CIXUN USB-C to XLR Adapter

[SoySalsaPicante]

When I first read the concept:

When I saw the results:

-Ed

 

[diaolodoro]

This could be the solution to the minimalists who use studio monitors as desktop speakers and don't want the hassle of extra cables of an external audio interface or DAC. It really missed the mark though...

 

[Toni Mas]

This could be the solution to the minimalists who use studio monitors as desktop speakers and don't want the hassle of extra cables of an external audio interface or DAC. It really missed the mark though...

It depends on the pedigree of the monitors too... Considering what can be found on the market, probably not worth spending more on an interface...

 

[JayGilb]

Amir,

Thanks for the review.


Does the AP analyzer have a USB-c output ? How do you connect the analyzer to this device ?

 

[wwenze]

What the ____

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

What the ____

View attachment 482709

*sniffs*

I smell the stench......of AI.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Let's hope somebody comes out with a better performing version. Something for $50 or less would really be good. Thank's for this, Amir.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Given the noise results, I wonder if this is actually balanced or if it's just a "dummy" balanced connection with one of the pins not connected.

 

[sealman]

What the ____

View attachment 482709

I am guessing the pic is another AI fail.

 

[Svensson]

Trying to work out a use case. Perhaps someone bought or received an XLR only integrated amp and speakers wanting to connect to their phone or computer, perhaps?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Trying to work out a use case. Perhaps someone bought or received an XLR only integrated amp and speakers wanting to connect to their phone or computer, perhaps?

Yeah go straight into your mighty B200 monoblocs (no mere single-ended inputs whatsoever) from your laptop.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

If someone combined this concept with one of the Cirrus Logic CS43131 chips we'd be rockin n rollin.

 

[Toni Mas]

If someone combined this concept with one of the Cirrus Logic CS43131 chips we'd be rockin n rollin.

Most of these cables and dongles use these chips or similar.

 

[xanalog]

Thank you for the review, @amirm!
Members, sending you audio gear for review, should be imposed a 3-strike rule; if their hardware end up w/crappy performance results!

How much would such a well-built 'dongle' be worth; if your results showed them to be at the (benchmark?) CD RedBook levels?
I am guessing about 3x the current $16 price; simply by a redesign of its PCB.

 

[Talisman]

Gosh, this is not what I wanted to see. Instead of nominal 4 volt output, we only have 0.75 volt.

One question:
Can you get 4 volts from an adapter powered directly by a smartphone? I imagine it has power limitations related to the smartphone's power capabilities, right?

 

[Toni Mas]

One question:
Can you get 4 volts from an adapter powered directly by a smartphone? I imagine it has power limitations related to the smartphone's power capabilities, right?

Some of these use this cirrus chip that won't allow 4 volts, but much more than 0.7, so probably the limit comes from the supplied voltage, or am inferior performance chip...

https://www.cirrus.com/products/cs43131

 

[Peafowl]

I see this style of device regularly used on live event work, usually for quick connections where ultimate sound quality probably isn’t the priority.

A key requirement of this device for me would be what happens when connected to a mixing desk and +48v phantom power is active. It is easily turned on by mistake or with some cheaper mixers it is a global switch for all XLR inputs. I’m not sure if this unit could tolerate phantom power or what would happen with the connection to the computer.
I have seen many non functional 3.5mm headphone sockets on laptops as a result of direct connection to 48v.

This "SoundWire" is the only one i know that is protected against 48V phantom and works well.

SoundWire

The SoundWire is the go-to USB-C DAC to dual ISO-XLR™ cable interface, reliably streaming 192 kHz, 32-bit audio from your playback directly to the mixing console, bypassing DI boxes and protecting against 48V.

sonnect.com

USB-C DAC to dual ISO-XLR™
The SoundWire is the go-to USB-C DAC to dual ISO-XLR™ cable interface, reliably streaming 192 kHz, 32-bit audio from your playback directly to the mixing console, bypassing DI boxes and protecting against 48V.

Let's hope somebody comes out with a better performing version. Something for $50 or less would really be good. Thank's for this, Amir.

 

[dtaylo1066]

Might be useful to wrap around a poney tail.

 

[amirm]

Can you get 4 volts from an adapter powered directly by a smartphone?

Using an on-board switching power supply you can get any voltage you want. We already have dongles with 4 volt output.

 

[JEarle]

This "SoundWire" is the only one i know that is protected against 48V phantom and works well.

SoundWire

The SoundWire is the go-to USB-C DAC to dual ISO-XLR™ cable interface, reliably streaming 192 kHz, 32-bit audio from your playback directly to the mixing console, bypassing DI boxes and protecting against 48V.

sonnect.com

Expensive, but a great product, use it often.