Review: ddHiFi TC100S + RC100C

Firstly I would like to thank ddHiFi for sending me the TC100S and RC100C for review.

Gear Used:
Gigabyte Mini PC > TC100S > RC100C > JDS Labs EL DAC > Singxer SA-1 > Beyerdynamic DT880 / German Maestro GMP400 and more.

Tech Specs:
TC100S:
• Sample Rate Support: up to 24bit/192kHz
• Weight: 18g
• Interface type: USB-C, RCA socket

RC100C:
• Cable: 99.9999% OCC 75Ohm Coaxial Audio Cable
• Interface Type: RCA Plug

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005354222861.html

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories

Both products come in very similar packaging, with a soft white outer sleeve that details what the product is on the front and a list of specs on the back. The packaging is clean looking and attractive, slide this off and you’ll find plainer looking carboard boxes that slide open to reveal the products inside. There is foam padding to keep the products safe during transit, and I really like the simple, minimalist packaging from ddHiFi.

The TC100S is a small aluminium housed converter, its lightweight and easy to handle yet the sockets feel tight and the build quality is faultless, it feels built to last. The RC100C is a lovely cable too, with a sleek feel and smooth looking RCA sockets that are very well finished. Both items feel like premium products, I cannot fault either product in any way.

Accessory wise you don’t actually get much, but then again there isn’t anything they need. The TC100S comes on its own, the ddHiFi RC100C comes with a small Velcro cable tidy to keep it coiled in its box, that is all.

Functionality

The ddHiFi TC100S is designed to convert USB digital audio into coaxial digital audio, this can be very handy if you suffer from ground loops or have a DAC/integrated amp that does not support USB audio input. Its compatible with most operating systems, as well as android OTG and Apple iOS (OTG Apple cable is required). ddHiFi have however made sure the signal is converted properly by using a Murata digital audio transformer that balanced the USB input and coaxial output circuits.

The RC100C on the other hand is a high quality digital coaxial cable, perfect for pairing with the TC100S.

In Use

Neither The ddHifi TC100S nor RC100C are designed to change the sound of your system, rather they are designed to convert a digital signal from one format to another and then send it on with as little loss as possible. They work together to bring you a silent, noise free way of converting USB to Coaxial for use with DACs that lack a USB input.

This can also be used into an integrated amplifier that has a built in DAC, as a lot of these miss out on USB inputs, and only have Coaxial and Optical.

There are quite a few USB converters out there, but the TC100S is a low-priced solution that works exceptionally well for what it is designed for. The RC100C is a lovely looking cable that helps keep the signal clean from the converter to the DAC, equally it is a great cable that would work well in other applications.

The RC100C conforms to the 75Ohm digital cable standard and whilst I don’t believe digital cables make a huge difference in terms of overall sound quality, having a good quality cable does ensure signal integrity and lower loss over the length of the cable.

Most coaxial inputs only work with the resolutions the TC100S works with, so there should not be any compatibility issues down the line, I’m honestly impressed with how ddHiFi have managed to offer such an impressive converter for such a low cost, it really doesn’t take anything away from the sound.

Conclusion

ddHiFi make excellent products, and the TC100S and RC100C are no exception, a clean and clear converter for those needing to convert USB digital audio into coaxial digital audio. The RC100C is a well build and great looking coaxial cable that does the job of sending the signals through it without any audible drawbacks. Overall I can highly recommend both products should they fit your needs, the build quality and price to performance are excellent.