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

Jul 3, 2024 at 9:25 AM Post #409 of 1,675
I just received XI1 today. I will provide very brief initial impressions (nonconclusive, to be verified after more weeks):
-First, allow it to run for 1-2 hours before forming impressions (I recall my initial reaction was that it had unnatural resonance and lacked cohesion - I'm not longer detecting those now (Note: If it was brain burn-in, I'll notice it again after a while. If it was real burn-in, I won't notice it again. If it never existed, then I was too paranoid/critical upon first listen.).

-The OTG cable affects the sound (I wish I could bypass that with an adapter that has no cable). I.e., The iBasso CB18 OTG cable (copper-plated 6N single-crystal silver) injects a bit of brightness/air/brittleness into the presentation than the stock OTG cable which is smoother. The DD TC09S OTG Cable transforms the staging and imaging to the extreme (I have not decided if it is natural or not but it has a wow factor). But I did not test any cable long enough.

The XI1's filter was set to nonoversampling.
Regarding what I used, I have only tested it with UM Mest Indigo for now (my Indigo is currently optimized for naturalness, holographicness, and airiness across the FR). Listening was done on Windows 10 (on foobar and YouTube). Volume was medium or medium-quiet (medium-loud likely equals better sound, but on the first day I tried to limit the volume).

Regarding aspects I noticed (after 1-2 hours of burn-in):
-Percussive sounds and micro-details noticeably pop throughout my usual test tracks. These are in the form of very light percussive taps, clicks, gear-grinding sounds, subtle digital sound effects, etc. I was not aware of these sounds before, not because they were inaudible on my other source, but rather because I never noticed them nor did they provide any extra immersion/musicality to the tracks. The difference is the ONIX Alpha XI1 presents these sounds in a different manner. They are more holographic with more precise spacial cues (directional and panning effects) (more so with DD TC09S). Depending on the OTG cable used, it adds immersion and musicality to the entire experience despite the XI1 being seemingly uncolored in sound signature.
-Dynamic range: It is capable of reproducing the loudest to quietest sounds, and also producing them without distortion.
-Macro dynamics: In uncompressed tracks, the expected dynamic contrast is there, so I can hear the peak volume does indeed have contrast compared to the average volume levels throughout the track. Sudden loud sound does sound loud, and I can hear crescendos in a later portion of a track.
-Despite the extra details that became noticeable, the XI1 is neither clinical nor sterile. The details improve immersion while sounding natural, as opposed to being distracting/artificial.
-Vocals are not pushed forward. On tracks with quiet vocals, they will not receive help from XI1 in pushing them forward. iBasso CB18 seems to help in this aspect a bit (but first-day initial impressions so can't be conclusive).
-Likewise, the XI1 does not inject airiness into the presentation. You'll probably need to buy an airy IEM like Helios SE for an airy presentation, which I guess is normal if you want the IEM to shape the sound signature. (I haven't tested enough IEMs to determine if the XI1 lacks air or not, but again, the iBasso CB18 seems to help.)

These are very brief initial impressions that have not been verified with multiple weeks of further listening. It is also only based on one IEM with 3rd party eartips/cable, so all of the above impressions could be simply affected by synergy. I'm interested in testing it with the UM Multiverse Mentor in stock configuration which by itself is colored (yet well-balanced), warm, thick, and holographic, with very rich and deep mids/mid-bass. It does not need a colored dongle to sound special (interesting to see whether the XI1 will bring its holography and micro-detail retrieval to another level while maintaining musicality). The Xanadu Khopesh has a forward/crisp female vocal presentation, is incisive in transients, and has smooth treble, yet addictive treble overtones in its stock configuration (hoping it's a perfect match with XI1). Penon Voltage is a very refined, cohesive, and balanced IEM (wonder how pairing these two balanced gears will sound). I probably won't update until I have weeks/months to form solid impressions. I just wanted to leave a quick brief initial impression right after receiving the unit for this post.
 
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Jul 3, 2024 at 11:08 AM Post #410 of 1,675
Got the Xl1 for a few days.
Happy to say it doesn't make the CA Andromeda hiss on both SE and Balanced.
I also use them on the Simgot EW200, it makes the highs not enjoyable, had to tone it down using EQ.

Also, how does a OTG cable affect sound? digital signals are 1s and 0s, it shouldn't affect especially such a short cable.
 
Jul 3, 2024 at 11:23 AM Post #411 of 1,675
I just received XI1 today. I will provide very brief initial impressions (nonconclusive, to be verified after more weeks):
-First, allow it to run for 1-2 hours before forming impressions (I recall my initial reaction was that it had unnatural resonance and lacked cohesion - I'm not longer detecting those now (Note: If it was brain burn-in, I'll notice it again after a while. If it was real burn-in, I won't notice it again. If it never existed, then I was too paranoid/critical upon first listen.).
-The OTG cable affects the sound (I wish I could bypass that with an adapter that has no cable). I.e., The iBasso CB18 OTG cable (copper-plated 6N single-crystal silver) injects a bit of brightness/air (desirable for me) into the presentation than the stock OTG cable. The DD TC09S OTG Cable transforms the staging and imaging to the extreme (I have not decided if it is natural or not but it has a wow factor). No cable is outright bad, but I did not test any for long.

