Though it is branded as a mini DAC (digital-to-analog converter), the TRD3 from Shenzhen’s TCG audio company is also a headphone amplifier. Not just any amp but one that handles demanding headphones with impedance up to 300 ohms (at 120mW).
That surely makes this S$269 gadget interesting to many headphone lovers who want a neat all-in-one connection between their PCs and their listen-at-home headphones, such as the Sennheiser HD600 or Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro.
Certainly, the Chinese company hasn’t made the TRD3 feel cheap. The aluminium alloy housing as well as the heavy volume button that’s nicely machined make it a worthy companion to your precious headphones.
Included in the box is a headphone jack connector to adapt to earphones or headphones using the 3.5mm connector. Other than that, however, the packing is rather spartan.
But that’s alright, because the most important stuff are on the device itself. Using the AKM4390 DAC chip and CM6631A USB receiver, it lets you hook up to your PC or Mac easily.
In my case, I didn’t have to install any additional drivers on my Windows 8 machine. All I had to do was plug in the TRG3 via the USB port and power it up.
I could also have hooked up to the PC or other sources via the optical or coaxial digital inputs on the TRG3. There are also two analog out ports if you just want to use the device sorely as a DAC and avoid using its amp section.
When I plugged in oBravo’s HAMT-1 recently, the easy-to-drive headphones actually sounded better than on my usual Schiit Audio Valhalla tube amp. Gone were the mismatch issues that resulted in “echoey” sounds and bloated bass.
Though the petite little TRG3 is said to work with headphones up to 300 ohms, it actually worked with the 600-ohm Beyerdynamic T1 as well.
The headphone actually sounded decent, though you don’t get the detail and control you’d expect from a more powerful amp that matches the tough-to-drive cans.
The organs and bass in the Interstellar movie soundtrack stood out for the sheer dynamic range. At the same time, the warmth and smoothness of Stacey Kent’s voice in her various albums were delivered without too much effort.
It’s true, in a crowded market for DACs and headphone amps, the TRG3 will have it tough against more well-marketed rivals.
However, if you do manage to get your hands on one of these Shenzhen-designed devices, give it a try with your headphones. You might like the quality that S$269 can buy.
