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

[MotherX1]

Are we gonna wait for an update for the bug fixes soon?

I face it too. there is a USB connection issue with the Onix. some phones didn't connect it properly. and disconnect and then connect again.

 

[bithalver]

Testing the Onix Alpha XI1 with different devices.

On my business laptop (Dell, win11) I use that kind of USB switch which is connected to 2 hosts; I can switch which host has all the connected USB devices including the DAC. It works well, but got very short breaks often ( clipping maybe ? ). Tried direct connection without the USB HUB: same short breaks.

My private phone is a Sony Xperia 1 IV: flawless. USB Audio Pro is used in bitperfect mode.
My business phone is a Samsung S22+ 5g: flawless. USB Audio Pro is used in bitperfect mode.

My previous phone is a Poco F2 Pro: works, no problem. Just used the default youtube app (so no bitperfect here).
I have a spare Samsung Note 8: works, no problem. Just used the default youtube app (so no bitperfect here).

 

[zie5522]

After playing with my unit for about a month or so. Right now i think the connection problems are hardware bound. Shanling usually fast when it comes to software fixes.

Best bet is using ddHifi tc28c/i pro. My Alpha now can connect to every smartphone without problems.

 

[Zmey69]

phone Poco X6 pro, Dimensity 8300 Ultra, onix alpha xi1 does not work.

It was possible to launch the phone with onix alpha xi1.
What I did (thanks to my friend for the help)
1. Enable Developer mode.
2. Log in for developers. Enable the "USB debugging" option, then turn it off.
3. Go down below to find the option in multimedia "disable audio transmission (USB)". Enable and disable the option.
Restart your smartphone.
Try to connect onix alpha xi1.
It worked for me, although it was initially turned on, but I did not want to see it with a smartphone in any way.
This is a bug of the smartphone, its operating systems. Apparently, by default, some of the settings are enabled by default, although the slider is turned off.
I hope it helps someone.

 

[calvinrey]

The ONIX AI1 alpha is a bit tricky with its power supply.
It works with my old Samung A3 and draws about 0.15 A of power (0.8 W; in high gain) with its on C-to-C-OTG-cable and some random other OTG-cables. It also works with PCs and other Android devices (Fiio R7 ... - especially if using a powered hub obviously).


It also works with my iPhone 12mini with the Shanling L6 Lightning to USB-C cable but depletes the iPhone battery quite quickly


It does NOT work (without external power) with my Hiby R4 DAP. It does not power on when connected with any of my USB-C-OTG-Cables.
It works however when using the CB19-y-cable from iBasso and an external power bank.

In any way a solution with the cb19 cable and an external power source is favorable given its power consumption. I honestly do not fully understand why Andy (donglemadness) rated it as power efficient.

It sounds really good BTW and drives my different IEMs and my more sensitive headphones very well.

EDIT:
It also works with my USB-C iPads (iPad mini 6 and iPad PRO; normal OTG cables) and my old iPhone XR (Shanling L6 cable as above)
... but NOT with my LG V50 (does not power on)

how bad is the battery drain on your iphone? mine is iphone 13, and i considering this dongle

 

[jsmiller58]

It was possible to launch the phone with onix alpha xi1.
What I did (thanks to my friend for the help)
1. Enable Developer mode.
2. Log in for developers. Enable the "USB debugging" option, then turn it off.
3. Go down below to find the option in multimedia "disable audio transmission (USB)". Enable and disable the option.
Restart your smartphone.
Try to connect onix alpha xi1.
It worked for me, although it was initially turned on, but I did not want to see it with a smartphone in any way.
This is a bug of the smartphone, its operating systems. Apparently, by default, some of the settings are enabled by default, although the slider is turned off.
I hope it helps someone.

Excellent observation. The issue with Onix XI1 and some phones could possibly be with the phones (including the settings on those phones), and not with the XI1…. Not to say there aren’t issues with the XI1.

 

[eloelo]

Just received my ONIX yesterday, and wow it's big and pretty heavy for a dongle. As expected, it didn't work with my samsung A52 5G unless I power it with a power bank (with a ugreen splitter). I'm thinking of getting a light 2000-3000mAh power bank, but for now it's my PC usb dac.
My first impressions (using iem QDC 8SL at volume 9 low gain, low latency fast filter, and out of desktop PC):

It is a neutral sounding (not warm or cold) dongle, with a smooth sound that tames the treble but does not emphasise the lower-mid/mid-bass frequencies. Laid back sound. Most similar dongle I've heard is iBasso DC04pro.

What I like:
Very inoffensive sound signature, nothing sounds harsh, even when increasing the volume beyond my usual listening level
Impressive imaging and stage width & depth. Placement of instruments tend to not come near.
Good sense of impact, (eg bass/vocals jump forward during louder segments, more so than other dongles that disperse the impact even when increasing volume)
Details are clearly heard despite the smooth sound signature
SubBass rumble can really be felt over a large area in the headspace
No hiss for sensitive iem, no pop upon insertion and removal from usb port

What I don't really like:
Lack of coloration also means lack of euphoria/emotion in some songs. I prefer some colour, Tanchjim space and tempotec BHDpro do better in this regard
Shares some of the weakness of iBasso DC04pro, being overly smooth sometimes so there is lack of texture, though not as bad as DC04pro (Using low latency fast filter and increasing the volume circumvents this to an extent)
Does not have the best dynamic range. DC04pro def beats this in dynamic range (the volume range and impact in classical music is insane on DC04pro)


Though my opinion could change upon further listening, just like how DC04pro was the best dongle for me initially but ended up being put aside for the lower ranked Tanchjim space and Tempotec BHDpro

Ok, so previously I tried with PC only, now I am using my Samsung A52 5G with the DD Hifi TC28CPro OTG adapter and a 5k mAH powerbank. I tried a few powerbanks and usb cables, all seem to create a mild hiss on ONIX, some louder than others, so im using the powerbank with the least hiss which becomes unnoticeable when the music is playing.

