[Ichos]

Warm and very musical, the iFi Go link

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-go-link.26374/review/30491/

 

[kjason427]

Very helpful. Thanked

Now that 3.5mm headphone output is nearing extinction in smartphones, it's time to start compiling the list for the best USB-C to 3.5mm adapter DACs. Many phones don't even offer analog output anymore on their USB-C output , so the only option is to have a dongle/adapter with a built-in DAC.

Unfortunately, the output power and sound quality of these DACs is mostly mediocre or downright poor (here's looking at you Google with your useless Pixel adapters).

So, what are the highest quality and best bang for your buck USB-C to 3.5mm Digital output DAC adapters (small size)?

The short list so far (6/2019):

Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter ~ $10 USD
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MU7E2ZM/A/usb-c-35-mm-kuulokeliitäntäsovitin
Output power: 31mW @33 Ohm (tested)
Sound quality: good (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital
Line-in mic support (in Android): ?

Hidizs Sonata HD Dac Cable II aka TempoTec Sonata HD ~ $35 USD
https://www.hidizs.net/blogs/news/h...with-hi-res-sound-with-sonata-hd-dac-cable-ii
Output power: 60mW @32 Ohm (mfg rating, not tested by 3rd party)
Sound quality: apparently good (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital
Line-in mic support (in Android): has multiple different firmware and with firmware D it has in-line mic support

Musiland MU1 $ ~ $33 USD
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Musiland-MU1-TYPE-C-portable-sound-card-Earphone-cable-3-5mm-Headset-Adapter-decodes-for-mobile/32869987030.html
Output power: 28mW @33 Ohm (tested)
Sound quality: good (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital
Line-in mic support (in Android):?

Musiland MU2 Plus
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Newest-version-Musiland-MU2PLUS-digital-decoding-headphone-amplifier-cable-mobile-phone-digital-decoder-computer-USB-sound/32992391339.html
Output power: 45mW @33 Ohm (tested)
Sound quality: excellent (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital (in-line control buttons)
Line-in mic support (in Android):?

NextDrive Spectra X DAC ~ $200 USD
https://www.nextdrive-spectra.io/
Output power: 49mW @33 Ohm (tested)
Sound quality: excellent (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital
Line-in mic support (in Android):?
Sound quality: excellent (for any DAC)

E1DA 9038S balanced DAC ~ $70 USD
https://e1dashz.wixsite.com/index/9038s
Review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ents-of-e1da-9038s-bal-portable-dac-amp.8424/
Output Power: 37mW @300 Ohm balanced output (tested), 340mW into 32Ohm (tested)
Output Impedance: 0.3 Ohm (tested)
Volume control: none
Line-in mic support: none
S/N (SINAD) ratio: 110 dB (83 dB at 50mV SNR)

Potentially good adapters - but no proper information on them yet (will fill in later, when / if new information arrives on them):

iBasso DC01 (balanced DAC) ~ $51 USD
http://www.ibasso.com
https://carvelink.com.hk/item/iBasso-DC01平衡解碼耳放線/4899690461265920
Output power: 113 mW @32 Ohm (mfg claim) (balanced amp, 2.5mm balalanced out), 1.9V (32Ω) (preliminary data from mfg)
Sound quality: 32bit/384kHz max, DSD256, THD+N: <0.001% (32Ω, 1.2Vrms),
Volume control: hardware 64-levels with provided iBasso software appp (via UAC 2.0)
Line-in mic support (in Android):?
Other: AK4493 DAC chip, only balanced 2.5mm output (not standard stereo single-ended 3.5mm)
Weight: 119g

Hifime Tiny Type-C Dac ~ $30
https://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs/tiny-type-c-dac

Plussound USB-C 3.5mm mini adapter (preorder)
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/plussound-audio-thread.701384/page-74#post-14992442
Output power: ?? (power consumption is 15mA)
Standby power (current): 1.5 mA (mfg data)
Sound quality: S/N 104 dB, THD 90 dB, 24bit/96kHz (all mfg data, not 3rd party verified)
Volume control: digital ?
Line-in mic support (in Android):?

Venture Electronics Odyssey HD (several terminations available) $10-30 USD
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=32

Iconic High Res USB-C DAC (performance unknown)
https://iconic-music.net/product/triangle-high-resolution-usb-c-audio-dac-amplifier-to-3-5-mm/

Meizu Hifi-Dac (CS43131) ~ $34 USD
https://www.giztop.com/official-meizu-hi-fi-dac-headphone-adapter.html
Output Power: 30mW (@ 32Ohm), mfg data)
PCM decoding capability: 32bit / 384kHz
DSD: DSD64／DSD128
SNR: ＞120dB
DNR: ＞120dB
THD+N: ＜0.0003%
Output load: 16Ω ~ 600Ω
Chip: Cirrus Logic CS43131

All of the above have also considerable power draw budgets, so take that into account if you use a phone with a smaller battery capacity.

