Introducing ONIX Zenith XST20 - High-End SACD Transport with true DSD output

[chesebert]

I got nothing out it.

I heard mid focused and narrow soundstage. Not suitable for high end applications. Good entry level SACD transport for midfi dacs.

Looks like my XDS1 will be good for another decade.

 

[rrr555]

I heard mid focused and narrow soundstage. Not suitable for high end applications. Good entry level SACD transport for midfi dacs.

Looks like my XDS1 will be good for another decade.

It is impossible to draw reasonable conclusions from the you tube samples... That's my opinion... A direct comparison with other cd/sacd transports in their system is interesting.

 

[Shanling]

Thanks, but that "review" is on the ET3, which has zero to do with the XST20. This is like asking to see a review on the Denafrips Pontus 15th DAC only to be given a link to a Denafrips Enyo review. Not the same. Not in the same class.

This player has been out long enough to have a few reviews.... if there was really any interest. And for me the gapless question still remains a mystery. I'd like to hear from actual users who's tested this, not just from the vendor who's job it is to sell a product. No disrespect but what are actual users saying?

We have reviews in works, on such units it can take a bit longer than what we see in the Head-Fi space.

Please what mystery are you still facing with the gapless function? It was discussed here a few times before.

 

[csward]

I have just received my unit, and have connected it via coaxial to my T&A 200 DAC, which accepts DoP DSD 64 through this connection. Switching between the CD and SACD layers, the DAC only registers PCM 44k on both. @Shanling: is there a setting that needs to be changed to allow the pure DSD via coaxial as advertised?

 

[Shanling]

I have just received my unit, and have connected it via coaxial to my T&A 200 DAC, which accepts DoP DSD 64 through this connection. Switching between the CD and SACD layers, the DAC only registers PCM 44k on both. @Shanling: is there a setting that needs to be changed to allow the pure DSD via coaxial as advertised?

Please check on your DSD output setting.
In output setting, click on the gear icon above coaxial and make sure you have it set to DoP.

 

[Shanling]

New Firmware Update for ONIX XST20

Firmware Download and Notes:
https://onixhiend.co.uk/onix-xst20-firmware-update/

 

[petek]

New Firmware Update for ONIX XST20

Firmware Download and Notes:
https://onixhiend.co.uk/onix-xst20-firmware-update/

@Shanling well those notes are really non notes--
HOW is the output switching opimized.
WHAT are the minor improvements.

THanks.

 

[Shanling]

@Shanling well those notes are really non notes--
HOW is the output switching opimized.
WHAT are the minor improvements.

THanks.

We have no further information on this from engineers.

 

[bigbeans]

Before I consider buying this, can someone confirm SACD DSD playback over coax. I intend to use this with Hugo 2. @Shanling would this work?

 

[csward]

I can confirm that DSD playback works (via DoP) over coax. I‘ve had the player for about a week, and am very impressed. Will try to share my thoughts over the weekend.

 

[rrr555]

Still, I am very interested in comparing this transport with other high-end CD transports... The fact that Onix can transmit via I2S DSD is an indisputable advantage of this transport. And what else? What can it do in comparison, for example, with PS Audio sacd transport in terms of quality? Has anyone compared Onix with h-fi/hi-end tops? There is very little information...( Unacceptably little - the transport has been on sale for more than a month

 

[tades]

I'm new on this Forum, and this thread is of high interest for me, because I received my Onix Zenith last week.
Great results, very healthy manufacture, weight, look.
Using I2S to feed my SMSL DO300 DAC. IIS-LVDS output interface Mode 1 "working" I didn't investigate if other modes could bring better results

On SACD I use the Gapless function
Which doesn't work tip top : I had until yesterday switching noises at the track transitions
I updated to Firmware v1.8. The switching noise disappeared, but we can still ear the transition which is much less fluid than when using the CD layer.

Exemple 1 "Puccini La Bohème" on E LEinsdorf RCA Living stereo SACD (short disruption between track 1 and 2, and all other transitions)
Exemple 2 "Stravinsky Sacre du Printemps on M Jansons RCO Live SACD (very noticeable betwwen tracks 14 to 15 but present in any instances

"EdwinF" Co-mate on French "Forum Hifi" stated similar "not completly fluid" transitions
and advised me to post here as Shanling staff is reading and answering.
Is this a dysfunction of my unit ?
Can we expect a future V1.x Firmware to fix this?
Best Regards

 

[Shanling]

I'm new on this Forum, and this thread is of high interest for me, because I received my Onix Zenith last week.
Great results, very healthy manufacture, weight, look.
Using I2S to feed my SMSL DO300 DAC. IIS-LVDS output interface Mode 1 "working" I didn't investigate if other modes could bring better results

On SACD I use the Gapless function
Which doesn't work tip top : I had until yesterday switching noises at the track transitions
I updated to Firmware v1.8. The switching noise disappeared, but we can still ear the transition which is much less fluid than when using the CD layer.

Exemple 1 "Puccini La Bohème" on E LEinsdorf RCA Living stereo SACD (short disruption between track 1 and 2, and all other transitions)
Exemple 2 "Stravinsky Sacre du Printemps on M Jansons RCO Live SACD (very noticeable betwwen tracks 14 to 15 but present in any instances

"EdwinF" Co-mate on French "Forum Hifi" stated similar "not completly fluid" transitions
and advised me to post here as Shanling staff is reading and answering.
Is this a dysfunction of my unit ?
Can we expect a future V1.x Firmware to fix this?
Best Regards

Do you hear a longer gap or is it just a split second drop?
Is it same between I2S and other connections?

 

[csward]

Do you hear a longer gap or is it just a split second drop?
Is it same between I2S and other connections?

I have the same issue when listening to SACDs over coaxial. It‘s a split second drop between tracks, which is annoying when listening, for example, to opera, where the continuous music is split into numerous tracks. The problem doesn’t happen with CDs.
There is also a slightly annoying issue when switching between SACD and CD layers - sometimes there‘s a short but quite loud electronic noise emitted through the system. Not sure though whether this is the transport or the DAC.
Hope you can find some solutions with the next firmware update. Otherwise, the unit is excellent, both sonically and with regard to user interface and build quality.

 

[Shanling]

I have the same issue when listening to SACDs over coaxial. It‘s a split second drop between tracks, which is annoying when listening, for example, to opera, where the continuous music is split into numerous tracks. The problem doesn’t happen with CDs.
There is also a slightly annoying issue when switching between SACD and CD layers - sometimes there‘s a short but quite loud electronic noise emitted through the system. Not sure though whether this is the transport or the DAC.
Hope you can find some solutions with the next firmware update. Otherwise, the unit is excellent, both sonically and with regard to user interface and build quality.

Will check on it with our engineers for possible adjustment.