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

[seyuu]

High gain or low gain?
Which option do you prefer with IEM?

That's upto what iem you using...

 

[domzz]

What operating system do you install it on? Do you have a driver installed for Onix? Use UAC 1 or UAC 2?

Windows 10 pro x64. Today I followed this tutorial, worked for me too. It uses Onix Asio instead foo_dsd_asio (latest 32bit foobar 2.2 preview). Uac1/2 looks like it doesn't matter. Onix shows DSD256 on it's display. Also DSD is working great on "Album Player" with Onix.

 

[0ostin0]

That's upto what iem you using

Does this mean, that for low impedance sensitive IEMs it is better to use low gain but higher volume?
Right now my Onix volume is at 70 \ 100, source volume at 50 \ 100. Low gain.

 

[smegel]

Does this mean, that for low impedance sensitive IEMs it is better to use low gain but higher volume?
Right now my Onix volume is at 70 \ 100, source volume at 50 \ 100. Low gain.

If you are going to control the volume via Onix, then set your source volume to 100%
Or you can just set up your Onix to control the source volume.

 

[toimoi]

Windows 10 pro x64. Today I followed this tutorial, worked for me too. It uses Onix Asio instead foo_dsd_asio (latest 32bit foobar 2.2 preview). Uac1/2 looks like it doesn't matter. Onix shows DSD256 on it's display. Also DSD is working great on "Album Player" with Onix.

are you on 1.0.3 or 1.1.3?

 

[Shanling]

@Shanling

If you guys can be more specific with the compatibility issue in your product description, e.g. "We have noticed (list specific model year ) Samsung A line may have compatibility issues",
instead of a general line like "Noted: Samsung phones/tablets are not compatible with the XI1." You would be doing your customers and yourself a big favor.

Some A line models were reported as not working, other seems to work fine, as @casaleone posted just on previous page. We do not have detailed knowledge of what exactly is happening on Samsung side, it's possible different SoC between regions or might be even differences in their firmware.

So take it from us as a warning for Samsung A line and as said before, purchase from seller with a good return policy to be sure.

No idea where you found the second line, that's not from us.

High gain or low gain?
Which option do you prefer with IEM?

I personally recommend low gain, it's always best when you can set the volume more precisely.

 

[ShangriLa]

Well...
Its a great sounding dongle.
The issue is that it requires some power to drive it.
Most phones seem to work, however there are a couple that have issues powering the dongle.
There are issues w some PCs... but if you get the correct driver(s) installed... you'll be ok.
If you're running a Mac or Linux, you should be ok.

I have this paired w a Macbook M1Max, iPhone 15 Max, and drive Dita Project M IEMs, and M&D MW65s. So no issues there.
Works for me and I love it.

I would say that the issue is that some phones don't output enough power on their USB-C port to help save on battery.

If you want something similar the iBasso DC07 is twice the price and from reviews... comes a close second to the Alpha. ( I don't know, I don't own one.)

Really appreciate that. So when "issue" happens, what exact goes wrong? No sound, poor sound quality, excessive battery drain?

Yeah the iBasso DC 07 and this alpha seem to be the dongle DACs of the year. But wow, didn't know the Onix even sounds better!

 

[ShangriLa]

Some A line models were reported as not working, other seems to work fine, as @casaleone posted just on previous page. We do not have detailed knowledge of what exactly is happening on Samsung side, it's possible different SoC between regions or might be even differences in their firmware.

So take it from us as a warning for Samsung A line and as said before, purchase from seller with a good return policy to be sure.

What I wanted to say is, by providing currently known phone make/model info, which in no way needs to be a comprehensive list, you don't scare away potential buyers that won't have the issue.

That line is from Shen Zhen audio, which exactly proved my point. When manufacturer provides a vague description of scope of the issue, things may be unnecessarily exaggerated and potential customers would just stay away from the product which will be a loss for the customer AND the manufacturer.

 

[domzz]

are you on 1.0.3 or 1.1.3?

I'm on 1.0.3. I see no reason to upgrade to 1.1.3 when people are complaining about SQ downgrade.

 

[smegel]

Really appreciate that. So when "issue" happens, what exact goes wrong? No sound, poor sound quality, excessive battery drain?

Yeah the iBasso DC 07 and this alpha seem to be the dongle DACs of the year. But wow, didn't know the Onix even sounds better!

From those that complained here... no sound until you get a 'split' USB-C cable that allows you to connect an external battery then it works.

In terms of sounding better... its subjective. I'm just going from what the reviewers on YT have said. I believe it was @ToneDeafMonk who said that they sounded different and 'complimentary' where you can't go wrong in buying both. (Sorry if I mucked that up... going from memory...)

W.R.T Shanling's comments here... what they are saying ... if you are not sure or suspect that you may have an issue w your phone... buy from a dealer that has a good return policy. I can't blame them. From a sales perspective... an unhappy customer is worse than not making the sale. Take this thread for example. When you have an unhappy customer they tend to be vocal and impact future sales to other potential customers.

W.R.T power drain... even when working properly... yes you can see it drain your phone's battery. If I don't use it... my iPhone 15 Max can go a couple of days before I have to charge it. When I use the dongle... you notice the drain. I can't say by how much and YMMV depending on your specific phone. But that's dongle dacs. I have the Apple dongle too. Not sure of how much of a drain occurs but it does still drain the battery, albeit slower.

 

[D1N0]

I'm on 1.0.3. I see no reason to upgrade to 1.1.3 when people are complaining about SQ downgrade.

well you could try for yourself, but hey people complaining on the internet are always right so why try.

 

[smegel]

well you could try for yourself, but hey people complaining on the internet are always right so why try.

Well...
Two things to consider...
1) You need a windows PC to do the upgrade. ( I have Macs and Linux servers. )
2) If it aint broke don't fix.
(Besides the compatibility issue... they did add some features but I don't know that I could take advantage of them. )

 

[Ardis]

Works great on Samsung M21

 

[domzz]

well you could try for yourself, but hey people complaining on the internet are always right so why try.

Just tested 1.1.3 and it sounds just dry and flat it's a BIG sq downgrade. Back on juicy and rich1.0.3

 

[toimoi]

Does anyone have the internal circuit board of the Xi1? I want to see the inside of this DAC