helm audio bolt

The Helm Audio Bolt DAC/AMP is a small dongle featuring a USB-C plug at one end and a 3.5mm jack at the other. Last month, I reported on the launch of the Bolt DAC/AMP from Helm which was premiered at CES 2020 in Las Vegas and even received a CES Innovation Honoree Award. iOS 14.5 Public Beta 2 Adds Over 217 New Emojis To Your iPhone, Google 3D Animals: How To View Awesome Beasts From Sharks To Tigers In Life-Size 3D, Intel Partners With North Carolina Central University On Tech Law And Policy Center, 5 Things I Learned Trying To Get Fit With A Wattbike Atom, Iconic British Audio Brand Unveils Its First Pair Of Active Noise-Canceling Earphones. © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Enter your email address and subscribe to our newsletter. As a nurse it really means a lot to still be recognized for what we are doing! On the other hand, the BOLT is made to improve the sound of devices with inferior DACs, like many smartphones. The Bolt DAC/AMP can handle just about any digital audio file imaginable, including MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV and DSD files. I used both with my HP Envy, and with either option, it was plug and play. The HELM DB12 AAAMP amplifier costs Rs 16,490 and is exclusively available for sale through The Audio Store. Check out the full roundup to learn more why. Check Out The Euclid, Audeze’s Extraordinary New In-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphone, I took a look at their $199 HELM Audio DB12 AAAMP Mobile Headphone Amp, which I found to be a powerful little DAC/Amp for its size, Andover Audio PM50 Planar Magnetic headphones. It also has a detailed, open sound, which brings headphones alive. HELM Audio HELM Audio is a multi-award winning British-American venture focused on audio innovation. With popular phone manufacturers like Samsung removing the 3.5mm jack from their Galaxy phones, dongle DACs, which are basically an adapter wire with amp/DAC chips built-in, have become more ubiquitous, with more and more models popping up on the internet. A small LED on the Bolt DAC/AMP indicates what type of audio file is being decoded. HELM Audio Bolt DAC/AMP Review Some DACs can be big and bulky and others can be small and portable. All file types can be handled, all the way up to 384kHz and DSD 5.6MHz. The volume levels are controlled by the computer or smartphone. The Bolt ... [+] DAC/AMP from Helm audio is a superb way to listen to music on a smartphone with wired headphones. ), Awesome! This Fast Little Drive Is A Secure And Affordable Way To Protect Sensitive Data From Prying Eyes, The Curious Case Of Brad Pitt On Clubhouse, Apple Suddenly Unveils Cool Emoji, Including 1 Too Rude To Use, Focal Unveils A New Pair Of Deluxe Magnesium Headphones For Music Professionals, MQA Stream Unfolding and HD Support for hi-res streaming services, Works with Android, iOS, MacOS and Windows 10, Ultra-low harmonic crosstalk and reduced crossover distortion, Three oscillator design and impedance matching, LED: Blue SD Audio <= 48kHz - Red HD Audio > 48kHz - Magenta For MQA. The Helm Audio Bolt DAC/AMP is a small dongle featuring a USB-C plug at one end and a 3.5mm jack at the other. The BOLT DAC/AMP is aimed at elevating sound quality for … Also read: FiiO Q3 THX Balanced DAC Amplifier with new multiple certifications launched in India at Rs 14,990. The Bolt DAC/AMP feels well made and is finished in matt black anodized metal and has a short fiber cable terminating with a USB-C plug. Thanks ...Read More Helm Audio for the amazing discount! HELM Audio brings audiophile sound quality and value to wireless headphones, audio accessories and over the ear headphones. I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. This little gadget is perfect for anyone with a smartphone without a headphone jack. HELM Audio BOLT DAC/Amp Review: A Brilliant Headphone Amp/Accessory For Your Phone or Laptop! They also work well with laptops. I connected the BOLT between my Lenovo X1 Extreme laptop and my NAD D3020 amplifying a pair of B&W M1. HI-FI Trends Product Of The Year Awards 2020: Best Amplifiers, Music Streamers. The Bolt can even render MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) files as streamed by TIDAL. Especially if you’re looking for MQA. It plugs into a smartphone and a pair of wired earphones or headphones plug into the other end. They’re both great choices at $99, so your decision will probably come down to sound preference. RED means above 48khz, and Blue means below 