1More USB-C Headphone Adapter Review

[pablolie]

We are not after high-resolution but rather, enough power to drive your headphone and absence of noise when driving sensitive IEMs and headphones. Both of these limitations are quite audible and don't relate to the thing having enough resolution or not.

However, the very concept of driving headphones off a mobile device via the USB-C port is destined to provide that limitation in general... or not? I also remember buying a Dragonfly when they were all the rage, and the quick realization SQ didn't seem any better and the inconvenience started to shift things away.

For my personal use at least (and I am not claiming this applies to everybody), Bluetooth with NC has come a huge way in the last few years. When that happened, I knew I'd never go back to cabled when I am mobile. At home or in office it's still a different story.

Sorry, I know I am side tracking the review, I'll shut up - and as always, thanks for the detailed info that makes us either feel validated or makes us reconsider choices.

 

[EJ3]

However, the very concept of driving headphones off a mobile device via the USB-C port is destined to provide that limitation in general... or not? I also remember buying a Dragonfly when they were all the rage, and the quick realization SQ didn't seem any better and the inconvenience started to shift things away.

For my personal use at least (and I am not claiming this applies to everybody), Bluetooth with NC has come a huge way in the last few years. When that happened, I knew I'd never go back to cabled when I am mobile. At home or in office it's still a different story.

Sorry, I know I am side tracking the review, I'll shut up - and as always, thanks for the detailed info that makes us either feel validated or makes us reconsider choices.

It's the same reason that my headphones are wireless (with a RF stand connected to my stereo or my main desktop computer. It uses KLEER wireless technology to send uncompressed digital audio up to 328' [100 meters] to the headphones, 15 frequency hopping channels in the 2.4-2.8GHz band, Auto-Selecting not Bluetooth {which so far has been proven to suck and have no range than this PREVIOUS, WAY BETTER SOUNDING and DISTANCE CAPABLE TECHNOLOGY}, Bluetooth is only good for close up and less than optimal sound & was not an option in 2010). KLEER has way Better range, Better Quality of Sound & less drop outs.
I can mow the lawn while listening to whatever I am playing in the house. Why I still use them today.

 

[salmo]

 

[markanini]

CX31993 viewed as a general-purpose DAC amp might disappoint. Viewed as portable DAC amp optimized for low current draw it's been hard to beat so far. 80-85 SINAD measured is basically at the threshold of human hearing. If that's not enough, then there are other options, but they all have more current draw. Apples dongle infamously limits output in varying circumstances and is not a safe recommendation for EU and Android users.

 

[LJHR]

1vrms output, can I use it to connect my HP Amp?

 

[Jimster480]

1vrms output, can I use it to connect my HP Amp?

Yes, it will work on anything basically.... My wife uses hers on tablets, desktop computers and laptops.

 

[douteiful]

The internal jack of my phone is dying so I tried getting into the world of USB-C DACs.

At first I got the JM20 MAX (CS43131) - it sounded great but it used too much power, probably around the 100~150mA range according to Battery Guru. I listen to ambient music while sleeping and I noticed that the battery was almost dying every morning (as opposed to 50-60% from 100%). This made it useless for me. I then got the JM20 and JM12, better but not that great either.

I just got a JM6 (non-Pro) CX31993 today and the power draw is much better, very close to the internal phone's DAC. I noticed I very much prefer my battery to last.

That said I don't hear any hissing at all so I was surprised by this review. I tried disconnecting/connecting, playing with the volume but I can't really hear any hissing. But then again I have slight tinnitus (neurological-induced hissing...) so if the hissing is audible but not that bad, maybe I just don't hear it.

 

[Jimster480]

The internal jack of my phone is dying so I tried getting into the world of USB-C DACs.

At first I got the JM20 MAX (CS43131) - it sounded great but it used too much power, probably around the 150mA range. I listen to ambient music while sleeping and I noticed that the battery was almost dying every morning (as opposed to 50-60% from 100%). This made it useless for me. I then got the JM20 and JM12, better but not that great either.

I just got a JM6 (non-Pro) CX31993 today and the power draw is much better, very close to the internal phone's DAC. I noticed I very much prefer my battery to last.
That said I don't hear any hissing at all so I was surprised by this review. I tried disconnecting/connecting, playing with the volume but I can't really hear any hissing. But then again I have slight tinnitus (neurological-induced hissing...) so if the hissing is audible but not that bad, maybe I just don't hear it.

Is the CX31993 what this dongle is supposed to have inside of it? I didn't see any specs anywhere that state the chip information, however it doesn't mean it isn't out there.

 

[douteiful]

Is the CX31993 what this dongle is supposed to have inside of it? I didn't see any specs anywhere that state the chip information, however it doesn't mean it isn't out there.

The Aliexpress page shows the chip in the specs:

It is also engraved on the dongle itself (JM6 CX31993 DAC PCM 32bit 384kHz).

 

[Jimster480]

The Aliexpress page shows the chip in the specs:

View attachment 462748

It is also engraved on the dongle itself (JM6 CX31993 DAC PCM 32bit 384kHz).

I see, well my wife has no issues with her dongle either. She uses it all the time, so it might just be that my dongle which I sent in here had a problem.

 

[douteiful]

I see, well my wife has no issues with her dongle either. She uses it all the time, so it might just be that my dongle which I sent in here had a problem.

I've seen people reporting hissing with the JM6 and other people reporting the opposite, so there might be heavy unit variation? Or maybe actually not always using the same DAC they advertise? Some chinese stores can be sketchy after all.
What I can say though is that there is very audible hissing that lasts for about 500ms when plugging the dongle in, and then it stops. I don't hear it again even when listening to music. I'm listening with Tanchjim Origin, 126dB sensitivity.

Since I don't have equipment to measure it objectively, I'd be inclined to say that it's just my tinnitus masking it. Also it'd be nice to see comparisons regarding power draw when it comes to portable DACs in the future. All your work is appreciated.

 

[markanini]

I've seen people reporting hissing with the JM6 and other people reporting the opposite, so there might be heavy unit variation? Or maybe actually not always using the same DAC they advertise? Some chinese stores can be sketchy after all.
What I can say though is that there is very audible hissing that lasts for about 500ms when plugging the dongle in, and then it stops. I don't hear it again even when listening to music. I'm listening with Tanchjim Origin, 126dB sensitivity.

Since I don't have equipment to measure it objectively, I'd be inclined to say that it's just my tinnitus masking it. Also it'd be nice to see comparisons regarding power draw when it comes to portable DACs in the future. All your work is appreciated.

Purely speculatively it's actually RF/EMI that those affected are hearing, at least this is the more likely the thing that would vary from one setup to the other.

 

[Jimster480]

I've seen people reporting hissing with the JM6 and other people reporting the opposite, so there might be heavy unit variation? Or maybe actually not always using the same DAC they advertise? Some chinese stores can be sketchy after all.
What I can say though is that there is very audible hissing that lasts for about 500ms when plugging the dongle in, and then it stops. I don't hear it again even when listening to music. I'm listening with Tanchjim Origin, 126dB sensitivity.

Since I don't have equipment to measure it objectively, I'd be inclined to say that it's just my tinnitus masking it. Also it'd be nice to see comparisons regarding power draw when it comes to portable DACs in the future. All your work is appreciated.

Well my wife uses it with these exact headphones and she is very good at hearing all sorts of interference. She's also very musically inclined and she has no problems with it. I asked her to specifically listen for hissing and she didn't hear anything.
So I would say it's probably the most likely scenario that there is a unit to unit variation, or some other interference... Which can sometimes happen with these dongkes and wired headphones in general.