ddHiFi m198c USB-C Cable

Premium Cable with a Secret Superpower

The ddHiFi M198C appears at first glance to be just a high-quality USB-C cable, but it harbors a nice hidden capability that sets it apart from similar luxury cables. This premium cable not only delivers excellent audio quality with its integrated CS43198 DAC chip but also functions as a PEQ tuning device, enabling parametric EQ capabilities.

So, having spent a few weeks using the M198C with various IEMs shells (including some Truthear and Kiwi Ears classic IEMs), I have really enjoyed its versatility.

At $109.99, it’s not a cheap cable, but the M198C offers a nice combination of premium materials, excellent sound quality, and hidden PEQ capabilities.

But before I get into the sound details, let’s look at what you get out of the box:

Unboxing and Build Quality

The ddHiFi M198C comes in elegant packaging that reflects the premium nature of the product:

The back of the box provides a detailed overview of the technical specifications:

Upon opening the box, you can see how the cable is presented inside:

Here’s the cable in its packaging:

Upon removing the cable from its packaging, the quality of materials is immediately apparent. The M198C features a cloth material covering that, while providing a premium look and feel, can tangle a little too easily - one of the few minor drawbacks of this otherwise excellent cable:

The complete package includes:

• The M198C USB-C cable with integrated DAC
• Documentation and warranty information

Premium Construction

The M198C’s build quality is exceptional, with ddHiFi using extremely high-quality materials throughout to justify its premium price point. The cable features 5N monocrystalline copper braided wiring, ensuring excellent signal transmission and durability.

The connectors are meticulously crafted, with the USB-C connector housing the CS43198 DAC chip:

On the other end, the 2-pin connector is thoughtfully designed to be adaptable to recessed 2-pin connectors on IEM shells, providing excellent versatility:

The cable features a microphone button and splitter, enhancing its functionality for calls and media control:

Both connectors are visible in this image, showcasing the cable’s dual functionality:

The Secret Superpower: WalkPlay Compatibility

While the M198C is an excellent cable in its own right, its true distinction lies in a capability that ddHiFi seems hesitant to market prominently: full compatibility with the WalkPlay ecosystem. This “secret superpower” effectively transforms the cable into a powerful PEQ-capable device similar to dedicated products like the Moondrop FreeDSP.

When connected, the WalkPlay website (https://peq.szwalkplay.com/) recognizes the M198C as a ddHiFi Memory device:

Similarly, the WalkPlay Android app identifies the cable, providing access to its full range of parametric EQ capabilities:

This WalkPlay compatibility, in my opinion, adds significant value to the cable by providing sophisticated PEQ capabilities. However, since it is not enabled by default, if you don’t want to use it won’t affect your listening experience with the M198C.

The cable appears to be recognized as a ddHiFi Memory device, which makes sense given that it likely shares similar internal architecture, except that this cable can be removed from IEMs and connected to different ones as needed. The ddHiFi Memory had its cable permanently attached and was already tuned to an excellent JM-1 target, but the M198C provides the flexibility to tune your sound however you prefer.

Support for M198C in other measurements DB supporting devicePEQ

I have also added support for the PEQ with my devicePEQ plugin on my IEM measurement database, for example this link here will give a Truthear Zer Red a more JM-1 ‘warmer’ tonality. If you connect the M198C to your browser (Chrome or Edge) and connect and then push the PEQ settings I have in the link above it should give you a feel for the JM-1 target with the Truthear Zero Red.

This is why I feel the M198C has a hidden superpower.

Sound Impressions

But ignoring the PEQ capabilities and just using the default ’neutral’ tuning, the M198C delivers impressive audio quality, powered by its integrated CS43198 DAC chip when connected to most IEMs.

Again, I decided to use the Truthear Zero Red as I imagine everyone has in their collection, but I listened without any PEQ enabled for these sound impressions.

Bass

The bass response is clean and controlled exactly as I expected from the Truthear Zero Red:

• Good extension into the sub-bass region
• Tight and articulate bass presentation
• Natural decay characteristics with no artificial boosting
• Excellent dynamic range for impactful bass passages

Test Tracks:

• “Massive Attack - Angel”: The deep bass notes are presented with appropriate weight and texture.
• “James Blake - Limit to Your Love”: The sub-bass drops maintain clarity and definition without bloat.

Midrange

The midrange presentation is detailed and natural:

• Excellent vocal clarity and articulation
• Natural instrument timbre and tonal accuracy
• Good separation in complex arrangements
• Transparent character that faithfully reproduces recordings

Test Tracks:

• “Norah Jones - Don’t Know Why”: Vocals are presented with natural warmth and intimacy.
• “The Eagles - Hotel California (Live)”: The acoustic guitars have excellent textural detail and separation.

Treble

The treble extends well with good detail:

• Clean high-frequency presentation with good air
• No harshness or sibilance on properly recorded tracks
• Fine detail retrieval that enhances spatial cues
• Smooth yet detailed character

Test Tracks:

• “Diana Krall - Temptation”: The cymbal work shows natural decay and shimmer without becoming strident.
• “Yosi Horikawa - Bubbles”: The high-frequency details of the bouncing balls are precisely rendered.

Soundstage & Imaging

The M198C lets the Truthear Zero Red shine with an impressive spatial presentation for an in-cable DAC with perfect channel balance and no distortion to ruin the spatial presentation you should expect from the Truthear Zero Red:

• Good width extending beyond the headphone drivers
• Precise instrument positioning
• Natural spatial cues that enhance the listening experience
• Excellent separation of elements in complex recordings

Test Tracks:

• “Amber Rubarth - Sessions from the 17th Ward”: The binaural recording showcases excellent spatial capabilities.
• “Pink Floyd - Time”: The clock sounds at the beginning are distinctly positioned within the soundstage.

Technical Specifications

Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications:

The output power is comparable to an Apple USB-C dongle, making it sufficient for driving most IEMs effectively. While not as powerful as dedicated DAC/amp dongles, its power output is entirely appropriate for its intended use with IEMs.

Rating Explanation

I’ve given the ddHiFi M198C a pragmatic rating of 4/5 stars for several compelling reasons:

Strengths:

• Premium Build Quality: Exceptional materials and construction throughout
• Hidden PEQ Capability: The WalkPlay compatibility adds significant value
• Versatile Connectivity: Adaptable 2-pin connector works with various IEM designs
• Microphone Support: Integrated microphone and controls enhance usability
• Sound Quality: The CS43198 DAC delivers excellent audio performance

The M198C isn’t the cheapest cable, but with its PEQ capabilities and its exceptional build quality, premium materials, and versatile functionality, I think it can justify its price point for many users.

Conclusion

What sets the M198C apart is its dual nature: on the surface, it’s a beautifully crafted, high-quality USB-C cable with an integrated DAC, but beneath that lies the powerful WalkPlay compatibility that I think transforms it into a versatile PEQ device. This duality makes it a special cable.

For users who value both premium materials and sound customization capabilities, the ddHiFi M198C represents an excellent investment that bridges the gap between simple cables and dedicated audio devices.