ddHiFi × Moondrop Blue Rose: 500mW Magnetic DAC/Amp

The ddHiFi × Moondrop Blue Rose will launch in mainland China tomorrow (November 4). The “Blue Rose” is a new version of ddHiFi’s TC44Grip portable DAC/amp, developed in collaboration with Moondrop. In addition to its distinctive appearance, the Blue Rose offers higher output power than the original TC44Grip (OG) and supports the Moondrop app. Full details of this new release are provided below.

The Blue Rose is a limited edition of the TC44Grip with Moondrop’s signature look

Moondrop has announced a new product developed in collaboration with ddHiFi: the “Blue Rose.” This limited edition of the TC44Grip features Moondrop’s distinctive product aesthetics and several improvements over the original portable DAC/amp.

A total of 1,000 units of the ddHiFi × Moondrop Blue Rose will be sold worldwide. Its price will be considerably higher than that of the ddHiFi TC44Grip OG. Given these two factors, it appears to me that this product was designed for Moondrop fans willing to pay a premium for something nearly exclusive.

The exclusive finish of the ddHiFi × Moondrop Blue Rose

Instead of applying a sticker to the top of the portable DAC/amp, Moondrop asked ddHiFi to use aluminum anodized in multiple colors. The result is a beautiful, highly durable image on metal, as anodizing is an electrochemical treatment that provides resistance to corrosion and wear.

Customized magnetic mounting plates

To further distinguish its product, Moondrop requested that the TC44Grip accessories be customized exclusively for the Blue Rose. This version includes three magnetic plates in the box:

• A rectangular magnetic plate made of aluminum anodized in black, creating a “black-and-white” version of the image used on the Blue Rose.
• Customized versions of the ddHiFi P85M and P95M magnetic rings, made of aluminum anodized in black and featuring minimalist designs around each ring.

About ddHiFi’s magnetic plates

ddHiFi’s magnetic plates facilitate the attachment of USB dongle DACs (portable DAC/amps) to the back of smartphones. They make the DAC easier to handle and improve the grip on the smartphone by positioning the dongle near the bottom of the device.

The rectangular magnetic plate for Android smartphones

The TC44Grip OG comes standard with a rectangular magnetic plate that allows the portable DAC to be used with Android smartphones that lack MagSafe. This plate has double-sided adhesive tape for attachment to a phone case or directly to the device’s body.

Magnetic rings for the iPhone

The ddHiFi P85M and P95M magnetic rings attach to the iPhone using MagSafe and allow the TC44Grip OG to be mounted. These accessories are not included as standard with the TC44Grip OG, but they are included with the Blue Rose.

The main advantage of using ddHiFi’s P85M and P95M magnetic rings is the ability to switch between horizontal and vertical orientations. The two models differ only in size.

Improvements to the amplification circuit

The Blue Rose uses the same operational amplifier (op-amp) as the TC44Grip but offers higher output power and voltage. Whereas the TC44Grip has a maximum output power of 330 mW, the Blue Rose delivers 500 mW into 32 Ω through its 4.4 mm balanced output. The Blue Rose also has a higher output voltage, reaching 4 Vrms compared with 3.3 Vrms, allowing it to drive both in-ear monitors (IEMs) and over-ear headphones.

Support for the Moondrop app and a 10-band parametric equalizer (PEQ)

Instead of using the ddHiFi LINK app, as the TC44Grip does, the Blue Rose uses the Moondrop app. This provides access to the Online Interactive DSP platform, which includes a 10-band parametric equalizer (PEQ).

Alongside the equalization feature, there is also a “social network” for equalization profiles, where users can download and upload equalizer configurations.

Equalization profiles can also be saved using the web version of the Moondrop app. This allows users to adjust the equalizer more easily through a web browser installed on a computer (PC).

Headphone outputs and support for in-line microphones

Like the TC44Grip, the Blue Rose features a 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) headphone output and a 4.4 mm balanced output. Cables with an in-line microphone can be connected to the 3.5 mm output, which supports the CTIA standard.

Charging a smartphone’s battery while listening to music

Another feature shared by the TC44Grip and the Blue Rose is the ability to charge the battery of the device connected to the DAC/amp. This is possible because the unit has two USB-C ports, one of which is dedicated to charging.

The Blue Rose supports fast charging at up to 30 W for smartphones and up to 60 W for certain tablets and laptops. This allows users to listen to music, play games, or watch a movie through the portable DAC/amp while charging their smartphone’s battery.

ddHiFi × Moondrop Blue Rose: Specifications

• Amplification: SG Micro SGM8262-2
• App: Moondrop app
• Battery: None
• Bluetooth: None
• DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43198
• Dedicated USB power input: Yes
• Detachable USB cable: No; the cable is soldered to the device
• Dimensions: 30.4 mm × 12.4 mm × 17 mm
• Display: None
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Maximum output power: 500 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Maximum output voltage: 4 Vrms
• Microphone support: Yes (through the 3.5 mm output)
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): Yes
• Physical buttons: None
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: Yes (up to 60 W)
• UAC 1.0 support: Yes
• Weight: 11 g

Release, pricing, and availability

The ddHiFi × Moondrop “Blue Rose” will go on sale in mainland China on November 4 for 1,399 yuan (approximately US$210.43). International pricing and a release date have not yet been announced. This article will be updated as new information becomes available.