Chapter 1: Introduction to the Khadas Tea

I was quite surprised to receive the Khadas Tea, a sleek Hi-Res Audio DAC, as I don't recall signing up for its Indiegogo campaign. After using it for about 5-6 months, it has become a staple in my setup alongside my Sony WHXB900N headphones. While I don't use it constantly, I appreciate having it nearby for those moments when I want to immerse myself in music.

With Apple now offering Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless streaming on Apple Music, it feels natural to connect the Tea to my phone, enhancing my experience with my Sony headphones. However, I can't shake the feeling that my headphones, although fantastic, might not fully showcase the Tea's potential sound quality.

Nonetheless, I do perceive a noticeable difference when listening via the DAC compared to Bluetooth. It's been a while since I connected my WHXB900N directly to my iPhone, so perhaps the direct connection is improving my listening experience.

One significant advantage of the DAC is its ability to produce higher volume levels. While this doesn’t necessarily enhance audio quality, it certainly contributes to my enjoyment, as I prefer listening to music at elevated volumes. I'm not keen on the debate surrounding whether such setups genuinely enhance sound quality; I simply know that using the Tea with my iPhone and headphones offers benefits.

Chapter 2: Hardware Features of the Khadas Tea

The Khadas Tea boasts distinctive features tailored for iPhone 12 and later models. With MagSafe compatibility, it can easily attach to the back of your phone, resulting in a streamlined setup that doesn’t add noticeable bulk. I've used it attached to my iPhone 13 Pro while working at my desk, walking, and even mowing the lawn, and it has remained unobtrusive.

To connect your phone and headphones to the Tea, you can either use a USB-C to Lightning cable or Bluetooth. It seems Khadas promotes the Bluetooth option heavily, as their marketing materials often show the Tea connected wirelessly. Personally, I prefer the simplicity of a wired connection.

A minor annoyance is the Tea’s tendency to blink blue as soon as it's powered on, indicating it's seeking a Bluetooth connection. This can be frustrating, as I usually want to connect it directly to my phone. Once I power it up, the light shifts to yellow, indicating PCM Mode, and my headphones start playing music.

The design, featuring a striking blue color and aluminum finish, gives the Tea a premium feel, while its tactile buttons enhance the user experience. The left button serves multiple functions, including power and call management, while the right buttons control volume and track navigation. However, I typically adjust settings via my phone once connected.

The first video, "Khadas Tea Review," offers insights into the product's features and performance, showcasing how it can elevate your audio experience.

Chapter 3: Audio Performance with the Khadas Tea

To clarify, I'm not an audiophile and lack the technical jargon to articulate whether the highs, mids, or lows are improved with the Tea. Nevertheless, I genuinely feel that music sounds better through my headphones with the Tea connected, although I wouldn’t say it's indispensable.

My AirPods Pro remain my go-to headphones for general use, as they provide convenience, especially with Apple’s Dolby Atmos feature available on many albums. While that’s often sufficient for enjoyable listening, I believe the Tea offers an enhanced experience.

One ongoing frustration is the varying audio formats available on Apple Music. For example, Dolby Atmos is automatically enabled, regardless of the headphone type in use. When an album offers both Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Lossless, I prefer using the latter with the Tea for an optimal experience.

Navigating the settings can be challenging. I discovered that I must disable Dolby Atmos and set the Audio Quality to Hi-Res Lossless, hoping the album downloads in that format. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always succeed, and Apple Music sometimes fails to display anything on the Now Playing screen.

Perhaps alternative apps like Tidal, which may offer more customization options, would be better suited for high-resolution audio. I haven’t yet explored other applications, but the necessity of adjusting settings in Apple Music contributes to the overall frustration. An app with more user-friendly tools would greatly enhance the experience.

The second video, "REVIEW! The Khadas Tea had one job..." discusses the challenges and benefits of using this DAC in daily audio scenarios.

Chapter 4: Conclusion

In summary, while I don't use the Khadas Tea daily, it has become an essential part of my audio setup with my WHXB900N headphones. Its slim profile and long-lasting battery make it easy to carry without much thought, fitting neatly in my headphone case.

During 2020, while working from home, I rediscovered my love for music. I’ve had these Sony headphones for over a year and have no plans to replace them, as they provide a sound experience I cherish. With the addition of the Khadas Tea, I feel that my overall audio experience has reached new heights.