It's the specification we received from our engineers.
Will try to check with them on your report.
ONIX Alpha XI1 - Smallest & Most Affordable ONIX DAC - High-Power Portable USB DAC/AMP
- Thread starter Shanling
- Start date
It's the specification we received from our engineers.
Will try to check with them on your report.
@Shanling Please kindly take a moment to carefully review the comment linked below. Thank you!
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/oni...able-usb-dac-amp.973027/page-91#post-18429035
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/oni...able-usb-dac-amp.973027/page-91#post-18429035
We saw your multiple emails to ONIX. We don't have S24 to test, we can't assist you with this any further.
You said it works fine with your other devices, so we can only assume this is some incompatibility with S24 and can only recommend to use it with your other devices or contact your seller, if they offer any options for refund.
The issue isn’t exclusive to the Galaxy S24. Other users on this forum have reported similar problems with different devices. Based on earlier discussions here, I believe the problem lies in sample rate switching. The issue becomes apparent when switching tracks or audio sources (like between apps).
For example, I might be listening to music on Spotify, then receive a message from a messenger or social network. When I open a video in that app, I hear crackling sounds. If I return to Spotify, the crackling continues. This cycle can repeat for a long time, though occasionally it may improve briefly. This also happens during regular music playback in just one app.
Before you ask, yes, I’ve tried other streaming services like YT Music and Deezer. Initially, switching to another app may seem to resolve the crackling, but after extended listening, the issue always returns. It seems to have a cumulative effect, as though some buffer in the DAC gradually builds up errors until it can no longer handle them, resulting in distortion.
This shouldn’t happen. The behavior is highly unstable. Additionally, the sound quality differs significantly depending on whether the DAC is powered by a power bank or a device. On the S24, the sound quality is the best for this DAC—only slightly better on a Windows laptop.
That said, even on Windows (with official drivers installed), I experience another issue: sound cuts out for about 0.5 seconds every few minutes. This is consistent and reproducible, regardless of whether the DAC is powered by the laptop or a power bank.
So, to summarize: the S24 crackles, Windows drops sound. Yet the response is still, 'We can’t help you.' This behavior needs addressing.
There’s no point in contacting the seller—I’ve been using this dongle for a long time, and they won’t be able to help either.
I have a suggestion: could you create a test firmware version to attempt resolving this issue? I am a QA Engineer by profession and would be happy to assist in testing. I believe we can collaborate effectively. Thank you.
I have a suggestion: could you create a test firmware version to attempt resolving this issue? I am a QA Engineer by profession and would be happy to assist in testing. I believe we can collaborate effectively. Thank you.
Our engineers got the feedback from you. If they make any testing firmware, ONIX team will reach out to you over email.
ONIX was and is premium brand. Shanling-Onix not necessarily. It seems that now there are two companies which share intellectual properties of the original ONIX company from England. The one that is still UK based can be found here https://www.oa21.com/ . The other one which collaborates with Shanling here https://onixhiend.co.uk/ . I am confused, but according to what I found, it seems that Onix Alpha XI1 is just Shanling device with ONIX brand name on it, and the heritage of the Onix company is used only as a marketing. It would be nice if it was clarified.
Not sure why you're confused.
If you read both companies history you can see where they agree on some facts and then where they describe themselves differently.
The OA21 company only seems to make an amp, which doesn't really overlap with what Shanling does... also Shanling is pretty clear about the product line.
In terms of the Alpha XI1.
Its a ~$100 USD dongle dac.
So it has to hit a price point which means there are some issues.
(I've been open about the issues I have had...)
But lets take the Alpha for what it is... At its price point... when it works... it has an amazing sound. They are using the same CS dac chip as their competitors but are getting more out of it. But there are issues. The USB-C socket seems to have issues. (Some dongle designs build in the USB-C cable rather than a female socket. This would allow them to better control the stresses on the connection.) Using Loctite Blue, you have a semi-permanent solution. (Super glue is permanent...)
When your pc switches sound source... yes you hear the clicks and pops. I think you could reduce it if you go NOS for the filter.
After longer listening sessions... it tends to act up, but a simple reset (pull the dangle out of the PC and it works ok. ) I don't have that issue w the iPhone though.
