Khadas Tea Pro DAC & Headphone Amplifier Review

My brother Ted beforehand reviewed the Khadas Tea DAC Bluetooth Headphone Amplifier virtually three years in the past.

Ted highlighted a number of weak spots of the Khadas Tea, with criticisms of the shortage of a companion app and a heat bass bias sound. I personally desire a hotter sound as I’m delicate to high-pitched noises, however the restricted customisations clearly held the Tea again.

It took Khadas over a yr to launch the Khadas Audio app, which provided a variety of customisation choices, together with acquire, equaliser, and filter settings. Whereas I didn’t use the Khadas Tea after the app launch, I’d assume the EQ customisations would permit customers to tweak the sound to be extra impartial and analytical (if that’s what you want).

Khadas have now launched the Tea Professional, which, as you’ll count on, is an upgraded moveable DAC and headphone amplifier that provides an intensive set of options aimed toward customers searching for high-quality moveable audio. Its design, part choice, and connectivity choices are tailor-made for music lovers, commuters, and inventive professionals who require each versatility and dependable audio efficiency.

I’ve been utilizing it for the previous few weeks to see whether it is well worth the worth premium over the unique.

Associated Content material

Khadas Tea Professional vs Khadas Tea Specification

Options

• Extremely-slim type issue with a 7.85 mm thickness and a weight of 96 g. The unit has a CNC-machined aluminium chassis, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the entrance, and a premium wear-resistant leather-based again panel. Magnetic mounting permits it to connect on to MagSafe-compatible iPhones and instances, with help for a magnetic ring for different telephones.
• Twin headphone outputs: normal 3.5 mm (supporting full CTIA headset controls and microphone when linked through Bluetooth) and a balanced 4.4 mm jack for higher-end headphones. The 4.4 mm output gives balanced audio transmission for improved noise rejection.
• Digital-to-analogue conversion is dealt with by an ESS ES9039Q2M DAC, with a Qualcomm QCC5181 chipset for Bluetooth and an XMOS XU316-1024 USB controller. This permits help for USB PCM audio as much as 768 kHz 32-bit, and native DSD512 playback through USB.
• In depth Bluetooth codec help, together with SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, and LDAC. Bluetooth model 5.4 is offered, with bitrates as much as 96 kHz 24-bit for wi-fi streaming.
• Excessive output energy with low distortion: through the 4.4 mm output, as much as 5.0 Vrms and 180 mW (into 16.5 ohms); through the three.5 mm output, as much as 2.5 Vrms and 100 mW (into 16.5 ohms). Each outputs provide low whole harmonic distortion and noise, with SNR as excessive as 122 dB on the balanced output.
• Inner 2100 mAh battery presents as much as 11 hours of playback over Bluetooth and as much as 8 hours over USB-C with steady use.
• 0.95-inch color AMOLED show (120 x 240 RGB) gives reside standing, EQ mode, battery degree, playback format, and lets customers navigate menus for capabilities resembling pairing, acquire adjustment, and EQ management.
• Seven EQ presets (Default, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Bass, Blues) and a ten-band user-adjustable graphic equaliser through the Khadas Audio app, with acquire adjustable from minus 12 dB to plus 12 dB per band.
• The Khadas Audio app (iOS, Android, macOS, Home windows) allows customers to regulate EQ, acquire, filter choice, swap languages, replace firmware, and set system preferences.
• Full compatibility with iOS (MFi licensed), macOS, Android, and plug-and-play operation for many trendy techniques. Home windows help requires the Khadas USB ASIO driver; Linux is supported for UAC2.0-compliant kernels.
• CTIA four-pole headset help on the three.5 mm output, offering name microphone and inline button performance when linked by Bluetooth. The built-in microphone additionally permits direct voice enter for calls.
• Complete cost time is quoted between two and three hours, relying on the ability supply and methodology.
• {Hardware} quantity management is carried out with an unbiased NJU72315 chip, and energy administration is dealt with through a devoted low-dropout regulator and MPS energy administration chip for optimum effectivity and low noise operation.

Unboxing / Design

The Khadas Tea Professional has the identical design philosophy as the unique Tea, however with some essential enhancements.

