Due to its unique circumstances, the USB-C to 3.5 DAC market will always be in an interesting spot. Well, as interesting as a DAC market can be at least. When perusing the category, both casual and veteran listeners might question the value of investing beyond the bare minimum and underneath more powerful wired or portable DAC/Amps. Within this hypothetical medium exists the Strauss & Wagner SignalPure. As its most affordable 32-bit offering, Strauss & Wagner aims to provide a compromise for Apple dongle truthers and seasoned audiophiles with a visible quality jump absent any extraneous features.
Can the SignalPure carve its own lane amongst these aforementioned alternatives? How does it fare in isolation?
Build Design
Opting for a familiar but distinct design, the SignalPure conveys its superior quality and straightforward use through a streamlined presentation. Using shiny metals and translucent coatings, Strauss & Wagner keeps its tougher imagery less geometric than their other DACs for a more futuristic feel. It feels smooth and sturdy to the touch, certainly more durable than the standard plastic dongle. If I had to be negative anywhere, some of the colored wiring is visual if you look from certain angles, slightly hurting the advanced illusion the SignalPure is going for.
Audio Design
Central to the SignalPure is its 32-bit DAC resolution, pushing performance beyond a standard 3.5mm conversion. Strauss & Wagner advertises its particular technology to polish existing audio whilst opening it up to both dynamic and stage improvements. The DAC is designed to be functional with a majority of devices, enabling connection between a majority of smartphones, tablets, and computers. Significantly, Strauss & Wagner ensures the SignalPure is functional with Apple products, an issue which plagues many a third-party manufacturer.
General Testing
To uncover its practical quality, I used the Sennheiser IE 600 and Meze 105 Silva, as their signatures and sensitivity made me confident I could acutely notice tonal differences. For music specifically, I streamed Tidal through my laptop, conveniently granting access to a stock 3.5mm audio jack to directly switch between.
Fortunately, the SignalPure makes its strengths clear. Bass opens up to feel a tad more dynamic, cleaning up deep rumbles which were previously absent or muddy. Harsh highs become less grating and more gratifying, and staging blows outward like a bubble to better define placement and layering. While not the sheer night-and-day difference of something super premium, it is absolutely a noticeable upgrade from the standard jack.
Sennheiser’s IEM came out of this deal especially well. A detail empowering DAC like the SignalPure paired perfectly with its natural, musical sound. Akin to icing on a cake, Strauss & Wagner’s DAC enunciated its impactful lows, and opened its more clinical highs to some fluidity. Beyond just its USB-C utility, the SignalPure actualized the power of the IE 600, directly cleaning up its analog conversion.
The Silva certainly saw similar notes of excellence, but left me wanting a bit more power. Meze’s headphone is definitely sensitive enough alone, itself being packaged with its own USB-C DAC. Stage empowerment and polar accents were present, but headroom was a tad less than I usually like. If this is how I feel regarding something as sensitive as the Silva, I imagine other hungrier headphones might be dampened by the SignalPure’s lack of dedicated power. Granted, I am being nitpicky for the sake of transparency, and most will likely be satisfied using the SignalPure for more sensitive headphones.
External Comparison
As getting a complete picture of a DAC’s quality is a bit tricky in a vacuum, I tested two other DAC ranges alongside the SignalPure to get a complete picture of its strengths. I found Apple’s baseline dongle and the iFi GO Link 2 DAC/Amp as sufficient polar representatives for the SignalPure’s aforementioned competitor categories.
Next to Apple’s dongle, this was no contest. The SignalPure opened these devices to far greater sound profiles, where Apple’s dongle truly felt like just a USB-C converter. Understandably, the 32-bit processing capabilities enabled a better connection than Apple’s default. As a direct upgrade, the SignalPure absolutely exceeds expectations.
With the GO Link 2, arguments exist for both. Specifically, I found the SignalPure better suited the IE 600, and the GO Link 2 was nicer for the Silva. Universally, its empowerment to the soundstage was more angular, which felt less natural than the SignalPure. This evidently dampened the IE 600’s transparent tone, but better defined the Silva’s already expansive soundstage. In addition, the GO Link 2’s extra power provides the space I was looking for in the Silva, but was absolutely overkill on the IE 600.
Final Verdict
For anyone looking for convenience and quality, the SignalPure is a great improvement on the standard dongle. With wide accessibility, 32-bit capabilities, and strong build, Strauss & Wagner provides a highly competent device in a wonderfully compact frame. For a simple DAC to bring your sensitive IEMs and headphones on the go, I can think of few better options at this price. As devices get more powerful, however, seeking a portable DAC/Amp might be the better choice.
You can find the Strauss & Wagner SignalPure on their official website, as well as retailers like Audio46.
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