EarMen Sparrow USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp, Review – Super Trouper
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The EarMen Sparrow is a $200 battery-less warm-neutral sounding dac/amp with dual output: single ended 3.5mm and the more powerful 2.5 mm balanced. It is class leading in terms of both power and sound quality. The EarMen Sparrow supports playback from iPhones, Android smartphones, MacOS and Windows computers. It also plays all 32bit/384kHz formats: PCM, DoP, DSD64, DSD128 and MQA. It is the best dongle I have come across (in the $200 category) and was on my personal favourite gear list of 2020.
INTRODUCTION
Do all dongles sound equal? Are most dongles just ornaments? Should we rather go for a desktop dac/amp instead to get more value for money? All of the above have been mentioned in discussions lately. For years I have had a single dongle dac/amp, the Audioquest Dragonfly Black. I mainly used it with my iPhone and life was good. Until…
To make this clear a priori: the EarMen Sparrow is the best-sounding dongle I have tested too far…but also the most expensive one. And it is not an ornament.
EarMen is a company registered in in the US, where most of its stakeholders are located – and from where they focus on the North American market. EarMen are a subdivision of premium audio gear producer Auris Audio. The production is in Krusavec, Serbia [video of production facilities]: Made in Europe.
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 42*22*8 mm
Purchase Link: EarMen Shop
PHYSICAL THINGS AND USABILITY
In the box is the EarMen Sparrow, the warranty card, and two cables: USB-C to USB-C, and USB-C to USB-A. This allows the Sparrow to connect to Android phones/tablets, and any Windows/Mac computer. It features the ESS Sabre ES9281PRO dac chip – which is well implemented.
The EarMen Sparrow also works with iOS devices but requires the Apple Camera Adapter, which adds to a “monster snake”. The $30 ddHifi TC28i adapter offers the same funcionality but cuts the snake’s length enormously.
The actual EarMen Sparrow is a sturdy and filigree CnC machined aluminium construction with top and bottom covered by glass…although I wished it had come with a sheath to protect it from being scratched.
In contrast to most other dongles does the EarMen Sparrow offers two different circuits and sockets: a single-ended output through a standard 3.5 mm socket and a balanced output through a 2.5 mm socket. Both outputs/sockets work simultaneously. And it is the balanced output that makes the EarMen Sparrow particularly attractive.
The logo is illuminated depending on input:
- White – Connected
- Green – PCM/DXD/DSD
- Magenta – MQA
- Red – Not Connected
THE IDEA OF BALANCED AUDIO
Balanced audio is a method of connecting audio equipment using balanced lines [Wikipedia]. Such lines reduce susceptibility to external noise caused by electromagnetic interference. This is particularly beneficial for recording studios, which use kilometres of lines. For our purpose of portable audio, reduced interference results in a clearer, cleaner signal. Headphonesty compared “balanced and unbalanced” audio connections in this article. And yes, it works.
FUNCTIONALITY
The EarMen Sparrow contains no battery and is powered by the source device. It works plug ‘n’ play with computers, tablets, and phones (Windows/Mac/Android/iOS). And it requires adjusting the respective sound panel settings in Mac and Windows computers. Volume is controlled from the source device – there are no buttons on the EarMen Sparrow. It is as easy as that. The EarMen Sparrow decodes all 32bit/384kHz formats: PCM, DoP, DSD64, DSD128 and MQA.
AMPLIFICATION
The EarMen Sparrow is one of the most powerful dongle dac/amps on the market according to AudioScienceReviews.com. Its 2.5 mm balanced output delivers 2.0 Vrms into 32 Ω and 4.0 Vrms into 600 Ω. This results in a power of 125 mW and 20 mW, respectively. The 3.5 mm single-ended output is 1.4 Vrms into 32 Ω and 2.0 Vrms into 600 Ω, which translates to 61 mW and 7 mW, respectively.
I don’t have a balanced cable for my 300 Ω Sennheiser HD 600 Pro, however the single-ended output drives them “ok”. The balanced circuit delivers enough power to drive the 70 Ω Sennheiser HD 25 on my Mac, which indicates that this is good enough for any iem. In fact, imo the EarMen Sparrow drives even the most power-hungry earphones very well with my Mac.
