So Tone 2 Pro is a DAC with an integrated headphone amplifier, but it’s not meant to be used as a preamp since it doesn’t have a variable line-out. The volume knob provides the hardware volume control over these outs, not influencing a fixed-level line-out. We have a 3.5 mm connector on the single-ended out, and 4.4 mm Pentaconn on the balanced out. I’m not particularly fond of anything custom-made for a specific device, but there you go – a cost-saving solution I suppose.įortunately, things are much more straightforward when it comes to headphone outputs.
But if you want to take the advantage of balanced output, you have to use a custom RCA to XLR adapter, Khadas made especially for this device and its custom balanced pins hidden inside of RCA connectors. It’s all straightforward when it comes to the single-ended part of the story as you’re free to use any existing RCA interconnect cables on the market.
But Khadas went with custom-made RCA connectors that include both single-ended pins, as well as the balanced ones. Wait, what? RCA is not meant for a balanced connection, you say, and you’re entirely correct. This time around we have a selection of both single-ended RCA outs, as well as balanced output through the very same RCA connectors. Now let’s talk about the line-out section first. My only complaint about its form factor is that Tone 2 Pro is a lightweight product, so using it with heavy and/or stiff cables is only possible if you add some sort of weight on top of it to prevent it from being pulled by the cables. Secondly, a balanced connection option is added. First of all, unlike the original Tone Board, Tone 2 Pro packs both the line-out and the headphone amplifier section. Yet, Khadas has found a way to pack it with connectivity options and features. Khadas Tone 2 Pro is a tiny device, and its footprint is not much bigger than that of a credit card. So let’s dig in and see what’s new and improved and if the price difference is justified. In the process, the price took a hike from 99 to 199 USD, but Tone 2 Pro offers much more than the original Tone Board. Khadas took notice of the trend and decided to abandon the board form in favor of a fully finished product. It became very popular as a low-budget DAC, and I personally praised it when it was released as few DACs at that price range could stand against it. Khadas Tone Board was actually intended to be used as a HAT to Khadas’ own VIM boards, computing units similar to Raspberry Pi, but it was also capable of functioning separately, and that’s how most people actually used it.
#Khadas tone2 pro full
As you might have noticed already, Board is omitted from the name this time around, and the reason is pretty simple – Tone 2 Pro is a full device and not just a board without a casing. Khadas Tone 2 Pro is here, and in case you missed it, it’s a successor of the original DAC called Khadas Tone Board.