48khz. #NewMusicFriday…New Record Releases You Need To Hear feat. The Zorloo Ztella may have a little bit more air and top-end detail, but it’s also a little bit bright with some songs and a little bit noisier than the BOLT. Thanks in advance for your help! HELM Audio’s BOLT DAC/Amp is another great option for a dongle DAC/Amp at the $99 price point. Especially if you’re looking for MQA. It’s composed of Aluminium and soft-touch plastic, with a braided tangle-resistant cord. The Best Integrated Amplifiers Around $1000 (2021), How To Get The Best MQA Audio With TIDAL and Your iPhone (Plus A Word Regarding Android), PS Audio Sprout100 Integrated Amplifier Review: Simple And Elegant Hi Fi. Just a side note: I tried listening directly from the TIDAL Android app, but it wouldn’t play through the BOLT. This plug can connect straight into an Android phone or an iPad Pro. This may be the cleanest sounding DAC I’ve heard at $99. The specifications for the Bolt DAC/AMP are very impressive. DAC/AMP from Helm audio is a superb way to listen to music on a smartphone with wired headphones. Pricing and availability: The BOLT DAC/AMP retails for $99 / £75.43 / €84.29. MQA files make it possible to stream high-quality music even over a cell phone connection. The Bolt is powered by your phone (or other digital devices) via a USB-C connection and acts as a DAC solution for your music. MQA is also handy when downloading hi-res music files as they take up less storage space on a smartphone. HELM Audio’s BOLT DAC/Amp is another great option for a dongle DAC/Amp at the $99 price point. Every once in a while, a product comes along that you wonder how you ever managed without. The only issue is that it tends to be bright on certain recordings, so careful headphone matching is necessary. If you’re looking for a cheap compact device to improve the sound of your phone or laptop or just a USB-C adapter with a 3.5mm headphone jack, the BOLT is where it’s at. It’s one of the best portable DACs I’ve ever heard. Listening to “Midnight” by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges, I again impressed at how natural Bridges vocal was along with the drum hits. This makes it my new DAC recommendation for under $100. Helm Audio’s Bolt DAC/AMP is a kind of merchandise whose value, functionality, construct high quality, and shape issue make it a veritable no-brainer. This is a technical review of the Helm Audio Bolt MQA portable "dongle" for use on phones and computers. Once connected to a smartphone or laptop, the Bolt will pull digital audio from the host device and convert it to analogue using its own onboard circuitry, thus bypassing the smartphone or laptop’s internal DAC and headphone amplifier. LastPass Breaks Free Accounts: Where To Store Your Passwords Now? I was simply blown away by the quality. – November 19, 2020 – HELM Audio™ Ltd., a globally distributed British-American audio innovation company, today announced the launch of the next in its lineup of THX Ⓡ Certified products, the HELM BOLT DAC/AMP mobile USB digital analog converter, which supports MQA technology. The presentation was just out beyond my ears when I listened to Emily King’s Acoustic version of her song “Forgiveness.” However, I just loved the richness of the strings and Emily’s sweet vocal. Founded in 2017 by a proven team of industry veterans with a passion for sound quality and the deep know-how needed to build world-class cutting-edge products, HELM set out to fill a big gap in the market with an ambitious brand born for music lovers who desire immersive audio … The only ones I’ve been able to use so far are the iFi DACs. With a simple roughly 4” long dongle, it boasts Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) functionality to improve audio and enhance sound. Helm Audio notes … I’ve been in technology journalism for more than three decades and have written for publications covering computing, audio and digital imaging. I enjoy all aspects of. It’s possible to discern every instrument in the mix. The Bolt DAC/AMP separates left and right channels into a superbly wide and perfectly focused soundstage. The upper mids also seem to have a slight boost, which gives percussion and vocals a nice full, realistic texture. My thirst for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today. They actually add a nice level of clarity to the sound without being harsh. DALI OBERON 5 Floorstanding Speaker Review: It's A Small Wonder! Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. It can also be used as a high-quality dongle to add a headphone jack to phones that don’t have one, provided the phone has a USB-C connector. Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. HELM BOLT Audio DAC. I listened to both TIDAL and local files thru UAPP, mostly hi-res. It does work with the TIDAL desktop app on Windows 10. I’ve been in technology journalism for more than three decades and have written for publications covering computing, audio and digital imaging. The Bolt automatically detects the file type automatically and a small colored LED shows what type of file is being decoded. The Zorloo Ztella may have a little bit more air and top-end detail, but it’s also a little bit bright with some songs and a little bit noisier than the BOLT. It’s super small, at less than four inches long, and only weighs about a quarter ounce. Mobile Studio Sound for Android, iOS and PC. Other things worth mentioning are the BOLT comes with a pleather pouch for carrying, something the Ztella doesn’t have. Free Express Shipping.7 Days Replacement & 100% Original Product At The Audio … This DAC really brings singers and instruments to life, with a clean, laid back sound that you can listen to for hours on end. Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch Review: These True Wireless Earbuds Are The Real Deal. Helm Audio has been on a tear lately, producing an uninterrupted run of innovative portable audio gear for the last two years. R+R=NOW + 13 Other Artists! However, the Ztella’s boost on the top end does give it a more airy sound than the BOLT, and it also has a wider soundstage. Much of my time is spent hunting down and testing some of the finest and most innovative technology available on the market today. View hifitrendsblog’s profile on Facebook. They constantly seem to get the features/performance/price mix of their products right, making them attractive. Best Buys: 5 Marvelous MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) DACs…$99 to $799! Andover Audio Songbird Music Streamer Review: The Best Music Streamer For The Money! HELM products feature high-end planar magnetic, electrostatic and proprietary audio technologies that deliver every nuance the artist intended and an immersive dynamic audio experience. It has a clean, balanced sound like the DB12, albeit not quite as clean or as powerful. The HELM Audio BOLT DAC/AMP Mobile MQA-Certified Digital Analog Converter — A plug & play High Definition Digital Analog Converter with MQA rendering technology to bring studio quality audio to your phone. An LED lights up to show the type of file being decoded: a blue LED glows for a standard definition file; a red LED for a hi-res audio file; while a magenta LED shows when the Bolt is rendering an MQA file. As an Amazon Associate, Hifitrends.com may earn from qualifying purchases via links placed throughout the site…this helps us keep the website going! Incidentally, TIDAL is a great streaming service because it has millions of tracks for downloading or streaming that have been folded or encoded in MQA format in its Masters Section. For an insignificant $99, the Bolt DAC/AMP noticeably advanced the audio high quality, dynamics, and emotional engagement of each track I examined with it on each software and with each headphone. There’s no configuration or software needed to get the Bolt DAC/AMP working. Stream MQA content from Tidal, Nugs and Xiami. The guitar was panned off to the right. The BOLT and Ztella have identical specs and sound signatures, and while HELM Audio is tight-lipped regarding the DAC chip they use, I wouldn’t be surprised if it used the same ESS Sabre chip as the Zorloo product. MQA files are an audio format that encodes sound from the original studio master tapes in a small file size. This wasn’t fully unexpected, as many DAC/Amps don’t work with the TIDAL Android app. I wouldn’t recommend using the BOLT with a sensitivity rating much less than 100 dB /mW, or you may get mushy bass and restrained dynamics. Like I said earlier, it comes with a small pleather pouch for easy carry, and it also comes with an impossibly small USB-C to USB-A adapter for use with laptops. Stayed put! Unlike other mobile MQA-DAC designs, the HELM BOLT physically isolates the DAC from the USB connector for improved EMI isolation, and uses a three oscillator design for superior frequency lock with dramatic improvements over single oscillator DAC designs. US headphone specialist Helm Audio has introduced the Helm Bolt DAC/Amp mobile USB digital analogue