USB-C to 3.5mm adapters (DAC) - Let's find the best

[baskingshark]

I know its not the right place, but you have any raccomandation for a pair of IEM for commuting, if i choose to get the ddHiFi TC35B?

We need more info so the community can give a recommendation:
1) Budget?
2) Preferred sound signature? V shaped? Neutral? Basshead? Midcentric? Treblehead?
3) Preferred music genres?


IMHO, one should be getting an IEM first and then later the source, not the other way round, as upgrades in the transducer (Eg IEM) give the biggest bang for buck as a first cut, at the budget-midfi segment. Upgrading sources are important, but they give more diminishing returns.

 

[Ichos]

I know its not the right place, but you have any raccomandation for a pair of IEM for commuting, if i choose to get the ddHiFi TC35B?

TRN-TA1
FiiO FD1

 

[PhonoPhi]

I know its not the right place, but you have any raccomandation for a pair of IEM for commuting, if i choose to get the ddHiFi TC35B?

In my limited opinion, I do not see the reason to get an overpriced DD (Linsoul and Penon products tend to cost more just because they have a lot of reviewers to feed who would of course mention their products with their unbiased opinions...)

Look at this list:
https://andyaudiovault.com/donglemadness/
TC35B has an old DAC chip.
CX pro 31993 is great for under $15, and there are many more options.

The IEM fit and seal are quite individual, the IEM shape should match the ear tightly - then it is some compromise between the fir and comfort.
For instance Aria fit really comfortable for me but do not seal as much as they could for smaller ears.

My question in turn what is the warmest "organic" DAC yet with some extended treble that you have experienced?

 

[iambaboo]

We need more info so the community can give a recommendation:
1) Budget?
2) Preferred sound signature? V shaped? Neutral? Basshead? Midcentric? Treblehead?
3) Preferred music genres?


IMHO, one should be getting an IEM first and then later the source, not the other way round, as upgrades in the transducer (Eg IEM) give the biggest bang for buck as a first cut, at the budget-midfi segment. Upgrading sources are important, but they give more diminishing returns.

You are right, i give almost no information at all. Basically im looking for a 50 EUR with V shape to neutral (if that is a thing) I've not a precise genre, Rock to Synt/Post-punk.
Once again i was picking models purely on aesthetics, as that DAC was small and with less point of failure than the "cabled" ones, but obviously as i you can tell im not really sure on what to look, and your advices are pure gold to me!

TRN-TA1
FiiO FD1

Thnaks i'll look into them and see if they can fit me!

In my limited opinion, I do not see the reason to get an overpriced DD (Linsoul and Penon products tend to cost more just because they have a lot of reviewers to feed who would of course mention their products with their unbiased opinions...)

Look at this list:
https://andyaudiovault.com/donglemadness/
TC35B has an old DAC chip.
CX pro 31993 is great for under $15, and there are many more options.

The IEM fit and seal are quite individual, the IEM shape should match the ear tightly - then it is some compromise between the fir and comfort.
For instance Aria fit really comfortable for me but do not seal as much as they could for smaller ears.

My question in turn what is the warmest "organic" DAC yet with some extended treble that you have experienced?

That CX pro 31993 was on my watchlist too, becouse it is cheap enough to not be final, and in case i dont like it i can just toss in a drawer without many thoughts. About the IEMs unfortunatly i cannot test fit many models, and id like to buy an "once-for-all" pair, and not start the "pursuit of the perfect IEMs" i've one too many hobby already somebody is gonna throw me away from home if find out im buying new thing!

I'll have a better look at that link, I had a quick look yesterday night, and i also saw a very cheap and good rated one (the Abigail if not mistaken) but i like the CX more (again, those are on the cheaper side, and i can also try both without problem, no one is going to find out!)

 

[baskingshark]

You are right, i give almost no information at all. Basically im looking for a 50 EUR with V shape to neutral (if that is a thing) I've not a precise genre, Rock to Synt/Post-punk.
Once again i was picking models purely on aesthetics, as that DAC was small and with less point of failure than the "cabled" ones, but obviously as i you can tell im not really sure on what to look, and your advices are pure gold to me!

Well you can consider these IEMs which have generally at least average isolation (good for communting):
1) iBasso IT00 - it has driver flex though, so might be a dealbreaker for some. Driver flex can be mitigated slightly though.
2) Whizzer He01

There are some other quite good IEMs I have in mind, but if you are using them for commuting, some of them have poor isolation or are a pain to drive, so an amp might be necessary for them to reach their full potential.


You can also ask the rest in the dedicated IEM threads here for further advise:
1) https://www.head-fi.org/threads/bes...nd-impressions-sharing-reference-list.805930/
2) https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chinese-asian-brand-iem-info-thread.820747/

Good luck!

 

[redrich2000]

I find putting a tiny rubber ring around the base of the usb-c really helps connection stability - a millimetre or so cut off of an old silicone eartip tube works well.