I'm not personally interested in large AMP-DACs (Fiio, Hifime) or dangling USB-A type DACs (Dragonfly), but perhaps somebody else can make a list of those, if they are interested.

If you know of any other good USB-C 3.5mm DAC dongles, please chime in. Especially if you've found out competent test for their output impedance, output power and audio performance.

Updates:
16.6.2019 - Added more data on iBasso DC01
18.6.2019 - Mfg claimed data for Plussound adapter
20.6.2019 - More info on iBasso DC01 (first batch)
25.6.2019 - Added Meizu Hi-Fi DAC (CS43131)
14.8.2019 - Added E1DA 9038S portable Balanced DAC
15.8.2019 - Fixed E1DA 9038S output power data and added link

Now that 3.5mm headphone output is nearing extinction in smartphones, it's time to start compiling the list for the best USB-C to 3.5mm adapter DACs. Many phones don't even offer analog output anymore on their USB-C output , so the only option is to have a dongle/adapter with a built-in DAC.

Unfortunately, the output power and sound quality of these DACs is mostly mediocre or downright poor (here's looking at you Google with your useless Pixel adapters).

So, what are the highest quality and best bang for your buck USB-C to 3.5mm Digital output DAC adapters (small size)?

The short list so far (6/2019):

Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter ~ $10 USD
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MU7E2ZM/A/usb-c-35-mm-kuulokeliitäntäsovitin
Output power: 31mW @33 Ohm (tested)
Sound quality: good (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital
Line-in mic support (in Android): ?

Hidizs Sonata HD Dac Cable II aka TempoTec Sonata HD ~ $35 USD
https://www.hidizs.net/blogs/news/h...with-hi-res-sound-with-sonata-hd-dac-cable-ii
Output power: 60mW @32 Ohm (mfg rating, not tested by 3rd party)
Sound quality: apparently good (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital
Line-in mic support (in Android): has multiple different firmware and with firmware D it has in-line mic support

Musiland MU1 $ ~ $33 USD
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Musiland-MU1-TYPE-C-portable-sound-card-Earphone-cable-3-5mm-Headset-Adapter-decodes-for-mobile/32869987030.html
Output power: 28mW @33 Ohm (tested)
Sound quality: good (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital
Line-in mic support (in Android):?

Musiland MU2 Plus
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Newest-version-Musiland-MU2PLUS-digital-decoding-headphone-amplifier-cable-mobile-phone-digital-decoder-computer-USB-sound/32992391339.html
Output power: 45mW @33 Ohm (tested)
Sound quality: excellent (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital (in-line control buttons)
Line-in mic support (in Android):?

NextDrive Spectra X DAC ~ $200 USD
https://www.nextdrive-spectra.io/
Output power: 49mW @33 Ohm (tested)
Sound quality: excellent (for a dongle/adapter)
Volume control: digital
Line-in mic support (in Android):?
Sound quality: excellent (for any DAC)

E1DA 9038S balanced DAC ~ $70 USD
https://e1dashz.wixsite.com/index/9038s
Review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ents-of-e1da-9038s-bal-portable-dac-amp.8424/
Output Power: 37mW @300 Ohm balanced output (tested), 340mW into 32Ohm (tested)
Output Impedance: 0.3 Ohm (tested)
Volume control: none
Line-in mic support: none
S/N (SINAD) ratio: 110 dB (83 dB at 50mV SNR)

Potentially good adapters - but no proper information on them yet (will fill in later, when / if new information arrives on them):

iBasso DC01 (balanced DAC) ~ $51 USD
http://www.ibasso.com
https://carvelink.com.hk/item/iBasso-DC01平衡解碼耳放線/4899690461265920
Output power: 113 mW @32 Ohm (mfg claim) (balanced amp, 2.5mm balalanced out), 1.9V (32Ω) (preliminary data from mfg)
Sound quality: 32bit/384kHz max, DSD256, THD+N: <0.001% (32Ω, 1.2Vrms),
Volume control: hardware 64-levels with provided iBasso software appp (via UAC 2.0)
Line-in mic support (in Android):?
Other: AK4493 DAC chip, only balanced 2.5mm output (not standard stereo single-ended 3.5mm)
Weight: 119g

Hifime Tiny Type-C Dac ~ $30
https://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs/tiny-type-c-dac

Plussound USB-C 3.5mm mini adapter (preorder)
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/plussound-audio-thread.701384/page-74#post-14992442
Output power: ?? (power consumption is 15mA)
Standby power (current): 1.5 mA (mfg data)
Sound quality: S/N 104 dB, THD 90 dB, 24bit/96kHz (all mfg data, not 3rd party verified)
Volume control: digital ?
Line-in mic support (in Android):?