converter, which supports MQA, glows magenta and … HELM Audio Bolt DAC/AMP, USB-C Portable High-End DAC/Headphone Amplifier with MQA Playback. Buy HELM Audio Bolt DAC/AMP, USB-C Portable High-End DAC/Headphone Amplifier with MQA Playback. That means it outputs 1V for headphones with impedances less than 150 ohms or 2V for impedances equal to or greater than 150 ohms. Mobile Studio Sound for Android, iOS and PC. Verdict: Helm Audio’s Bolt DAC is one of the best little DACs for a smartphone that I have ever heard. DAC/Amp dongles are a relatively cheap way to both allow the use of standard headphones with smartphones and improve their sound quality at the same time. If I had to sum up the BOLT’s sound with one word, it would be natural. The sound quality is stunning and the file sizes are much smaller than FLAC or WAV files, yet the quality sounds just as good to my ears. The Best Audio And Hi-Fi Sales We’ve Found This Week…ELAC, Kanto, Music Hall, Koss, PSB, Sennheiser. This time, I’m looking at their $99 BOLT DAC/Amp, an MQA compatible dongle DAC with THX-Certifed headphone amp section. For my sound test, I used the BOLT mainly with the Focal Elear headphone and a Moto G Fast Android phone with USB Audio Player PRO app installed. The same LED also designates the sample rate. I didn’t get the separation or depth you would get with a more expensive DAC like the Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt, but there was enough space and focus to hear the vocal front and center with the drummer behind him to the left. I’ve had the chance to try out many of them, including the Zorloo Ztella, which I found to be a powerful little DAC/Amp for its size. Besides MQA, the BOLT also does PCM up to 384kHz, and DoP (DSD over PCM) up to 5.6MHz. That said, it’s the implementation of the chip that makes all the difference, which is why some manufacturers don’t like to disclose the exact one they are using. I used a pair of Final E2000 wired earphones to test the Bolt and it made those earphones sing in a way I’ve never heard them before. Definitely will recommend! Cambridge Audio CXA81 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Review: Magical Mind-Blowing Musicality! Copyright © HI-FI Trends 2018 All right reserved. The $99.99 Bolt DAC/Headphone Amp from Helm Audio is certainly the slimmest dongle DAC to arrive in-Barn of late, giving it the appearance of a dongle without a DAC! LOS ANGELES, CA. I really enjoyed the BOLT with the Andover Audio PM50 Planar Magnetic headphones (102 dB/mW), the Focal Elear (104db/mW), and the Sennheiser x DROP HD58X (104db/mW). Now That’s A Good Question…Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi Music Streaming? The BOLT also sounded more “real” (instruments, vocals) and richer than the Zorloo DAC. Just plug it into a smartphone or computer and then connect a good pair of earphones or headphones to the Bolt. Due to their compact size, they’re effortless to transport. A review sample has arrived, so I’ve been able to see if it works as well as all the publicity suggests. I enjoy all aspects of technology, especially products that make life more enjoyable, creative and productive. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. "the HELM Audio BOLT DAC is a bonafide winner as it is eminently enjoyable for hours and days on end," says Twittering Machines in their head-to-head DAC roundup featuring our THX Ltd. and MQA certified BOLT DAC and the iBasso DC03 and Dragonfly Red. The HELM Bolt is a $99 portable, THX-certified, MQA-capable USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier. Helm Audio says the Bolt DAC/AMP’s THX Certification is for ultra-low harmonic, crosstalk, and crossover distortion. The Bolt DAC/AMP can handle any type of digital music file and even adjusts to the impedance of ... [+] headphones so they are driven properly. HELM Audio created the Bolt DAC/AMP in an effort to simplify the process. I can’t recommend this tiny little gadget highly enough. USB-C to 3.5mm Audio, THX Certified In India at Best Price. The Bolt DAC/AMP is ideal for use with a laptop and can render MQA files as well as other hi-res ... [+] formats. The BOLT DAC/Amp looks to have a pretty sturdy build. If you hurry, you might just be able to get one in time for Christmas. It can also connect directly to a USB-C laptop, including newer Apple MacBooks and MacBooks Pro. The sound quality coming out of this little dongle is nothing short of stunning. Helm Audio introduces Bolt DAC/Amp hifichoice.com. It’s an absolute