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

[WilliamCruz]

Does anyone know about the ibasso DC05? I am looking for a usb-c dac amp that is portable and doesn't have a battery, not sure if that is a good choice, is there anything else i should consider and look into?

 

[WilliamCruz]

Today I got myself a nice cheap DAC. The Creative SoundBlaster play 4. Very nice device. It is low powered enough to drive IEMs without hissing and can connect to the Nintendo Switch. Thats the best part. Now I can use low impedance IEMs on my Switch.

Nice, I have the G3. The Play 4 is intended for comms while the G3 is a better all-rounder with more features (Audio, Games, Movies, Comms).

 

[Ichos]

Does anyone know about the ibasso DC05? I am looking for a usb-c dac amp that is portable and doesn't have a battery, not sure if that is a good choice, is there anything else i should consider and look into?

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ibasso-dc05.25582/review/27426/

It is excellent.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

Does anyone know about the ibasso DC05? I am looking for a usb-c dac amp that is portable and doesn't have a battery, not sure if that is a good choice, is there anything else i should consider and look into?

The DC05 sounds neutral and very polite. Never harsh. No loud treble. One of the biggest factors standing out is that vocals are not forward. Still the sound is of super high quality. Perfect clear sound. I can recommend it. You have to keep in mind that it gets pretty warm while playing music.

 

[noknok23]

2025 instructions update [archive]

Found a way to unlock the volume of the apple dongle on Android 11/12. You need root, magisk and a terminal emulator (such as termux)
Flash tinymix.zip with magisk. (attached at the bottom of this post)
Connect your dongle+earphones.
Then in the termux type:

su -c "tinymix -D 1 2 120"

Default volume is 80. Max is 120.
In the XDA thread some type the value 150. I don't know why maybe some phones react differently. You need to type this every time you connect the dongle again.
You can make this action into a home button widget with 'termux:widget' program,
write the following:
in ~/.shortcuts/apple

su -c "tinymix -D 1 2 120"
exit

You can make a widget though

source

 

[andjayik]

ami gonna notice a huge diff between CX-Pro Audio 31993 vs

HIDIZS S9 PRO or​

HIDIZS S3 PRO​

 

[crizzle]

anyone have a good idea of how to improve the sketchiness of the wires on the Sonata E44? I love how this thing sounds, especially at its price.But i feel like those wires could snap in half if a breeze comes by

 

[Penon]

ACMEE Magic Sound 4 ​

ES9018K2M 192K/24Bit DSD128 USB DAC Type-C to 3.5mm/4.4mm HiFi Portable Headphone Amplifier

Dark blue color Magic Sound 4, simple and pure.

The Magic Sound 4 amp inherits the exquisite sandblasting workmanship and dark blue of the MF02S. The appearance design echoes and inherits the MF01 and MF02S. It adopts the same intaglio process of the side gully and the MF02S high-end version. It feels great. In terms of appearance, Magic Sound 4 uses a non-button, single indicator light, and seamless design. The appearance is extremely simple and generous, blue is dark, and hearing is pure.

Fully equipped with power supply, seven stars with the moon

The audio power supply of the Magic Sound 4 amp adopts ±5.5V boost and ±4.8V ultra-low noise LDO design, which effectively reduces power supply noise. The DAC left and right channel power supplies are separated, using two 3.3V LDO power supplies to improve the left and right channel separation . Plus the 3.3V power supply and 1.2V power supply for the digital circuit. Magic Sound 4 has 7 power chips in its petite body.

Audio pure land, channels symmetrical left and right

Magic Sound 4 uses the same independent PCB board design for audio circuits as MF02S, which is called pure land technology within the ACMEE team, which is to create an independent pure land for audio circuits and eliminate the interference of digital signals on audio circuits. In addition, in the audio circuit, a completely symmetrical design for the left and right channels is adopted, and the wiring length, wiring width, wiring path, and component layout are consistent to improve the consistency of the left and right channels.

Balanced support, amp assist

Magic Sound 4 uses RT6863 high-sound quality and high-drive amp chip, and has both 3.5mm audio and 4.4mm balanced interfaces, which can satisfy most headphone drivers. Please refer to the specification for details.

