[digititus]

I managed to install it:

1) I connected the Tempotec Sonata Pro via USB A adaptor to the PC with a earphone plugged in.
2) Run exe.
3) Exe will prompt u to remove the entire USB A with the Tempotec Sonata Pro and reinsert it.
4) Run the rest of the exe.

But I don't really notice any difference in sound after running the update. And no changelog provided by Tempotec other than them saying it acts as a fix for some android phones.

On Windows 7 I had to manually enter the correct Vendor and Product ID's before I could update. They are 22E1 and E203 respectively

 

[baskingshark]

On Windows 7 I had to manually enter the correct Vendor and Product ID's before I could update. They are 22E1 and E203 respectively

Yes forgot to mention this. It is on their twitter page about this ID thing:

BTW do u hear any difference in sound quality?

 

[complete]

I managed to install it:

1) I connected the Tempotec Sonata Pro via USB A adaptor to the PC with a earphone plugged in.
2) Run exe.
3) Exe will prompt u to remove the entire USB A with the Tempotec Sonata Pro and reinsert it.
4) Run the rest of the exe.

But I don't really notice any difference in sound after running the update. And no changelog provided by Tempotec other than them saying it acts as a fix for some android phones.

Thank you very much, I was able to install it, I was using asus zenfone 5 phones, the connection was often disconnected, I hope they fixed it.

 

[digititus]

Yes forgot to mention this. It is on their twitter page about this ID thing:



BTW do u hear any difference in sound quality?

No! But I feel better knowing I'm running the latest and greatest
I think the hardware volume button steps are not so great, but I could be mistaken

 

[D4RK]

Hello guys,
I am buying a KZ ZST X and I need the cheapest dongle that I can get but still have good sound, preferably $10 or less, thanks

 

[laleeee]

Hello guys,
I am buying a KZ ZST X and I need the cheapest dongle that I can get but still have good sound, preferably $10 or less, thanks

HUF 2,986.33 | Venture ElectronicsOdyssey HD Type-C to 3.5mm DAC dongle
https://a.aliexpress.com/_dZ8R0I1

 

[OpiateSkittles]

No! But I feel better knowing I'm running the latest and greatest
I think the hardware volume button steps are not so great, but I could be mistaken

Is the max sample rate the same?

EDIT: It is. I was worried it might be like the A or C firmware for the non-pro. If anyone is having trouble with "USB DEVICE NOT FOUND" messages using the new VID and PID numbers, try writing the ones it defaults to first, and then using the new ones. That's what I ended up having to do.

 

[realkepp]

Which dongle will work with direct access on Huawei Nova 5t/Honor 20?

 

[staticV3]

Which dongle will work with direct access on Huawei Nova 5t/Honor 20?

These dongles all work in essentially the same way. The question is if those two phones support USB audio. If they do, then you can use whatever dongle you want.

 

[pqhf5kd]

My partner and I would like to listen to content on our MacBook at the same time.

Would you recommend a USB-C to dual 3.5mm jacks? A USB-C to 3.5 and a y splitter? Separate USB-C to 3.5's and using Apple's Audi MIDI Setup to bond the outputs (the latest convenient option in my opinion)

 

[staticV3]

My partner and I would like to listen to content on our MacBook at the same time.

Would you recommend a USB-C to dual 3.5mm jacks? A USB-C to 3.5 and a y splitter? Separate USB-C to 3.5's and using Apple's Audi MIDI Setup to bond the outputs (the latest convenient option in my opinion)

USB C to dual 3.5mm: not recommended. Very likely to use a cheap DAC.
Y-splitter: could work ok if you use the same headphone and your Amp has sufficient juice.
Separate DACs: would probably be the preferred method, but I don't have any experience with the MIDI setup.

 

[pqhf5kd]

Separate DACs: would probably be the preferred method, but I don't have any experience with the MIDI setup.

I've just done some testing and it saves 'Aggregated' outputs even after disconnecting and reconnecting devices. I need just to double check it works with identical DACs

Cheers!

 

[onewheelfloatergirl]

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

 

[laleeee]

Can you recommend someone a dongle dac with true balanced output ?

 

[seamon]

Can you recommend someone a dongle dac with true balanced output ?

E1DA