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

[smegel]

Of course it isn't, he doesn't say otherwise. But the XI1 holding up against the Mojo 2 (which itself imo punches above its weight) is a great result.

Guys,

Yes, I know it wasn't a fair comparison. Its less David vs. Goliath, but more like David vs 10 Goliaths and David clearly knows its a suicide mission.

A couple YT reviewers have compared speakers and amps that are chi-fi or in a low price bracket against much more expensive equipment.
It helps to put things in perspective ... that said. So far this DAC sounds like it punches well above its weight.
I won't know until sometime tomorrow when USPS drops mine off. I ordered it last weekend so its 8 days since I placed the order. This is from Shanling itself.


I would like to see how it stacks against the Mojo2. I mean one idea I had was to get the Mojo2 and Poly for a more portable DAP/DAC for around the house.
But for less money... there's the Onix X5 and it has wi-fi/bt built in, so its cheaper than that combo. The other interesting thing about the X5 is that I should be able to make my iPhone a hot spot and then have a wire-less solution. And while this thread is for the Alpha XI1, the X5 is a sibling. (There's a thread asking about BT)

But back to the Alpha XI1...

I would love to see Darko do a YT presentation and compare it to the Mojo2, his current favorite. Note: He explains that he doesn't get to test all the DACs out there but like the Mojo and he can velcro it to his phone and put it in his pocket... (So of the dacs he tested. Its his favorite.)

 

[Surf Monkey]

Well, go get one!!

Ordered.

 

[seyuu]

Ordered.

Should have waited...i mean for reviews

 

[Surf Monkey]

Should have waited...i mean for reviews

Naah, I’m willing to take a chance on it. There are some reviews out already.

 

[ybbobserrot]

Should have waited...i mean for reviews

You wanna wait for 100 reviews before buying?

 

[smegel]

Argh!
<vent>
So I wait the week for the package to fly from China to Chicago where it goes to USPS.
It hit Chicago last thur/fri so it get xfer from International carrier to USPS.

Since we've had mail stolen, I get the normal email updates as to what is supposed to be in my daily mail.
All weekend and including this morning... I've been alerted that the package should hit today before 9:00pm.

Mail comes. No package.
Just checked on the status.
Now they say it should hit tomorrow.

Got to love them postal workers. </sarcasm>
At least w UPS and FedEx, if they say its going to be delivered, it comes that day. If they say its been delivered and I can't find it... there's a photo of the delivery.
</vent>

 

[seyuu]

You wanna wait for 100 reviews before buying?

Did i say 100 reviews?

 

[Surf Monkey]

Did i say 100 reviews?

There are already reviews out, so no need to wait.

 

[Edgore 17]

Ya hay investigaciones disponibles, así que no hay necesidad de esperanzacomo

There are already reviews out, so no need to wait.

Pasa el link por favor

 

[Surf Monkey]

Pasa el link por favor

YouTube: ONIX Alpha XI 1.

 

[smegel]

YouTube: ONIX Alpha XI 1.

Tone Deaf Monk has an excellent review.
My unit should be here shortly.

 

[ybbobserrot]

Did i say 100 reviews?

99 reviews? 50 reviews? Whatever... there are very good impartial reviews already out there by AndyAudiovault, Tone Deaf Monk, GizAudio In Reviews, and Giz Audio. All saying good things about the Onix Alpha You're late to the party

 

[smegel]

99 reviews? 50 reviews? Whatever... there are very good impartial reciews already out there by Audiovault, Tone Deaf Monk, Audio In Reviews, and Giz Audio. All saying good things about the R4. You're late to the party

R4?
Did you mean the Alpha XI1 ?

Still waiting for mine to show up today.
If not... I'm going to have to teach my Husky on how to bite our postman. (Note: If you've ever watched the videos of normal dogs vs Huskies... you'd understand its a joke.)

 

[ybbobserrot]

R4?
Did you mean the Alpha XI1 ?

Still waiting for mine to show up today.
If not... I'm going to have to teach my Husky on how to bite our postman. (Note: If you've ever watched the videos of normal dogs vs Huskies... you'd understand its a joke.)

Sorry, yeah the Onix...I mean....

 

[smegel]

OK, so no need to teach my Husky to bite the postman... the DAC was delivered.

Did some quick tests.
My IEMs are DITA Project M using the 3.5mm connector to start.
I use Spotify for my music source.

Definitely improves the quality of the sound.
Music is crisper / cleaner. I heard things that I didn't know were there.

I tried a different USB-C cable. One that I use w my external hard drives that are rated for 10Gb/s data xfer.
Honestly sounded slightly better... a little cleaner. I mean if you were listening casually, you'd miss it. But if you were paying attention you'd hear it.
My guess is that its slightly better cable and more power is going to the dac. Better shielding.

The only negative... for casual listening... when out and about... the Apple dongle is easier w the iPhone. When carrying the iPhone and dac, its a bit more of a pain when you want to change volume or skip a song. But that's going to be true of any dongle that's not just a cord.

That said... definitely worth it and will use it when I want to listen to music.
If I'm just going out and about... have to think about it.
Sometimes its just easier to use my M&D MW08s (Bluetooth IEMs)