip: ESS ES9281C PRO.
• Sampling rate: up to 32Bit/384kHz.
• DSD support: up to 128.
• Headphone output: Single-Ended 3.5mm.
• Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.0008%.
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 117dB.
• Channel Separation: 70dB.
• Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz (±0.1dB).
• Output power: LR 55mW@32Ω.
• Power connector: USB Type-C.
• Supports Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS or newer systems.

Packaging The Hidizs S3 Pro comes in a small black box, dimensions 76.5x75x39.5mm. On the front side are some of its features and a realistic photo in its centre. On the back are its complete specifications, in silver lettering. After removing the cardboard sleeve, a black hard plastic box appears, with the Hidizs logo on its lid. Lift it off and the dongle appears encased in a thick black foam mould, protected by a piece of bubble wrap. The content is as follows:

• 1 Hidizs S3 Pro.
• 1 USB-A adapter.
• 1 Warranty card.
• 1 User manual.

The packaging is small and fair, as are the contents. Nor is anything else necessary, as these products do not usually have protective cases or boxes. Construction and Design The Hidizs S3 Pro is a small, cylindrical, metallic, silver-coloured piece. Its diameter is approximately 21mm and its thickness is 9.7mm. The weight is 6 grams. Its faces are like discs, with concentric grooves. In the centre of one side it says "MQA", plus its logo and on the other side it says "Hidizs S3Pro", all in white letters. On this side, right in the centre, is an LED, the colour of which indicates the sample rate and the type of file being played. On the edge is the 3.5mm SE audio socket, which is made of black plastic. On the other side is the cable output. It is a mixed cable with 4 coiled strands, two of them are made of high purity silver and the other two are made of bright OFC copper. Each strand has 60 wires. The total length of the cable is approximately 47mm, including the sleeves that protect the joints. Finally, there is the USB Type-C connector, whose total length is about 20mm. It comes in a silver sleeve with the brand's logo. As a complement, there is also a USB Type-C to USB-A adapter, whose total length is about 22mm. Internally, it has 4 Panasonic capacitors. The design is simple, but curious, elegant and small. Both the cable and the connectors are quality, lightweight, despite being metallic. The USB adapter matches the quality, colour and size, as does the cable. The only negative point is that the 3.5mm female connector is not gold plated. Connectivity The S3 PRO is compatible with Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS or newer systems. It does not come with a Lightning OTG cable, which must be purchased separately. For Windows 10, it is compatible without the need to install additional drivers. It is also compatible with DAPS that support this type of Dongles. Finally, it is compatible with TIDAL Masters/HiBy Music/Apple Music. Operativity The operation is the usual for this type of device, connect, detect and run. In Windows, when it starts playing, it works with a very fast fade. The existing LED indicates the sample rate, as follows:

