[Pro-Jules]

.Read the quote and the next post

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/lux...-info-on-post-1.949448/page-189#post-16384780

 

[nc8000]

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

Works great with both Z1R’s

 

[hifi nub]

Pretty damn good. Tempotec hd II & vmoda m100 masters & tab s7+ 5g & usb audio player pro & some gogol bordello. One notch from max. It pushes my mee m6's good as well. Will being using on a samsung s20 fe 5g soon.

https://streamable.com/hpufxu

 

[hifi nub]

Pretty damn good. Tempotec hd II & vmoda m100 masters & tab s7+ 5g & usb audio player pro & some gogol bordello. One notch from max. It pushes my mee m6's good as well. Will being using on a samsung s20 fe 5g soon.

https://streamable.com/hpufxu

So i had a problem which probably would have happen on other devices like fe "i will know when fe arrives" but here is the problem

"Hi, the volume on my s10+ & new tempotec hd II usb-c to 3.5mm dac, vmoda m100 masters volume is very low on youtube and youtube music app. Sounds great on usb audio player pro with flacs. I tried hifi vids and music on youtube & youtube music and tried a local video file, its really low but I switched m100's to direct 3.5mm s10+ port and sound is much better."

SOLUTION:
I found out by reading a small part of a large section under https://www.tempotec.net/products/tempotec-sonata-hd-ⅱ-type-c-to-3-5mm-dsd128-headphone-amplifier-adapter-dac-for-android-phone-window10-mac

Tip: Please plug your earphones into Sonata HD II first, then put them together into your mobile phone or computer.

This fixed the problem, i unplugged the usb-c dac from usbc port, plugged headphones in 3.5mm then dac into usbc port. Loud as heck for all apps.

I guess hidiz or whatever makes sonata too or same company as tempotec? Who knows because i was reading up fiwares etc it led to the solution though.

 

[brazy001]

Which one better shanling ua2 or ibasso dc04?

Unfortunately I don't have any 2.5mm cables but i prefer the DC04 over the ua2. In sound but also in form factor.

My A/B comparison wasn't blind tested and volume matched by ear so the difference could be negligible but I found the dc04 to sound more articulate vs the fuller ua2.

On the form factor side, with the built in cable and short body, the dc04 lives on the end on my IEMs, can get filled up with the cable and feels less cumbersome 'dangling'.

Shouldn't be unhappy with either and the ua2 gives good power from a se output of that's important.

 

[hifi nub]

For the post 2479 above.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/android-usb-c-dac-youtube-low.958054/#post-16387550

 

[h1a8]

For iPhone 12 pro max
Is there a portable dac/amp or dac that sounds better for full sized headphones than the apple 3.5mm to lightning dongle dac comboed with quality amp?

In other words, I was wondering if I can get significantly better sound quality (better soundstage, etc) using an external dac/amp or dac and amp combo vs iphone 12 pro max with lightning dongle and quality amp.

If yes, then what dac and why? Significantly better measurements or because of subjective reasons (what are they?)?

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Something curious has quietly dropped into AliExpress recently... it appears to be a rebranded Clot Audio CPONE.

HAC 2 / HAC 3 Portable HiFi DAC Headphone Amplifier

HAC 2 - this two-port version (3.5SE Unbalanced + 4.4TRRS Balanced) appears to be a rebranded/recased CPONE / CPONE S (Clot Audio by ArtVano). However, the HAC 2 uses the AKM AK4493 instead of the AKM AK4497 seen in the CPONE / CPONE S. Perhaps due to the Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) fire in October 2020.

For those unfamiliar with ArtVano it is the parent company for a number of well known audio companies: Meccaaudio; PISLO (piezoelectric earbuds), Otato (IEMs), ARETS (IEMs), ALO Cable, LunaCable, etc.

Clot Audio CPONE S (on left) and CPONE (on right)​

HAC 3 - the second version has three ports (3.5SE Unbalanced + 4.4TRRS Balanced + 2.5TRRS Balanced) and it too appears to be a rebranded/recased Clot Audio product... either the CPPRO or maybe even a severely nerfed CPWOO! which is due to release for individual sale in about two-three (2) days. The Clot Audio CPWoo! is currently supplied as an accessory with the high impedance version of the PISLO PXVV (see pics below). The HAC 3 also uses the AKM AK4493 chip rather than the AKM AK4497 seen in the CPONE PRO and an older AKM AK4462 which is being used in the new CPWOO! Again, maybe the AKM fire is the most likely the best explanation as to why Clot Audio is utilizing the older AK4462 chipset in their newest decoder product.

