Disclaimer: Both of these products were sent to me by Schiit, all opinions are my own and Schiit hasn't done anything to influence what I think of them. I am in no way being paid to say anything and they have not asked me to say anything positive or negative about these products. These were simply sent out to me for testing per my request. Huge thank you to Schiit for sending them out.
Overview/Marketing
The Fulla 3 and Hel are Schiit Audio's first foray into the gaming market. They’re marketed as Gaming DAC/Amps. Simply put they’re a DAC/Amp combo unit with an ADC for a mic, making them usable with Gaming headsets. But these are not gaming products in the way I'm used to that meaning. There really aren't any gaming features, or gimmicks(for better or for worse). It's an audio first approach which is not only refreshing but my personally preferred take on this type of “Gaming” Product.
The upside to this is there is no bloatware, no software, there just plug and play. They just focused on making a great DAC/Amp combo and added a mic jack. This is my preferred style of “gaming soundcard” as it means that you don't have to worry about drivers getting out of date.
The downside is that it doesn't really offer, like I said, any gaming features. No mic monitoring, no chat mix, etc. I'm not saying it needs any of these but some of the more basic features would have been nice. I will go into that more later.
The Fulla 3 is an update on their popular little combo unit the Fulla 2. All they did was add an ADC for 3.5mm mics but this came at the cost of having to make it slightly less powerful and the loss of the 3.5mm fixed DAC output which means it can’t be used as just a DAC.
The Hel is simply a grown-up Fulla 3, different output staging for more power, larger housing, gain switch, input switch, microphone volume wheel and an on-off switch.
Specs:
For full specs please visit the product pages. I will only be listing a few for comparison.
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.5db
- Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 250mW RMS
- THD: <0.002%, 20Hz-20Khz, at 1V RMS
- SNR: >105db, A-weighted, referenced to 1V RMS
- Output Impedance(headphones): 0.5 ohms
- Output Impedance(line out): 75 ohms
- Gain: 1.7 (4.6db)
- USB receiver: C-Media CM6631A
- DAC: AKM AK4490 with TI OPA1662-based filter stage
- Output Stage: TI LMH6643 x 2 (1 per channel)
- Power consumption: 0.8W typical
- Size: 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.375" (including knob)
- Price: $99USD
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.3db
- Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 1000mW RMS
- THD: <0.0015%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS
- SNR: >108db, A-weighted, referenced to 1V RMS
- Output Impedance (headphones): 0.25 ohms
- Output Impedance (line out): 75 ohms
- Gain: 1 (0dB) or 5 (14dB)
- USB Receiver: C-Media CM6631A
- DAC: AKM AK4490 with TI OPA1662-based filter stage
- Output Stage: TI OPA1688 (4 amp stages per channel)
- Power Consumption: 2.5W typical
- Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.375” (including knob)
- Price: $189USD
What's included:
- The Fulla 3 itself
- 3’ Micro USB Cables (wish it also included a headset splitter)
- The Hel itself
- 2x 6’ Micro USB Cables
- 2.1A 5VDC wall-adapter
- ¼ inch adapter. (I wish it was a nicer one, it's a little bulky)
- Headset Splitter (Not listed on the product documentation)
Build/design
The Fulla 3 and Hel follow in the footsteps of all the other Schiit products by being enclosed within a 2 part metal chassis. This gives them some nice weight to them along with them feeling very durable. The Fulla 3 comes in their optional Black cassis colour, so the top piece is black and the bottom and slides are grey. This is personally my preferred colour scheme from Schiit as I'm not a huge fan of the SIlver on Silver.
The Hel adopts a new colour scheme, the Hel keeps the black top piece but replaces the grey with a dark red. I at first did not like this as it falls into the trap that many brands fall into, of making their gaming products red because red means “GAMER”. But the red is not in your face and actually looks nice, which is good because this colour scheme was then used in their Magni Heresy. I'd also like to add that the dimensions of the Hel are nearly the same as Schiit's small case design that is used in the Magni, Modi, Loki, SYS, Vali, and more, but turned sideways and slightly shorter.
