ONIX Alpha XI1 - Smallest & Most Affordable ONIX DAC - High-Power Portable USB DAC/AMP

[serveg]

When I receive mine I will test against Samsung S22 Ultra. Previously I had the Shanling UA5 and it also had problems. Shanling ultimately released a firmware fix for the UA5, but only on-demand - for some reason they chose to not release it broadly (my guess is that while it addressed Samsung related issues it created problems on other phones). Seems Shanling continues to have problems with Samsung (in a prior post they noted working with Samsung devices is very tough).

Will it be the same with Huawei devices? Some models already have problems!

 

[jsmiller58]

Will it be the same with Huawei devices? Some models already have problems!

Unknown… we’ll have to see. But clearly some chipsets or implementations create problems.

 

[hlbeh]

I've started to compile a list of phones and DAPs that have been tested with ONIX Alpha XI1: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1X5SuH1UnH5ZUYV8YgXXP6J5obNvEBW7YtMa8zm7-P6Q/edit?usp=sharing. Please send me a DM if you have additions to this table. I'll add mine once my unit arrives and can test on Google Pixel 6a.

Samsung Flip 4 - Working
Xiaomi 13 Ultra - Working
Samsung S24 Ultra - Working

 

[DunninLA]

How did it compare the Onix and the Apple onboard dac ?

Well, you need to know how I decided they are the same under my listening conditions. Every method has limitations. If there is a problem with my method, you can comment.

- Using Yanyin Canon 2 as the IEM. So my impressions are limited to what the Canon 2 can reveal... which is a lot. I run them in down/down toggles. Before I got the Canon 2 I carefully read reviews from Tone Deaf Monk, akros, Super Reviews, HBB, and that fellow down in Oz, Passion for Sound. They all compared Canon 2's quality to Hype 4, and Xenns Top, with TDF actually preferring it to the Top. I am running Penon Liqueur Orange tips, after having also tried A07, W1, Tri Clarion, Final E, CP100, CP145, Dunu S&S, and the stock tips and also stock tips from Olina SE. Having had the Canon 2 for three months now, I kept it while I sold on the Performer5, Hype2, and headphones HD 600 and HD58x. I felt the Canon 2 is more accurate from 20-15k (I don't think I can hear beyond 15k), and enjoyable. Still, there might be more revealing IEMs that would show a difference where I found none with the Canon 2. Perhaps IEMs with ESTs or some planars would reveal a difference I don't hear with BAs.

- 320k material. I am devoted to complete portability. I use Spotify Very High, which is 320k. It's probably true that most people who would buy an outboard dongle/DAC vs. a Player would not be using Lossless. I am familiar with FLAC files since I transferred about 200 CDs into FLAC in around 2010, and I personally could not distinguish a difference between 320k and FLAC, so I've never felt the need to keep my music onboard in FLAC. I've also compared CDs to 320k and failed to note any difference in what I hear in the past through either HD600 or a $15,000 Sonus Faber speaker system.

- Volume matching by ear: This took me almost an hour... to get a replay that sounded like identical volume out of the MB Air heaphone jack, vs. Onix with the MB Air through C port, using system volume as well as Onix Alpha 100 step volume control. At times I would hear a difference, then realize the volumes weren't matched. Then the difference disappeared after changing the Onix volume to match.

- Test tracks -- using the usual tracks.... I have a list of about 50 records that I use with every IEM or set of tips I try. All the usual... Jazz at the Pawn Shop, Bird on a Wire, Paul Simon's Graceland & You Can Call me Al, Eagles Live '99, Steely Dan, Daft Punk, Snoop Dogg Gin & Juice, several Chris Jones tracks, Camille St. Saines Symphony No. 3 in C Minor Op. 78 (organ), Sarah Vaughn, plus a few well recorded test tracks from the past few years, etc. Songs that reveal bass, vocals,, cymbals/high hats, etc.

So, under those conditions, which aren't going to change in my setup, the Onix Alpha 1 and the Apple M1 Air DAC to Headphone out, sound identical. I will keep the Onix b/c I am planning to pick up the Hifiman Edition XS and would need the balanced power ... but I would still have the problem I noted in my post yesterday that I cannot get eqMac to output to Onix, and I'm not sure I want a headphone if I can't get the EQ'd signal to the Onix..

 

[laleeee]

Well, you need to know how I decided they are the same. Every method has limitations. If there is a problem with my method, you can comment.

