Zorloo Ztella

Hong Kong-based Zorloo claims the Ztella is the world’s smallest USB DAC with high-end audio capability, thanks to its 11cm length, 5g weight and ability to render hi-res music files up to PCM 384khz, DSD 5.6 and in MQA. It looks like a headphone adaptor, but this is a USB DAC costing $99 in MQA form, or $109 for the Lightning adapter. (At the time of writing, it can only be purchased directly from Zorloo.com).

Plug in and play

Zorloo describes the Ztella as plug-inand-play; Android users, however, may need to download the USB Audio Player Pro app, which allows the Ztella to recognise and render the MQA signal.

The Ztella incorporates a headphone amp that analyses whatever you plug into it and optimises its output to match – the company claims it can output more than twice the power of a standard smartphone. If you want to pause the music and make a call, Zorloo makes sure your in-line controls and mic are still active when plugged into the DAC.

As for the other end of the Ztella, the standard connection is USB Type-c, which covers most modern kit. A USB Type-a adapter is included for use with older hardware, and a lightning adapter is also available for the iphone.

Take care with headphone pairing – the Ztella will emphasise any brightness or top-heavy presentation, which can be wearing during long listening sessions.

Cleanliness is one of the Ztella’s most abundant virtues, but it’s immediately noticeable how confident and playful it sounds. It does quiet and sombre reflection without sounding like it wants to go faster, but the Zorloo certainly feels most at home with upbeat tracks.

We have tested plenty of USB stick-like equivalents, and while they are different prospects, the good news for Zorloo is that the sound is broadly comparable. Class-leading DACS that currently retail around the price of the Zorloo Ztella, such as the Cyrus soundkey or Audioquest Dragonfly Red, will give a more fluid sense of dynamics and perhaps also offer more body, but they don’t overshadow this talented DAC.

Although similar, the Ztella is a fundamentally different product to those USB DACS, and even with the extra software Android users have to download and the care needed with pairing, its five-star status is secured. If you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off it, this is a no brainer.