Introduction
Yes, enjoy the best of both worlds with Zorloo ZuperDAC Max. It is loaded with 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced audio output. The 3rd generation of ZuperDAC by Zorloo. You can enjoy all types of audio formats – 32-bit PCM up to 768kHz and DSD up to 22.5MHz. All thanks to powerful ESS Sabre 9281ACPRO. It is also loaded with MQA Renderer that perfect for high quality streaming content. Sound great? Read on…
Special Thanks
This review is possible thanks to below companies. Be sure to check them out too…
- Zorloo for this Zorloo ZuperDAC Max and Zorloo ZuperDAC Pro
For your information, there are 2 models in the 3rd generation of ZuperDAC – ZuperDAC Pro and ZuperDAC Max. Both of them are basically the same inside except Pro model comes with 3.5mm single-ended output only. Smaller body and lighter too. Check check out my Zorloo ZuperDAC Pro Review if you haven’t. I won’t cover the package contents here again because both of them are engineering samples. No retail packaging yet.
ZuperDAC Max has the same excellent build quality too. Rock-solid with matte black aluminum chassis. It is measured at 46mm x 21.5mm x 10.5mm and weight at 15g. Larger than pro model as it has the bigger 4.4mm balanced audio output. Besides the usual status LED indicator for audio type, it has another green one as boost LED indicator. Yes, there is a button to toggle between the output level to fit your headphone requirements. 1Vrms/2Vrms for 3.5mm audio output and 3Vrms/5Vrms for 4.4mm audio output.
As for the status LED indicator, Blue for idle or SD audio <= 48kHz, red for HD audio > 48kHz, magenta for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) content. Therefore, you can easily know whether the DAC is processing the correct audio format or not by looking at the status LED light.
Software
Just like other ZuperDAC models, ZuperDAC Max works out of the box without additional software. Plug and play are supported. USB Audio Class 2 standard is what you get. However, you are not getting the best out of it then. You need to install 3rd party applications to unleash its true potential. For example, Onkyo HF Player, USB Audio Player Pro, Hiby Music Player on mobile devices like Android and iOS. Foobar2000, Audirvana, Tidal, Roon for Windows PC and Mac OS X. 32-bit PCM up to 768kHz and DSD up to 22.5MHz will be unlocked then
For your information, Zorloo has a lot of useful guides on setup the best audio settings on these players. Be sure to check them out if you are new to the audiophile world. Just like this example above, Audirvana Windows edition is playing MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) FLAC content. DSD128 is also supported as you can see.
Sound Quality
Zorloo ZuperDAC Max performs like ZuperDAC Pro on the 3.5mm single-ended. You can’t control the output level on pro model while there is a boost button on the max model. In short, its driving power is powerful. On the 3.5mm single-ended, you can select between 1Vrms or 2Vrms output level to suit your earphones. Yes, it has very clean output. No hiss noise even on low impedance in-ear monitors like Oriveti Primacy (11Ω).
For 4.4mm balanced, you can choose either 3Vrms or 5Vrms output level to meet your headphones. Powerful for a tiny USB-DAC, right? Yup, you can drive much demanding headphones through 4.4mm balanced output. Enjoy larger cans while on-the-go easily.
Sound quality is the same between ZuperDAC Max and Pro. Based on A/B testing, I could not find any differences on the 3.5mm single-ended. So you are getting neutral sound signature, ultra-wide soundstage and outstanding details retrieval from ZuperDAC Max. And extra driving power through 4.4mm balanced. Period.
Having a wide soundstage is always my preference. You can have clearer instruments’ placement in your music then. Yes, they are well separated unlike those narrow soundstage DAC. You don’t want to have everything jammed near your ears, right?
ZuperDAC Max performs very well on hi-res lossloss music playback. Bit-perfect processing for the best audio output. In short, outstanding details retrieval. And it can play all the music format that you throw at it. All thanks to the powerful ESS Sabre 9281ACPRO. Of course, this does not limited to hi-res audio only. The usual YouTube, MP3 and movie that you listen to will also be upgraded to the best audio quality.
Again, superior sound performance with neutral sound signature. Highs are clear and sharp. Super clarity and transparent. No worries about harshness at all. Mids are performing very well. Neutral vocals are what you get. Neither cold nor warm. All the other instruments can be heard clearly even in the complex scene. As for lows, they are fast and does the job well. Not as deep as those warm sound signature DAC. But rest assured that you can feel the bass bumping here and there. Neutral and balance are what you get from ZuperDAC Max.
Advantages
- 3.5mm & 4.4mm outputs
- Neutral sound signature
- Excellent clarity and transparent
- Outstanding details retrieval
- Extremely-wide soundstage & imaging
- Ultra portable and lightweight
- Excellent build quality
Limitations
- Soundstage can be deeper
Conclusion
Looking for a powerful USB-DAC with both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced audio output? Be sure to check out Zorloo ZuperDAC Max. Enjoy ESS Sabre 9281ACPRO neutral and balance sound. Ultra-spacious soundstage, details retrieval, clarity and transparency. Wait no more and get yours at Indiegogo now.
