Best cheap USB-C headphone dongles?

[CedarX]

It seems you can write info in registers in another section of the app, however, maybe that could help if someone knew what each register means.

I have started mapping these registers for the KT0211L, KT02F20, KT02H20, and KT0231H (or KT0231M, not sure).
I have identified the actual registers corresponding to each of the settings exposed by the KTmicro app (DAC/ADC L/R volume, DAC/ADC PEQ on filter types, Noise Gate, Limiter). I naively think that, in the future, this could be useful for a Webapp plugin—like what @Jeromeof is doing on his Squiglink app (https://www.pragmaticaudio.com/headphones/)—or even an Excel Office Script or macro (if one likes to tinker with these things). Personally, I would like to develop an ABX WebApp to evaluate the actual impact of the PEQ and other parameters available on these dongles…

The JA11 “gain” setting, which appears to be the a major contributor to these “clicks” or “cracklings” issues, is one setting that I haven’t figured out: I don’t know which register it relates to, or maybe it’s a case where FiiO does something on the custom side of their firmware.

As for hissing… I have yet to experience ann issue with any of these KTmicro dongles, regardless of the FW. Not sure if it’s me (I just can’t “hear” it), or I simply don’t have hissing-prone IEMs…

 

[Jeromeof]

In the future, this could be useful for a Webapp plugin—like what @Jeromeof is doing on his Squiglink app (https://www.pragmaticaudio.com/headphones/)—or even an Excel Office Script or macro (if one likes to tinker with these things). Personally, I would like to develop an ABX WebApp to evaluate the actual impact of the PEQ and other parameters available on these dongles…

Sounds like a cool idea.

By the way, I pushed a update to my devicePEQ support on https://www.pragmaticaudio.com/headphones/ earlier on - I added Tanchjim device support over USB but expanded the options to now also include JDS Labs Element IV (via "Serial" interface) and Wiim Devices (via a local Network connections).
Note: The WiiM support is limited due to the security in the browser related to a WiiM device using a "self-signed" certificate (similar to a Network router). I also added a help screen/ lnfo screen with more details. Still early days with this and looking for some feedback. I will probably create a separate thread this week.

 

[HissingFree]

As for hissing… I have yet to experience ann issue with any of these KTmicro dongles, regardless of the FW. Not sure if it’s me (I just can’t “hear” it), or I simply don’t have hissing-prone IEMs…

Doesn't need to be super efficient, Salnotes Zero produces very noticeable hissing to me, there are many IEMs more sensitive on the market.

 

[markanini]

I noticed this new CS46L41 dongle, does it bring anything to the table over CS43131? https://hifigo.com/collections/new-arrival/products/softears-s01

 

[mc.god]

I noticed this new CS46L41 dongle, does it bring anything to the table over CS43131? https://hifigo.com/collections/new-arrival/products/softears-s01

CS46L41 is a complete codec (bridge, dac and adc) and has lower specs than cs43131 as a dac, it was used in the Meizu hifi pro and Ugreen hifi pro as bridge and adc for calls alongside the 43131.
It is a variant of the one used in Apple dongle if i recall well, so it should be able of max 1V on its own.

And it's worth noting that its usb bridge works in SYNC mode, producing not fantastic jitter measurements:

 

[CedarX]

I noticed this new CS46L41 dongle, does it bring anything to the table over CS43131? https://hifigo.com/collections/new-arrival/products/softears-s01

$25 seems expensive for a CS46L41 dongle. The HiBy D1 sells for $15 https://store.hiby.com/products/hib...Me_wOqs-tXTNcAdaL6j9na4daelLqWg62PWdlj0Xr7jCh, and the comparable JCally JM9 sells for ~$13 on AliExpress..
And there is the very similar Apple dongle...

 

[master_arthur]

Does a standard CX31993 crackle in the rumble polarity test? it's the flaw I find with Jcally JM12 KT02H20 dongle.

Online Stereo Polarity (Phase) Sound Test

Checks your loudpeakers wiring.

www.audiocheck.net

My JM7 crackles when near max volume.

I thought this would be a good dongle for normies that don't need the extra power from JM6 Pro or JM20.

 

[markanini]

My JM7 crackles when near max volume.

I thought this would be a good dongle for normies that don't need the extra power from JM6 Pro or JM20.

It's disappointing, possibly a part of what makes CX31993 have the lowest tested power draw. The only dongle I have that doesn't crackle is Samsung dongle, it comes with other issues though https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...me-strange-clipping-with-samsung-dongle.53071 I rarely use my 1V dongles above 70/100 volume so in practice the crackles aren't an issue to me. If you need more volume than that you should use a 2V dongle anyway. In my testing it turns out KT02H20 is better than CX31993 in these tests, but in depends on the firmware, some KT02H20 are worse than CX31993.

