[keyoke]

I don't have the JCAlly model but considering how things go in China, JCAlly might be OEM for VE. So they might leverage the same tech but will have some adjustments as per VE's requirements.

Well Sonata costs twice as much if I'm looking for something in ultra budget category then I'd pick it over Sonata HD, for the matter I actually did when I purchased Odyssey HD. For $10, it gives a clean sound and is very transparent. Enough to drive IEMs via phone. More than the chip, it is about how they've tuned that chip. There are quite a few examples of how companies use audiophile chips and still create a mediocre product. Most PC manufacturers don't even tune the DAC. For what it costs, VE has done a good job with it.

Thanks for the recommendation. How about the Sonata Hd ii?

 

[Barusu Lamperouge]

Thanks for the recommendation. How about the Sonata Hd ii?

Sadly I don't have HD II but, the members on this thread have shared mostly positive impressions and recommend it as the best offering under $50. So, I guess they are good. I mean if you have some spare cash you can get both and see what suits you more. Total cost of both products will be ~$35.

 

[Tutov007]

Hello,
I've bought the Soundmagic A30 about 1 month ago. After using the correct settings it was really good until it breaks.
Now the sound is distorded/twisted and to listen normally I have to turn the cable to find the good angle.
The worst part is that the seller asks me to send it back which would cost me 28 euros (and probably more with the custom fees).
It's a terrible experience, my first dac and probably last...

 

[Ichos]

Strange!
I have been using mine every day for reviewing duties , connected to a phone and works flawlessly.

It seems that your cable is cut in the inside.
If it is under warranty the seller should cover all expenses.

 

[robar]

Sadly I don't have HD II but, the members on this thread have shared mostly positive impressions and recommend it as the best offering under $50. So, I guess they are good. I mean if you have some spare cash you can get both and see what suits you more. Total cost of both products will be ~$35.

It's the HD Pro which is recommended a lot, I also have one and it's great. HD II is a new product based on sabre 9270

 

[Barusu Lamperouge]

It's the HD Pro which is recommended a lot, I also have one and it's great. HD II is a new product based on sabre 9270

Ahh sorry, my bad! Mixed up between the two models. Apologies once again.

 

[robar]

Ahh sorry, my bad! Mixed up between the two models. Apologies once again.

No problem, there are so many models with similar names, it's easy to mix up. HD II is the updated version of HD, so it's positioned below the HD Pro. There are a couple of new dacs using this chipset (es9270) like the Hiby FC1, it would be nice to test them against each other.

Btw, I'd be interested in a comparison between the HD II (ES9270) and the "Lusya" ES9018K2M. I have the Lusya as well and really like it's smooth airy sound. It's not as good as the HD Pro of course, but it's gentler, more relaxed and forgiving so sometimes I prefer it"s signature for casual listening.

 

[h1f1add1cted]

Hi guys, great thread with a lot of very useful informations.

What could you currently recommend if I want to use a USB-C dongle as pure line-out function to feed a portable amp?

I'm searching for a single ended USB-C dongle to relplace my Chord Mojo. I'm looking for a USB-C dongle which is able to get 3 Vrms (or more) as line-out output power at single ended (like the Mojo which can deliver more at single ended).

I know there are some USB-C dongles with balanced output with 4 Vrms, but I'm looking for a single ended device. Is such a device existing?

Thanks

 

[TheVortex]

No problem, there are so many models with similar names, it's easy to mix up. HD II is the updated version of HD, so it's positioned below the HD Pro. There are a couple of new dacs using this chipset (es9270) like the Hiby FC1, it would be nice to test them against each other.

Btw, I'd be interested in a comparison between the HD II (ES9270) and the "Lusya" ES9018K2M. I have the Lusya as well and really like it's smooth airy sound. It's not as good as the HD Pro of course, but it's gentler, more relaxed and forgiving so sometimes I prefer it"s signature for casual listening.

I have the HD II and the Lusya model but they are aimed a bit differently. Lusya is not aimed at mobile use and is best used with a PC / laptop.

 

[robar]

I have the HD II and the Lusya model but they are aimed a bit differently. Lusya is not aimed at mobile use and is best used with a PC / laptop.

Yes I know of course, I use my lusya with my PC, it doesn't even work on android. I guess the Lusya is more powerful because it has separate amplifier and bigger power consumption. But still, have you compared them with ordinary headphones/earbuds that both should sufficiently drive (let's say below 80ohm)? I'm curious if they are comparable in terms of sound signature and SQ. I'm just curious if the HD II could be a "portable Lusya".

 

[brazy001]

Does anyone get artifacts coming through on their DAC dongle?

I am using ibasso dc04 and sometimes get some soft pops and click type sounds. Source is a galaxy s10e.

It's not a huge deal but would like to know if there is a fix! My quick google search said it Could be do a buffering issue but I can't see where this can be adjusted.

Side note: I mainly use Spotify premium - with a mix of downloaded content. Using another DAC (shanling ua2) I noticed the led indicator showing it was upsampling to 176.4/192. I am not sure if this is universal for DACs and contributing to the issue.

 

[sunsun89]

Does anyone get artifacts coming through on their DAC dongle?

I am using ibasso dc04 and sometimes get some soft pops and click type sounds. Source is a galaxy s10e.

It's not a huge deal but would like to know if there is a fix! My quick google search said it Could be do a buffering issue but I can't see where this can be adjusted.

Side note: I mainly use Spotify premium - with a mix of downloaded content. Using another DAC (shanling ua2) I noticed the led indicator showing it was upsampling to 176.4/192. I am not sure if this is universal for DACs and contributing to the issue.

Which one better shanling ua2 or ibasso dc04?

 

[Star Mastering]

Hi guys, great thread with a lot of very useful informations.

What could you currently recommend if I want to use a USB-C dongle as pure line-out function to feed a portable amp?

I'm searching for a single ended USB-C dongle to relplace my Chord Mojo. I'm looking for a USB-C dongle which is able to get 3 Vrms (or more) as line-out output power at single ended (like the Mojo which can deliver more at single ended).

I know there are some USB-C dongles with balanced output with 4 Vrms, but I'm looking for a single ended device. Is such a device existing?

Thanks

I looked at ASR charts, incidentally https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...attle-of-google-pixel-headphone-dongles.4863/ shows VE Odyssey has very low output power. As expected.

And I see nothing for dongles above 2 Vrms. As expected.

 

[audiosg]

Any thoughts/reviews/experiences with the balanced iBasso DC-04? Seems like really solid specs for a relatively low price (used sets in SG are going for less than 40 USD) as a balanced dongle for an android phone/laptop

 

[Ichos]

Any thoughts/reviews/experiences with the balanced iBasso DC-04? Seems like really solid specs for a relatively low price (used sets in SG are going for less than 40 USD) as a balanced dongle for an android phone/laptop

It is excellent.
I have reviewed it here
https://www.hxosplus.gr/reviews/ibasso-dc03-dc04-review-dac/
Kindly use Google translate.