bargain for anyone who loves listening to music on the move and who doesn’t like using Bluetooth earphones. The Bass seems pretty flat, just giving you the warmth the track needs. I didn’t try iOS. DALI’s OPTICON MK2 Are The Kickass New Speakers You Need In Your Life! It’s small and doesn’t even need a battery to run. The second solution, a USB-C digital option that we get to cover today– the HELM Audio Bolt. I did the head shake test, jumping jacks, burpees, and running. The bass, midrange and treble are handled so that each frequency range sounds like three separate channels. As far as output power is concerned, it uses an impedance matching scheme to match different headphones/earphones. MQA compatibility comes standard, and there’s a small LED light that glows magenta when it renders an MQA track. The BOLT needs a $30 Lightning to USB Camera Adapter from Apple to work with iPhones. The DB12 AAAMP is an analog-only device made to provide additional output power to devices that already sound good, like a DAP with low output power. Given the need for a lot of people, is it worth the investment or is it a bit much for what it is? THX Certification is the icing on the cake here, meaning the BOLT has to meet stringent standards for low-distortion. You may opt-out by. That said, comparing the two is really comparing apples to oranges because they are basically two different things. Highly recommended. An analog solution with plenty of power behind it and a rechargeable built-in power source. It’s so simple to use, you soon forget it’s even there. US headphone specialist Helm Audio has introduced the Helm Bolt DAC/Amp mobile USB digital analogue converter, which supports MQA, glows magenta and is: “aimed at elevating sound quality for portable devices… by providing studio-level quality to our mobile world.” The tone was perfect, and the sound served up was almost as good as my full-sized audio set-up. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Dan Clark Audio’s New ÆON 2 Noire Tweaks An Award-Winning Formula. The Hifiman SUNDARA at 94db/mW was a little too much. Whether you’re looking for something that’ll look good on your desk or something you can bring on your commutes may prove to be a difficult decision, but HELM audio is looking to deliver a product that can do both. First Impressions: DALI OBERON 7 C Active Floorstanding Speaker Quick Review, Wow! But I can assure you that packed inside the pencil-sized business end of the Bolt is an MQA-capable DAC that performs the final “unfold” up to 24bit/384kHz. The Helm Bolt DAC/AMP is perfect for someone who owns a high-end pair of headphones, and wants to use them on the go. The soundstage is a little narrow. The Journal of Affordable High-End Audio – Budget Hi Fi Magazine, Budget Audiophile, Home Stereo System, Best Headphones. At the end of the day, I found the BOLT to be a little less lively on the top-end than the Ztella, which may make it a better choice for those who are sensitive to treble. The chip inside the BOLT is a physically isolated DAC and it’s THX Certified for ultra-low crosstalk and distortion. A couple of months back, I took a look at their $199 HELM Audio DB12 AAAMP Mobile Headphone Amp, an analog-only portable amplifier that was one of the most powerful and transparent I’ve ever heard. EarFun Free Pro and Air Pro Review: Two Of The Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100! With its high quality audio support, the Helm Bolt DAC/AMP is … USB-C to 3.5mm Audio, THX Certified at Amazon UK. I tried the Bolt DAC/AMP on my iPhone with a USB C-to-USB A adapter which I plugged into an Apple USB-to-Lightning cable. Better still, the Bolt didn’t drain the battery on my iPhone, which is just as well as the phone can’t be recharged or powered while using the Bolt. Another thing to keep in mind is for an additional $10, the Zorloo can be purchased with a lightning adapter for Apple phones. While the lower highs are a little elevated, they are not bright per se. If I have one complaint it would be the absence of a USB C-to-Lightning adapter, but for anyone who owns a great pair or earphones and has a smartphone without a 3.5mm jack, the Bolt is the perfect solution. Now That's A Good Question...Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi Music Streaming? Technology journalist specializing in audio, computing and photography. (TIDAL, Spotify, Etc. It sounds a bit unwieldy but the sound quality makes it well worth it.

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