Tone 2 pro has been released for years, with new 9039q2m, xmos 316 become more popular.
So any plans for next Tone Pro dac? I really like the Tone 2 Pro design, 4.4 and rca output exactly matches my needs.
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Hello Steve, thank you for your interest in our products, and we are always happy to hear from users about their expectations and improvements for future products.
Regarding your question, the Tone is already planned for a new product and is not due for release in 2024. 
Thank you for your continued support Khadas and have a great day!
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Hello,it will be ready for 2025 then ! I have the Tone pro 2 and am looking forward to it.
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Hi
Thank you for paying attention to our audio products, We are planning the next tone series product. And we also need more custom’s demand, Could you give us some advices ?
@Eric68
@kenny
@Rocky
As owner of the original Tone1 DAC…
…I would very much appreciate a new version with the same simplicity:
1.) ES9039Q2M chip or two of them if compliant with 4.)
2.) No balanced outputs
3.) No headphone amp
4.) Completely powered by USB Vbus
5.) No settings (like the original Tone1)
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Hi, here are some suggestions for the Tone 3 Pro. Sorry for any inconsistencies, redundancies, and my broken English.
Khadas tone 3 pro - proposed evolution
- AMOLED screen
• Addition of an AMOLED 2" x 1" color screen
• Display of information: audio format, sampling frequency, volume, gain, active filter, …
• Touch interface for intuitive navigation - Double balanced output
• 4.4 mm Pentaconn “Line-Balanced” (adjustable/fixed level) by providing a 4.4 → XLR adapter in the box. (Standardization requested by the market.)
• RCA symétrique équilibrée pour usage studio/desktop
• Casque : 4,4 mm bal. + 3.5 mm is simultaneous, DC protection, IEM detection.
• Automatic switching with connection detection - RENSED CONTROL SYSTEM (replacement and/or improvement of the rotary button overloaded with TONE 2 PRO by touch controls on the screen, eliminating the most critical interface complexity).
• Abandonment of the two -handed system confusing control problem requiring two hands
• New rotating wheel with push for selection
• Dedicated physical buttons: power supply, source, filters (correction of filter defects identified in Tone 2 Pro with adaptable software implementation)
• Control via mobile application (iOS/Android) or via PC in Bluetooth on and via touch screen
• Infrared remote control included for desktop use
Substantial technical improvements
(Simplified checks: replacement of the multifunction rotary button with a rotary button dedicated to volume and additional touch or physical buttons (for gain, input, filters), potentially integrated on the screen for Touch navigation. An audio khadas app would allow customization via smartphone/pc: EQ 10 strips, presets, selection of filters, and firmware updates to fix Jitter/Filters) - DAC and audio treatment
• Upgrade to ESS9039Pro (VS ES9038Q22M CURRENT)
• PCM support up to 768khz/32bit, DSD1024 native
• Improved THD+N: -122DB (vs -118db)
• XMOS XMOS XU316-1024 with optimized firmware (simplified OTA update system)
• Precision clock: Integrate a femto-second clock for an ultra-faible jig. - Reinforced amplification
• Lined power: 500mw @ 32Ω balanced (vs 250mw)
• New discreet amplification circuit A/AB switches
• Adjustable gain: low/medium/high/turbo
• Advanced protection against short circuits - Extended connectivity
• USB-C Main
• Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC, Aptx Lossless
• Optical input RCA (Single End) S/PDIF Coax (maintained)
• I2S support via GPIO for streamer connection
Solutions to identified problems - Physical stability
• Robust housing: a high -quality machined aluminum frame, offering better thermal dissipation and a premium sensation. POIDIDS increased to 350g to avoid being fired by cables.
• removable silicone non -slip base
• Fixing points for Rack 1U mounting (optional adapter) - Improved power supply
• External linear power supply available (5V/3A)
• Integrated advanced filtering circuit
• USB Power mode
• Complete galvanic insulation USB - Bluetooth module finally implemented
• Qualcomm QCC5181 (like the Tea Pro)
• Reception and emission (can be used as a transmitter)
• Multipoint for 2 simultaneous devices
Innovative features - Operating modes
• Desktop DAC/AMP mode (quality priority)
• Studio mode (monitoring, no coloring)
• Gaming mode (ultra-faible latency) - Programmable DSP
• 10 -band parametric EQ
• Adjustable crossfeed for headphones listening
• Space simulation (Room Correction)
• Backup profiles - Software ecosystem
• Desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux) and advanced mobile application
• Roon Ready integration
• MQA Full Decode support
• Open API for home automation integration?
Design and ergonomics
• Dimensions: 120 x 78 x 28mm (slightly larger)
• CNC Anodized aluminum chassis (black, silver, titanium)
• Customizable RGB lighting (deactivable)
• Premium packaging with rigid transport case
This evolution represents a significant qualitative jump while solving the main problems of Tone 2 Pro, in particular the ergonomics of controls and by adding the modern features that made the success of the TEA Pro (screen, quality Bluetooth).
Personally, I like balanced RCA (it’s innovative) and I use Khadas cables (K-RCAX-M02: x2 Bal-RCA to XLR-3 Male) to connect my Tone 2 Pro to my iLoud Micro Monitor Pro speakers.
1. Front view
• Ventilation slots: fine slots are machined to allow natural convection and keep the device at an optimal temperature, even with the A/AB amplifier.
