Any hobbyist and enthusiast knows that there is more to a hobby than the center of attraction just like how an IEM or headphone or music player is to an audiophile and sneakers is to a sneakerhead, the focal point needs corresponding factors to either get the best out of it or have it last way past its supposed shelf life. Any audiophile that has spent a good amount of moolah into the hobby would understand how accessories are getting more and more essential in their chain be it to maximize its potential or just plainly having more options ready on-hand.
This is where DD HiFi comes into play, a company born out of the need for specialized accessories catered to the audiophiles who wants more for their treasures. They currently have a line-up of accessories ranging from adapters, cases, cables with a dedicated line-up for some of FiiO’s current products. You can check them out on their official DD HiFi website and at HolySai, which is their authorized Thailand distributor.
What we would be checking out is DD HiFi’s 1st set of adapters, the DD DJ44A and the DJ35A along with their C-2019 carrying case. It was sent to me in exchange for an honest take on them with no monetary factors involved. The DJ44A and DJ35A adapters are priced at $15.99 while the C-2019 carrying case comes in at $35 which comes in either brown or black colorway. The set sent in by DD HiFi is already looking like a valuable addition to my arsenal especially with allowing me to adapt with the diverse range of plugs being used in the audiophile market today and keeping some of my music players secure and on-the-go. Let’s see if there’s indeed more to them than meets the eye.
Packaging and Build Quality
C-2019
The C-2019 comes in a simple cardboard box with no hint of what is keeps. Inside this cardboard box is the C-2019 carrying case which comes in the newer colorway, black. Another cardboard sleeve is encloses the case but this time has DD HiFi branding. A foam cutout is packed inside the carrying case itself to help in retaining the case’s form when in transit or just sitting in an audiophile shop. The accessory set of the C-2019 comes in the form of two Velcro straps to be used in managing the space to accommodate various sizes of music players and act as a separator between your IEM and DAP.
The C-2019 comes in 2 colors and since I’m kind of late to the party with this review, DD HiFi was strategic enough to send in the black version which I personally prefer. It is similar in dimension with the brown version except for some minor material changes. First of this material difference is the use of SBS metal zippers on the black version as compared to the YKK metal zippers on the brown one and the noticeable black zipper cover on the black version which discreetly hides the zipper teeth to match the discreet feel of the black version. The differences in materials used ends there given that the C-2019 case uses the same 1680D Oxford bifilar fabric which has great tensile strength and wear resistance, it is also semi-waterproof with an ipX3/x4 rating. I have personally tried it using near a river which occasionally gets splashed with and thankfully held its own in protecting the music players and IEMs inside.
Additional external features are also emphasized on the C-2019 with its double-lane sewn wristband in clean stitches giving it a comfortable and secure grip. An IEM eyelet reinforced with stitched leather is also present which is reminiscent of my teenage sports backpacks, it is indeed functional when I tried connecting the WM1a as a BT receiver when stored in the C-2019 and controlling my track playback off my phone.
The C-2019 carrying case functions exactly how it should be thanks to a careful choice of reliable materials which blended well in terms of functionality and practicality without cutting too much corners.
DD DJ44A and DD DJ35A
The DD DJ44A and DD DJ35A adapters both come in a nice wooden box enclosed with a cardboard sleeve with the DD HiFi branding and product description. Inside the wooden box is the DD DJ44A/DD DJ35A adapters cushioned with strips of brown paper along with a silica gel and a single sheet of paper detailing DD HiFi’s different social platforms.
The DD DJ44A adapter is by the name itself, a 2.5mm balanced female to 4.4mm balanced male adapter that weighs around 3.5g and has a dimension of 16.5mm (L), 13mm (W) and 8.5mm (H). Its sibling the DD DJ35A uses the same 2.5mm balanced input but is now coupled with a 3.5mm plug that weighs 2.5g with dimensions of 9mm (L), 13mm (W) and 8.5mm (H).
Both adapters has similar build quality which is highlighted by its combination of transparent Poly-carbonate body that shows the internal wiring of the adapter and the stainless steel edges giving it a sturdy and flushed feel. The gold-plated PCB which can be seen thanks to the transparent Poly-carbonate body gives great color contrast with the stainless steel edges and the gold-plated 4.4mm/3.5mm plug. The choice of having a right angle orientation is also great given the fact that an adapter by default already adds more dimension to any interface it is used with. The right angle orientation makes the DD DJ44A appear smaller than its actual size. I have used it both on my Sony WM1A music player and Samsung S10 5G and their compact and minimalist design language makes it an already easy preference over other adapters which are either bulky and drab to the eye. A distinct click can be heard and felt when plugging both adapters as well as when using their respective input ports giving it a secure and solid grip when used.
The DD DJ44A and DD DJ35A adapters are indeed stylish while being utilitarian. The ongoing trend of music players offering dedicated 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm audio ports and at times a combination of both or all gives the DD DJ44A and DD DJ35A adapters a reserved seat in the house of accessories.
Conclusion
DD HiFi’s emergence as a dedicated accessories maker fills a certain void in the audiophile chain which is a step towards the right direction. We do have multiple options, even too many options at time when deciding what IEM, Headphone, music players, Amps and DACs but not a lot when it comes to accessories. We may have seen other 3rd party accessories to match our needs but not as niche and dedicated as DD HiFi seems to be when it comes to addressing not only just the needs but also the wants of an audiophile.
The C-2019 carrying case comes into the storage game with a lot of swag and durability with it. The choice of surface material is great to the hand and the feel of security with the zippers that comes with it are satisfying to the mind. Its interior cushioning is great and offers a variety of storage options (data/charging cable, SD card, adapters and spare IEM cable compartments) necessary for an audiophile without hampering the most important function, the ability to safely store and secure a music player.
The DJ44A and DJ35A adapters are without a doubt the most aesthetically pleasing to the eyes design that I have seen in the market, they even make those entry level IEMs look way damn cooler than they are when the DJ44A and DJ35A are attached to them. They are well-built and works without fail which is basically what it should do as an adapter.
DD HiFi is still early in its inception as a company but its products are already looking to be an automatic recommendation to those looking for such accessories. I personally hope they stay longer as a dedicated accessories maker where they are showing an outstanding job and refrain from entering the IEM and DAP game, for now.
