TANCHJIM STARGATE II: Compact Hi-Fi Solution.
The audio product that will be featured in this review article is another one from TANCHJIM as I recently published the ZERO ULTIMA. This one is more a peripheral device that will be use for modern smartphones, tablets, PC and laptops.
This is TANCHJIM STARGATE II and it is a successor model of the previous namesake model that was released from 2021. It is a single port headphone amp dongle that shares a similar design to Apple type-C headphone amp dongles. But this one is way more advanced when it comes to power amplification and it has a proven DAC chip that was also implemented inside.
On its overall design, it has a compact design and is quite lightweight that each part of its frame has an aluminium alloy frame which is pretty sturdy yet light. The audio output jack has a 3.5mm unbalanced and the inner metal tube has gold-plating for better wear and tear resistance like corrosion and better conductivity. And then, it was connected with a USB type-C part with a short silver-plated copper cable that was sheathed in nylon fabric-like insulator. The USB-C connector frame part also has a small clear plastic window in which we can view the placement of a tiny audio IC along with its microscopic circuitry.
The audio IC that was implemented is a proven Cirrus Logic DAC chip, CS43131in which is also found on other entry-level portable headphone DAC/Amplifiers. This particular Cirrus Logic model is also known for its low-powered requirement, proven reliability and good processing capability that can decode up to 32-bit/384khz with an output level of 2VRMS which can theoretically drive high impedance headphones up to 600 ohms due to its proprietary built-in headphone amplifier.
This device itself has a software support from its TANCHJIM App in which you can access other functionalities such as EQs and other software audio aids. It also makes its DSP functionalities even more useful.
The Main Interface
The Console Section
The Console section is where the equaliser options are located and it also serves as an status indicator in which mode of the EQ mode that is currently activated. Other modes as Current Device that has a list of TANCHJIM IEM earphones and for other headphones, STARGATE II Digital Filter Presets, Game EQs for mobile, PC and Nintendo Switch that were loaded with popular game titles for EQ application, and EQ Forum for TANCHJIM devices and also for other earphones/ headphones and lastly, an Advanced PEQ tailored for a specific TANCHJIM devices.
Current Device
Game EQ
STARGATE II Official Preset Modes
Default - the current standard tuning curve of TANCHJIM.
Natural - based more of a natural frequency tuning curve of the connected device with some emphasis on lows and high frequency with some accentuated gain in the initial part of the presence treble section.
Balanced - more focused on a modified older Harman frequency response curve a.k.a Harman Target Curve 2013 which has a reduced emphasis on lows and highs with more pronounced midrange that makes sound more balanced-neutral. An ideal for initial EQ setting for perceived “neutral” tuning.
Popular - a modified Harman 2016 with more pronounced low frequency, sort of a bassy one.
Musical - this one is a revised Harman 2019 target curve which makes it more coloured sounding due to more elevated lows and highs in which the latter frequency will deliver a more brighter sound.
Earphone/Headphone EQ Forum
PEQ along with its advanced features
On its product packaging, its inclusion is pretty elementary as it has dongle and an instruction manual inside of its packaging box,
In my overall frequency response analysis section , I will set it into a Default mode and the audio listening gear that will be paired here is the TANCHJIM ZERO ULTIMA.
And also, I will use LG V40 as the host device and HiBy Music App as the main music player as it supports USB audio.
LOWS/BASS:
This device delivers a sufficient bass quality as it adds more punchy and tactual sound. It is also capable of conveying a deep reverberating sub bass presence along with an ample textured note for bass-clef instruments and also for deep male vocals with its low pitched register for more rich and resonant sound.
MIDRANGE:
It portrays a more neutral response as it also has clean, translucent and natural sound for vocals and instruments. It also has an ample warmth enough to give a decent depth on some male vocals and other instruments like percussives and brasses. Another thing is that it also has a necessary amount of energy to give more emotional characteristic on female vocals and also a crisp, airy and sufficiently detailed sound on woodwinds and string instruments.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
Apparently the treble response that STARGATE II conveys a relatively smooth, balanced sound with just an adequate shimmer enough to deliver an airy extension on its brilliance section. It has also highlighted some of its definition and clarity on vocal articulation and attack on instrumental lines.
