Alternative to the Meizu HiFi Pro

[Buckeye Amps]

The Meizu HiFi Pro was recommended to me for use with my Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, I can't find any in stock.

Is there a comparable adapter that will handle 24/192kHz and measures/performs just as well?

 

[pk500]

The Meizu HiFi Pro was recommended to me for use with my Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, I can't find any in stock.

Is there a comparable adapter that will handle 24/192kHz and measures/performs just as well?

Tempotec Sonata HD Pro: https://www.amazon.com/TempoTec-Sonata-HD-PRO-Android/dp/B08ZCT4YZG?th=1

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Tempotec Sonata HD Pro: https://www.amazon.com/TempoTec-Sonata-HD-PRO-Android/dp/B08ZCT4YZG?th=1

I was hoping for something more compact/inline

 

[pk500]

I was hoping for something more compact/inline

Try the THX Onyx: https://www.amazon.com/Onyx-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Cross-Platform/dp/B09HN7887V

It's not cheap, though. $200.

 

[staticV3]

The regular Meizu HiFi is still available on AliExpress: https://a.aliexpress.com/_uyEuKQ

 

[Buckeye Amps]

The regular Meizu HiFi is still available on AliExpress: https://a.aliexpress.com/_uyEuKQ

Amirs review wasn't very stellar for the regular one

 

[Matias]

Amirs review wasn't very stellar for the regular one

The regular Meizu (which I bought and donated for Amir to test btw) had something very wrong going on while measuring here, because when used with a cell phone as source it was most definitely great. See below in 32 ohms close to most IEMs impedances.

I use one with my Moondrop Aria and love it.

노트10 이어폰 잭 2탄! 메이주 HIFI DAC vs. HIFI DAC PRO - 영디비

먼저 영상부터 봐 주세요!! 측정 장비 및 조건 샘플 한 개의 측정 데이터로 전체 제품 특성을 반영하지 않습니다. 영디비는 오디오 프리시전(AP) APx525로 기기를 측정합니다. 조건은 AES17-2015 기반입니다. 측정 항...

www.0db.co.kr

 

[staticV3]

@Buckeye Amps @Matias
Matias is right. There's a problem with how Amir hooks up audio dongles to his APx555. Using the unbalanced input results in a strong rise in HF noise:


This messed up almost all of his measurements and does not represent real-world usage.
It can be fixed by either using the balanced input (yes, even with 3.5mm single-ended devices), or by using galvanic isolation between host and dongle, as shown here by WolfX-700 on his APx555: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/ugreen-usb-dac/

Here are measurements of my Meizu HiFi on a good setup:

• Spoiler: 1KHz: 112.9dB SINAD

  
• Spoiler: Dynamic Range: 124.6dB

  
• Spoiler: Jitter @48KHz:

  
• Spoiler: Jitter @44.1KHz:

  
• Spoiler: Noise shaping:

  
• Spoiler: Nyquist filter response @44.1KHz:

  
• Spoiler: Frequency response:

  

 

[raistlin65]

iBasso DC05 is another option. @WolfX-700 found am audio quality firmware bug in it's initial release that has now been corrected

L7Audiolab News!!! iBasso DC05 IMD&THDN Bug Fixed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - L7Audiolab

便携设备 就在本月19号我发布了Measurements & Review of iBasso DC05 USBDAC/HPAmp 这篇测量文，刚刚在看网站评论区的时候发现 @osu910947 留言说 “DC05出新固件了，改善互调失真无论如何，刷个看看呗……

www.l7audiolab.com

So be sure to update the firmware when you get it.

 

[MCH]

i also have the Meizu non pro and i find it an incredible value dongle and super small if this is a concern (same size as the pro i think).
Regarding the measurements of amir there is some discussion with Ivan and JohnYang if i remember well in the review thread. In any case, it is so cheap that is probably worth a "just try and see".
The only inconvinient i see is that it connects directly to the usb of the phone and if you carry it in your pocket... might be better to add a cable in between. Another potential problem is that the cable does not seem made to last years and years... mine is still ok but does not see an intensive use.

 

[raistlin65]

@Buckeye Amps @Matias
Matias is right. There's a problem with how Amir hooks up audio dongles to his APx555. Using the unbalanced input results in a strong rise in HF noise:
View attachment 185884

This messed up almost all of his measurements and does not represent real-world usage.
It can be fixed by either using the balanced input (yes, even with 3.5mm single-ended devices), or by using galvanic isolation between host and dongle, as shown here by WolfX-700 on his APx555: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/ugreen-usb-dac/

Here are measurements of my Meizu HiFi on a good setup:

• Spoiler: 1KHz: 112.9dB SINAD

  View attachment 185887
• Spoiler: Dynamic Range: 124.6dB

  View attachment 185888
• Spoiler: Jitter @48KHz:

  View attachment 185889
• Spoiler: Jitter @44.1KHz:

  View attachment 185890
• Spoiler: Noise shaping:

  View attachment 185894
• Spoiler: Nyquist filter response @44.1KHz:

  View attachment 185891
• Spoiler: Frequency response:

  View attachment 185893

Good to know. Is there a dedicated thread on ASR discussing this? Be curious to know more about which dongles are affected.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

In the grand scheme of things, would there be a noticeable difference between the Meizu HiFi, iBasso DC05, or THX Onyx?

 

[staticV3]

Good to know. Is there a dedicated thread on ASR discussing this? Be curious to know more about which dongles are affected.

I don't think there's a thread yet. It's been discussed here and there.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Pulled the trigger on the Meizu Hifi from Aliexpress. Pairing with 7Hz Timeless IEMs

 

[Buckeye Amps]

So I actually canceled the Meizu and went with a Helm Bolt. Figured a current product would be best. And Amir seemed to like it

 

[formdissolve]

So I actually canceled the Meizu and went with a Helm Bolt. Figured a current product would be best. And Amir seemed to like it

@Buckeye Amps Reviving an old thread.. Does your Helm Bolt suck a lot of juice from your phone? I can only find some "mblu" version of the meizu and not sure how that measures up, so was looking for something else. My Hidizs S9 Pro sucks a lot of power from my phone and the Apple dongle is limited to very low volume when using on an android phone

 

[staticV3]

I can only find some "mblu" version of the meizu and not sure how that measures up, so was looking for something else.

Meizu HiFi and Meizu HiFi Pro got discontinued and replaced by the mblu HiFi and lifeme HiFi Pro, which use the CX31993 in favor of the CS43131. They measure about as well as the Apple dongles. Not as well as the Meizus.

Here's the power consumption for a bunch of dongles.

and the Apple dongle is limited to very low volume when using on an android phone

On Android, you can remove that limit like so.

 

[Matias]

As an owner of a non-Pro Meizu with 43131 I am sad there are no alternatives... Nowadays only larger and a lot more powerful and excellent measuring dongles, but no true alternative to this tiny form factor...

 

[staticV3]

As an owner of a non-Pro Meizu with 43131 I am sad there are no alternatives... Nowadays only larger and a lot more powerful and excellent measuring dongles, but no true alternative to this tiny form factor...

JCally JM20
MBQuart MB21P
aAkLIAM PD6
This noname one

 

[Matias]

JCally JM20
MBQuart MB21P
aAkLIAM PD6
This noname one

Do these measure as well as the original Meizus? I know the CS43131 is an all-in-one DAC chip, but idk, just to be sure they did not manage to ruin something.