Hidizs XO, Ikko Zerda ITM02 & Hidizs S9 Pro - Which dongle is best?

Hidizs XO: shrsl.com/3t31k
Hidizs S9 Pro: shrsl.com/3t31o
Ikko ITM02: shrsl.com/3t31q
A review of two new dongles on the market: the Hidizs XO and the Ikko Zerda ITM02 plus an old favourite in the Hidizs S9 Pro.
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00:00 Introduction
01:00 Glamour video
01:59 Specs & features
02:06 Ikko ITM02 specs & features
03:46 Hidizs XO specs & features
06:55 Hidizs S9 Pro specs & features
09:07 Sound quality
09:25 Ikko ITM02 sound
10:32 Ikko ITM02 vs xDuoo Link v2
13:10 Hidizs XO sound
16:28 Hidizs S9 Pro sound
17:28 Hidizs XO vs Hidizs S9 Pro
19:40 XO vs S9 Pro vs Moondrop Moonriver 2
24:20 Final conclusions
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#audiophile #audioreview #dongle

[@rahullamba9318]

Awesome comparo as always! So many options, great times to be living in.

[@PassionforSound]

I completely agree that we're spoilt for choice! Glad you liked the review 🙂

[@GadZookz]

Love the intro music. It really makes the dongles wobble. 🙂

[@PassionforSound]

😁

[@mov3d-strengthforliving717]

Thank you, these indights have helped my decision. 😊

[@PassionforSound]

Glad I could help!

[@JustBrowsing777]

Thanks, that's reassuring, I will keep my S9 Pro then which I bought a year ago 😃

[@PassionforSound]

It's a really nice dongle and much better than the S9 standard that I didn't enjoy so much

[@rishabh1196]

Hey nice indepth review, I have been following your channel for a while and have to say you know your stuff 😅 and thanks for introducing a newbie to the nuances of the hobby How these compare to the hiby fc4

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure! I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. 🙂 Unfortunately someone broke my FC4 so I can't compare directly, but the XO is definitely better and so the S9 Pro would be too. Not sure how the ITM02 compares - more refined, but maybe not as resolving and spacious

[@kudzu01]

An excellent, creamy, buttery analysis.

[@PassionforSound]

Haha 🙂👍

[@rickjeisoncorreaponce6214]

excellent video, which of these dongle dacs would be better to play video games, that have a good soundstage?

[@PassionforSound]

They're all pretty good in that regard, but probably the Hidisz XO or S9 Pro depending on your preferences for tonality

[@f7p1764]

playing with this.. yes it's toy's but would be interesting to compare them to R2R DACs

[@PassionforSound]

Are you referring to the XO or one of the other dongles? They're all quite different from an R2R option like the Cayin RU6 and I don't think you can get anything R2R for less than the RU6 which is a fair jump from the $100 range.

[@f7p1764]

@@PassionforSound I was thinking about XO but happy that you bring RU6 at light. Just thinking sell my kidney for R2R or not..

[@PassionforSound]

That's a tough call! 😉

[@MateoMrtacos]

Hi, how do you think the xo compares to a dragonfly red? Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!! 🎄❤️🎅

[@PassionforSound]

That's a great question. I wish I could answer clearly but I don't own the DF Red anymore. I think the XO is probably fairly comparable

[@MateoMrtacos]

@@PassionforSound thank you so much! Yeah I asked a few others and they said they preferred the XO hehe

[@musicmrmushroom]

Would you recommend this DAC over the Fiio KA3??? What are the differences? I'm trying to decide. Thank you so much! ☺️

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't tried the FiiO yet so I can't say. Sorry!

[@musicmrmushroom]

@@PassionforSound no worries! Thank you very much for the review though!

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure

[@_OpdeeMist]

In your opinion would someone be waisting money or not wise to purchase a Cayin RU6 and the Hidizs XO? I’m new to this journey and have really no idea and although not having an issue purchasing both, I’m not in a place where I can test any devices before purchasing….. I’m looking to purchase a (small dongle style) DAC & Headphones that are a mid to mid-high entry level for everything from listening to music, movies and an electric piano (obviously the previous statement was referring to the headphones)

[@PassionforSound]

I'm not sure there's any reason to buy both the RU-6 and the XO. The RU-6 is probably the better device in most ways. I'd start with that and then see if you feel like you want something with a bit more attack once you have used it for a while.

[@_OpdeeMist]

@@PassionforSound thanks for your reply…. Ok, I guess I was thinking because it’s a little older and R2R and the XO isn’t, plus you gave a nice review. I thought it may have offered something the Cayin didn’t. Now you have answered my question I will follow your advice. Thank you very much….. 🙏😁 now I just have to figure out which headphones to grab…. Muchos Grazias Mate 🫡😁

[@jcmolero71]

Besides the 2 filters (blue and red) is there a disable filter option too?

[@PassionforSound]

No. You need filters on a DAC to deal with the noise created by digital conversion.

[@jcmolero71]

@@PassionforSound yes but I mean the filters with the O button, anyway I saw a user toggling them between red, blue and other green which is the stock one

[@PassionforSound]

I'm not sure which is the stock one and there's no "right" filter so you just choose what you like most, or don't worry about it at all because the differences are subtle.

[@m1nusasusplus897]

If I have Hidizs S9 Pro and I like it over my Modi+Magni stack should I try Ikko Zerda ITM02?

[@PassionforSound]

The ITM02 won't beat the S9 Pro IMO. The Hidizs XO is nice though

[@m1nusasusplus897]

@@PassionforSound got it, thanks, probably will leave s9 pro. Btw: you can try compare big sound card such as modi+magni stack or g6 with little dongle

[@PassionforSound]

I've done this in the past and the desktop devices always win. They've got dedicated power supplies and more space for circuitry so the designs are more advanced.

[@spamcan9208]

lmao I love that you have qualifications for a "dongle fondle." Btw the term for plucking strings is called pizzicato. In case you actually care lol.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks SC. I actually played violin and viola for many years, but try to not use jargon in videos if I can avoid it 🙂

[@sudevminerva6703]

Hadiz s9 pro or astel kernel Xb10 which is better music quality

[@PassionforSound]

Isn't the XB10 a Bluetooth device?

[@itellsri]

Kind sir. Between the Hidiz XO and DH80s , which are almost the same price wise, which is a better dongle. I am just after quality .

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't tried them side-by-side, but I think I'd go for the XO.

[@itellsri]

Thanks !

[@itellsri]

@@PassionforSound need your honest advice . I only have he400se and Sennheiser 560s for headphones. Can you please recommend the best DAC in the current market. I am only after music. Some say centrance dacport hd , but just wanted your opinion. I like analog and organic sounding . Appreciate any input.

[@PassionforSound]

What's your budget, Dan?

[@itellsri]

@@PassionforSound budget is a bit conservative at $200. I just want uncoloured sound with a wider sound stage and imaging. I thought of going for desktop dacs, but dongles these days are good enough to match sonically correct ?

[@heavynova]

Dongle Fondle 3: Tokyo Dongle

[@adaboy4z]

X0 sold out. S9 Pro seems like the better deal more power when needed.

[@PassionforSound]

The XO is on Kickstarter at the moment I think. I'll be re-releasing this video publicly once the XO goes live

[@heavynova]

At this point i feel loke you are doing these just for the dongle jokes.

[@PassionforSound]

Lol. No, I'm actually a bit over the whole dongle thing, but it's a thing now so... 😁