Soncie Meory SA500 Portable DAC/Amp

Compact Powerhouse: Exceptional Performance in a Tiny Package

The Soncie Meory SA500 is a compact USB DAC/Amp that delivers impressive power and performance in a tiny, lightweight package. Weighing just 16 grams, this diminutive device packs enough power to drive demanding headphones like the Hifiman Sundara while maintaining excellent sound quality and a clean, detailed presentation.

Priced at $72.99, the SA500 competes directly with popular portable DAC/Amps like the Fosi Audio DS2 and iBasso Macaron, offering similar performance characteristics but with some unique advantages. With both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, high-resolution audio support, and broad compatibility across operating systems, the SA500 represents excellent value for those seeking a portable audio upgrade.

Unboxing and Accessories

The Soncie Meory SA500 comes in a clean, professional package that reflects its positioning as a premium portable audio device:

The back of the box provides additional information about the product:

Opening the box reveals the DAC/Amp nestled securely inside:

Everything is nicely secured in a small portable box:

Opening this box reveals the complete package actually includes 2 separate usb-c cables:

• Soncie Meory SA500 DAC/Amp
• USB-C to USB-A adapter
• 2 short USB-C to USB-C cables
• User manual
• Warranty card

The accessory package is minimal but includes everything needed to get started with the device across various connection scenarios.

Design and Build Quality

The SA500 features an elegant, minimalist design with a premium metal housing that feels substantial despite its tiny size:

At just 16 grams, it’s remarkably lightweight yet doesn’t feel flimsy. The build quality is excellent, with a solid, seamless construction that inspires confidence in its durability.

The device features a USB-C input on one end:

And both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs on the other:

The SA500 includes a simple LED indicator that shows the sampling rate of the audio being played, with different colors representing different rates. The device also features physical buttons for volume control and other functions:

Overall, the design is practical and functional, prioritizing performance and usability in a compact form factor.

Features and Performance

The Soncie Meory SA500 offers an impressive feature set for its size and price point:

Connectivity

The device features USB-C input and dual outputs (3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced), providing flexibility for different headphone terminations. The balanced output delivers significantly more power, making it ideal for more demanding headphones.

Compatibility

The SA500 works seamlessly across multiple platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• iOS
• Android

This broad compatibility makes it a versatile companion for various devices.

For some details, here is SA500 connected to my Macbook showing its impressive high-res credentials:

Audio Support

The SA500 supports high-resolution audio formats:

• PCM up to 32bit/384kHz
• DSD64/128/256

This comprehensive format support ensures compatibility with virtually any digital audio source you might have in your library.

Power Output

One of the most impressive aspects of the SA500 is its power output relative to its size:

• Single-ended output: 128mW at 32Ω
• Balanced output: 510mW at 32Ω

This is sufficient to drive a wide range of headphones, including more demanding models like the Hifiman Sundara, which I tested extensively with this device.

Headphone Compatibility and “Practical” Measurements

Rather than compare DAC Amp SINAD charts, I thought for this review it might be more fun to see how well does this DAC Amp (and a few other portable DAC amps) perform when driving a real headphone to loud ‘90+ dbSPL’ volumes and then measure the output from that the headphone to see if it is still transparent.

This is to remove most of that typical uncertainty that I read when people just read DAC or Amplifier measurements (i.e. ‘but how will it perform with my XXXX headphone’).

So over at AudioScienceReview Amir has been putting together an interesting graph of how hard it is to drive any headphone that he has measured. It is becoming a very extensive and interesting list covering most of the ’normal’ headphones (and many very expensive ‘high end’ headphones). Here is the latest version of that chart:

For those interested, here is the source of this version of the list from his DCA Noise X review: DCA Noire X review

So I thought I should use a headphone from the bottom end of this chart as a good ’test’ of these DACs, so I picked the Hifiman Sundara. So here is that section of the list zoomed:

As you can hopefully that, I thought the Hifiman Sundara was a good ‘challenging’ part of this chart and a good match for the SA500.