• Red: 44.1-48kHz
• Blue: 88.2-384kHz
• Pink: MQA

As this model has a USB Type-C cable, it can be connected to any device with this connection. In case you need to connect to a traditional USB, you can use the additional USB-A adapter, which comes as an add-on. Supports headphones with microphone and control. No need to remove it from the smartphone to answer the phone. 3 different types of firmwares can be used, which allow the sound to be modified (according to specifications): 1- Transparent, bright, clean, crisp and detailed treble. 2- Tonal balance with a pure and pleasant sound. 3- More prominent bass with incredible elasticity and phenomenal depth. Default firmware is firmware 2. The S3 Pro is Hi-Res Audio Certified. Measures As usual with Hidizs, their measurements are usually exemplary. As can be seen, the output impedance is very low (less than 1 Ω), as the maximum voltage is almost the same with no load as it is for 33 Ω or 100 Ω. No load Maximum no-load voltage exceeds 1.4V, with excellent linearity. 15 Ω The maximum voltage, without visible distortion, is about 1V, respecting the high linearity. This is just over 66mW. This value is surprising for the size level of the device. 33 Ω As usual, Hidizs is very cautious in its power measurements. According to mine, the S3 Pro can be used at almost full power without visible distortion, with an impedance of 33Ω. The voltage obtained is almost the same as without load, over 1.4V. That provides more than 59mW. The specifications are 55mW at 32Ω, so it is sure to be met and, in addition, it is sure to offer very low distortion. 100 Ω With this load connected, the maximum voltage of over 1.4V can be assumed. The result is a power of almost 20mW. Frequency Response The frequency response is flat throughout its range (10Hz - 40kHz). The drop at the 40kHz end of the range is very slight, practically negligible. Linearity is observed to be maintained at all volumes and there are no differences in power or linearity between the channels. It can be seen how each channel overlaps, forming a single frequency response line. Sound With the default firmware, the tuning is the previously numbered 2. I feel that the profile is balanced, the frequency response is flat and I don't notice any preference towards any band. Although to say that the sound is mature does not bring much clarity or descriptive ability, I think it is true. Going into detail, this maturity is reflected in all the bands, as they are always within a tonal coherence. There is no hint of peaks or mismatches, just a respect for fidelity, within contained parameters. Let no one expect to find an exuberant sound, completely diaphanous, extensive and open. Nor is it a sparse, narrow, poor or bland representation. The sound of the S3 Pro is serious and convincing, even tenacious. From its power, it is able to handle all kinds of IEMS in an exemplary manner, also thanks to its low output impedance. Going into more detail and starting, as usual, with the low end, the S3 Pro has a remarkable body in this range, a noticeable sense of punch that brings power to the sound and a more than good resolution. The level of definition is also evident, resulting in a powerful area, with a good sense of clarity, cleanliness and depth. Perhaps it suffers from a greater sensory perception in the sub-bass area, being more evident in the mid-bass, with the consequent (very slight) loss of linearity and realism. All this, when compared to higher priced dongles and from a more perceptual rather than frequency response based point of view. The representation of the mid-range persists in the idea of tonal balance. In this sense, the timbre comes across as realistic, natural and not at all forced. While the sound is not brilliant with this firmware, the warmth is not representative either, although it does appear slightly. It is worth noting that the level of clarity and separation, which is very important in this range, remains, if not increases. In this way, the distinction between elements, voices and instruments is clear, creating a respectful communion between them all. There are no predominant voices, no prominent instruments, but only what the music decides, or the connected earphones favour. The profile is neither analytical, nor completely silky. It is not a fully profiled sound or one of extreme resolution. It's a good middle ground, gentle, enjoying a little softness and a little definition, but not predominantly. So, without realising it and going back to the description of the sound profile (by Hidizs), the words of tonal balance, purity and pleasant feeling are highly eloquent and accurate. And this is something that in the mid-range is manifestly very clear. And I would not like to forget an eminent sense of musicality in the middle section. Coming to the high end, the treble is pleasant and natural in its representation. There are no jolts, peaks or exceptions that upset the balance of the sound. Their level of definition veers to the fair but attractive side, with a tendency towards smoothness rather than crispness or brightness. The clarity is diaphanous and the level of resolution quite adequate, to maintain a sound with transparency, openness and air. The scene has an eminently wide representation, with good depth and average height. The level of three-dimensionality is not very remarkable, although the sound escapes a flat or lifeless feeling, it is certainly more than that. Still, the level of detail is in keeping with the product. Hidden nuances and micro details are perceived as somewhat distant, slightly buried. It is not a revelatory sound, perhaps more because of the smoothness of the profile and its level of cohesion. In this sense, the separation, although quite good, doesn't quite reach a complete dark background, giving the sound a higher transparency than it has. In fact, the S3 Pro is quite honest in this respect and still good enough to be very satisfied with it. Conclusion The new Hidizs S3 Pro is one of the smallest and lightest devices, which supports MQA X8. It is also very powerful, has low power consumption and is future-proof, as it is highly compatible with a multitude of systems. Its price is reasonable and its measures, as usual with Hidizs, are very good. In addition, its sound is remarkable and can be changed to taste, as, depending on the firmware installed, the profile can vary between 3 modes. It is extremely difficult to find all these virtues in a device like this and at this price, that is why its quality/price ratio is great. Can anyone give more? Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis

• HiBy R3 Pro
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
• NiceHCK Lofty
• Rose QT9 MKII
• Hidizs MS2
• ISN H40
• NS Audio NS5 MKII Extra Bass
• Ikko OH10
• Reecho SG-03
• Shozy Neo BG
• Smabat M0
• NiceHCK EBX21
• Takstar Pro 80

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 85
• Packaging and Accessories: 70
• Connectivity: 80
• Operability: 75
• Sound: 87
• Quality/Price: 95

You can read the full review in Spanish here: https://hiendportable.com/2021/07/07/hidizs-s3-pro-review/ Last edited: Jul 13, 2021

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Reactions: norcalscott, kadinh, PlantsmanTX and 4 others A Arion128 Unboxing of Hidizs S3 Pro

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