They both offer large decently smooth volume knobs on top. The fulla 3 has more tension on its wheel. They both have dual micro USB ports on the back for USB power and USB power/data. The Fulla 3 won't always need external power but the Hel requires it. The Hel comes with an included power brick.
The Hel has 4 nice rubber feet but the Fulla 3 only has 3 so at the back where there is only 1 foot and it does wobble a bit, although not much in everyday use. I wish they would just include 4 or even offer extra feet.
They do use Micro USB ports, which I do hope come late 2020, all future releases will switch to USB C (USB type B is also fine). From what I have heard there are some compatibility issues regarding USB C but for these types of products, there shouldn't be. Micro USB just means that in 2 years the product will feel outdated. Not to mention it just doesn't feel nearly as durable and at least for these ports they are very tight.
On products that will be plugged in and sit on a desk never really moving, Micro B is fine, but on a product like this that I expect to get some travel, USB C could have been so much better. That way if you have a USB C phone your charging cable will also work for your Amp/DAC.
Input/output wise that offers a nice variety which I will go through. But sadly neither have an optical input, which is a missed opportunity. While I understand the Fulla 3 with its price and size not having a SPDIF In, but the Hel really should, even if it raised the price to $199 ($10 raise).
Fulla 3:
Front:
- 3.5mm Microphone jack - This is on the left of the unit replacing the old analog input from the Fulla 2.
- 3.5mm Headphone jack - This has replaced the ¼” from the Fulla 2. I personally understand the change from the ¼ inch jack on the Fulla 2 to the 3.5mm on the Fulla 3. At this price point targeting it at gamers, it makes sense. But it may disappoint some people buying this who won't use the Mic jack. But I will note that while I understand it, at least with a ¼” jack you don't have to deal with such a large adapter. So I would prefer a ¼”. But the other side is with the 3.5mm you only need 1 adapter to make a headset work on here, whereas with the ¼” on the Hel you need 2 adapters. But if it was for cost savings I kinda understand, but I'm sure it was more so because of the targeted market.
Rear:
- 3.5mm Preamp Output - “Plug this into your powered monitors (or a Power amp) using a ⅛” TRS to Dual RCA cables (for most products-others may need a different cable, consult the manufacturer.) For line-level output, adjust the volume knob on the top of the Fulla 3 to the 3:00 position” So pretty much use this for controlling or as a DAC for your speakers.
- 3.5mm Analog Output - This is for if you want to use your Fulla 3 as an amplifier for an analog source, like a mobile phone or a DAP. This was on the front of the unit for the Fulla 2, but has replaced the Fixed DAC output sadly. I would have liked to see that stay so you could have used this as just a DAC if you upgraded your amp later on but that would make the mic jack nonfunctioning so I kinda get it.
- Micro USB power input - This is in case you don't want to draw power from your device or in case you have USB power issues.
- Micro USB Power and Data Input - This is what most people will use to get both USB power and data from one device.
Hel:
Front:
- 3.5mm Microphone jack - This is on the left of the unit right next to the Volume Knob (which controls the mic output level). Wow how come most companies miss this. A hardware knob is much better than a software one.
- Analog/USD Input Switch - Lets you switch between USB and analog input.
- Gain Switch - Changes between High(5x) and Low(1x) gain.
- ¼” Headphone Jack - An adapter is also included for 3.5mm use. While I prefer fewer adapters these don't really cause any issues.
Rear:
- 3.5mm Analog Output - This is for if you want to use your Hel as an amplifier for an analog source, like a mobile phone or a DAP.
- 3.5mm Preamp Output - “Plug this into your powered monitors (or a Power amp) using a ⅛” TRS to Dual RCA cables (for most products-others may need a different cable, consult the manufacturer.)” Same as on the Fulla 3
- Micro USB power input - The Hel requires external power, you use the included cable and 2.1A wall wart to supply it with enough power.
