[kphinn]

Great thread - but way too much info at 99 pages. I wish we had a summary of the OP's original thought:

it's time to start compiling the list for the best USB-C to 3.5mm adapter DACs

 

[ballog]

Hey folks. Any news about the Dunu DTC 100 https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dun...k-switch-connector-cable.913494/post-15231043

 

[megabigeye]

Anybody tried essential usb c dongle?

The one that came with the Essential Phone? Yes. It was horrible.
If you're talking about the weird clip-on thing they sold, no, I haven't tried that.

 

[Turkleton]

Anybody here listened to both LG V30 and Erilles 9280c Pro dac?

I dropped my V30 while some iems were plugged in and now the inside of my V30 3.5mm port is bent and only works with that one cable -_-

After switching to another phone (my V30 was dying anyway) I now realize just how good i had it. Can the 9280c dac compare to the quad dac or am I gonna need to shell out for the EIDA9038s to be satisfied with the sq?

 

[baskingshark]

I bought a ES9280C PRO ESS USB DAC/AMP at the last aliexpress sale, just arrived. Got it at $25 USD after coupons.




Specs:

• Type: USB type C to 3.5mm headphone jack
• Support sampling rate: PCM 44.1/ 48 / 96/192Khz/384Khz 24bit to 32bit, DSD64/DSD128 DOP
• Support Hi-Res audio and SACD.
• Output impedance: 8 Ohms to 600 Ohms
• Output power: 30mw at 32 Ohms, 2Vrms at 600 Ohms
• Output level: 2Vrms max
• Data transfer speed: USB 2.0
• S/N ratio: >120dB at 1Khz
• Dynamic >122dB
• Crosstalk < -126dB at 32 Ohms
• Total length: 10cm

The DAC chip is ES9280C PRO from ESS made in USA, it support DSD64 and DSD128, Support PCM up to 32bit 384Khz

Got it to try out this new DAC chip, for comparisons, my other DAC/AMP USB dongles are the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro and Tempotec Sonata HD (non Pro) and an apple lightning dongle. I still like the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro more in terms of sound quality, wrote a small review about it here: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tempotec-sonata-hd-pro.24181/reviews#item-review-23794

Pros of ES9280C PRO ESS
- clean background, no hiss, no clicking.
- plug and play, no need driver installation.
- much more juice to drive higher impedance stuff than Tempotec Sonata HD Pro.
- double thickenss in cable braiding than Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, feels more sturdy for cable bending.
- very low output impedance, low THD.
- compatible with mic.

Cons:
- on first listening, I find it tinge less detailed and having less instrument separation/clarity than the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, but I will do more A/B testing over the next few days. It's still good mind you, but I'm still using the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro as my gold standard comparison for now.
- heats up quite a lot with use, very warm to touch, unlike Tempotec Sonata HD Pro.
- no volume controller.

Ok after testing the ES9280C PRO ESS for a month or so, I'm not certain it is a ES9280C DAC inside, but it has quite a lot of power to drive some higher impedance cans and buds.

It does heat up after use, no hiss/clicks, clean background.

Compared to Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, it is more musical and dynamic, slightly more coloured than Tempotec Sonata HD Pro. Soundstage is narrower than Sonata HD Pro, with lesser details, clarity, instrument separation than Sonata HD Pro.

Overall, Tempotec Sonata HD Pro is still my go to, the only area this DAC wins is in power. Sonata HD Pro can't drive 300 ohm stuff well or planars well. Maybe if one wants a less analytical DAC and just wants to chill and listen to something more coloured, this is an option.

 

[MikonJuice]

Anyone can recommend me a budget one that sells at aliexpress??

I need to drive this imem: https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/4000358344260.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.74562e0en3jS74

 

[kphinn]

Anyone can recommend me a budget one that sells at aliexpress??

I need to drive this imem: https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/4000358344260.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.74562e0en3jS74

I've been very happy with this $8 one.
USB C Headphone Adapter, Kolpop Type C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter USB C to 3.5mm DAC Hi-res Chipset 24bit/192kHz

 

[artpiggo]

 

[noknok23]

new portable dongle from Xduoo: "Link2"

MSRP:$99, looks like it can compete with E1DA 9038S??

Who wants to be the guinea pig?

 

[staticV3]

new portable dongle from Xduoo: "Link2"

MSRP:$99, looks like it can compete with E1DA 9038S??

Who wants to be the guinea pig?

A truly outstanding explanation of DSD vs PCM and a THD+N that's only 15x that of the current 9038D proto. Yeah, I don't see a 9038S/D competitor in the Link 2.

 

[jeejack]

I did, it shows in devices manager like this:

Under "Other devices".

You dont have the usb driver install

 

[jeejack]

My new Tempotec sonata hd pro with Cayin N3

 

[steelglam]

You need UAPP or Neutron.
There is a fix on xda but it only works with android 7 or 8 I forgot. Couldn't make it work on my phone which was too recent.
I doubt this will be "fixed" since apple designed this dongle for the iPad pro, not android devices so it doesn't follow android standards.

So I picked one of the Apple lightning dongles for the heck of it. I think it works ok with Android. It won't get super loud for sure, but I have it about 3-4 steps away from the top and I can't imagine going any louder. It would be really loud.

 

[flammablegas]

Hello everyone, recently discovered type-c dac's and loving the results im getting with the Apple adaptor with my ibasso it01. How much of an improvement would I get if I went forward with say a DC02 or some other ones mentioned in this thread? People with expensive adaptors, have the cable broken?

 

[halcyon]

So I picked one of the Apple lightning dongles for the heck of it. I think it works ok with Android. It won't get super loud for sure, but I have it about 3-4 steps away from the top and I can't imagine going any louder. It would be really loud.

Everybody, do remember that loudness that you are able to reach with a certain USB-C dongle is also dependent on the sensitivity/impedance of the headphones. Harder to drive headphones/iems/buds require more amplification power from the dongle.

So fit your USB-C dongle needs based on the loudness you require and the headphones you will be using with the dongle.