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

[Polky74]

Look what I use to listen to dongles even from a laptop...

and watch the RU7 suck power from a hub powered by a stepdown switching system and data/power separator. No USB socket on any device can provide 1,3 instantaneous watts like the hub is now doing. Do you know what all that power the RU7 is receiving is for? To make it sound much better than a simple RU7.
There are two parameters that dongles appreciate most of all...
1) data/power separation
2) quantity/quality/speed of power delivery

 

[pioterd]

@Shanling , or anyone who knows - is it enough to connect Onix Alpha to USB 2.0 (500mA) to provide it sufficient current or USB 3.0+ (900mA+) is required? I use it as a DAC/preamplifier connected to PC/notebook.

 

[Shanling]

@Shanling , or anyone who knows - is it enough to connect Onix Alpha to USB 2.0 (500mA) to provide it sufficient current or USB 3.0+ (900mA+) is required? I use it as a DAC/preamplifier connected to PC/notebook.

USB 2.0 is enough.

 

[smegel]

After a couple of months of ownership... here's some wear and tear issues.

The USB-C plug is getting a little looser. I thought it was the cable, but I notice that if you wiggle it... the connection is loose and the dac loses power.
Not much of an issue when using it w PC and not moving it. But could be an issue if you support the DAC from the cable like you would as a dongle.

I'd recommend getting the case and some way to connect to the back of your phone. (Velcro works) And then a short cable so that there isn't any play.

Also if you're using it w a PC if you can over sample your source... the Alpha goes to 768 x 32bit which is higher than other DACs at this price range. (Most seem to only go to 384x32)

 

[pioterd]

@Shanling could you please provide information what is the voltage output (high gain, volume set to 100) when Onix Alpha is connected to external amplifier ( 3.5mm -> RCA)? For 32ohm headphones the specs says 2.4V, but it seems that with external amplifier the maximum output is rather around 1.9V from 3.5mm. Could you please confirm it?

 

[Shanling]

@Shanling could you please provide information what is the voltage output (high gain, volume set to 100) when Onix Alpha is connected to external amplifier ( 3.5mm -> RCA)? For 32ohm headphones the specs says 2.4V, but it seems that with external amplifier the maximum output is rather around 1.9V from 3.5mm. Could you please confirm it?

2.4V is specification provided by our engineers, we do not have any alternative specs for this.

 

[smegel]

@Shanling ,

After a couple of months of use, the USB-C connector has loosened to the point that if the cable is wiggled the power is lost.
So if the DAC is bumped, the sound shifts to my laptop speakers. I tried it as a dongle dac and its the same thing.
Since the dongle dac is connected by the cable... its not a good sign. I tested the play in the connection and can confirm this happens with multiple cables.

What are the options? I mean I'm back to my $12.00 Apple USB-C Dongle which works.
I love the sound... but what gives?
I know I'm not the only one who is going to face this...

Thx

 

[Shanling]

@Shanling ,

After a couple of months of use, the USB-C connector has loosened to the point that if the cable is wiggled the power is lost.
So if the DAC is bumped, the sound shifts to my laptop speakers. I tried it as a dongle dac and its the same thing.
Since the dongle dac is connected by the cable... its not a good sign. I tested the play in the connection and can confirm this happens with multiple cables.

What are the options? I mean I'm back to my $12.00 Apple USB-C Dongle which works.
I love the sound... but what gives?
I know I'm not the only one who is going to face this...

Thx

If you are experiencing any issue on the USB Connector, please reach out to your seller for warranty.

 

[smegel]

If you are experiencing any issue on the USB Connector, please reach out to your seller for warranty.

That would be you.
I purchased it off your store.

 

[Shanling]

That would be you.
I purchased it off your store.

If you purchased from store.shanling.com, please email them at shop@shanling.com

 

[pioterd]

2.4V is specification provided by our engineers

Thank you, thats right indeed, sorry for the fuss. It gives up to 2.4V in high gain, and 1.2V in low gain mode from 3.5mm output. Measured with multimeter using 50Hz and 500Hz 0dB sine wave sound.