On PC, the sound felt a little low on energy. It would randomly sound anemic on a usb port, then louder on another (maybe a usb hub) but with hiss, or disconnect easily on another port. It was hard to find the right setup that would sound perfect. Noticed that NOS filter would have the loudest hiss.

On the phone though, it is a whole different beast. With the same filter/gain/volume settings, the sound has much more grit and breaks out of the originally overly-smooth sound, so i can finally not rely on NOS filter to introduce the texture, other filters do great as well. There is now more connectedness in the sound, it is much more comfortable than before and I can enjoy whatever song being thrown at it. It's arguable the most refined sound from a dongle I've heard, like it reminds me of how the U12T sounds even though I'm using a QDC iem, no overly rough edges and just an impactful smooth sound. That said, it's hard to say yet that onix is superior to the other dongles I have because I have yet to pair the other dongles with this DD Hifi TC28CPro/powerbank combination that unfortunately adds 160g or so hanging from the phone's port oof.

 

[smegel]

Hi,
So it seems that the bulk of the issues deal w compatibility issues of certain android phones, and then USB cables?

It seems that if you are using iPhones, and the M series of Apple Macs... you're ok? No problems, line noises, etc?
Or am I missing something?

Are there QA issues w the Alpha or just the compatibility issues I mentioned?
Thx

 

[vandung2510]

Finally, i've finished my review of the Onix Alpha XI1.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/onix-alpha-xi1.27374/reviews
Now, onto video recording ~~

 

[laleeee]

Finally, i've finished my review of the Onix Alpha XI1.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/onix-alpha-xi1.27374/reviews
Now, onto video recording ~~

"- Not suitable for those who likes clean, neutral sounding dac/amp"
Why ? The Alpha's sound is not clean ?

 

[zie5522]

Ok, so previously I tried with PC only, now I am using my Samsung A52 5G with the DD Hifi TC28CPro OTG adapter and a 5k mAH powerbank. I tried a few powerbanks and usb cables, all seem to create a mild hiss on ONIX, some louder than others, so im using the powerbank with the least hiss which becomes unnoticeable when the music is playing.

On PC, the sound felt a little low on energy. It would randomly sound anemic on a usb port, then louder on another (maybe a usb hub) but with hiss, or disconnect easily on another port. It was hard to find the right setup that would sound perfect. Noticed that NOS filter would have the loudest hiss.

On the phone though, it is a whole different beast. With the same filter/gain/volume settings, the sound has much more grit and breaks out of the originally overly-smooth sound, so i can finally not rely on NOS filter to introduce the texture, other filters do great as well. There is now more connectedness in the sound, it is much more comfortable than before and I can enjoy whatever song being thrown at it. It's arguable the most refined sound from a dongle I've heard, like it reminds me of how the U12T sounds even though I'm using a QDC iem, no overly rough edges and just an impactful smooth sound. That said, it's hard to say yet that onix is superior to the other dongles I have because I have yet to pair the other dongles with this DD Hifi TC28CPro/powerbank combination that unfortunately adds 160g or so hanging from the phone's port oof.

Try using it like this.

 

[Deckard001]

It was possible to launch the phone with onix alpha xi1.
What I did (thanks to my friend for the help)
1. Enable Developer mode.
2. Log in for developers. Enable the "USB debugging" option, then turn it off.
3. Go down below to find the option in multimedia "disable audio transmission (USB)". Enable and disable the option.
Restart your smartphone.
Try to connect onix alpha xi1.
It worked for me, although it was initially turned on, but I did not want to see it with a smartphone in any way.
This is a bug of the smartphone, its operating systems. Apparently, by default, some of the settings are enabled by default, although the slider is turned off.
I hope it helps someone.

nice move, but not working for me

 

[vandung2510]

"- Not suitable for those who likes clean, neutral sounding dac/amp"
Why ? The Alpha's sound is not clean ?

Yes. And i stand by it.
My reference for clean is the DC07 Pro and E1DA 9038D.
The alpha stray away from it. Closer to the FC6

 

[eloelo]

Try using it like this.

I'm mad how this hadn't worked before when it was the first thing I tried when i took the adapter out of the box (following an earlier post that said this worked), but now that i tried it again to prove that it doesn't work, it now works! I will continue doing this over the next few days to see if there are any issues

However, I think the sound with powerbank attached is even better XD

 

[zie5522]

I'm mad how this hadn't worked before when it was the first thing I tried when i took the adapter out of the box (following an earlier post that said this worked), but now that i tried it again to prove that it doesn't work, it now works! I will continue doing this over the next few days to see if there are any issues

However, I think the sound with powerbank attached is even better XD

Of course, more clean power is the key.