- Micro USB Data Input - Use this to connect it to your USB source.
- Power Switch - A simple on and off Toggle. I also have to add these toggles feel fantastic.
Sound/Power:
Sound-wise it's better than I expected, but that could be because when I hear gaming DAC/Amp I don't expect much.
The Hel sounds better than I remember the Magni 3 sounding, amp wise. The Magni 3 I found for a lack of a better word, compressed sounding. By that I meant the soundstage felt smaller, the bass felt slightly warmer, and treble felt artificially bright. But at the same time, I got a tiny bit of roll-off on each end (but that may have been for a different reason). Often I see people say it sounded like a wall of sound in front of you. All of these were very subtle. But on the Hel, I just don't hear it to the same extent. It sounds clear, the dynamics are good. I don't hear any roll-off or resolution loss at its price. It is a tad warm. But I'm very impressed overall. The DAC has a very solid noise floor and even with sensitive IEMs, I had no issue. It does sound a lot like the Fulla 3, but just cleaner overall and cleaner to a higher volume.
The Fulla 3 sounds like the Fulla 2. Except maybe a bit warmer. It still distorts slightly past 3 o clock. But at $100 I can't complain.
The Hel is very much a grown-up Fulla 3, slightly better sound but its a Fulla 3 with more power and it's more usable.
Sound-wise I would say it does slightly lean more towards the old Magni 3 rather than the 2 new Magni’s. But this really isn't an issue.
Both are very good sounding DAC/AMPs with the Hel sounding a bit more detailed and handles this to higher volumes. With the Fulla 3 at just after 2 O-clock, I start to hear some issues come into play but the Hel can go much higher.
Overall both sound very good for their price and for what they are. I would honestly be happy with either of these as a dedicated AMP/DAC combo for their price even without the mic jack. Hands down the best sounding “Gaming” DAC/AMPs on the market.
Sadly I don't have any measurement gear and I haven't seen any third-party measurements of them yet but I'd assume they measure similar to the Fulla 2.
Power:
Power-wise they both offer a sufficient amount of power for their price point.
The Fulla 3 offers “Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 250mW RMS” which will handle most easier to drive headphones. For comparison, the ever-popular E10k and K3 from Fiio which are similarly priced DAC/Amps but lack the adc, offer “Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 200mW RMS”. So it does fall in line with the market. Do note the Fulla 3 does have less power than the old Fulla 2 which offered “Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 360mW RMS”. I do wish they didn't lower the power but I assume it had something to do with a lack of space once the ADC was implemented in.
The Hel on the other hand offers 4x the power (maybe that statistic is why they lowered the power on the Fulla 2 haha). The Hel offers “Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 1000mW RMS'' which is very solid. It's a little less powerful than its DAC/AMP combo competition, but the ADC does set this product apart. Overall this will help you power harder to drive headphones. Realistically this should power anything someone who would be buying this product could throw at it.
Mic:
Sadly I do apologize for still no mic tests. But what I do want to say is that both of these have fantastic ADCs. The mic quality is better on the Hel and the added mic gain knob is very nice.
Both sound very clear and transparent. They are what I'd call the standard for gaming ADC quality moving forward.
DAC Issues:
So this won’t affect many people, but in general, my test rig PC hates Schiit USB DAC’s and with pretty much all of them that I have tested in the last year I get popping and crackling audio issues. This wasn't an issue for me in the past or on any other PC or device that I tested them on. With the Hel and Fulla 3 I can do a few little things and fix the problem, but on other Schiit DACs, I can't fix it at all.
This shouldn't affect many people as I'm pretty sure this is a driver issue on my PC from testing so many devices. You the consumer shouldn't worry about this.
As a note, my PC uses a Z170A motherboard which I'm pretty sure is what's causing the issue.