A bit of an enigma is the dependency of the EarMen Sparrow on my sources: it provides way more power when sourced by my Mac, but appears to be throttled by my iPhones 5s and SE (1st generation). I speculate this is caused by the Sparrow’s power consumption. Sound quality is not compromised and power-hungry earphones such as the TRI I3 are still driven sufficiently well. Newer phones and Android devices may not throttle the EarMen Sparrow’s power. The Sparrow, like most powerful dongles, appears to be a bit of a battery drain on phones.
I tested the power consumption of several portable headphone amps connected to my iPhone 5S. The conditions were as identical as possible: 3 h test, volume calibrated to 85 dB ± 0.5 dB white noise with Dayton microphone, no sim card, BT off, no other apps open; network on, 32 ohm Blon BL-03 iem, Genesis’s Supper’s Ready (from the Seconds Out album) played in an endless loop.
The iPhone’s battery was fully charged at the start of the test and the remaining charge was measured thereafter. The result is shown in the table below. Since the tests were performed at different times and considering the ongoing battery deterioration, the results have to be seen with a grain of salt.
TONALITY AND TECHNICALITIES
My tonal preference and testing practice
The EarMen Sparrow is a neutral-warm sounding dac/amp (more neutral than warm), and therefore offers the best of both worlds. Whereas a warm dac/amp (such as ifi Audio products) harmonizes best with neutral earphones/headphones (e.g. JVC HA-FDX1, neutral amps (e.g. Earstudio HUD 100) pair best with warm iems (e.g. Sennheiser IE PRO series). Neutral amp with neutral iem may sound like metal on metal – and warm with warm may come across as thick and syrupy lacking clarity and transparency. The EarMen Sparrow appears to strike the right temperature balance to harmonize with most kinds of earphones. The other trait is its good extension in both directions and its full body and natural dynamics. The Sparrow has this quasi-analog sound.
And while the sound through the single-ended output is good, it is fantastic through the balanced output. The difference in sound quality is mindboggling (I A/B-ed a balanced cable between both sockets – with a 2.5 mm female to 3.5 mm male adapter for single ended). Apart from the power gain in the balanced circuit, headroom and clarity opens up substantially…the midrange comes out nicely…this worked even for the ~$3000 Vision Ears Elysium. After several months of using the EarMen Sparrow on my Mac, I conclude that the balanced output is as good as a desktop amp for iems – on a computer.
EARMEN SPARROW COMPARED
The neutral sounding $70 Tempotec Sonata BHD dac/amp with its balanced output is an impressive sounding device. The EarMen Sparrow, however, offers a richer, more analog sound, a larger headroom, and more power. It is also more versatile with its additional 3.5 mm single-ended output. The less powerful Sonata BHD has a leaner, sleeker but less creamy/soft/weighty sound with more clarity.
VALUE – IS THE EARMEN SPARROW FOR YOU?
Is the EarMen Sparrow worth its $200? Any answer has to be subjective. For people who regularly deal with >$300 earphones without blinking: yes, no questions asked. Simply makes them sound better.
For the rest of us: yes, but for any or all of these three specific purposes – from my perspective: for the balanced output that sets the EarMen Sparrow sonically and power wise apart from its competition. Second, it is best used with iems or less power-demanding headphones. And third, for use mainly with a computer, where the Sparrow flexes its muscles best.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
I have used the EarMen Sparrow for a few months now. It took me so long to publish my review because I didn’t know what to write – it just worked great for me, and I used it a lot for earphone testing. The Sparrow is the best sounding dongle I have listened to so far (up to $200), albeit also the most expensive.
What sets it apart from the competition are sound quality and power of its balanced circuit. I don’t think one needs anything “bigger” to drive earphones – it was good enough for the $3000 Vision Ears Elysium. And since it does not have a battery, there is no planned obsolescence – the Sparrow will last for a long long time.
It is the balanced output that makes the Sparrow fly high: first it opens up the headroom and then it makes it a most powerful dongle – ahead of the competition. The EarMen Sparrow is just a very fine dac/amp. One of my favourite devices of 2020…and likely 2021, also. Basta!
Until next time…keep on listening!
DISCLAIMER
The EarMen Sparrow was provided by EarMen upon my request. I thank them and also the audiofool who had established the contact. The audiofool has reviewed the Earmen Sparrow here.
You can purchase the EarMen Sparrow from the Earmen Shop.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.
PHOTOS…