Venture Electronics Odyssey HD (several terminations available) $10-30 USD
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=32

Iconic High Res USB-C DAC (performance unknown)
https://iconic-music.net/product/triangle-high-resolution-usb-c-audio-dac-amplifier-to-3-5-mm/

Meizu Hifi-Dac (CS43131) ~ $34 USD
https://www.giztop.com/official-meizu-hi-fi-dac-headphone-adapter.html
Output Power: 30mW (@ 32Ohm), mfg data)
PCM decoding capability: 32bit / 384kHz
DSD: DSD64／DSD128
SNR: ＞120dB
DNR: ＞120dB
THD+N: ＜0.0003%
Output load: 16Ω ~ 600Ω
Chip: Cirrus Logic CS43131

All of the above have also considerable power draw budgets, so take that into account if you use a phone with a smaller battery capacity.

I'm not personally interested in large AMP-DACs (Fiio, Hifime) or dangling USB-A type DACs (Dragonfly), but perhaps somebody else can make a list of those, if they are interested.

If you know of any other good USB-C 3.5mm DAC dongles, please chime in. Especially if you've found out competent test for their output impedance, output power and audio performance.

Updates:
16.6.2019 - Added more data on iBasso DC01
18.6.2019 - Mfg claimed data for Plussound adapter
20.6.2019 - More info on iBasso DC01 (first batch)
25.6.2019 - Added Meizu Hi-Fi DAC (CS43131)
14.8.2019 - Added E1DA 9038S portable Balanced DAC
15.8.2019 - Fixed E1DA 9038S output power data and added link

Very helpful. Thanks.

 

[abitdeef]

Hi guys, just a heads up. I'm listing an new ibasso dco4 pro, just checked it out/received it today, for 80 US shipped- US shipping only. Pm me if you want a jump before I list. Don't really need it and don't want to ship back to China for return. Listened briefly out of 4.4 sounds very nice and neutral. Has lightning cable included.

 

[toge]

Hi guys, just a heads up. I'm listing an new ibasso dco4 pro, just checked it out/received it today, for 80 US shipped- US shipping only. Pm me if you want a jump before I list. Don't really need it and don't want to ship back to China for return. Listened briefly out of 4.4 sounds very nice and neutral. Has lightning cable included.

Absolute bargain for someone.

 

[TheUnknow]

EverSolo H1 / H2 out

H1 (ES9281AC | 3.5) :

H2 (ES9038Q2M | 3.5 & 2.5)

EverSolo is known for making desktop DAC and their Z8 perfom very well.

 

[abitdeef]

Absolute bargain for someone.

I think so, it's a really nice dongle and brand new. I got offered 65 without the lightning cable but it comes with it, it's part of the package. I just paid 125 for it lol. If worse comes to worse I'll suck it up and send it back, or put it on ebay.

At 80 it's already a good deal. Anyways very nice dongle, great sound stage and great detail, reminds me of dx160. Very impressive the level of power and detail these tiny dongles put out.

 

[NexusOne]

Hello,

i am very interested in dongles and have got a few questions:

- Do you also think (like me) that ios users have got lots of disadvantages in comparison with android users?

1. most of the cheap dongles only come with usb-c
2. more expensive dongles only offer an android app
3. with the iphone you only get 70 % of the power (not 100 % because of ios)

- Second question: I want to buy the Topping E70 and L70 for the Edition XS. Would a gryphon or go bar be a good alternative (3d, xbass, warmer sound signature). Are both strong enough for the xs or only the gryphon? or would you also youse the topping combo if you are in the same room?

 

[rocketron]

Hello,

i am very interested in dongles and have got a few questions:

- Do you also think (like me) that ios users have got lots of disadvantages in comparison with android users?

1. most of the cheap dongles only come with usb-c
2. more expensive dongles only offer an android app
3. with the iphone you only get 70 % of the power (not 100 % because of ios)

- Second question: I want to buy the Topping E70 and L70 for the Edition XS. Would a gryphon or go bar be a good alternative (3d, xbass, warmer sound signature). Are both strong enough for the xs or only the gryphon? or would you also youse the topping combo if you are in the same room?