Never perfect, never stop.

ACMEE Audio has been surrounded by many customers and friends for 4 years. Thanks to the friends who have used ACMEE products and provided valuable opinions. ACMEE's works have never been flawless, and we need to hold a carving knife and carve together. ACMEE Audio will not work behind closed doors, and will explore everyone's acoustic understanding with friends.

https://penonaudio.com/acmee-magic-sound-4-192k.html

 

[crizzle]

anyone have a good idea of how to improve the sketchiness of the wires on the Sonata E44? I love how this thing sounds, especially at its price.But i feel like those wires could snap in half if a breeze comes by

 

[digititus]

anyone have a good idea of how to improve the sketchiness of the wires on the Sonata E44? I love how this thing sounds, especially at its price.But i feel like those wires could snap in half if a breeze comes by

No problems so far. Had mine for quite a while. The fixed cables are actually a good idea IMO. Solid connection.

 

[andjayik]

My CX31993 doesn't work correctly with my phone but correctly with PCs. Sometimes it doesn't get recognized. I don't know why. The sound is still really good. Do I need to wait for a UAPP patch?

no problems with mine at all.

 

[andjayik]

is there going to be a big diff between

CX-Pro Audio 31993 , Ibasso DC05 and Fiio ka3​

 

[ahloiazrul]

Hello everyone,
Im looking for a low powered dac dongle for my beloved earbud (Shozy BK 16 ohm) could you guys recommend me one.
Im looking for a neutral sounding dac because i listen to a lot of jazz, i like a sparky treble, airy high, forward mid for females vocals.
For technicality side eg. soundstage and details i just want it to be competent because this earbud already have a great detail and soundstage.


I have apple dongle and very impressed with it, it sound so clean and have a great synergy with the Shozy, however the build quality leave much to be desired.
I have Fiio KA3 which is very neutral and much more analytical but it pulled out so much power that I actually used that with my 6xx instead, not a great pair with low sensitive earbud.
I have V.E odyssey and not impressed, too warm for my taste.

So for now I’m looking for a dongle dac which performs like apple dongle but with a great build quality, what do you guys have in mind?
( I will use it with my IPad air so apple compatibility would be great in addition)

 

[WilliamCruz]

Hello everyone,
Im looking for a low powered dac dongle for my beloved earbud (Shozy BK 16 ohm) could you guys recommend me one.
Im looking for a neutral sounding dac because i listen to a lot of jazz, i like a sparky treble, airy high, forward mid for females vocals.
For technicality side eg. soundstage and details i just want it to be competent because this earbud already have a great detail and soundstage.


I have apple dongle and very impressed with it, it sound so clean and have a great synergy with the Shozy, however the build quality leave much to be desired.
I have Fiio KA3 which is very neutral and much more analytical but it pulled out so much power that I actually used that with my 6xx instead, not a great pair with low sensitive earbud.
I have V.E odyssey and not impressed, too warm for my taste.

So for now I’m looking for a dongle dac which performs like apple dongle but with a great build quality, what do you guys have in mind?
( I will use it with my IPad air so apple compatibility would be great in addition)

just curious which earbud did you pair with? I was thinking to pair with an IEM that has low sens

 

[noknok23]

Hello everyone,
Im looking for a low powered dac dongle for my beloved earbud (Shozy BK 16 ohm) could you guys recommend me one.
Im looking for a neutral sounding dac because i listen to a lot of jazz, i like a sparky treble, airy high, forward mid for females vocals.
For technicality side eg. soundstage and details i just want it to be competent because this earbud already have a great detail and soundstage.


I have apple dongle and very impressed with it, it sound so clean and have a great synergy with the Shozy, however the build quality leave much to be desired.
I have Fiio KA3 which is very neutral and much more analytical but it pulled out so much power that I actually used that with my 6xx instead, not a great pair with low sensitive earbud.
I have V.E odyssey and not impressed, too warm for my taste.

So for now I’m looking for a dongle dac which performs like apple dongle but with a great build quality, what do you guys have in mind?
( I will use it with my IPad air so apple compatibility would be great in addition)

I'd cover my apple dongle with heat shrink tubing top to botton if I where you. Cheap and effective.