2.Top view
• AMOLED 2" x 1" screen: this is the new centerpiece. It displays the audio format (ex:" DSD 256 “), the sampling frequency (ex:” 768kHz "), the volume level, the active gain and the selected filter.
• New rotary wheel with push function: it replaces the old multifunction button. It is dedicated to volume control. Pressure allows you to mute/help or select an item on the screen (navigation).
• dedicated physical buttons: three buttons (power, source & filters) allow instant access to these functions, solving the ergonomics problem of Tone 2 Pro.
• State diode: Diode placed next to the “Power” button
3. Right view
• 3.5mm headphone output (single-end): asymmetrical 3.5mm jack, kept at its usual location.
• 4.4mm headphone output: 4.4mm symmetrical jack, kept at its usual location.
• Ventilation slots: fine slots are machined on the right sides to allow natural convection and keep the device at an optimal temperature, even with the A/AB amplifier.
4.Left view
• Ventilation slots: symmetrical to those on the right for a coherent air flow and a balanced design.
• Power input: external linear available (5V/3A).
5. Rear view
• Coaxial input (S/PDIF): Single-End/symmetrical RCA, on the location at its location.
• Symmetrical RCA line output: 2 red and white RCA RCA ports.
• Main USB-C port: for data connection and power supply.
• Exit Line-Balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn: the big novelty. This output offers a high -quality balanced connection, with an adjustable or fixed level. Its location is logical, next to the other “Line” outputs.
• USB-C I2S port allows direct connection to a khadas streamer or
6. View from below
• Silicone non -slip base: Large and removable, it ensures perfect stability on a desk and prevents the device from being pulled by the weight of the cables.
• 1U fixing points (not really necessary from my point of view): threaded holes optionally screw the device on a Rack 1U adapter, meeting the demand for studio users.
Another design of the Tone 3 Pro which takes up that of the Tone 2 Pro.
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Hi @Charly972,
Thank you for taking the time to share your suggestion about the Tone3! Our product managers will also consider your feedback for the future of Tone3. We truly value feedback from our community, as it helps us improve our products and explore new possibilities.
Regards,
kenny
Hi Charly,
Please don’t apologise for your English – it’s perfectly clear and your passion for better sound comes through in every line. And soooooooo thank you for taking the time to put together such a detailed suggest-list for the next-generation of Tone product. I like the concept that you combine part of the Tea Pro and the Tone together:D, We’ve read every bullet and wrote it down to our inspiration pools for the new product planning~ Thank you very much again!
Lets keep in touch! Have a nice day:D
Thea
Love the concept—great work Charly!
As for Khadas, I just picked up the Tone2 Pro and it’s genuinely impressive. A few suggestions for version 3:
Direct important improvements:
- Reduce audible clicks when sample rate/format changes (e.g., Qobuz track switches); a softer mute or improved clock/PLL handling would help. (This is my biggest botherance with tone 2 pro)
- A bit more power on the single-ended output to comfortably handle 300 Ω dynamics without needing 4.4 mm.
- Option to repurpose the 4.4 mm as a true fixed line-out (bypassing the HP amp), complementing the balanced RCA line-out and giving more universal options to use tone 3 pro as balanced dac.
- Newer Dac chip, why not consider r2r (but i like current sound of tone 2 pro so doesn’t matter much)
UI and usability
Despite the chatter online, the UI clicked quickly in practice for me; a few simple tweaks could keep it clean yet more intuitive (i personally don’t care for a screen even if seing your volume is always nice)
- Make the selection wheel clickable left/right for track and mode changes while keeping rotation strictly for volume.
- Enlarge the LED ring slightly beyond the wheel’s diameter so status/modes are easier to read at a glance.
original new optional ideas:
- Optional crossfeed filter at the device level.
- Couple hardware eq filters (à la Mojo 2) that could be fed as pre amp to the rca)
- Explore a ‘tube/SS’ switchable output stage (inspired by mini-tube dongles) if noise and microphonics can be controlled.
Please keep!!
- Target price at or under ~€/$300 unless there’s a standout feature (e.g., tube or significantly higher power).
- The compact, card-sized footprint; if a larger chassis is needed, prefer a bit more height rather than greater width/length (no more than 15% width/length)
- The balanced RCA concept; it’s unique and genuinely useful—would be great to see continued support at least through the next generation.
Good luck for next gen!
I am not pro at all but would love to test it if you need some testers,
Marc
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Hey Noctam,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed experience and suggestions on using the Khadas Tone2 Pro! We truly value feedback from passionate and knowledgeable users like you and Charly, as it provides incredibly valuable direction for our future product improvements.
At the same time, we’ve carefully noted all the suggestions you raised—such as reducing the clicking noise during sample rate switching, optimizing the 4.4mm interface for use as a fixed line output, as well as fine-tuning details in UI interaction and hardware design. These will all be incorporated into the evaluation process for our next-generation products.
Additionally, we are planning to roll out firmware updates for both the Tone2 and Tone2 Pro, with further optimizations to the interactive experience. Please stay tuned for updates on our official activities~! we’d love to hear your feedback on the new firmware as well!
Once again, we deeply appreciate your generous encouragement and detailed suggestions:D
Best regards,
Thea
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