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Audio Bolt DAC/AMP, USB-C Portable High-End DAC/Headphone Amplifier with MQA Playback. Mobile Studio Sound for Android, iOS and PC. USB-C to 3.5mm Audio, THX Certified
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | HELM |
Interface Type | USB |
Product Dimensions | 4"L x 0.25"W |
Material | Aluminum |
About this item
- STUDIO GRADE PORTABLE DIGITAL ANALOG CONVERTOR WITH MQA: BOLT delivers studio sound on the go from any mobile device across all listening formats. Supports MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) streaming for unparalleled fidelity in portable audio. Compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, and PC’s. May require extra adapters or third party apps for MQA support.
- HIGHEST FIDELITY SOUND: MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) rendering “unfolds” every detail of the original master recording as the artist and engineers intended it to be heard for better-than-CD audio resolutions. Stream MQA content from TIDAL, nugs.net, and Xiami. MQA Certified.
- SMARTPHONE, TABLET, MAC & PC COMPATIBLE: USB-C input to a 3.5mm Headphone Output supporting playback of PCM files with sampling rates up to 384 kHz, or DSD files with sampling frequencies up to 5.6MHz. The 3.5mm audio jack seamlessly connects to your wired headphones or speaker system. Note: An adapter is required if you do not have a 3.5mm input jack.
- AMPLIFIED AUDIO OUTPUT & HEADPHONE OUTPUT LEVEL MATCHING: Provides an average increase of +6 dB in devices with combined USB-audio output (where a dedicated headphone audio output isn’t available). Headphone output level automatically detects headphone impedance and sets level accordingly (1V for 150 ohms).
- THX CERTIFIED AUDIO OUTPUT: Exclusively designed for ultra-low harmonic, crosstalk & crossover distortion. Unlike other mobile MQA-DAC designs, the HELM BOLT physically isolates the DAC from the USB connector for improved EMI isolation, and uses a three oscillator design for superior frequency lock with dramatic improvements over single oscillator DAC designs.
- Android 12 Devices: Some Android 12 devices may experience low volume levels using the BOLT. The fix is to upgrade to new firmware found on the HELM Audio Support Page
- HELM Exclusive Mobile HiFi Bundle Bolt DAC and F2 Planar Magnetic Dual Driver in-Ear HeadphonesThis bundle contains 2 items
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Product details
- Product Dimensions : 4 x 0.25 x 0.25 inches; 1 ounces
- Item model number : HMQA-100B
- Department : womens
- Date First Available : June 24, 2020
- Manufacturer : HELM
- ASIN : B086GK94X2
- Best Sellers Rank: #133,136 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
- #159 in Headphone Amps
- Customer Reviews:
Product Description
HELM BOLT DAC/AMP
MOBILE MQA-CERTIFIED USB DIGITAL ANALOG CONVERTER
The High Definition Digital Analog Converter with MQA rendering technology to bring studio quality audio to your phone. Plug & Play on Your Favorite Mobile Device for Incredible Studio Quality Audio. Stream MQA content from Tidal, Nugs and Xiami.
INCREDIBLE SOUND
The HELM BOLT is a High-End Digital Analog Converter for your high-res FLAC or WAV files, and it will improve audio quality while streaming Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and others. Enjoy playback of PCM files with sampling rates up to 384 kHz, or DSD files with sampling frequencies up to 5.6MHz.
MASTER QUALITY AUTHENTICATED
Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) is an award-winning technology that unlocks every detail of the original master recording with the convenience of streaming audio. MP3s deliver 10% of the original recording quality, but the HELM BOLT can stream MQA music at over 8 times the sampling rate of CD.
What's in the box
Videos
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Mobile THX Power! HELM Audio DB12 AAAMP Review
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Get More From Your Audio With This Device!
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HELM Audio BOLT Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier
HELM Audio Inc
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality and descriptiveness of the electronic signal converter. For example, they mention it provides extra clarity, has a deep bass, and high resolution mobile sound. That said, opinions are mixed on performance, value, and quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the electronic signal converter. Some say that the sound is passable, but not great. They say that it provides cleaner and more detailed sound than Dragonfly Black. They also say that high resolution mobile sound from your phone, tablet or PC is much deeper than what comes directly from the computer or iPad. Some mention that the bit rates work great and the headphones are very loud. Overall, most are satisfied with the sound performance and recommend the product to others.