 

[mc.god]

Received the Kuang Pai Player 3. Ordered it based on its advertised high output (430 mW from its balanced out @ 32 Ohm). Wanted to write a review along with measurements if its performance is just (or nearly) as indicated by the specs.

After measuring its distortion vs. output power, I immediately dismissed it. See below for 1 kHz sine tone tests of THD+N vs. power:
(measured by E1DA Cosmos ADCiso, Scaler, and dummy load board; ADC input sensitivity was calibrated using a True RMS meter )

View attachment 441145

By the way, shown above is THD+N vs. Power (not just THD, which is mislabeled).

Why is the THD+N curve so flat? The reason is that its THD (forgot to show on the plot) rises nearly in proportion to the fundamental tone level. That is, THD dominates noise, which must be due to bad power supply design.

Same goes for its unbalanced output:

View attachment 441146

In fact, I should've expected this low power output because of the fact that it adopts ESS's old headphone driver SABRE9601K. It can produce at best less than 50 mW under 32 Ohm, anyway, according to its datasheet.

I would be somewhat satisfied IF the balanced output provided double (or nearly double) its max SE voltage. Not even close. And its actual performance is way worse than its advertised specs. Disappointing.

Hi, just want to report back a quick rudimentary test i made with my KP Player 3, that lines up with your much more consistent measurement.
I hooked up 3 big 10 ohm - 5W ceramic resistors in series to one channel of a stripped 3.5 mm jack, obtaining a load around 32 ohms, then I connected this abomination to the KP 3 and played a 60 hz 0 dbFs sine tone, KP 3 set at high gain mode, reading the output level on my dmm.
The result was 1.38 Vrms -> 60 mW, that we can consider in line with your findings given the inaccuracy of my instrumentation.

Then I repeated the test on my Sonata BHD, that was able to provide exactly 1.6 Vrms -> 80 mW, perfectly on par with Amir's measurements of the Sonata BHD Pro.

The KP3 is now confined in punishment into its box, complaining why in the world they had to stick that ESS opamp into it

 

[mc.god]

Hi, just want to report back a quick rudimentary test i made with my KP Player 3, that lines up with your much more consistent measurement.
I hooked up 3 big 10 ohm - 5W ceramic resistors in series to one channel of a stripped 3.5 mm jack, obtaining a load around 32 ohms, then I connected this abomination to the KP 3 and played a 60 hz 0 dbFs sine tone, KP 3 set at high gain mode, reading the output level on my dmm.
The result was 1.38 Vrms -> 60 mW, that we can consider in line with your findings given the inaccuracy of my instrumentation.

Then I repeated the test on my Sonata BHD, that was able to provide exactly 1.6 Vrms -> 80 mW, perfectly on par with Amir's measurements of the Sonata BHD Pro.

The KP3 is now confined in punishment into its box, complaining why in the world they had to stick that ESS opamp into it

I repeated the test on the 4.4 mm output, results confirmed:

KP Player 3: 2.10 Vrms @ 30 ohms -> 145 mW
Sonata BHD: 2.67 Vrms @ 30 ohms -> 235 mW

note that we are talking about maximum voltage output, so regardless of THD.

 

[jkim]

I repeated the test on the 4.4 mm output, results confirmed:

KP Player 3: 2.10 Vrms @ 30 ohms -> 145 mW
Sonata BHD: 2.67 Vrms @ 30 ohms -> 235 mW

note that we are talking about maximum voltage output, so regardless of THD.

Right, this is consistent with what I measured. With over 10% distortion, the output of KP Player 3 reaches that level. But its clean output is only up to 80 mW (1.6 Vrms) @ 32 ohm.

 

[Viper780]

Are there any small Dongles like the JM20 Max but with a balanced 4.4mm Connector?

I love the Fosi DS2, but I have a application where size really matters and all my Head- and Earphones have 4.4mm Plugs

 

[mc.god]

Are there any small Dongles like the JM20 Max but with a balanced 4.4mm Connector?

I love the Fosi DS2, but I have a application where size really matters and all my Head- and Earphones have 4.4mm Plugs

Moondrop Echo-B comes to mind

MOONDROP ECHO-B 32Bit/384kHz Balanced Portable DAC/AMP with DSP | MOONDROP Official Website

moondroplab.com

Moondrop Lab

Wow, tower iems. A 13mm DD driver is large for an IEM, but not unheard of. Beyond the typical marketing BS, I wonder how much credit we should give to Moondrop’s claim that the “front chamber”—the large cavity in front of the DD driver > hence the huge ‘z-dimension’ of the IEM— was devised to...

audiosciencereview.com

Different hardware and performance than JM20 though

 

[Somafunk]

Are there any small Dongles like the JM20 Max but with a balanced 4.4mm Connector?