The XI1's filter was set to nonoversampling.
Regarding what I used, I have only tested it with UM Mest Indigo for now (my Indigo is currently optimized for naturalness, holographicness, and airiness across the FR). Listening was done on Windows 10 (on foobar and YouTube). Volume was medium or medium-quiet (medium-loud likely equals better sound, but on the first day I tried to limit the volume).

Regarding aspects I noticed (after 1-2 hours of burn-in):
-Percussive sounds and micro-details noticeably pop throughout my usual test tracks. These are in the form of very light percussive taps, clicks, gear-grinding sounds, subtle digital sound effects, etc. I was not aware of these sounds before, not because they were inaudible on my other source, but rather because I never noticed them nor did they provide any extra immersion/musicality to the tracks. The difference is the ONIX Alpha XI1 presents these sounds in a different manner. They are more holographic with more precise spacial cues (directional and panning effects) (more so with DD TC09S). Depending on the OTG cable used, it adds immersion and musicality to the entire experience despite the XI1 being seemingly uncolored in sound signature.
-Dynamic range: It is capable of reproducing the loudest to quietest sounds, and also producing them without distortion.
-Macro dynamics: In uncompressed tracks, the expected dynamic contrast is there, so I can hear the peak volume does indeed have contrast compared to the average volume levels throughout the track. Sudden loud sound does sound loud, and I can hear crescendos in a later portion of a track.
-Despite the extra details that became noticeable, the XI1 is neither clinical nor sterile. The details improve immersion while sounding natural, as opposed to being distracting/artificial.
-Vocals are not pushed forward. On tracks with quiet vocals, they will not receive help from XI1 in pushing them forward. iBasso CB18 seems to help in this aspect a bit (but first-day initial impressions so can't be conclusive).
-Likewise, the XI1 does not inject airiness into the presentation. You'll probably need to buy an airy IEM like Helios SE for an airy presentation, which I guess is normal if you want the IEM to shape the sound signature. (I haven't tested enough IEMs to determine if the XI1 lacks air or not, but again, the iBasso CB18 seems to help.)

These are very brief initial impressions that have not been verified with multiple weeks of further listening. It is also only based on one IEM with 3rd party eartips/cable, so all of the above impressions could be simply affected by synergy. I'm interested in testing it with the UM Multiverse Mentor in stock configuration which by itself is colored (yet well-balanced), warm, thick, and holographic, with very rich and deep mids/mid-bass. It does not need a colored dongle to sound special (interesting to see whether the XI1 will bring its holography and micro-detail retrieval to another level while maintaining musicality). The Xanadu Khopesh has a forward/crisp female vocal presentation, is incisive in transients, and has smooth treble, yet addictive treble overtones in its stock configuration (hoping it's a perfect match with XI1). Penon Voltage is a very refined, cohesive, and balanced IEM (wonder how pairing these two balanced gears will sound). I probably won't update until I have weeks/months to form solid impressions. I just wanted to leave a quick brief initial impression right after receiving the unit for this post.
Thanks! Looking forward to further impressions!
 
Jul 3, 2024 at 12:06 PM Post #412 of 1,675
Got the Xl1 for a few days.
Happy to say it doesn't make the CA Andromeda hiss on both SE and Balanced.
I also use them on the Simgot EW200, it makes the highs not enjoyable, had to tone it down using EQ.

Also, how does a OTG cable affect sound? digital signals are 1s and 0s, it shouldn't affect especially such a short cable.
Did you try slow filter?
 
Jul 3, 2024 at 12:22 PM Post #413 of 1,675
Got the Xl1 for a few days.
Happy to say it doesn't make the CA Andromeda hiss on both SE and Balanced.
I also use them on the Simgot EW200, it makes the highs not enjoyable, had to tone it down using EQ.

Also, how does a OTG cable affect sound? digital signals are 1s and 0s, it shouldn't affect especially such a short cable.
Glad to see the Andros are not hissing. Does the Onix play well with them? Are there enough volume steps for the Andro's?
 
Jul 3, 2024 at 12:24 PM Post #414 of 1,675
Hello all. Received my device today. Unfortunately - it does not work with Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (tried with two different cables with which Fiio KA17 works just fine). It just does not switch on.
But at the same time it works fine with iPhone 13 pro max, ipad air 5 and macbook air M2.
 
Jul 3, 2024 at 12:34 PM Post #417 of 1,675
Hello all. Received my device today. Unfortunately - it does not work with Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (tried with two different cables with which Fiio KA17 works just fine). It just does not switch on.
But at the same time it works fine with iPhone 13 pro max, ipad air 5 and macbook air M2.
Crazy.. So many devices this is not working..hmmm. Wonder why
 
Jul 3, 2024 at 1:52 PM Post #418 of 1,675
I got my today. Just to let you know I have tried it with Oppo Find X3 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S10e and it works on both phones.
Very nice sounding device. It expands soundstage and has excellent instrument separation.
It is little bit brighter than Colorfly CDA-M1P.
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Jul 3, 2024 at 2:48 PM Post #419 of 1,675
Small update on sound impressions (now using ZMF Verite Closed optimized for a balance between timbre, smoothness, reverb, and holographic):
Edit: re-optimized the Verite Closed and the impression so far is my music with gritty electronic guitar sounds gritty, my soft euphonic music sounds soft and euphonic (living up to its transparent reputation in this pairing for now). Very holographic, spacious, airy, good synergy. Given, that I am using the 2k copper cable + Auteur Hybrid + perpendicular headband/center earcup positioning on the Verite Closed (very fussy headphone to optimize).
 
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