Helm Audio DB12 AAAMP Review: This THX-Certified Mobile Amp Brings the Power

When it comes to the headphone audio that comes out of mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, the sound quality is generally decent, but rarely what I would call “audiophile-grade” or particularly loud. Using an external amplifier can help improve overall sound quality and volume, and HELM Audio’s DB12 AAAMP aims to do just that.

HELM says its tiny 2.75″ long amplifier can add up to 12dB of volume gain, along with an additional 6dB bass boost. It’s also been THX certified and uses THX AAA amplifier tech to minimize distortion. The DB12 AAAMP sits inline along a male-to-female 3.5mm stereo cable, so it doesn’t take up much space at all. Its body is made from aluminum, with buttons for volume up/down and pause. Both of its cables are wrapped in a braided cloth exterior with molded strain reliefs for durability. Its onboard rechargeable battery lasts for roughly 6 hours per charge, which is done via a microUSB port.

Unlike some external amplifiers that connect digitally, this amp is designed to work with the analog audio that’s already coming out of your headphone jack. This approach has its pros and cons. On the plus side, there’s no worry about software, drivers, or the availability of a USB port. On the flip side, re-amplifying an already amplified analog signal is theoretically not as clean as starting out with a digital signal, then amplifying that.

Since I no longer have a phone with a headphone jack (Thanks, Apple), I decided to use the headphone jack on my Mac to test the DB12 AAAMP. The difference in sound quality on my AIAIAI TMA-HD headphones immediate and dramatic with HELM’s little gadget in place. A switch on the side of the DB12 lets you bypass amplification so it’s really easy to hear the difference it makes. Everything comes across as more dynamic, crisper, and louder with the DB12 activated. I used Audiocheck’s Ultimate Headphone Test to see how the DB12 impacted frequency response and was impressed that it revealed a deep low-end that was barely audible previously. I’m especially impressed with how little audible distortion is introduced, despite the DB12 connecting via the headphone jack. Notably, the overall audio experience with Helm’s gadget is much louder and crisper than a competing DAC/Amp I had previously been using when listening on my computer.

If you love to kick up your bass an extra notch, the Bass+ switch really makes things thump, boosting frequencies from 60Hz to 100Hz. I like to use the Gorillaz track Saturnz Barz and Run the Jewels’ Call Ticketron to test bass on audio gear, and the DB12 really kicks up the rumble on both tunes.  Of course, music isn’t only about the bass, and the DB12 delivers big improvements in volume and dynamic range across the entire frequency spectrum.

Color me impressed with Helm’s DB12 AAAMP. It works exactly as promised, boosting volume and sound quality in a device that barely takes up any space. If you have a mobile device or computer with a headphone jack, this little gadget can seriously boost audio quality and makes for an overall more immersive listening experience. The DB12 AAAMP is available now for $199.99, though there’s a limited-time holiday deal available on the Helm Audio website that will save you $50 using code DB12SALE50.

Analogue’s DAC lets gamers play their throwback consoles on CRT TVs

When you hear the term "DAC," you probably think of the gadgets that audiophiles use to convert digital audio data to headphone-compatible signals. Analogue's DAC, though, converts digital video data to analog signals, allowing gamers to play retro H...

It’s Time to Make Smartphone Audio Great Again

adapt_audio_dac_layout

The smartphone you hold in your hand may be an incredibly powerful computer, capable of processing data and images with the adeptness and speed that even computers couldn’t match ten years ago… but there’s an area where it lacks. We’ve been pretty vocal about how smartphones can’t do serious heavy-lifting in the audio department. The music you listen to gets downsampled heavily during playback, giving you audio that sounds decent, but when you’re paying for hi-def audio services like Apple Music, Spotify, or Amazon Music (or if you’re still on Tidal), settling for decent audio means not getting what you paid for. Downsampled tracks often sound recorded, because they lack dynamic range. It’s quite like listening to a recording of a live concert versus listening to a live concert. No matter how good your speakers or headphones are, if you’re playing music through your phone, chances are that your phone is compressing the audio only because it isn’t built with the gear to play tunes in proper high definition.

That’s where DACs come on, or digital to analog converters. DACs quite literally take your digital files and convert them into analog audio signals. They’re quite literally built to do this, and do a FAR better job than your phone does of converting digital files into analog audio signals. Think of your computer having its own graphics card, and you plugging in an external graphics card that lets you play the latest games in stunning resolution. DACs do the same thing with audio, and the result is similar too. Your phone can play back audio at 320kbps (which decent, but your music is always recorded in a much higher lossless format), whereas a good DAC renders the audio file at a higher resolution, allowing you to hear more and hear better.

