Update:
I was using Windows until now, but I finally tested the ONIX Alpha XI1 (4.4mm low gain) with stock OTG Cable on my Samsung Galaxy S10e, using USB Audio Player PRO (bit perfect mode).
Also, a/b tested against my iBasso DC04Pro (4.4mm low gain) with volume matching.
Only used Hifiman Arya planar headphones for testing soundstage and battery consumption.
Battery consumption with screen on at ~25% brightness (volume matched):
-ONIX Alpha XI1: 4.4mm balanced, low gain, nonoversampling, VOL48 or 49 = approx. 6-6.5% drain in 20min.
-iBasso DC04Pro: 4.4mm balanced, low gain, Fast Roll Off, Turbo Mode, VOL53 = approx. 6% drain in 20min.
(I expect less battery consumption with IEMs)
Sound comparison (both used XI's stock OTG cable so as not to introduce extra variables):
Both sound very impressive with the Hifiman Arya.
DC04Pro has sharper/more precise transients, resulting in crisper and sharper percussive sounds that are more elevated in the soundstage while being closer together. XI1 has softer transients, resulting in less sharp but fuller sounds.
DC04Pro has lighter note weight, with sharp attack and less emphasis on the body of the sound. Percussive hits are more elevated and less full, giving a brighter presentation with high percussive hits sounding sharper and more clicky/tappy. The XI1 has a heavier note weight, focusing more on the body and fullness of the sound, with percussive sounds being fuller and more substantial, and high percussive sounds are less clicky/tappy and more natural (this may not be the case if using a dark IEM, in which case the DC04Pro might have better synergy).
DC04Pro and XI1 both have similar dynamic range capabilities. DC04Pro has good dynamic contrast and high percussive hits stand out sharply, whereas XI1's percussive hits are less sharp but maintain a fuller sound. On the other hand, the XI1's dynamic contrast in the bass and mids, with such a full and rich note weight, is satisfying when it occurs.
DC04Pro's bass notes do not reach as low in the soundstage vertically, but the treble is more elevated in the soundstage. XI1's bass notes reach lower in the soundstage and feels where they should be, with treble not as elevated as DC04Pro but at the right place (but dark IEMs might prefer DC04Pro).
XI1 is very noticeably more holographic and atmospheric. DC04Pro sounded flatter and slightly digital in soundstage presentation. XI1 sounds musical while achieving this. While hearing the fuller notes envelope the entire stage, it is more immersive.
XI1 sounds higher fidelity without being artificial/analytical. It is more natural, but I can see DC04Pro being the pick if using darker IEMs.
In terms of treble tonality and overtones, even though DC04Pro has more defined high percussive notes, the XI1 has better timbre and overtones, and cymbal trails have more room between each other (naturally spaced). Timbral differences are slightly more noticeable on the XI1. When a/b'ing, the DC04Pro's sound crisp and defined, but more clustered together, whereas the XI1's sounds more well-spaced in a natural way.
In terms of female vocals' timbral difference, DC04Pro has the edge, whereas XI1's vocals are not necessarily recessed or covered, they are slightly smoother. In terms of vocal forwardness, both had no issues despite the different presentation.
Without a/b, I would be satisfied with both.
If using a dark IEM or one with rolled-off treble, DC04Pro is likely my pick for synergic reasons.
XI1 would be my pick for any IEM that is neither dark nor rolled-off in the treble.
If IEM is well-balanced, I will objectively rank the XI1 higher.
Specifically, there are 3 volumes that I noticed are separate on my phone:
(1) Phone's volume.
(2) UAPP hardware volume control.
(3) XI1 volume and DC04Pro/UAC volume.
When I turn on bit perfect mode for XI1, (1) will not work, but (2) and (3) will work.
When I turn on bit perfect mode for DC04Pro, (1) and (2) will not work, but (3) will work.
So for XI1, I turn the UAPP hardware volume to max and then control via XI1 volume buttons. I don't know if bit perfect mode is working or not, but the sound from the XI1 is good.
On Windows 10, my XI1 is also noticeably louder than my DC04Pro.
Another difference in experience is that no matter what headphone I am powering it with, my XI1 barely even gets warm (which is in contrast with some reports here). This is in stark contrast to my previous USB DAC which gets warm just powering my Multiverse Mentor which is easy to drive. I wanted to feel a bit of heat on my XI1 but it would never heat up, not even with the leather case on running nonstop overnight (and we are in the hottest month right now).
I was using Windows until now, but I finally tested the ONIX Alpha XI1 (4.4mm low gain) with stock OTG Cable on my Samsung Galaxy S10e, using USB Audio Player PRO (bit perfect mode).
Also, a/b tested against my iBasso DC04Pro (4.4mm low gain) with volume matching.
Only used Hifiman Arya planar headphones for testing soundstage and battery consumption.
