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

[smegel]

I think I was testing the Alpha to see if would power up from the XM5 and I can confirm it does not.

Ok, that would make sense.
But as some have pointed out... you could have gotten one of those 'T' connectors that allow you to charge and listen at the same time. Then used a Jackery or some other battery pack.

But seriously... what would it sound like? A DAC feeding into another DAC?

Thx

 

[smegel]

Yes, if the XM5 sounds like the Alpha XL1 with more heft and fuller midrange; the wattage sounds like it got the muscle. The question is if it has the accuracy and finesse for a classical music dap as well as being a hard rock player. In that respect, the Chords are a sure thing. My regular DAC is the Hugo TT2 with a M-Scaler.

Yeah.... that's why I was thinking about the Mojo2.
Darko has said that its his favorite 'portable' DAC and velcro'd it to his phone.
I guess in cooler/colder weather you could put it into a jacket pocket.

Now counting the days.

Edit:
If/when I get to upgrade my home kit, I'm probably looking at a Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC.
Then use it to feed into a couple of Orchard Monoblocs and also upgrade my speakers. (Plus some other kit)

Or something along that line. The idea is to create an all American built system. (There are other options too.)

Now if I wanted all Korean... then maybe the AK feeding an amp into Mon Audio speakers... (Not sure which one)

And if I went UK... Then consider the CHORD feeding into an UK amp and playing it on FYNE Speakers.

But that's a different discussion for a different board.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

Ok, that would make sense.
But as some have pointed out... you could have gotten one of those 'T' connectors that allow you to charge and listen at the same time. Then used a Jackery or some other battery pack.

But seriously... what would it sound like? A DAC feeding into another DAC?

Thx

At that point the XM5 would just be the transport and you would listening to the Alpha's dac and amp

 

[Hellknight[FA]]

I don't think you will be disappointed. There are no other $100 devices that I can suggest to replace it. Next major step is a Mojo. Other dongles are about the same more or less.

And after the Mojo - go back to a nice "dongle" again for the next major step - the DC-Elite from iBasso

 

[Lépine]

And after the Mojo - go back to a nice "dongle" again for the next major step - the DC-Elite from iBasso

From Andy's perspective on Dongle Madness, you would not go to the DC-Elite from the ONIX Alpha, that would be two steps backwards.

 

[captblaze]

From Andy's perspective on Dongle Madness, you would not go to the DC-Elite from the ONIX Alpha, that would be two steps backwards.

Thats the beauty of the hobby. Variety in sound and the ability to choose what your ears like best

 

[Lépine]

Yes, and some people like beer over wine....

 

[Zachik]

Yes, and some people like beer over wine....

As long as it's NOT an IPA...

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

As long as it's NOT an IPA...

Or a sour that's not beer!

 

[Lépine]

For grins, I hooked up the Mojo original fully expecting this not to be much of a contest between the ONIX Alpha and the Mojo.
Completely cold, the ONIX easily sounds more neutral, well defined, articulate, and quite enjoyable. Sound stage is lacking a bit of depth, but not much.
The cold Mojo sounds too warm, highs aren't that well separated. The midrange is fuller than the ONIX. But overall, I wouldn't say it is better, but different.

It takes the Mojo maybe 20 minutes to reach temperatures where it is almost hot. Now the Mojo is a completely different animal. Sound stage is big, instruments
are well articulated, separated, and very holographic. Didn't really note it much before, but the Mojo is a warm signature with a bit more lower midrange that may be
more north of neutral. It sounds very good. The ONIX, which hasn't increased in operating temperature also opened up a bit more even sitting idle connected to
the USB cable. It retains its more neutral coloration, but it does open up it's soundstage more giving the Mojo a good run for it's money. They are different tonality,
but I am not really sure if there is a clearly better using the 64 Audio Forte Blanc iem. Infact, I may prefer the more neutral tonality of the ONIX while trading a bit
of the Mojo slightly larger soundstage.

I haven't tried with a heavier load of a headphone, but for iems, the ONIX seems well worth the asking price and maybe a bit embarassing for the original Mojo.
There also isn't the long warm up time needed for the Mojo to sound like a Mojo. ONIX is ready to go after the first couple of songs. Not bad performance for a dongle.

 

[smegel]

I haven't tried with a heavier load of a headphone, but for iems, the ONIX seems well worth the asking price and maybe a bit embarassing for the original Mojo.
There also isn't the long warm up time needed for the Mojo to sound like a Mojo. ONIX is ready to go after the first couple of songs. Not bad performance for a dongle.

Wow.
That's good to know.

According to TDM (ToneDeafMonk), the Alpha will pair well with the Dita Project Ms too.

Thx

 

[Lépine]

If you listen to something like Halie Loren "Heart First", you can hear how close the ONIX can get to the Mojo. The Mojo still has a little bit more resolution and finesse or articulation. A bit more holographic experience include a bit more depth of field. But which is more natural sounding? There is a different rendition between the ONIX and the MOJO. Hard to believe I am comparing a $100 dongle to a $600 MOJO and like them equally for slighty different strenghts. Hate to pull out the Hugo2 and not be completely one sided in favor of the Hugo2. Hugo2 has always been definitely more neutral than the MOJO, better contest, but the price difference...

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

Wow.
That's good to know.

According to TDM (ToneDeafMonk), the Alpha will pair well with the Dita Project Ms too.

Thx

Yeah very well those two compliment each other.

 

[smegel]

If you listen to something like Halie Loren "Heart First", you can hear how close the ONIX can get to the Mojo. The Mojo still has a little bit more resolution and finesse or articulation. A bit more holographic experience include a bit more depth of field. But which is more natural sounding? There is a different rendition between the ONIX and the MOJO. Hard to believe I am comparing a $100 dongle to a $600 MOJO and like them equally for slighty different strenghts. Hate to pull out the Hugo2 and not be completely one sided in favor of the Hugo2. Hugo2 has always been definitely more neutral than the MOJO, better contest, but the price difference...

You do realize you now have to break out the Hugo...

I don't think it will compete... but would be curious as to how close it can come.
Would be interesting if you could take the output and feed into either RCA or even XLR inputs of an amp. ( Maybe it would require the USB-C splitter ... )

 

[Zachik]

Or a sour that's not beer!

Finally!!! @ToneDeafMonk gets it.
I am very frustrated by the hipsters who drink IPAs and Sours, instead of real beers... because of them, most bars serve mostly IPAs