Essentially the most noticeable is the brand new 0.95″ AMOLED color show, which supplies you essential data such because the battery life, connection mode, audio format and pattern price.

The Professional has extra buttons, and these are essential as the mix of those and the show means that you can management a lot of the DAC’s capabilities with out the companion app.

You then get a brand new 4.4 mm headphone jack for elevated headphone compatibility.

One gripe in regards to the design is that I discovered the button format unintuitive. You will have two buttons on the correct for quantity. Then two on the left, one bigger and one smaller.

I assumed the bigger one was a rocker button and the smaller one was the ability button. However the bigger one is the ability button, and the smaller one is the menu button. I ended up having to have a look at the directions to work out which was which.

Internally, there are quite a lot of adjustments with improved chipsets for each Bluetooth and the DAC, plus a brand new USB chipset.

Past that, the elemental design is similar because the earlier mannequin. It is a small ultra-thin DAC that comes with a small MagSafe case, just like a card case, that means that you can preserve the Tea Professional hooked up to your iPhone (or Android cellphone with a Magnetic case, or the Pixel 10 Professional XL).

Set Up and Khadas Audio App

The Khadas Tea Professional works like another Bluetooth system; you energy it up, and you then pair it to your cellphone or PC like regular.

Alternatively, you possibly can join it on to your cellphone or PC with a USB-C cable. For the very best audio high quality, you’ll want to use a USB with UAC2.0, which supplies you help for DSD512 or  PCM 768 kHz.

As soon as paired, you will have user-friendly controls over the DAC together with:

• Audio Management
  • Adjustable acquire ranges for various headphones 
  • Choose EQ modes and bands (7 presets + 10-band customized EQ)
• System Settings
  • Language choices: Chinese language / English / Japanese / Korean
  • Customizable system identify for simple Bluetooth identification
• System Administration
  • Constructed-in Fast Begin Information for sooner setup

Made for iPhone however works with Android and Home windows

Whereas that is designed for the iPhone, it really works completely properly with Android and Home windows.

For Android, you possibly can obtain the Khadas Audio app and customise all of the settings simply the identical because the iPhone.

For Home windows, it’s technically plug and play, however you will have to put in the Home windows drivers to have the ability to modify the bit price and sampling price. You are able to do this from the downloads web page beneath merchandise > Tea Professional > drivers.

For Android, it’s also possible to plug the Khadas, and the cellphone will detect this as a wired headphone (at the least on my Pixel 9 Professional XL).

Audio Efficiency

To check the audio codecs, I needed to obtain some take a look at information. OPPO has a web page itemizing some high-quality DSD and FLAC information. Over Bluetooth, the Tea Professional helps as much as PCM 96 kHz/24 bit, whereas with USB and UAC2.0 it helps as much as PCM 768 kHz or DSD512 (Native).

The core audio efficiency of the Khadas Tea Professional is a transparent step up from its predecessor and from the everyday audio output of a smartphone. Using the ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chip, mixed with high-precision resistors and a devoted low-noise energy provide, ends in a clear, detailed, and highly effective sound output.

Essentially the most rapid distinction is heard when evaluating wired USB operation to plain Bluetooth streaming. When linked through USB-C and enjoying a high-resolution supply file, the Tea Professional delivers a big enchancment in readability, element retrieval, and dynamic vary. The soundstage is wider, and instrument separation is extra distinct. That is notably noticeable with high-quality headphones and lossless audio information.

Bluetooth efficiency is excellent for a conveyable system, supporting high-bitrate codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive. Nonetheless, as with all Bluetooth transmission, there’s a perceptible lack of tremendous element and a slight compression of the soundstage in comparison with a wired connection. The distinction isn’t refined to a skilled ear; Bluetooth introduces a slight veiling and a extra distant presentation, whereas the wired connection is sharp, rapid, and extra partaking. For informal listening on the go, Bluetooth is completely enough, however for important listening, the wired connection is the clear selection.

The balanced 4.4mm output is a standout function. It gives extra energy and a decrease noise ground in comparison with the single-ended 3.5mm jack. This makes it superb for driving higher-impedance headphones or for getting the very best efficiency from delicate in-ear displays. The distinction is usually heard as a blacker background, permitting extra micro-details to emerge, and a higher sense of management over the headphones’ drivers.