"...from Helm and a great pair of headphones provide the best possible listening experience." Read more
".../IEM's but for me using the 1More Quad Driver IEMs the separation and sound stage is nice, it's more intimate than spacious but the details are easy..." Read more
"...The bass is much deeper than what comes directly from the computer or iPad and it is clear. No mud here...." Read more
"...It is somewhere around the Oppo and has a very analytical, ESS typical sound, far and away better than the Razer or other things while not as clean..." Read more
Customers find the sound of the electronic signal converter pretty hi-end hifi clarity. They say it adequately represents the detail, imaging, and holographic qualities. Customers also say the midrange is full, deep, and detailed, and the highs sound right. They also mention that the details are easy to hear and the spectrum follows suit. Overall, customers are satisfied with the descriptiveness of the product.
"...sound stage is nice, it's more intimate than spacious but the details are easy to hear, the only con to these is the volume is slightly lower with..." Read more
"...much deeper than what comes directly from the computer or iPad and it is clear. No mud here...." Read more
"...SE 535's on my Asus: deeper bass, better instrument separation, a bit clearer and a wider soundstage...." Read more
"...It is somewhere around the Oppo and has a very analytical, ESS typical sound, far and away better than the Razer or other things while not as clean..." Read more
Customers appreciate the size of the electronic signal converter. They mention that it is very small, has an amazingly small foot print, and is a great DAC.
"...little beast is simply perfect of you use Tidal Master on Android 11: small, with nice power and a great sound upgrade...." Read more
"...It’s small, very small.That’s the only plus." Read more
"...The BOLT is small, light, and sounds great!!" Read more
"...Nice full sound. It's so small I can pack it in my IEM headphone case. Nice match with Moondrop Aria or Kato." Read more
Customers find the electronic signal converter easy to use. They mention it's easy to install and plug-and-play.
"...This product surpasses them all by a long stretch. It could not be easier to use - simply plug into a USB C port, plug in your headphones, and you..." Read more
"It's plug-and-play. It does MQA, I'm not really a fan but if you're listening to Tidal Master files it's better to have it than not...." Read more
"Music sounds much better, thanks to this device. Easy to install." Read more
"Easy to use and fantastic sound with Tidal HiFi MQA !..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the electronic signal converter. Some mention that it works like a charm, works well on an Apple device, and does great with Tidal, while others say that it rarely works, stopped working after literally 30 minutes of use, and is useless on Android.
"...Couldn't get it to work after that, returned and ordered a replacement...." Read more
"...Of course it does work great with Tidal so long as you also install UAPP (full functionality for UAPP with MQA cost about $10) though I have a lot..." Read more
"...If you use Tidal with Android 12, it is useless. Not working anymore, Tidal just don't send the signal, or Bolt doesn't get it...both the company..." Read more
"Sound quality was good. However stopped working after 5 months with very little use.Update:..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the electronic signal converter. Some mention it's worth every penny, an excellent sounding DAC for the price, and an amazing portable DAC. However, others say that it'll not be worth it, is useless, and disappointing.
"...These items from Helm and a great pair of headphones provide the best possible listening experience." Read more
"Very disappointing. Sounded great when it worked...." Read more
"...Value for the money is unbeatable!If you use Tidal with Android 12, it is useless...." Read more
"...For a Very Reasonable $100 Price Tab The HELM Bolt D.A.C./Amp Is Well Worth It and Recommended." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the electronic signal converter. Some mention it's a solid little DAC that runs hot, is durable, and is future-proof. However, others say that it seems defective, fraying after 3 months, and completely falling apart.
"...They're not great and only last two weeks to two months but most of them get the job done.4...." Read more
"It’s a great portable DAC that doesn’t require constant adjustments to get the great sound that DACs provide...." Read more
"...The This thing is CRAP. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. YOUR PHONE WILL SOUND LIKE CRAP WITH THIS BOLT. Don't waste your money...." Read more
"...when I got it but unfortunately after 3 months the cable is starting to fray...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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The sound quality is better than anything else I have tried. The bass is much deeper than what comes directly from the computer or iPad and it is clear. No mud here. You can clearly distinguish the bass drum from the bass guitar. The rest of the spectrum follows suit - mids are clear and highs sparkle. You can hear the slight reverb present in most songs that you do not hear without this product.
Do yourself a favor. If you want to listen to high quality music on any device with a USB C port, buy this DAC.
