Product provided for review. None of the links in this article are monetized.
It’s been several years since I last tested a DAC (digital-to-analog converter). These are devices that plug into your phone or handheld device to enhance the sound, if possible. Devices your an iPhone already have a built-in DAC. But they are not all created equally. Some iPhones, for example, support 24-bit/48kHz resolution via USB-C. The Allegro Pro ($59.99 USD) by Kiwi Ears is ultra-compact, all-metal, and plugs directly into your USB-C devices to deliver 32-bit/384kHz resolution.
Design and Build Quality
- No Cable, No Hassle: The direct-plug USB-C design is a game-changer for on-the-go use. It plugs directly into your device keeping your setup incredibly compact. It is especially brilliant for handheld gaming PCs, sits flush against the frame, and eliminates dangling cables that get caught on your hands while playing.
- Robust Chassis: Moving away from plastic housings, the Allegro Pro features a solid, lightweight aluminum enclosure. It feels premium, durable, and is cleverly shaped.
- Outputs: Despite its tiny footprint, it houses both a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced output.
Real-World Performance
For testing, I paired it with the MSI Claw A8 running Bazzite. The Claw A8 is capped at 24-bit/48Khz resolution, as are many devices. As such, the Claw A8’s onboard audio output can sound relatively flat, sterile, and constrained under Bazzite. For those who kept Microsoft Windows as their operating system, MSI offers sound tuning through their MSI Center M. For me, running Bazzite, plugging the Allegro Pro directly into the top USB-C port changed the game entirely:
- Amplification: Equipped with dual ES9603 amplifier modules, the jump in sheer volume and driving power is noticeable and a little jarring at first.
- Expanded Dynamic Range: The sound signature immediately opened up. Instead of the squashed, flat delivery of the onboard chip, the Allegro Pro injects energy, making the quietest details and loudest transitions hit with distinct impact. While playing Under the Island, a Zelda-like 2D action game, I could hear a broader range of sounds such as wind, fire, and my trusty hockey stick swinging.
- Broader, Richer Mids: Midrange frequencies are given the breathing room they deserve. Vocals, instrumentals, and crucial in-game cues (like footsteps or the hockey stick sound significantly broader and more authoritative, pulling them out of the background.
- Zero Battery Anxiety: Despite the massive step up in drive power, it runs entirely on bus power and is incredibly efficient, avoiding the heavy battery drain that can plague portable gaming sessions.
On-Board EQ Modes
A single hardware button on the bottom cycles through three built-in EQ profiles (indicated by an RGB LED on the unit):
- Game Mode (Blue): Optimized for spatial awareness and imaging.
- Movie/Theater Mode (Green): Shifts focus to dialogue clarity.
- Music Mode (Red): Standard high-fidelity listening.
Audio Profile: Clean, Resolving, and Dynamic
While the baseline sound signature of the Allegro Pro is neutral, its ability to expand the stage and muscle up the mids prevents it from sounding clinical.
- Bass: Tightly controlled and punchy. It keeps low-end sound effects clean and fast without bleeding into other frequencies.
- Mids: Broad, forward, and detailed. A massive improvement over standard onboard audio, giving vocal tracks and game soundtracks a physical presence.
- Treble: Energetic and airy. It draws out micro-details and sparkling transients.
Standard iPhones and handhelds cap their onboard audio processing at 24-bit/48kHz, the Allegro Pro blows past those limits. Checkout how the Allegro Pro differs compared to standard onboard audio:
Standard Onboard vs. Allegro Pro
| Audio Feature | Standard iPhone / Handheld | Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro |
| Max Sample Rate | 24-bit / 48kHz | Up to 32-bit / 384kHz |
| DSD Support | None (Software conversion only) | Native DSD64 & DSD128 |
| Output Hardware | Standard 3.5mm (Single-Ended) | 3.5mm Single-Ended & 4.4mm Balanced |
| Amplification Power | Very low (Often struggles with high-impedance gear) | Up to 170mW @ 32 Ohms via Balanced 4.4mm |
Why These Upgrades Matter in Practice
While standard smartphones cap your audio experience, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro unlocks true high-resolution playback by supporting up to 32-bit/384kHz audio and native DSD64/128 decoding, bypassing internal hardware limits to deliver lossless tracks exactly as they were recorded. By stepping up from a standard jack to its 4.4mm balanced output, you benefit from a completely separated electrical architecture that eliminates crosstalk and widens the soundstage. This dedicated path unleashes a massive 170mW of power, transforming flat onboard audio into a deeply immersive, highly dynamic listening experience for both high-fidelity music and portable gaming.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
| Massive volume & dynamic range jump over standard onboard chips | No physical volume wheel on the chassis |
| Perfect flush fit for handhelds like the MSI Claw A8 | Slight sub-bass roll-off on the standard music profile |
| Dual 3.5mm & 4.4mm outputs | USB-C clearance can be tight with thick cases |
| Native plug-and-play on Linux/Bazzite with zero setup |
Who is this for?
For $60, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is an awesome accessory for portable PC gamers and music lovers. You do need to be comfortable with wired headphones, but that’s not a big deal to me if I know I’ll be sitting for a long time. Sometimes when I fly, I like to listen to music and try to zone out. Almost like being in a meditative state. I can’t wait to test these on my next flight! Also, my family often tell me I’m difficult to shop for. If you know any tech geeks who are like that, this is a great gift idea.