- Using Yanyin Canon 2 as the IEM. So my impressions are limited to what the Canon 2 can reveal... which is a lot. Before I got the Canon 2 I carefully read reviews from Tone Deaf Monk, Super Reviews, HBB, and that fellow down in Oz, Passion for Sound. They all compared its quality to Hype 4, and Xenns Top, with TDF actually preferring it to the Top. I am running Penon Liqueur Orange tips, after having also tried A07, W1, Tri Clarion, Final E, CP100, CP145, and the stock tips and also stock tips from Olina SE. Having had the Canon 2 for two months now, I kept it while I sold on the Performer5, Hype2, and headphones HD 600 and HD58x. I felt the Canon 2 is more accurate from 20-15k (I don't think I can hear beyond 15k), and enjoyable. Still, there might me more revealing IEMs that would show a difference where I found none with these. Perhaps IEMs with ESTs would reveal a difference I don't hear with BAs.

- 320k material. I am devoted to complete portability. I use Spotify Very High, which is 320k.

- Volume matching by ear: This took me almost an hour... to get a replay that sounded like identical volume out of the MB Air heaphone jack, vs. Onix with the MB Air through C port, using system volume as well as Onix Alpha 100 step volume control. At times I would hear a difference, then realize the volumes weren't matched. Then the difference disappeard.

- Test tracks -- using the usual tracks.... I have a list of about 50 records that I use with every IEM or set of tips I try. All the usual... Jazz at the Pawn Shop, Bird on a Wire, Graceland, Eagles Live '99, Aja, Daft Punk, several Chris Jones tracks, Camille St. Saines Symphony No. 3 in C Minor Op. 78 (organ),, etc. Songs that reveal bass, vocals,, cymbals/high hats, etc.

So, under those conditions, which aren't going to change in my setup, the Onix Alpha 1 and the Apple M1 Air DAC to Headphone out, sound identical.

It's fantastic.

 

[ttorbic]

Samsung Flip 4 - Working
Xiaomi 13 Ultra - Working
Samsung S24 Ultra - Working

Thanks! Updated

 

[DunninLA]

It's fantastic.

I agree, the Apple DAC is fantastic for easy to drive IEMs ... everyone said so, from Crinacle to a bunch of others, but I wasn't sure if it were really true. Now I am. I would place the DAC/op amps in the MB Air M1 firmly in the ***** tier of Andy's list. DAC of the decade if 1.3V is all the power you need and you don't need your DAC to act as a tone control.

 

[D1N0]

Can we please stop the Apple Halleluja?

 

[DunninLA]

Can we please stop the Apple Halleluja?

sure. I don't know what came over me. However -- "resistance is futile".

 

[Altes]

I agree, the Apple DAC is fantastic for easy to drive IEMs ... everyone said so, from Crinacle to a bunch of others, but I wasn't sure if it were really true. Now I am. I would place the DAC/op amps in the MB Air M1 firmly in the ***** tier of Andy's list. DAC of the decade if 1.3V is all the power you need and you don't need your DAC to act as a tone control.

If the ONIX Alpha XI1 sounds just as good as the MacBook's DAC, isn't that high praise for the XI1 which gives more power and access to tablets, phones, and Windows? MacBook's DAC is better than the Apple dongle. My expectations are higher than before now, let's hope the XI1 doesn't disappoint when I receive it.

 

[Ben86]

I'm also waiting for other users to share their Onix sound impressions and comparisons. I will also share mine when receive it

 

[bravdos]

Dear Shanling please add volume button short and long press function.
Short press (press & release) = Volume up/down
Long press (Press & hold) = play previous track/next track

This is a great solution that should be implemented in every portable USB DAC/AMP. It makes listen to music a way easier, especially if you are in the move and your smartphone is in the pocket.
FiiO has it.
Dear Shanling, please add this feature as Vartan wrote (long press for previous/next track). Why limit the functionality of the device as both volume control and skipping tracks can function simultaneously. Can you relate to this, is this possible?

 

[D1N0]

I'm just waiting for the guys it Shenzen Airport to finally stow my Onix in a plane. It's been sitting for 4 days.....

 

[serveg]

@serveg Does the Alpha work with Huawei P30? Which cable?

Does not work with any special cable

 

[ttorbic]

This is a great solution that should be implemented in every portable USB DAC/AMP. It makes listen to music a way easier, especially if you are in the move and your smartphone is in the pocket.
FiiO has it.
Dear Shanling, please add this feature as Vartan wrote (long press for previous/next track). Why limit the functionality of the device as both volume control and skipping tracks can function simultaneously. Can you relate to this, is this possible?

Qudelix 5k buttons worked like this. Great device