The ten-band equaliser and varied filter settings (Linear Quick, Linear Section, and so forth.) present in depth tuning choices. The EQ is efficient and may dramatically alter the sound signature to swimsuit private desire or the traits of particular headphones. The filter variations are extra refined and can seemingly solely be appreciated by skilled listeners. The flexibility to make these changes both on the system itself through the display screen or by way of the excellent app is a significant benefit.

Codec Efficiency Comparability

 Testing varied Bluetooth codecs revealed anticipated variations:

• SBC: Primary high quality, noticeable compression
• AAC: Improved over SBC, good for iPhone customers
• aptX: Higher than AAC, extra detailed
• aptX HD: Noticeable enchancment in decision
• LDAC: Greatest wi-fi high quality, approaching wired efficiency
• aptX Adaptive: Variable high quality primarily based on connection stability

The inclusion of aptX Adaptive is welcome, because it adjusts bitrate primarily based on connection situations. In observe, this gives extra constant efficiency than fixed-bitrate codecs.

Battery Life

The built-in 2100 mAh battery is rated for as much as 11 hours of Bluetooth playback and as much as 8 hours of wired USB playback. In real-world use, these figures are usually correct, although they will differ relying on the amount degree, acquire setting, and the codec used for Bluetooth. The battery life is adequate for a full day of use for many commuters or travellers. The system additionally helps pass-through charging, so it may be used whereas plugged in, although this will generate some warmth. A full cost takes roughly two hours.

Value and Various Choices

The Khadas Tea Professional has an RRP of $199 and the older Khadas Tea is offered for $109.

Within the UK, the Khadas Tea is offered on Amazon UK for £100.

The FiiO has a wide range of moveable DACs, none of that are magnetic. The FiiO BTR15 or FiiO BTR17 are in all probability the closest rivals, as they work over Bluetooth or USB-C and are priced at £115 and £180 respectively.

iFi GO blu presents a unique method with a give attention to analogue heat, priced equally to the Tea Professional at £199 within the UK.

The Qudelix-5K is presumably the most suitable choice at a lower cost level. This can be very properly reviewed and solely £101 on Amazon.

Total

The Khadas Tea Professional is a considerable improve over the unique Tea mannequin. It addresses earlier shortcomings and provides a bunch of latest options that make it a way more compelling and versatile product. The enhancements usually are not simply incremental; the addition of a color show, a balanced 4.4mm output, a extra highly effective and higher-quality DAC chipset, and Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive help remodel it from a distinct segment product right into a extremely aggressive moveable audio resolution.

The ultra-thin, light-weight type issue with MagSafe compatibility is ideal for iPhone customers. It turns the DAC from an adjunct it’s important to carry into one which turns into a seamless a part of your cellphone. The construct high quality, with its aluminium chassis, Gorilla Glass, and leather-based again, is great and feels premium.

The audio efficiency is top-tier for a tool of its dimension. The wired output, notably through the balanced connection, is clear, highly effective, and detailed, able to driving all kinds of headphones and revealing the standard of high-resolution audio information. The Bluetooth efficiency is among the many finest accessible, although it naturally can’t match the constancy of a wired connection.

The companion app is first rate and presents an excellent degree of customisation, from system settings to a really efficient equaliser. The on-device controls and display screen additionally imply you aren’t at all times depending on the app for adjustments.

There are minor drawbacks. The button format isn’t intuitive and requires consulting the guide. The shiny surfaces are fingerprint magnets. The app, whereas highly effective, can generally be gradual to mirror adjustments made on the system itself.

For iPhone customers pissed off by the shortage of high-resolution codec help, the Khadas Tea Professional is arguably among the finest options available on the market. It bypasses the iPhone’s Bluetooth limitations fully when used wired and enhances wi-fi listening when Bluetooth is critical. For Android and laptop customers, it stays a superb, extremely moveable DAC/amp with an awesome function set.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Obsessed with all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and good dwelling gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to carry a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the most recent tech traits.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the expertise curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many prime expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I goal to proceed offering my readers with partaking and informative content material.

Final replace on 2025-09-29 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API