So let’s see how the SA500 does? The following was the Sundara Frequency response, which was as transparent as the other amplifiers I measured the Sundara with:

And here are those other dongles when I measured them:

Yes, this was only 58% of the volume, so plenty of headroom for even more demanding headphones. For comparison the Apple USB-C dongle was at 98% to get to a similar SPL. The Fosi Audio DS2 and the iBasso Macaron did result in a similar result, so ultimately all these dongles have surprising powerful output for their price points.

Sound Quality

The Soncie Meory SA500 delivers clean, detailed sound with excellent technical performance across the frequency spectrum.

Bass

The bass response is tight and controlled, with good extension and minimal distortion. There’s no artificial boost here - the SA500 presents bass as it exists in the recording, with good texture and detail. The device maintains its composure even with bass-heavy tracks, showing no signs of compression or distortion at reasonable volume levels.

Midrange

The midrange presentation is neutral and transparent, allowing vocals and instruments to shine through with natural timbre. There’s excellent clarity and detail retrieval in this crucial frequency range, making for an engaging listening experience across various genres.

Treble

The treble is extended and detailed without becoming harsh or fatiguing. The SA500 strikes a good balance here, providing enough sparkle and air to create a sense of space and dimension without crossing into sibilance territory.

Soundstage & Imaging

For a portable DAC/Amp, the SA500 creates a surprisingly spacious soundstage with good width and depth. Imaging is precise, allowing for accurate placement of instruments and vocals within the sonic landscape. The black background (low noise floor) contributes to this sense of space and separation between elements in complex recordings.

Specifications and Internal Architecture

The internal architecture of the device reveals thoughtful design choices that contribute to its performance:

Key technical specifications include:

• Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥130dB (32Ω/A-weighted/single-ended)
• Output noise: <3.1uV (balanced/A-weighted)
• THD+N: 0.0002% (32Ω/single-ended/balanced)
• Dynamic range: 113dB
• Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz

These specifications translate to real-world performance that exceeds expectations for a device in this price range.

Comparisons

Here is the SA500 with a few other similar dongle DAC that I have reviewed recently, the Fosi Audio DS2 and the FiiO KA15:

The most similar is the Fosi Audio DS2, that dongle is also having excellent performance, but the Soncie Meory SA500, if bought in a bundle, offers better value for money. The FiiO is more expensive but does offer a screen and PEQ capabilities.

Here are some more dongles I compared the SA500 with, including the FiiO Retro Nano and KA17 as well as the iBasso Macaron and the venerable Qudelix 5K:

Specifications

Here’s a comprehensive list of the SA500’s specifications:

• Rated single-ended output power: 128mW/32Ω
• Rated balanced output power: 510mW/32Ω
• Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥130dB (32Ω/A-weighted/single-ended)
• Output noise: <3.1uV (balanced/A-weighted)
• THD+N: 0.0002% (32Ω/single-ended/balanced)
• Dynamic range: 113dB
• Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Impedance range: 16Ω-300Ω
• DSD: 64/128/256
• PCM: 32bit/384kHz
• Weight: approximately 16g
• Input interface: USB2.0 Type-C
• Output interface: 3.5mm/4.4mm
• Compatibility: MacOS/Windows/iOS/Android

Rating Explanation

I’ve given the Soncie Meory SA500 a 5-star pragmatic rating for several reasons:

• Sound Quality: The SA500 delivers clean, detailed sound with excellent technical performance across the frequency spectrum
• Power Output: Impressive power delivery for its size, especially through the balanced output
• Build Quality: Excellent construction with premium materials
• Value: At $72.99, it offers great performance for the price (even better when bundled)

The device earns a 5-star price rating due to its exceptional value proposition, offering performance that competes with more expensive alternatives.

Conclusion

The Soncie Meory SA500 is an impressive portable DAC/Amp that delivers excellent performance in a tiny, lightweight package. With enough power to drive demanding headphones, support for high-resolution audio formats, and broad compatibility across operating systems, it represents outstanding value at its $72.99 price point.

The bundle option with the SW500H IEM at $125.99 deserves special mention, offering a complete portable audio solution at a very competitive price. For those looking to upgrade their portable audio experience without breaking the bank, the SA500 is easy to recommend.

Whether you’re a casual listener seeking better sound quality on the go or an audiophile looking for a compact, powerful DAC/Amp for travel, the Soncie Meory SA500 delivers performance that belies its diminutive size and modest price.