Would I still recommend it? Sure, but w some caveats.
Can you do better? Sure if you want to spend more money. iBasso DC-Elite seems to be the new king of the hill so to speak. But its 4X the price.
Are there things Shanling can do to improve upon the Alpha? sure.
(Would love to see if the work w @Mortin )
It is what it is...
History is history, if we say "facts" we cannot agree or not. Some people say that the truth of the winner is always different than the truth of the one who lost, but at the end of the day - there is just one truth, maybe even different than these two.
Alpha XI1 definitely has some advantages over competition - for me the biggest one is the relatively high line-out output of 2.4V/4.8V SE/BAL at high gain (+6dB) and 1.2V/2.4V at low gain.
Not sure what it means - it does not sound better to my mind and ears than ES9219 or CS43131 implementations.
sometimes I hear popping sounds when connected to computer (without changing formats), every 15-20sec of music playing, Im not sure what to think about it (the most recent firmware).
NOS filter - we do not know nothing about its utilization, we can just suppose that it works accordingly to CS43198 datasheet. Even then - probably fast filter "0" is the one to be chosen as a default.
History is written by the victors. To put things in context its when both sides agree on something you can assume it to be true.
Here you have stories from both parties to the transaction. (Both tend to have their own bias. ) I also found the Onix UK website a bit 'interesting'.
A lot of rant about Chi-Fi in general and not so much about the Shanling/Onix stuff. I don't see a lot of cross over in that OA21 specializes in amps.
Yes. We both agree that Alpha sounds good.
My point was that if you look at their price point and the competition using the same DAC chip(s) in similar configuration, the Onix team's sekret sauce is better. (The custom stuff they do themselves.) It gives them an edge in sound.
While you can compare the overall sound to other dongle dacs that use other DAC chips... its not really an apples to apples comparison.
If you listen to the reviewers... the iBasso DC-Elite has a better sound than the Alpha. But its a different DAC chip set and costs 4X the price.
DC-Elite better sound, Alpha better value (when it works) [Sorry Shanling, just being honest.]
I am on the original. I don't have a windows PC just Linux and Macs so I can't easily upgrade, although if I decide to go to iOS18 on my phone... I'll have to.
(Or Shanling has a new update that fixes some of the problems)
The NOS is no over sampling. I'm going to assume that it could reduce some potential noise artifacts. Note that the issue may not be w the Alpha but the PC.
I think that there is something in what @Mortin wrote. A cumulative effect.
Still all in all... will use it w my macbook when I want to use my headphones/IEMs while working.
If you are looking for extraordinary iems that don't cost much for your Onix, I recommend you try the new PULA Anvil 114. Truly an extraordinary combination!!!
I like it w my Dita Project M s…
On a side note… ToneDeafMonk now uses DC Elites and the Shanling EH 1, which he described as the Desktop Onix Alpha.
On a side note… ToneDeafMonk now uses DC Elites and the Shanling EH 1, which he described as the Desktop Onix Alpha.
Hello, everyone. Tell us about your impressions of the gain. Who uses Low, who High? Personally, for me, High seems too sharp. Sharp highs, sharp bursts. Right now, my favorites are Artti R2 and Kinera Celest Wyvern Black. I also have Simgot EA500LM, but they didn't suit me at all, too sharp and have a lot of high frequencies, even Low gain doesn't help. Thank you.
Oh, what's interesting! When gain High, the volume level increases, while the level of interference remains at the same level, which makes them almost unnoticeable. Is it possible to completely disable any pressets for the test? I mean those that make a slow or fast roll (F0-F4). It seems that they said here that these items affect the amount of interference. Thank you.
@Shanling
@Shanling
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XI1 has exactly 6dB difference between low and high gain. At Low its maximum output is 1.2V/2.4V SE/BAL and at high gain 2.4V/4.8V. When in „DAC volume” mode, every volume step means 0.5dB change. It means that 12 steps is 6dB. Volume at 100/100 low gain is the same as 88/100 high gain. When volume-matched (keep 12 steps difference between low and high gain) I hear ABSOLUTELY NO difference in sound. I used it directly from Onix as well as a preamp with ZenCan, with T50RP, K712pro and K612pro. Voltages and gain confirmed by measurements with good multimeter.
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