boodi
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2001
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get v50 and a bumper or similar case then
HI! hope you are doing well!I'm using Redmi K20 Pro and it's a good option for what it costs but not at all exceptional. My Redmi Note 4 sounds equally good with Ainur Narsil. Plus Miui is a pain and most audio mods dont work on this device so it's depends on what you want out of this smartphone - simple audio performance or an overall package.
HI! hope you are doing well!
Can you confirm that K20 pro works fine with USB AMPs like dragonfly, iffi HIP DAC ?
I know they don't output analog audio over USB c coz it has AUX port.... I want to buy one of the AMPs mentioned above and wanted to be sure before I make the call!
Thank you
Thanks for the reply!Hey, thanks for writing in. The USB audio is wonky and doesn't sound right. I'd suggest you get a cheap connector to bypass if you intend to get a USB DAC. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the reply!
What type of connector are you talking about?
Can you give an example of how the setup would look like?
Additionally, Have you tried USB C DAC/AMPS with K20 pro? Would you recommend buying a stand-alone amp/DAP due to K20 not being good enough?
- V30 and G6 (Asian market G6 only) – ESS Sabre ES9218P Quad DAC (tuned by B&O Play)
- V40 and G7 – ESS Sabre ES9218P Quad DAC (tuned by Meridian)
- V50 and G8 (and G8x) – ESS Sabre ES9218P Quad DAC (tuned by Meridian)
- V60 – ESS Sabre ES9219 Quad DAC (most likely tuned by LG)
Radsone ES100/Fiio BTR5/Qudelix 5k
SO USB amps like IFFI HIP DAC or connecting qudelix/btr5 via USB to K20 pro wont sound good?It was a generic USB C to USB- C plug connecting the USB amp and the phone. It was a pain to setup and sound didn't improve at all.
I don't use USB-C amps with K20 Pro anymore. I am using Fiio BTR5 and Walnut F2 as my primary amps. As a standalone DAC, K20 Pro is more than enough better to get a good amp with lineout or a comprehensive solution like Radsone ES100/Fiio BTR5/Qudelix 5k, all three of them can be used as USB DACs as well if you intend to. If you are based in India, then I suggest Fiio due to better after sales support, if in EU or US then Qudelix 5K is also a great option.
SO USB amps like IFFI HIP DAC or connecting qudelix/btr5 via USB to K20 pro wont sound good?
you mean portable DAC/amp or more specifically a dongle ?Recent thoughts:
1. I have tried Qudelix 5k and NextDrive Spectra X, and find out Qudelix 5k is fast, resolving, clean, however it is not full sounding. It uses ES9218P's internal amp, no dedicated amp circuit, this might be the reason. Spectra X is much much better, it is full sounding like a real desktop DAC with headphone amp setup.
So, I guess I will never buy any DAC which uses ESS chip as both DAC and Amp, this doesn't work.
Is there any bluetooth portable DAC that uses ESS chip and dedicated amp?
I found both V40 and G7 are sibilant and also harsh and fatiguing between 2 kHz and 4-5 kHz range especially in cymbal using Senn 660s while using the 660s with E10k or laptop jack upper mid is not harsh. So I EQ down a few db on LG to get the harshness away. I am also curious if all V40/V50 are tuned by meridian because my old G7 and new V40 sound pretty much the same.
@yfei interesting findings ( v60 sound signature i.e. ) ,
thanks for taking the time .
It makes a lot of sense to give bass reproduction in portables or ultraportables ( dongles ) a most important spot ,
as they seem to struggle in a way or another when processing/building this part of the frequency range.
I do not dislike Meridian tuning , I find it quite convenient ( i.e. v30 doesn't have Meridian tuning on board , and shows less refinement or a more rough edge )
anyhow I see what you are reporting in your write up .
I am curious as to what full size headphones did you use for the comparison , if you had any chance to use them .
Meizu USB DAC Pro
Bass quality 9
- Great.
Fullness and tone 9
- Great, and alot of driving power.
Balance 8
- A little bit too much bass
Resolution and details 7
- Not as detailed as others.
Overall: Main issue is detail,resolution, and a little bit too much bass. But given the price, it is the best value.
Hi yfei and all...
I have been trying to buy the PRO version or Meizu's USB DAC, but it is totally discontinued, and looks like there will be no stock sales in the future.
I have some simple (but loved) CAL headphones (Creative Aurvana Live). Do you think that with the nonPRO version would be enough for them?
Do you recommend any other USB DAC for Android?
Thanks!