 

[smegel]

All,
Just wanted to update everyone on the issue I am having...

Over time, the USB-C plug seemed to have some 'play' or movement. Not much, but enough that it will drop the power and the connection.
Now I don't have a cable that would allow for external power. This could help w the issue. (I will probably buy one to add to my collection of cables and connectors. )
Without opening the unit, my guess is that how the USB-C plug is connected to the motherboard could be an issue. (This is a design/manufacturing issue) I would imagine that this would happen to other dongle dacs over time... but this is my first dongle dac. I guess other devices probably either anchor it better or have solutions to reduce the stresses.

Now @Shanling did offer to repair the unit under warranty, if I could send it back to them. (I bought it from their store since there wasn't a US dealer carrying it at that time.)
Unfortunately... here's the kicker... its costs more to send back the broken unit than it costs to buy a new one... (not to mention the 11/11 sales make it even cheaper to buy.)
This isn't Shanling's fault, its just how it is...

So...

• I will end up keeping the Alpha and limiting it to being a desktop unit since it works as long as I don't move it around.
• Would I get another one? No. Don't get me wrong... I still love the sound. I mean its that good and its not that expensive... But...
  • IMHO this is a potential problem w all dongle dacs where you're getting your data and power from your portable device so the USB-C can become a weak point.
  • For out and about listening... I'll use my iPhone USB-C dongle. Its not going to have that issue and its ~$12.00 or so.
    • This is casual listening where I have to also deal w surrounding noise and can't get lost in the music.
  • While the sound is amazing... I think having a battery and BT are going to be good to have. So it would be an upgrade and more $$$
  • Thinking about those BT adapters that can plug into standard IEMs (When out and about good for casual listening.)
  • There are other options... Different price points...
• Other options:
  • @ToneDeafMonk just reviewed the Shanling EH1. (Think same sound... more power but a desktop/transportable for ~$200 USD)
  • Onix XM5. More money but wi-fi, BT, and Battery. ~$750. Its larger, portable but also can use it as something to carry around the house and use airplay.
  • XDuoo XD05 Pro ~$799 but on sale for less (11/11 sale) can also get the rhom dac card also on sale... Transportable but no wi-fi just BT. (Fits the move around house bit too.)

There are other options out there... like Shanling's M5 Ultra which is ~$590 USD.

Would I still recommend the Alpha? YES!
The sound is amazing considering its price. A lesson learned would be to get the strap/velcro so that you can attach it to your phone and then get a flexible and very short USB-C cable so that there is little to no movement or stress on the USB-C connector. Or just use it as a portable dac when you're going to be sitting around. I mean the sound is killer when I up the connection to my macbook (midi app). For the price... I think some dongle dacs are coming close, but again, I think the USB-C connection will be a weak point for all of them. I thought about the iBasso DC Elite, but because it has no battery and gets its power via the USB-C cable... it would run into the same issues and its $450 USD. (Note: It costs more to take the missus out for a dinner and drink than the cost of the Alpha. DC Elite makes me want to think about something slightly better. )

Also note: The Alpha can do 32bit @ 768kHz. Most of the other stuff in that price range is less than that... (24bit@384kHz)

 

[D1N0]

You could try to fix the usb connector with some superglue. I've seen people do that with other dongles

 

[bithalver]

Crosspost from discovery thread"
A kind of discovery I found. Not exactly audio related, but it has it uses.

I ordered an adapter from aliex (and yes, it was a bit more expensive last week). It helps tp protect usb-c ports by not straining them.
I did put this on all usb-c I have (laptop power port, phone, DAC).

A bit of warning:
- this shop says the adapters they sell are only compatible with their's
- I haven't said this is the best one (but works very well)
- price will go back a bit (10% maybe ?) after 11.11 sale ends.

I hope my IT engineer experience helps others.

 

[trevdawg94]

All,
Just wanted to update everyone on the issue I am having...