If you plan on using this with your laptop the sound quality boost is worth it - at least it was for mine. I don't know if it's $100 worth it but it's close enough. It definitely made a noticeable and pleasing difference using my Shure SE 535's on my Asus: deeper bass, better instrument separation, a bit clearer and a wider soundstage. Using this with a phone is a whole different beast (as it will be for ALL portable DAC's) as I will explain now.
For Android, the Helm Bolt doesn't work well with Spotify - the volume is far too low and there's nothing to be done about it. Of course it does work great with Tidal so long as you also install UAPP (full functionality for UAPP with MQA cost about $10) though I have a lot of issues with all this which I will list bellow.
1. I don't like Tidal. Though they technically have more songs, a large number are simply repeats and if you listen to any genera that tends to have a lot of remixes, Tidal's selection is far worse than Spotify's. There are other reasons I don't like Tidal but let's move on.
2. UAPP's User interface is terrible and you have to use it to get the benefit on the Helm Bolt. This is a big deal as playing music through UAPP is a messy and sometimes frustrating ordeal.
3. MQA is no better than Spotify premium's highest sound quality. MQA is just another form of file compression and comparing MQA tracks to the same track on Spotify (on the highest quality setting) revealed that most of the time I actually preferred the Spotify track. It can depend on the specific song but it isn't any better, it's just different and often meant less bass and less "energy".
4. Whatever you do, DON'T pay for Tidal HiFi. I cannot stress this enough. It's not worth it. MQA isn't better, and even if it was, only about one fourth of my transferred library has MQA as an option. Basically, a vast amount of Tidal's tracks are not MQA. In other words, you'll be paying an extra $10/month for something that (a) doesn't necessarily improve how a song actually sounds, and (b) is frustrating because it often isn't available for a lot of your songs. If you don't believe me that's okay - you can use it for free for 30 days and make up your own mind.
5. Volume cannot be changed via the in-line controls on my earbud cables. However, I can play/pause and skip songs, which is nice.
If you like Tidal and don't mind the UI on UAPP, the Helm Bolt does a great job, if you use Spotify it is essentially useless. But if you're like me, the only reason you're looking for a product like this is because smartphone manufacturers are doing away with the 3.5mm jack. If this is the issue you're trying to solve and you don't want to switch from Spotify I have a few options for you:
1. Buy a Sony Xperia phone - they are awesome phones, they have the 3.5mm jack, and they care about quality sound (I'm waiting until the Xperia 5 iii comes out and will suffer through it until then).
2. Wait for Spotify to offer DAC support.
3. Buy a few cheap USB-C to 3.5mm adapters. They're not great and only last two weeks to two months but most of them get the job done.
4. Bluetooth options - though I'm not a big fan yet, Companies like Shure and Westone use detachable IEM's that can be mounted on Bluetooth attachments.
Again, as far as smartphones without 3.5mm jacks go (at least Android), this review is applicable to any higher-end DAC, be it the Dragonfly Cobalt/Red/Black, the Helm Audio Bolt or any other. The sad truth is that at the time of writing this review, listening to Spotify with wired earpieces on a high-end flagship smartphones (except Sony) is, at the moment, a nightmare - period.
I'm going to keep the product as the boost in sound quality on my laptop is just enough to not send it back but I'm disappointed it doesn't do the job I wanted it to. Hopefully Spotify will support DAC's soon, if not I'll have the Sony phone I want by October of 2021 and will then upgrade to the Shure SE 846's. Hope this helps someone!
Top reviews from other countries
Edit, after 2 months this stopped working completely.
It is short, strong and was no inconvenience attached to my phone. Thoroughly recommended, but I recognise it has strong competition in that price range.
イヤホンで聞くなら、アップルのアダプタで十分と思っていたら、全く別の音になってしまった。
音の種類が多くなりつつバランスが取れていて、モニター的な音でありながら音楽を楽しめる。
手元の音源を聞き直すと、耳が良くなったような気がして、メインアンプの方につないでしまった。
イヤホン用をどうしたものか…
iBasso Audio DC05を買ってみた。
透明感があり解像度が高く、色々な音が聞こえるが、個別の音が気になって音楽を楽しめない。
結局、イヤホン用にこの製品をもう一個買ってしまった。
古いCD音源が多いので、ほどほどのバランスが良いのかもしれない。