Most DACs are desktop solutions. Around the size of a hard-drive, they require an external power outlet, and aren’t really meant to be carried around. This format works for desktops, but given that mobiles are the most popular device for music playback, standard DACs fall short, with their clunky, perpetually-plugged design. The Adapt by Dense was designed to adapt to this relatively new (new for DACs) scenario of music playback. The size of a thumb-drive, this extremely portable DAC packs an absolute punch, giving you as much as 76 times the clarity your smartphone gives you. Just plug it into your phone and connect your headphones to it and the difference in quality becomes evident. You hear instruments and backing vocals you didn’t even know existed. Or if you’re using it to watch a movie or play a game, you can now hear even the faintest rustle of grass… audio that was previously lost in the downsampling.

The Adapt comes in two variants. A Standard variant and a more professional Reference variant. As small as your thumb, both the variants come with a sleek body, an anodized aluminum construction, and compatibility with Android, iOS, macOS, and even Windows. Requiring no external power source, the Adapt generates as much as 2V of power (three times more than your phone is capable of), and is capable of playing audio at a stunning resolution of 24.576mbps, making it quite literally feel like you’re in the recording room with your favorite artists. The revolutionary, incredibly small DAC comes ready to use out of the box, with a simple input and output and no unnecessary controls or buttons. Just plug it in and it transforms your audio.

Designed to work with your offline audio files as well as your online streaming profiles, the Adapt gives you your money’s worth with your music subscriptions, letting you listen to your favorite tracks just the way your favorite artists intended. With its ability to play back audio at much larger sample rates, and with a much higher resolution, it’s the equivalent of making a transition from 720p to 4K… and with its 3.5mm input, the Adapt works as a rather efficient, high definition dongle too!

Designer: Dense

Click here to Buy Now: $45 $99 (50% off). Hurry, less than 4 days left!

adapt_audio_dac_01

Adapt Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) pushes the limit of our everyday digital devices to its highest audio quality turning smartphones and PCs into an incredibly powerful Hi-Fi audio source device.

adapt_audio_dac_07

With Adapt, you don’t have to listen to a low in quality and volume music or carry another expensive bulky Digital Audio Player (DAP).
Just a single Adapt completely upgrades your audio effortlessly.

adapt_audio_dac_02

Adapt uses the latest ESS 32bit SABRE HiFi DAC with the Triple Filtered Power Supply for the most stable yet dynamic audio experience.

adapt_audio_dac_03

– For MUSIC LOVERS: Have a seat in the middle of a small classic jazz bar at late-night or in a large orchestra hall waiting for the orchestra to finish their tuning.
– For GAMERS: Catch the slightest noise your enemy makes in the wide open grass field.

adapt_audio_dac_05

adapt_audio_dac_04

Left to Right: Adapt Standard, Adapt Reference

adapt_audio_dac_06

– Adapt Reference is for serious music listeners, music producers, hardcore gamers and anyone who wants to fully expand their listening experience.
– Adapt Standard is an affordable Hi-Fi DAC for audiophile beginners and enthusiasts who have interests in better music.

adapt_audio_dac_08

The two temperature compensated crystal oscillators(TCXO) in the Adapt Reference model differentiates itself from other portable audio DAC having more clean and consistent sound just like the high-end audio system.

Adapt Reference has two TCXOs dedicated to 44.1kHz and 48kHz native sampling rates. Dedicated frequency minimizes the even the tiniest error during the sampling rate conversion process.

Adapt’s high precision and high resolution gives you the best sound experience for any audio playback. Even the normal compressed music files and Youtube videos will sound much better.

Adapt can connect to iPhones, Android phones, macOS, Windows PC with a single USB Type C connection. Volume is synced with the source device for an easy user interface.

2Vrms output can drive active speakers and any headphones in the market including high impedance professional headphones.
1.6″ x 0.8″ x 0.4″ (40.5mm x 20mm x 10mm) size and 0.4oz (12g) in weight is made for portability.

adapt_audio_dac_09

Click here to Buy Now: $45 $99 (50% off). Hurry, less than 4 days left!

These robotic ‘trees’ can turn CO2 into concrete

Climate change is killing our planet. The excess production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses are filling the atmosphere and warming the Earth faster than natural processes can effectively negate them. Since 1951, the surface temperature...

SteelSeries’ gaming-friendly DAC is now available by itself

SteelSeries' GameDAC has been a solid way to boost the quality of gaming audio (and virtually any other audio), but there's been a catch: to use it, you've had to buy an Arctis Pro headset rather than bring your own cans. That won't be an issue afte...

USB-C and Lightning headphones aren’t great news for everyone

The 3.5mm port is dying -- at least when it comes to smartphones. If the persistent Lightning headphone rumor wasn't enough to persuade you, the fact that Motorola beat Apple to the punch should be. Motorola's new Moto Z and Moto Z Force don't have t...

Audioengine’s HD6 powered speakers pack Bluetooth and a built-in amp

If you're not familiar with the name Audioengine in regards to speakers and other audio gear, allow us to introduce you. The company may not be a big-name brand, but it has a knack for stellar sounding tech. Adding to its arsenal this week, Audioen...