Clot Audio CPONE PRO​

​

Clot Audio CPWOO!​

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Another curiosity from Clot Audio by ArtVano* is their USB dongle DAC/headAMP series cryptically named "CPHI".

CPHI PRO / CPHI / CPHI (IOS)

Sized just between the iBasso DC04 and the Meizu Hi-Fi Pro the full-wood body/shell CPHI PRO conveniently offers two (2) ports: 2.5TRRS Balanced and 3.5SE Unbalanced. The CPHI and CPHI (IOS) models are a slight downgrade in shell material (plastic instead of wood); basic cabling; and offer no DSD support but nonetheless both offer the same dual headphone ports as seen on the PRO.

Unfortunately, the DAC chip used is currently unknown and strangely not listed... though the specs ( 32bit/384khz; DSD 64/128 (PCM); SNR: 128db; VRMS: 1.6~2V ) do point us to a slightly 'nerfed' variant of AKM's 2018 AK4377 chip. This makes perfect sense as the AK4377 model has a built-in ground-referenced headphone amplifier built into the chipset.

I purchased the CPHI PRO. The cable is made of Glory Audio Multi-Element Gold & Silver wire and it matches the wooden case design and color nicely.

* For those unfamiliar with ArtVano it is the Chinese parent company for a number of well known audio companies like MeccaAudio; PISLO (piezoelectric earbuds), Otato (IEMs), ARETS (IEMs), ALO Cable, LunaCable, etc.

 

[robar]

Any info on this one? Could this be a worthy Sonata HD Pro competitor for less than 40usd? JCally JM10.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002637026114.html

 

[TheVortex]

Any info on this one? Could this be a worthy Sonata HD Pro competitor for less than 40usd? JCally JM10.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002637026114.html

Looks like it has no volume control and it is only a little bit cheaper than the HD Pro. Might not be worth the saving?

 

[robar]

Looks like it has no volume control and it is only a little bit cheaper than the HD Pro. Might not be worth the saving?

I'm just curious as an alternative to it, internals looks very similar, decent housing with detachable cable, not crammed into a fragile dongle form factor like others. I'd argue that the volume control is the worst part of sonata hd pro, I don't think that the absence of it is that big of a deal.

 

[TheVortex]

I'm just curious as an alternative to it, internals looks very similar, decent housing with detachable cable, not crammed into a fragile dongle form factor like others. I'd argue that the volume control is the worst part of sonata hd pro, I don't think that the absence of it is that big of a deal.

You could be right but it depends if someone needs the volume control or not. The JM20 model looks the better better deal when it comes back into stock.

 

[povidlo]

Something curious has quietly dropped into AliExpress recently... it appears to be a rebranded Clot Audio CPONE.

HAC 2 / HAC 3 Portable HiFi DAC Headphone Amplifier

HAC 2 - this two-port version (3.5SE Unbalanced + 4.4TRRS Balanced) appears to be a rebranded/recased CPONE / CPONE S (Clot Audio by ArtVano). However, the HAC 2 uses the AKM AK4493 instead of the AKM AK4497 seen in the CPONE / CPONE S. Perhaps due to the Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) fire in October 2020.

For those unfamiliar with ArtVano it is the parent company for a number of well known audio companies: Meccaaudio; PISLO (piezoelectric earbuds), Otato (IEMs), ARETS (IEMs), ALO Cable, LunaCable, etc.

Clot Audio CPONE S (on left) and CPONE (on right)​

​

HAC 3 - the second version has three ports (3.5SE Unbalanced + 4.4TRRS Balanced + 2.5TRRS Balanced) and it too appears to be a rebranded/recased Clot Audio product... either the CPPRO or maybe even a severely nerfed CPWOO! which is due to release for individual sale in about two-three (2) days. The Clot Audio CPWoo! is currently supplied as an accessory with the high impedance version of the PISLO PXVV (see pics below). The HAC 3 also uses the AKM AK4493 chip rather than the AKM AK4497 seen in the CPONE PRO and an older AKM AK4462 which is being used in the new CPWOO! Again, maybe the AKM fire is the most likely the best explanation as to why Clot Audio is utilizing the older AK4462 chipset in their newest decoder product.

Clot Audio CPONE PRO​

​

​

Clot Audio CPWOO!​

​

Thanks for sharing. 300mW@32ohm balanced is impressive. Apparently, could listen through all three outputs at once.

 

[Star Mastering]

The latest find blows me away. 3 ports in one? Wood casing?! Totally proves me wrong. There is a lot of future in this market still.