Over time, the USB-C plug seemed to have some 'play' or movement. Not much, but enough that it will drop the power and the connection.
Now I don't have a cable that would allow for external power. This could help w the issue. (I will probably buy one to add to my collection of cables and connectors. )
Without opening the unit, my guess is that how the USB-C plug is connected to the motherboard could be an issue. (This is a design/manufacturing issue) I would imagine that this would happen to other dongle dacs over time... but this is my first dongle dac. I guess other devices probably either anchor it better or have solutions to reduce the stresses.

Now @Shanling did offer to repair the unit under warranty, if I could send it back to them. (I bought it from their store since there wasn't a US dealer carrying it at that time.)
Unfortunately... here's the kicker... its costs more to send back the broken unit than it costs to buy a new one... (not to mention the 11/11 sales make it even cheaper to buy.)
This isn't Shanling's fault, its just how it is...

So...

• I will end up keeping the Alpha and limiting it to being a desktop unit since it works as long as I don't move it around.
• Would I get another one? No. Don't get me wrong... I still love the sound. I mean its that good and its not that expensive... But...
  • IMHO this is a potential problem w all dongle dacs where you're getting your data and power from your portable device so the USB-C can become a weak point.
  • For out and about listening... I'll use my iPhone USB-C dongle. Its not going to have that issue and its ~$12.00 or so.
    • This is casual listening where I have to also deal w surrounding noise and can't get lost in the music.
  • While the sound is amazing... I think having a battery and BT are going to be good to have. So it would be an upgrade and more $$$
  • Thinking about those BT adapters that can plug into standard IEMs (When out and about good for casual listening.)
  • There are other options... Different price points...
• Other options:
  • @ToneDeafMonk just reviewed the Shanling EH1. (Think same sound... more power but a desktop/transportable for ~$200 USD)
  • Onix XM5. More money but wi-fi, BT, and Battery. ~$750. Its larger, portable but also can use it as something to carry around the house and use airplay.
  • XDuoo XD05 Pro ~$799 but on sale for less (11/11 sale) can also get the rhom dac card also on sale... Transportable but no wi-fi just BT. (Fits the move around house bit too.)

There are other options out there... like Shanling's M5 Ultra which is ~$590 USD.

Would I still recommend the Alpha? YES!
The sound is amazing considering its price. A lesson learned would be to get the strap/velcro so that you can attach it to your phone and then get a flexible and very short USB-C cable so that there is little to no movement or stress on the USB-C connector. Or just use it as a portable dac when you're going to be sitting around. I mean the sound is killer when I up the connection to my macbook (midi app). For the price... I think some dongle dacs are coming close, but again, I think the USB-C connection will be a weak point for all of them. I thought about the iBasso DC Elite, but because it has no battery and gets its power via the USB-C cable... it would run into the same issues and its $450 USD. (Note: It costs more to take the missus out for a dinner and drink than the cost of the Alpha. DC Elite makes me want to think about something slightly better. )

Also note: The Alpha can do 32bit @ 768kHz. Most of the other stuff in that price range is less than that... (24bit@384kHz)

This is a major issue with all stamped USB C connectors and plugs, it's really frustrating that so many devices and cables still use this connector style. Sometimes you can press the two edges of the connector back together with a pair of pliers but you'll need to take it apart first in order to do so. And it could also be a bad solder joint which is fixable with a soldering iron and some flux but if you haven't soldered before I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself though an electronics or phone repair store might be able to fix it.

I completely agree that you need some way to keep dongle DACs attached to your phone to keep them from putting strain on the USB C connectors, Shanling makes a nice one but it covers up the display and buttons so it might not work for you. Fiio also makes one that doesn't look as nice but is more functional since it will leave the display visible and the buttons should be accessible as well. I also highly recommend getting a cable with dual right-angle connectors such as this one from ddHifi to reduce the chance of the cable getting caught when pulling your phone and dongle out of your pocket. It will also prevent the cable from being bent when you sit down.

If you're wanting a device with a battery and Bluetooth that has similar sound to the XI1 you should check out Shanling's H2. It is slightly warmer than the XI1 but it's close enough that you really have to pick out finer details to notice a huge difference. It's fairly large for a Bluetooth DAC/amp but it also has double the power of smaller options and can act as a standalone player if you load songs onto a microSD card. For the price and power output there's really nothing quite like it.