This is genius. Can you post of picture of this? A cutting of the eartip stem? On the actually plug part of the usb, so it gets inserted with the plug?

 

[dgjl]

This is genius. Can you post of picture of this? A cutting of the eartip stem? On the actually plug part of the usb, so it gets inserted with the plug?

It's just a sliver off the bit of an eartip that goes over the iem nozzle. It's not a perfect fix, but it really helps the connection to my Samsung S20.

 

[rocketron]

You are right, i give almost no information at all. Basically im looking for a 50 EUR with V shape to neutral (if that is a thing) I've not a precise genre, Rock to Synt/Post-punk.
Once again i was picking models purely on aesthetics, as that DAC was small and with less point of failure than the "cabled" ones, but obviously as i you can tell im not really sure on what to look, and your advices are pure gold to me!

Thnaks i'll look into them and see if they can fit me!

That CX pro 31993 was on my watchlist too, becouse it is cheap enough to not be final, and in case i dont like it i can just toss in a drawer without many thoughts. About the IEMs unfortunatly i cannot test fit many models, and id like to buy an "once-for-all" pair, and not start the "pursuit of the perfect IEMs" i've one too many hobby already somebody is gonna throw me away from home if find out im buying new thing!

I'll have a better look at that link, I had a quick look yesterday night, and i also saw a very cheap and good rated one (the Abigail if not mistaken) but i like the CX more (again, those are on the cheaper side, and i can also try both without problem, no one is going to find out!)

Hi there.
My I suggest before you buy anything have a look at Earphone DIY Labs .Com.
You will get far far better value for money and they will make them for you.

I using a pair of there Shure 215 shells with a better driver in them.
Stunning good for around €50.00.
They even threw in a free silver plated cable for free.
They do anything from AK - Sennheiser type iems with better drivers in them.
The Wide band drivers are very good and stupidly cheap compared to what the manufacturers charge.
Delivery was about 8 days.

 

[digititus]

I find putting a tiny rubber ring around the base of the usb-c really helps connection stability - a millimetre or so cut off of an old silicone eartip tube works well.

Wow. You win a Blue Peter badge for this hack!

 

[Mouseman]

It's just a sliver off the bit of an eartip that goes over the iem nozzle. It's not a perfect fix, but it really helps the connection to my Samsung S20.

That's an awesome hack. I've got a ton of keyboard spacer rings, I'm going to try with those.

 

[OspreyAndy]

To date have owned and tested 95 Dongles. This is my personal Endgame finally. CEntrace DACport HD.

 

[myromeo]

Has anyone tried the lightning version of the CX pro 31993? I’m keen to get something for work use so I don’t have to take my DAP/Amp with me. Instead I’ll be I’m using an iPhone 11 with Apple Music so being able to play high res lossless would be good. I also have tidal but don’t think the 31993 does MQA? Will be using with IEM’s so power isn’t an issue.

This one for example

 

[ActuallySparky]

I've enjoyed owning a Lotoo PAW S1 for quite some time now, and just acquired a L&P W2 from @bigbeans, so I thought I'd add some early thoughts here comparing them.

The S1 is more aggressive and incisive. It has a cleaner, more energetic tone. That's not to say either is colored, but the S1 os certainly not as laid back as the W2.

The W2 has that quality of being both smooth and detailed. It reminds me a lot of the Mojo or some of the Schiit multibit sound in that respect. Vocals are a little closer on the W2, mids in general being very well executed and natural.

The S1 is a bit more about the extremes - it has slightly better sub bass extension and is more dynamic than the W2. That's not to say the W2 is bass-light, but it's not as in your face about it as the S1. For higher frequencies the W2 renders cymbal shimmer more naturally than the S1, the S1 brings more sparkle and energy to them.

Both offerings scale up well to higher end IEMs. Both are amazingly powerful for their size. I only listen on IEMs but they both power hungry DD-based IEMs well. The W2 even pairs decently with the IER-Z1R, although the bass distorts a bit on abusively-bassy tracks like Alon Mor or Amon Tobin. The LX fares better on not distorting and is a pleasant listen although it too really deserves a desktop amplifier.

I'm likely going to keep both. They synergize with different IEMs and genres in a complimentary way.

 

[thamasha69]

Don't know if this has been mentioned earlier in the thread, but for iPhone users that want to try some usb-c dongles-

https://www.amazon.com/Headphones-Converter-Earphones-Canceling-Microphone/dp/B08KW5TLCW

I purchased one as I wanted an adapter that positioned the usb-c port straight down (like the lightning port). This is small and worked with my original VE Odyssey (2017). Avani is shipping so I will be testing with that as well.

 

[WINTEX]

Guys, i just found firmware update on ibasso website. But in this thread there were information about sound signature changed with this update. Its it true? Cause since i updated my n6, im very cautious with all this firmware updates.