Earmen TR-Amp Review
Introducing the Earmen TR-Amp, like many other products already reviewed positively by other respectable reviewers who have long ago earned their chops i feel like i am just adding to the general consensus at this stage.
`Yeah, but most of your reviews are positive ya shill!` - this is true as i rarely review garbage these days. Keeping to the excellent and the curious mainly. I could review more of the entry level stuff with names made up of random letters and numbers and reestablish my street cred with withering write ups pointing out flaws that are blindingly obvious even to the uninitiated audiophile neophyte - but i would rather soldier on with treating my ears to the brilliant and sophisticated than labor in the hollows and valleys - even though admittedly that is where the web hits are. And thankfully there are enough reviewers covering that end of things as it is a needed area without a doubt for the newly audio bug afflicted.
One can now days for a fair price sample quite a few devices and hone their sonic tastes and mature their ears.
...and with that enter the Earmen TR-Amp. A fearsome entry into a market place flooded with all sorts of devices and a multitude of choices that even the most hardened traveler becomes some what weary.
Earmen (who?) have solid roots in the plentiful fields of Auris Audio:
Earmen TR-Amp, ipod touch 6G via CCK (Apple camera connection kit) to Final Audio A8000
Earmen have several initial offerings on their website https://earmen-shop.com/
The TR-Amp $249
The Donald Dac $99
The Sparrow $199
Check them out!
Why? Well unboxings are not just about audio porn but with those with eyes to see all sorts of information and details can be gleaned that may or may not be within the confines and specs, stats and information cards.
USB DAC - Preamp - Headphone Amp – Battery powered
- NEW ES9038Q2M SABRE 32 Reference DAC Industry’s highest performance 32-bit mobile audio DAC with unprecedented dynamic range and ultra-low distortion
- Super Low ESR tantal capacitors in power supply
- Includes a high level EarMen shielded female USB-A to USB-C Adaptor
- 3700mA battery with up to 10h of music enjoyment
- Separate DATA and Charging USB type C ports allows you to use it all day long in your system
- Analog volume control for Preamp and Headphone amp
- Double Enjoyment with 2 pairs of headphones simultaneously
- Analog switch for Direct DAC or PreAmp function
- ALL METAL aluminum housing eliminate external noise sources”
- - via the Earmen website.
Luckily the Earmen TR-Amp is one of those reviews that generally write themselves.
Build is excellent - solid as a rock. Simplicity itself and also good looking to boot.
I generally used it as a mobile device for on the go. Although quick testing with my aging Macbook Pro yielded positive results. I don`t use my Macbook for music - just a quick test here and there to see if products work as advertised and/or to note any sonic improvements...or not.
A Windows driver is available from their product page.
The Earmen TR-Amp passed my general first test of not disconnecting it straight away (or in the case of earphones taking them out of my ears), I happily listened to it on the first day during my commute and a lengthy stop off at Starbucks before heading into work. As usual I had a back up dap (probably the iBasso DX220) in case of emergency - such as non enjoyment of the TR-Amp.
Fortunately this was not the case and i was able to enjoy the TR-Amp with various IEMs that day - entry level and TOTL.
At $249 when paired with your already purchased phone it elevates the experience pleasurably and immeasurably.
So sound...a ESS Sabre 9038Q2M Dac. Whhaaatt!?!! yep - of course it all comes down the implementation and Earmen does it very well.
Smooth, fairly linear and natural.
Quite unforgiving with badly recorded or mastered albums. and rightly so.
One of the cons is only USB-C input, which limits which devices can pair with it.
Lots of power and very clean with it also.
Soundstage is the domain of earphones but a device can complement the earphones or constrict them. I found the TR-Amp allowed for a medium to large soundstage. To my ears as it extends equally in each direction - which is unusual as usually for players etc it is wide, or wide deep etc.
Being able to plug n play as well as charge - thanks to the dual ports is a plus.
Use the Tr-Amp as Direct utilizing the ESS Dac or as a pre amp and bypassing the Dac.
The TR-Amp when using the dac portion is accurate, detailed, pleasant and naturally effortless - it has a fast balanced response and is neutral with an underlying dynamic which gives it life.
The TR-Amp gets the pie seal of approval.
Plug and play
I tested with a few set ups with easy success.
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