TRUTHEAR TRUTHEAR SHIO Portable DAC/AMP
The TRUTHEAR SHIO brings a warm, analog-like flow to portable listening, pairing weighty bass with natural timbre and a notably hiss-free background for sensitive IEMs. Headphonesty highlights its fatigue-free musicality, cool-running build, gain control, and dual outputs—while the 4.4mm connection unlocks its strongest, most spacious performance.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
82/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Warm, smooth tuning with natural timbre, satisfying bass extension, and a fatigue-free character.
Exceptionally quiet, hiss-free background suits sensitive IEMs well.
Versatile dual 3.5mm/4.4mm outputs and high/low gain settings; it remains cool during extended use.
The 4.4mm balanced output delivers better sound quality than the single-ended connection.
Cons
Softened note edges, hazy imaging, and limited micro-detail reduce technical transparency.
The 3.5mm output has weaker dynamics, soundstage, and drive than the 4.4mm balanced port.
May struggle to drive demanding headphones and is too warm-colored for neutral purists.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 82/100
The SHIO is voiced for a smooth, warm and relaxed listen rather than maximum technical insight. Its silent background, strong bass extension and improved balanced output are appealing, but the review identifies a veil, softened note edges and reduced dynamics, especially from the single-ended jack.
Transparency Resolution
75/100
Headphonesty found blunted note edges, a veil and blurry imaging, with micro-detail and clarity clearly not the SHIO's priorities. Mid-bass bleed also obscures the lower midrange, further limiting transparency.
Tonal Balance Musicality
86/100
The presentation is described as musical, smooth and laid-back, with no sibilance or fatigue. Its bass is thick, syrupy and strongly emphasized, giving bass-oriented music satisfying thump but making the overall balance distinctly warm and colored.
Dynamics
76/100
The review says the SHIO is not the last word in dynamics, consistent with its placid, relaxed character. Dynamics are reduced further through the 3.5 mm output even when levels are matched against the balanced connection.
Noise Floor
91/100
Headphonesty reports no hiss with highly sensitive transducers and a dark background from both outputs. That makes the SHIO a notably quiet portable option for sensitive earphones as well as conventional headphones.
Headphone Compatibility
84/100
High and low gain settings plus both 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced sockets provide useful flexibility across cable types and headphone sensitivities. The balanced output is the preferred connection for sound quality, while the single-ended output is reported to have less drive and weaker technical performance.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
The SHIO uses a CNC-anodized metal body with a non-removable leatherette wrap, giving this small dongle a more considered finish than a bare plastic adapter. The review also notes reinforcement through glue, screws and staples, though it offers little long-term durability commentary.
Features Usability
87/100
USB-C input, 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced headphone outputs, and selectable high/low gain make this a versatile portable DAC/amp. It remains cool in use, and its compact dual-output layout accommodates both conventional and balanced headphone cables.
Value for Money
85/100
At $69.99, the SHIO offers balanced and single-ended outputs, gain selection and a very low-noise listening experience in an affordable portable format. The review does not directly compare its value against competing dongles or make a firm recommendation on price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Name
- TRUTHEAR SHIO
- D/A Chip
- CS43198 *2pcs
- Sampling Rate (Maximum)
- PCM 44.1kHz - 768kHz | DSD64 - DSD256
- Interface
- Type-C input 3.5mm single-ended output 4.4mm balanced output
- THD+N (@1kHz) (A-WT)
- 3.5mm SE: <0.00025% 4.4mm BAL: <0.0002%
- Output
- 3.5mm SE: 1.4Vrms(Low Gain), 2Vrms (High Gain) 4.4mm BAL: 2Vrms(Low Gain), 4Vrms (High Gain)
- Output Power
- 150mW x2 @32Ω 55mW x2 @300Ω
- SNR
- 130dB (A-WT)
- Dynamic Range
- 130dB (A-WT)
- Frequency Response
- 20-20kHz (±0.1dB)
- Background Noise
- <1.6uVrms (A-WT)
Manufacturer's Description — TRUTHEAR
Pursuing high performance, at all costs. SHIO utilizes the two pcs CS43198 from Cirrus logic, which was only used in high-end DAC amplifiers
SHIO lossless portable DAC amplifier / Dongle
Abundant compatibility of audio format
Features dual CS43198 D/A chips commonly used in flagship products
CNC anodized metal cavity with leather fine-seamless covered
Comes with multi-cable-core USB-C cable
Delivers incredible objective index
Abundant Compatibility of Audio Format
SHIO can easily carry all kinds of audio formats, from 16Bit/44.1kHz to 32Bit/768kHz, and even all kinds of DSD.
High-Performance Dual DAC Chips Architecture (2*CS43198)
Pursuing high performance, at all costs. SHIO utilizes the two pcs CS43198 from Cirrus logic, which was only used in high-end DAC amplifiers!
Dual Output Interfaces
SHIO provides a 3.5mm single-ended output and a 4.4mm balanced output, which fully meets the user’s requirements.
High and Low Gain Mode
Combines with two outputs and two gain modes, SHIO can easily carry most earphones on the market.
Interchangeable Cable Design
SHIO owns USB TYPE-C input, which is compatible with Android devices, iOs devices, laptop and desktop PC.
It enables to work with corresponding devices by replacing the cable, such as connecting Android devices and laptop with TYPE-C interface, or even desktop computers with TYPE-C interface.
Windows users need to install the driver.
iOS users can purchase the TYPE-C TO LIGHTNING camera adapter.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
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Authorized dealers for TRUTHEAR TRUTHEAR SHIO Portable DAC/AMP
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- Headphones.com — online and in-store — Portland, Oregon, United States (website)
- Shenzhenaudio — online and in-store — Long Gang Qu, Guang Dong Sheng, China (website)
- Star Picker — in-store — Sea Park, Selangor, Malaysia (website)