I will update this when I find a fix, but you shouldn't worry about this issue happening to you.
Portability:
I just wanted to quickly talk about these as portable AMP/DACs. Because this is where I really see these types of devices being often used.
So while the Fulla 3 can be run off a phone via USB (worked on my LG G6). The Hel needs a power source. So I don't really expect you to use either of these as a portable AMP/DAC combo in the sense of using them on the go while you're moving around. But more so in the sense of a Combo unit you can throw in your bag and take somewhere to use (coffee shop, Brewery, library, train, airport, etc), and a battery bank would allow the Hel to work in this situation as well.
This is actually how I use both of these most, for me when I'm at home I'm using my desktop set up and have no need for combo units. So being portable is where this product really works best for me and for someone who is buying either of these as a desktop product the ability to also take it with you is great.
This is more so a benefit of any small form factor AMP/DAC combo but I wanted to list this here, as since these also have a mic jack you could take it on the go with a laptop or your smartphone for gaming while traveling.
Conclusion
Pros/cons:
I'm still not a fan of Pros and cons lists but I do know people really do find them helpful so I will give one.
Fulla 3 Pros:
- Price is competitive
- Form factor is small and portable
- Clean noise floor for the price
- Very solid Mic ADC input
- Smooth top-mounted volume knob(Amazing for Combo units, bad for stacking)
- Good External build quality
- No BS approach
- No bloaty software
Fulla 3 Cons:
- Only 3 rubber feet
- No optical input
- Lack of gaming-focused features
- Lack of included accessories
- A few other things I'd like to see but for the price I won't list them as cons
- I wish it had a bit more power
Hel Pros:
- I like the form factor and size
- Good build, nice weight
- Solid amount of power (could be slightly higher)
- Microphone Gain knob
- Nice Large top-mounted volume knob(Amazing for Combo units, bad for stacking)
- Clean noise floor
- Top Tier Mic ADC input
- No BS approach
- No bloaty software
- Gain switch
- ON/Off switch (underrated feature)
- Great feeling toggles
Hel Cons:
- Lack of optical in, is an issue IMO (At the price it would have made this a much more functional device)
- Lack of gaming-focused features
Changes I'd like to see made:
The Fulla 3 is about what I’d expect from a $100 Dac/AMP. But the Hel I think is a missed opportunity. I'm going to list some features that I think should have been included in the Hel and even trickled down to the Fulla 3. Maybe these could be added to a V2 model.
- Optical in, for me this is the one thing that I'm very confused about why it wasn't included. This would have made console usage possible and offered more versatility. For lots of people, this will sadly make this product, not an option.
- 3.5mm combo jack: This would be harder to implement as it would mean you'll have a 3.5mm mic jack, ¼” headphone jack, and a 3.5mm 4 pole TRRS jack, but I do think it would be a fantastic addition. This removes the need for splitters and can fix interference issues that many people can have happen when using spitters. Plus if the cheap SYBA sonic DAC/AMP can have that many front ports I'm sure Schiit can too.
- Mic monitoring: I think this would maybe be the easiest gaming feature to add in without causing any audio issues. Its something many people need and shouldn't be too hard to implement. If I could only include 1 gaming feature into every gaming sound card or DAC/Amp this would be it.
- I'd like to see a switch to swap between speakers and headphones without having to unplug your headphones. Id prefer this over the Analog to USB switch TBH.
- For the Fulla 3 please include a 4th foot. It's not a big deal but I find it semi-annoying that it only has 3.
But even with none of these features included, both of these products are very good. The only issue is whether or not gamers will buy them with their quality first approach and lack of gaming features.
For me optical and mic monitoring are the only big things that I think it really needed to have.
But these still get strong recommendations for me. If you're looking for a good Amp/DAC combo and you need a 3.5mm mic jack these are the products I recommend. They look good, are very functional, are built very well, and sound great.