E1DA 9038SG3 Susumu USB DAC/Amp Review

E1DA's 9038SG3 Susumu edition is a small USB DAC and headphone amplifier built around the ES9038Q2M chip, listed from $93.99. The page says this third generation adds a new USB bridge with 32/384 and DSD256 support, and its heading names 0.1% Susumu resistors. Its specification section, however, lists PCM up to 24b/192kHz, a 10g weight, 48x22x9mm and a balanced 2.5mm output, and the page text covers the earlier generation too.

Specifications

Options and pricing

Two options are listed: the 9038SG3 Susumu at $93.99, and DAC and C to C cable at $96.99. Both could be ordered when the listing was read. The page does not describe the cable beyond its name. It asks buyers to read the FAQ it links to before buying and says no 2.5/3.5mm jack adaptors are allowed, adding that using one can ruin the DAC.

How it compares

The E1DA 9038D6K USB Headphone Amp 3.5mm Jack Unbalanced Output DAC+HPA costs $135 and its title names a 3.5mm unbalanced output, where this model lists a balanced 2.5mm jack at $93.99 or $96.99. The Fosi Audio SK02 ES9038Q2M Compact Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier at $84.99 names the same ES9038Q2M chip and is titled as a compact desktop unit. Pick the 9038SG3 for a very small USB source with a balanced output; pick the SK02 for a desk setup.

Shipping, returns and warranty

HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.

Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.

HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.

On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.