Or Chord Mojo 2.
Plenty of power and very useful EQ.
Works perfectly with iPhone.

 

[toge]

Hello,

i am very interested in dongles and have got a few questions:

- Do you also think (like me) that ios users have got lots of disadvantages in comparison with android users?

1. most of the cheap dongles only come with usb-c
2. more expensive dongles only offer an android app
3. with the iphone you only get 70 % of the power (not 100 % because of ios)

- Second question: I want to buy the Topping E70 and L70 for the Edition XS. Would a gryphon or go bar be a good alternative (3d, xbass, warmer sound signature). Are both strong enough for the xs or only the gryphon? or would you also youse the topping combo if you are in the same room?

Yes iOS users do get the short end of the stick.

 

[toge]

I think so, it's a really nice dongle and brand new. I got offered 65 without the lightning cable but it comes with it, it's part of the package. I just paid 125 for it lol. If worse comes to worse I'll suck it up and send it back, or put it on ebay.

At 80 it's already a good deal. Anyways very nice dongle, great sound stage and great detail, reminds me of dx160. Very impressive the level of power and detail these tiny dongles put out.

If I was you I'd stick to 80. If I was in the states I would have taken it off you.

 

[rayliam80]

I recently picked up the the Hidizs S9 Pro and I hadn't really been impressed with it until this morning. I have been using it with my Windows laptop with Foobar2000 and didn't like the way the ASIO driver sounded as compared to WASAPI. I have other dongles and always use them in 64-bit mode under ASIO preferences. I just decided to unclick this option in the ASIO settings while using the S9 Pro and now everything sounds much more dynamic and refined. I picked up the S9 Pro just to use it with my 2.5mm balanced cables. I can't really say yet if it sounds better than my A&K Pee51 but at least I can avoid adapters now.

 

[grumpy213]

Bought a iBasso DC04 Pro after having some issues with the noise floor on my DAP with my IEMs and am looking forward to seeing how it performs after some of the reviews in here!

As an aside as someone who uses a iPhone and an Android DAP there are benefits and advantages to both in terms of USB amps/DACs. My iPhone outputs bitperfect when connected to a USB DAC with little to no effort whereas I believe Android (small sample size of an old Xiaomi phone) doesn't output bit perfect all the time and is app dependent. As far as I know, Apple Music didn't output perfectly, resampled to 48khz, Tidal asked for permission to access the USB device and output bit perfect and I have yet to try with Qobuz and Amazon. Obviously this is less of an issue if you use UAPP and your own local files but that doesn't fit my use case.

I have seen mixed experiences with some owners of Sony Xperia's having no issue with USB DACs and my Hiby DAP with a SRC bypass does it fine. Otherwise, iOS is hampered with having no expandable storage (not good for music hoarders), poor power output via Lightning and no system wide parametric EQ apps like Wavelet.

So basically, I'm stuck in between a rock and a hard place lol

 

[superuser1]

Bought a iBasso DC04 Pro after having some issues with the noise floor on my DAP with my IEMs and am looking forward to seeing how it performs after some of the reviews in here!

As an aside as someone who uses a iPhone and an Android DAP there are benefits and advantages to both in terms of USB amps/DACs. My iPhone outputs bitperfect when connected to a USB DAC with little to no effort whereas I believe Android (small sample size of an old Xiaomi phone) doesn't output bit perfect all the time and is app dependent. As far as I know, Apple Music didn't output perfectly, resampled to 48khz, Tidal asked for permission to access the USB device and output bit perfect and I have yet to try with Qobuz and Amazon. Obviously this is less of an issue if you use UAPP and your own local files but that doesn't fit my use case.

I have seen mixed experiences with some owners of Sony Xperia's having no issue with USB DACs and my Hiby DAP with a SRC bypass does it fine. Otherwise, iOS is hampered with having no expandable storage (not good for music hoarders), poor power output via Lightning and no system wide parametric EQ apps like Wavelet.

So basically, I'm stuck in between a rock and a hard place lol

Indeed. If you use the DC04 pro with iOS you will loose the ability to use the app for the dongle which is limited to android.

 

[superuser1]

Question for members with the DC04 Pro:

The eco nice switches off the amp stage and falls back on the internal amp of the DAC chip. I am wondering what the output toggle actually does. Please enlighten me.

 

[Ichos]

Question for members with the DC04 Pro:


The eco nice switches off the amp stage and falls back on the internal amp of the DAC chip. I am wondering what the output toggle actually does. Please enlighten me.

It slightly increases the output voltage but I don't know the exact figure.