OVERALL TECHNICALITIES:
Given on the quality of its DAC, it presents a clean black sonic background in which able to project a good directional cues in an aural spatiality in which I can pinpoint certain frequency attenuation, audio dynamic intensity in which involves the quality of macro-dynamics and quality of audio reflection in a recorded audio track. This device is also capable of good sharp definition on its micro-detail retrieval as it exhibits some nuances, gains and subtleties like notational instrumental attacks, vocal ends and reverb tails, but it is a step below compared to some higher priced headphone DAC/AMP dongles.
On power output, it can drive some hard to drive sets with planar magnetic drivers and ceramic-type dynamic drivers in an optimal volume level.
PEER COMPARISONS:
APPLE DONGLE (EU variant)
- It is a single port-type of dongle adapter tailored for later models of iPhones with USB type-C and also can be used on Android devices with USB type-C port.
- It uses a customised Cirrus Logic DAC tailored for Apple requirement, the CS42L92CW which can only decode up to 24-bit/48kHz.
- It has a warmish-neutral sound.
- It also capable on projecting a clean sonic background with a strong solid macro-dynamics on its resolution capability.
- It can drive low impedance IEMS and earbuds properly, but struggles on ceramic-type dynamic drivers and planar magnetic drivers sets.
BQEYZ LIN
- Another dongle with similar design, more profile and it has more solid build on its frames and a braided cable.
- It uses a Conexant DAC,CX31993 which is a popular chip among budget headphone dongles as it can decode up to 32-bit/384kHz on PCM format but doesn't have a DSD support.
- This one has a more neutral-bright tonal profile as it shows some emphasis on highs.
- It also delivers a clean sonic background with a bit sharper delineation on its micro-dynamics.
- It can drive IEMs and earphones properly even with IEM-size planar magnetic drivers and even ceramic dynamic drivers ones.
VE ABIGAIL
- Another single output port dongle from Venture Electronics.
- It uses a Conexant DAC similar to BQEYZ LIN with similar processing performance, it also doesn't support DSD audio format.
- It has a neutral-ish bright sound profile as it also has a stronger emphasis on the high frequency.
- Capable of conveying a clean pitch-black sonic background with sharper micro-detail definition.
- Can drive some IEMs with ceramic dynamic drivers and planar dynamic drivers that require more power output at suitable amplitude level.
In conclusion, this peripheral audio device is an ideal solution for mobile usage as it is light yet durable and capable of delivering good sound quality. With its capable and dependable DAC chip that was implemented on its internal that can play all types of audio formats whether it is lossy or lossless one that it can process effortlessly. While it is not the most powerful dongle in the current audio market right in terms of power output, but its smaller profile and a clean sound quality with less susceptibility to noise distortion, the STARGATE II is indeed a very capable dongle that I can recommend without any reservation.
TANCHJIM STARGATE II is now available online to all known major e-commerce platforms.
For more information on other TANCHJIM products, you can read some of my review articles on their previous product models:
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: TANCHJIM STARGATE II
DAC CHIP: CIRRUS LOGIC CS31998
DECODING SUPPORT: PCM: 32-Bit/384kHz, DSD: up to DSD256
DYNAMIC RANGE: 127.4dB
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO: 127.4dB
OUTPUT LEVEL: 2Vrms
DRIVING POWER OUTPUT: 82mW @16 Ohms, 75mW @32 Ohms
THD: 0.0000023
PROS:
● A compact profile with a lightweight frame.
● A small transparent window to look upon its audio chip inside.
● Implementation of a proven and reliable CIRRUS LOGIC DAC chip with its built-in amplifier
● Capable of decoding up to 32-bit/384kHz on PCM audio format.
● DSD-native playback support up to DSD256
● Software support from TANCHJIM app as it activates some advanced EQ and preset modes for paired ear/headphones that will cater according to your preference.
● Leaning towards a warmish-neutral tuning profile.
● Tactile bass response.
● Well-balanced and detailed midrange presentation with enough warmth and energy on it.
● Smooth and clear treble quality
● Clean sounding with no apparent noise distortion.
● Low consumption power drag on its host device's battery level.
● Commendable resolution capability.
CONS:
● No inclusion of USB Type-A to Type-C adapter for PC and laptop usage.
● Not the most powerful dongle out there in terms of power output delivery.
● Single analogue output port means limited usage as having a 4.4mm is a must for a modern audio enthusiast in my opinion.
TRACKS TESTED: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to TANCHJIM nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to the TANCHJIM REP or providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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