![]() ControlsĪs straightforward as the Angel may seem, reading the manual will still prove to be useful in understanding its controls and unpacking all of its features. The same 8.5Vrms maximum is mirrored on the rear ports but flicking the toggle to direct lineout the 3.5mm and 4.4mm will be regulated down to 1.5Vrms and 3Vrms. Upfront, personal listening will be granted with up to 8.5Vrms of output level and THD+N of 0.002% on Gain+ mode. With no 6.35mm or full-size XLR in sight, the Angel instead has a pair of 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks on both ends to cater to different needs. EarMen recommends the use of a DC 5V fast charging adaptor rated to 2A to achieve the 3-hour charging time of the batteries. And seeing that the S/PDIF hardware on the Angel will neither accept a traditional coaxial nor TOSLINK cable, EarMen decided to include adaptors for each.Ī separate USB-C is there to the left of the data interface assigned for continuous charging. To start with the short but sweet list of inputs, the Angel will accept data from any digital downstream source using its USB-C and S/PDIF inputs. EarMen carefully considered a nice assortment of capable ports in both the front and rear sections of the unit without sacrificing usability. ![]() Looking very sleek, the Angel keeps a tidy profile thanks to its flush-mounted sockets. Their official website shows EarMen is marketing the Angel with a black analog volume indicator, but the review unit we have here has a silver digital controller. One final thing worth noting is the volume wheel since there might be a difference in what end users will get. Not just with build and weight, where the 340g chassis won’t disappoint in offering a premium impression, but in ergonomics as well.Įven though the metal finish is quite smooth, the Angel won’t be awkward to hold on to from its softly curved top and sunken sides. The Angel is a solid device to carry around. It is one of the more prominent features used by EarMen to add a layer of depth to the otherwise simple case of the device. The Angel also moved the preamp switch to the front and grew in features adding a new Gain+ button and the ability to interface through a S/PDIF connection.įour visible screws are holding the three-piece assembly of the Angel together. The easiest way to describe the Angel to those who have owned or seen the TR-Amp is to elongate its chassis and move some bits and pieces around to make the device fit today’s standards.ĭoing away with the 6.35mm and RCA sockets of the TR-Amp, the Angel is making use of a more compact set of 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks to highlight the amplifier’s balanced design. Seeing the TR-Amp, which is another portable DAC/Amp from EarMen, I couldn’t help but see the similarities between the two. With a charge time of 3 hours and a separate port for charging, there is no excuse for the Angel to be out of energy when you need it. What is providing power to the Angel when on the go are two 3000mAh lithium polymer batteries. There is also a linear power supply hiding inside of the Angel getting a good handle in keeping noise low. The fully balanced circuitry of the Angel boasts a 120dB dynamic range with a keen focus on keeping the signal intact. With the latest XMOS USB receiver inside, the Angel will be able to cover most modern media at up to 32bit/768kHz PCM, native DSD512, and even MQA. ![]() It may not be groundbreaking since this chip has been widely used in the industry for quite some time now but it is the same one installed in the Tradutto so it might prove its worth. ![]() The DAC chip EarMen decided to use for the Angel is the ES9038Q2M, a balanced capable converter from ESS designed for portable devices. This places an attractive challenge for EarMen to compete against the likes of CEntrance and Chord Electronics. Looking around the market, what’s interesting is the limited number of options competing against the Angel that’s priced in the same category. But if we are to look closely at their other DAC/Amp called the TR-Amp, the similarity here in features is more prominent. And we’re beginning with their $799 portable DAC/Amp today to see if it is up to par.Įnchantingly named ‘Angel’, it shares the winged naming element with the more portable segment of EarMen’s lineup. EarMen recently beefed up their repertoire with the announcement of the Angel, CH-Amp, and Staccato.
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