[ExTubeGamer]

Lol thank you for the impression, now this sounds like its everything opposite of what I want LOL. I guess I'll skip forward to the next candidate.

Sharkoon Gaming DAC would be the best for a vivid and aggressive sound.

 

[jasonb]

This might be the best dongle out there. The Qudelix 5K. Plenty of power, takes 3.5mm, or 2.5mm balanced, has a 10 band parametric EQ, and accepts up to 24/96. I’m sure lots of dongles can do higher than 24/96, but is it really necessary?

 

[93EXCivic]

Are there any of these usb-c adaptors that do not work with a S20 FE? I have seen some reports of compatiblity issues with Samsung phones.

 

[Hal Rockwell]

This Sharkoon dac looks a lot like TEC TAUAD35-HR dac. Though the TEC uses a Nuvoton NAU88L25 dac chip.

 

[YDCEE]

Do dongles have a long lifespan? It's so compact so I'm worried about how long they'll last especially if its more expensive...

 

[Gallus]

So after a small research I come to the conclusion that CS43131 would be the best chip for its price (feel free to correct me if I am wrong). Here we go, there are several dongles in AliExpress using this chip. Have you got any experience with those and which one would be better (implemented) and so the best choice to order? Thanks in advance.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003218683901.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003130321892.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003297546816.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003129886015.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002732540075.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003296098849.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001651845395.html

 

[PlantsmanTX]

Do dongles have a long lifespan? It's so compact so I'm worried about how long they'll last especially if its more expensive...

I bought the SMSL Idea in 2017, and it still works.

 

[YDCEE]

I bought the SMSL Idea in 2017, and it still works.

Ah that's quite a long time, a couple people on drop.com said that dongle only lasted a year for them and other people saying it gets really hot.

 

[Hyde00]

Sharkoon Gaming DAC would be the best for a vivid and aggressive sound.

I wonder if Sharkoon is a Germany company, I did a quick google and all the places that sells it are from Germany.

Can't find anything in North America.

This Sharkoon dac looks a lot like TEC TAUAD35-HR dac. Though the TEC uses a Nuvoton NAU88L25 dac chip.

Hmmm I wonder if it's same OEM. Though very rare for OEM to keep the same shell but change dac.

Ah that's quite a long time, a couple people on drop.com said that dongle only lasted a year for them and other people saying it gets really hot.

I think depending on the dongle. I have my Dragonfly Red for 3+ years now and I leave it plugged into my computer. So it turns on in the morning and stays on until I turn off at night before sleep.

And Dragonfly Red is pretty much cool to the touch all the time. My PEE51 gets warm though never to the point of hot.

Though the heat is related to power draw I think, Dragonfly series uses the Gordon Rankin chip which is very efficient and has one of the lowest power draw amongst the dongles. PEE51 is warmer because it's considered one of the higher power dongles.

So if you're worried you could get a lower powered unit.

 

[baskingshark]

Do dongles have a long lifespan? It's so compact so I'm worried about how long they'll last especially if its more expensive...

If you baby them well I think most can last a long time, I have some 5 year old dongles that are going strong today.

If anything, perhaps the cable connectors will be the first point of failure, so in general I try to buy dongles with detachable cables (no biggie replacing these if they get worn out).

Also, this dongle industry moves so fast that what you bought 3 months ago may be rendered obsolete, so a new hype-train will come out even before the dongle gets worn down.

 

[G33dubz]

Anyone know of any DACs that are both UAC 1 and 2 compliant? I ordered the xduoo link2 bal, but that is the only one i can find. And it will be a hot minute until i get it lol

 

[PlantsmanTX]

Ah that's quite a long time, a couple people on drop.com said that dongle only lasted a year for them and other people saying it gets really hot.

It gets pretty warm, but not hot.

 

[rodel808]

Anyone know of any DACs that are both UAC 1 and 2 compliant? I ordered the xduoo link2 bal, but that is the only one i can find. And it will be a hot minute until i get it lol

The L&P W2 are both UAP 1.0 and 2.0 compliant.

 

[Gallus]

Please excuse me for writing that same message again. Has anyone used any of these C43131 dongles (which you recommend) and which one would be better (implemented), is the Meizu good enough as it is from a reputable brand, if there is even any difference? Thanks in advance.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003218683901.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003130321892.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003297546816.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003129886015.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002732540075.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003296098849.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001651845395.html

 

[Matias]

Please excuse me for writing that same message again. Has anyone used any of these C43131 dongles (which you recommend) and which one would be better (implemented), is the Meizu good enough as it is from a reputable brand, if there is even any difference? Thanks in advance.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003218683901.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003130321892.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003297546816.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003129886015.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002732540075.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003296098849.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001651845395.html

I just spent some hours this sunday listening to my Meizu + Moondrop Aria and was in sonic bliss. Yes, there are better dongles and IEMs, but this is a killer combo in my opinion and experience.