I love the Fosi DS2, but I have a application where size really matters and all my Head- and Earphones have 4.4mm Plugs

Moondrop Echo-B dongle, I have one and it works perfectly well with my IPad Pro whilst using the headphone/iems in my signature, absolutely zero hiss/noise and any amount of listening volume you’d need

MOONDROP ECHO-B 32Bit/384kHz Balanced Portable DAC/AMP with DSP | MOONDROP Official Website

moondroplab.com

 

[Viper780]

Thank you @mc.god and @Somafunk
Are there any Impedance and Power measurements available?
Would be nice if it could drive my pair of DCA aeon Noire phones

I just found three alternatives
ddHiFi TC44CM2 (Dual ES9603Q), looks very bulky
Gucraftsman (ALC5686), never heard before.
Strauss & Wagner Alva / Lund SW-44CLA (CX31993)

 

[mc.god]

Thank you @mc.god and @Somafunk
Are there any Impedance and Power measurements available?
Would be nice if it could drive my pair of DCA aeon Noire phones

I didn't see any meaurements of Echo-B around.

I just found three alternatives
ddHiFi TC44CM2 (Dual ES9603Q), looks very bulky
Gucraftsman (ALC5686), never heard before.
Strauss & Wagner Alva / Lund SW-44CLA (CX31993)

I can't say anything about all of them, except maybe stay away from the CX one, not for the chip itself but because you can find very bad implementations (regarding output level) like this one reviewed by Amir

YONGSE Y01 Balanced Headphone Adapter Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the YONGSE Y01 USB-C/A to balanced 4.5mm headphone dac and amplifier. It was kindly drop shipped by a member and is on sale for US $2.49 on Aliexpress. The feel of the adapter is solid with its shiny and robust case, gold connectors and soft...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[imajescape]

does anyone have this CX31993 dongle? it can be found on aliexpress and for $5 it's the chepeast cx31993 i've seen so far.

also there's a CVJ CT-3 CX31993 with 4.4mm jack on ali for around $10USD

 

[Cleawave]

I purchased a Hi-MAX dongle with CB1200AU on it.

I accessed the WALK PLAY web site from PC (Windows 11) and tried to tweak the playback volume of the DAC and found that it works Interesting behavior.

WalkPlay

peq.szwalkplay.com

When the playback volume is set to +6 without tweaking the EQ, the Windows volume is locked at 15, and no further increase in the Windows volume will result in an audibly louder volume.
Similarly, if the playback volume is set to +5, the Windows volume is locked at 25 and the same applies below.

+6 Windows volume does not change from 15.
+5 Windows volume does not change from 25
+4 The Windows volume does not change from 35.
+3 The Windows volume does not change from 45.
+2 Windows volume 65 and unchanged.
+1 Windows volume has not changed from 85

In summary, it looks like this.
I think the practical range is up to +2.
This behavior is probably to prevent clipping and crackling.

I think this dongle is not suitable for PC use because the volume (output) is not very loud.

 

[mc.god]

I purchased a Hi-MAX dongle with CB1200AU on it.

I accessed the WALK PLAY web site from PC (Windows 11) and tried to tweak the playback volume of the DAC and found that it works Interesting behavior.

WalkPlay

peq.szwalkplay.com

View attachment 450954

When the playback volume is set to +6 without tweaking the EQ, the Windows volume is locked at 15, and no further increase in the Windows volume will result in an audibly louder volume.
Similarly, if the playback volume is set to +5, the Windows volume is locked at 25 and the same applies below.

+6 Windows volume does not change from 15.
+5 Windows volume does not change from 25
+4 The Windows volume does not change from 35.
+3 The Windows volume does not change from 45.
+2 Windows volume 65 and unchanged.
+1 Windows volume has not changed from 85

In summary, it looks like this.
I think the practical range is up to +2.
This behavior is probably to prevent clipping and crackling.

I think this dongle is not suitable for PC use because the volume (output) is not very loud.

Kinda strange behavior, i think the page should have settings that affects the hardware dsp of the dongle, not OS volume. Maybe it is the Global Gain @Jeromeof is trying to implement on his squiglink, so I'm calling out for him.

 

[Jeromeof]

I noticed some odd behavior with both the filters and the volume - it does look like a single +/- on that dac volume causes the hardware preamp to change by +/-5.

but I decided yesterday I need to measure the actual effect of the changes rather than just rely on the api as it seems some of these walkplay devices implement the features very differently- eg the LSQ / HSQ filters might be implemented correctly, might be converted into PK filters or might be ignored ( so I am going to add more tweaks see can I get the best support for a given device ).

Basically with these very cheap dsp dongles beyond having 8 peaking filters you can’t really on other features being correctly implemented. These is also a very bad noise floor on some models ( so much so I think I might even add a warning in my little EQ tool )