Battery consumption with screen on at ~25% brightness (volume matched):
-ONIX Alpha XI1: 4.4mm balanced, low gain, nonoversampling, VOL48 or 49 = approx. 6-6.5% drain in 20min.
-iBasso DC04Pro: 4.4mm balanced, low gain, Fast Roll Off, Turbo Mode, VOL53 = approx. 6% drain in 20min.
(I expect less battery consumption with IEMs)
Sound comparison (both used XI's stock OTG cable so as not to introduce extra variables):
Both sound very impressive with the Hifiman Arya.
DC04Pro has sharper/more precise transients, resulting in crisper and sharper percussive sounds that are more elevated in the soundstage while being closer together. XI1 has softer transients, resulting in less sharp but fuller sounds.
DC04Pro has lighter note weight, with sharp attack and less emphasis on the body of the sound. Percussive hits are more elevated and less full, giving a brighter presentation with high percussive hits sounding sharper and more clicky/tappy. The XI1 has a heavier note weight, focusing more on the body and fullness of the sound, with percussive sounds being fuller and more substantial, and high percussive sounds are less clicky/tappy and more natural (this may not be the case if using a dark IEM, in which case the DC04Pro might have better synergy).
DC04Pro and XI1 both have similar dynamic range capabilities. DC04Pro has good dynamic contrast and high percussive hits stand out sharply, whereas XI1's percussive hits are less sharp but maintain a fuller sound. On the other hand, the XI1's dynamic contrast in the bass and mids, with such a full and rich note weight, is satisfying when it occurs.
DC04Pro's bass notes do not reach as low in the soundstage vertically, but the treble is more elevated in the soundstage. XI1's bass notes reach lower in the soundstage and feels where they should be, with treble not as elevated as DC04Pro but at the right place (but dark IEMs might prefer DC04Pro).
XI1 is very noticeably more holographic and atmospheric. DC04Pro sounded flatter and slightly digital in soundstage presentation. XI1 sounds musical while achieving this. While hearing the fuller notes envelope the entire stage, it is more immersive.
XI1 sounds higher fidelity without being artificial/analytical. It is more natural, but I can see DC04Pro being the pick if using darker IEMs.
In terms of treble tonality and overtones, even though DC04Pro has more defined high percussive notes, the XI1 has better timbre and overtones, and cymbal trails have more room between each other (naturally spaced). Timbral differences are slightly more noticeable on the XI1. When a/b'ing, the DC04Pro's sound crisp and defined, but more clustered together, whereas the XI1's sounds more well-spaced in a natural way.
In terms of female vocals' timbral difference, DC04Pro has the edge, whereas XI1's vocals are not necessarily recessed or covered, they are slightly smoother. In terms of vocal forwardness, both had no issues despite the different presentation.
Without a/b, I would be satisfied with both.
If using a dark IEM or one with rolled-off treble, DC04Pro is likely my pick for synergic reasons.
XI1 would be my pick for any IEM that is neither dark nor rolled-off in the treble.
If IEM is well-balanced, I will objectively rank the XI1 higher.
Sounds similar to what I hear, minus the strangeness. Possibly due to synergy or the XI1 being glitchy?
For my experience with the UAPP bit perfect mode, I noticed the phone's volume was disabled when I clicked on my phone's physical volume buttons, but the UAPP hardware volume control was engaged instead (separate from my phone's volume). Note there was one instance where my phone's volume did work despite bit perfect mode being on (I had to reconnect the OTG cable to fix it).
Specifically, there are 3 volumes that I noticed are separate on my phone:
(1) Phone's volume.
(2) UAPP hardware volume control.
(3) XI1 volume and DC04Pro/UAC volume.
When I turn on bit perfect mode for XI1, (1) will not work, but (2) and (3) will work.
When I turn on bit perfect mode for DC04Pro, (1) and (2) will not work, but (3) will work.
So for XI1, I turn the UAPP hardware volume to max and then control via XI1 volume buttons. I don't know if bit perfect mode is working or not, but the sound from the XI1 is good.
My experience in gain is quite different. I used the Hifiman Arya planar headphone which should be more power hungry. In UAPP bit perfect mode (hardware volume at max with XI1) I needed 49 volume on the XI1 to match the DC04Pro at 53 volume to achieve the same decibel level. (Note Turbo Mode was on for DC04Pro.) My experience seems more in line with the specs of the dongles, so something could be amiss.
On Windows 10, my XI1 is also noticeably louder than my DC04Pro.
Another difference in experience is that no matter what headphone I am powering it with, my XI1 barely even gets warm (which is in contrast with some reports here). This is in stark contrast to my previous USB DAC which gets warm just powering my Multiverse Mentor which is easy to drive. I wanted to feel a bit of heat on my XI1 but it would never heat up, not even with the leather case on running nonstop overnight (and we are in the hottest month right now).
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