Indecisive: Choosing between four budget Cirrus Logic CS43131 balanced dongles

[Deleted member 86885]

I posted this originally in the thread discussing DRE issues (On the Distortion of Cirrus Logic CS431xx-Based Devices: A Comparative Review) by jkim but it was probably not the appropriate time and place to post my own personal questions and issues.

Hi everyone. I'm super new to the high-end audio world and a couple weeks ago, I didn't know what many of the terms you use were or what they meant. Resources provided by amirm as well as videos have helped me generally understand what I'm looking for but my own knowledge is so flawed and still very incomplete.

A few things about me and what I'm looking for.

I need help. I am not an expert. I don't have a Tidal or some super lossless music account. I'm what you what probably call a "filthy casual" in the audio scene but I do know what I like and what I don't like and I've settled on my audio device and setup of choice but I can't quite decide on which DAC to choose because there are so many variables and pros and cons.
I'm looking for a girl that is 1. Balanced (4.4mm jack connection), 2. has manual two-button volume controls or a volume dial, 3. portable, 4. under $60.00 (I can maybe stretch my budget to $80 dollars before tax and shipping).

I settled on the following dongles and purchased them with a 30-day return policy, sound wise, they all sound sort of the same when volume adjusted and I can't say I can easily distinguish one or the other. I do feel like bass feels a bit more energetic (warmer) on the Dawn Pro but that might placebo.

• Moondrop Dawn Pro ($59.99 USD)
• Fosi Audio DS2 ($50.99 USD) - I got it new on sale at a reselling website
• TempoTec Sonata BHD ($45.90)
• TRN Black Pearl ($36.99)

I am very open to learning about other options that are available.

For the Dawn Pro I looked at the (Unofficial) Moon Drop Dawn Pro Balanced DAC/Headphone AMP Measurements by forum member seanyang.
For the DS2 I looked at amirm's comprehensive review with the boatloads of commentary appended to it by our forum members.
For the Sonata BHD I looked at the iXBT website at the article DAC Review TempoTec Sonata BHD: great quality for a reasonable price that forum member mc.god had referenced to and translated the headline tables and graphs here.
The TRN Black Pearl did not have rigorous third-party analysis I could cross reference anywhere and just manufacturer information.

Now, I don't have anyone to consult and I wasn't fully aware what all the measurements meant so I went full-tilt GPT and my GPT model summarised the four DACs technical performance once I fed it their manufacturer claimed performance and the more important third-party metrics:

--

Rank 1: Moondrop Dawn Pro

• SINAD: 117.41dB (balanced)
• SNR: 131.875dB (balanced)
• THD+N: 0.000135% (balanced)
• Noise Floor: 1.3μV (balanced)
• Frequency Response: 5Hz-82kHz (±1.0dB)

The Moondrop Dawn Pro shows the most technically refined implementation of the CS43131 chips. Its wider frequency response (extending to 82kHz) suggests a careful analog stage design that preserves high-frequency performance beyond the audible range. The balanced implementation achieves the best SNR (131.875dB) and THD+N (0.000135%) of all four DACs. The independent measurements closely match manufacturer claims, indicating excellent quality control in the manufacturing process of the audio circuit itself. The symmetrical channel performance shows careful attention to circuit layout and grounding.

Rank 2: Fosi Audio DS2

• SINAD: 117.08dB (balanced), 113.96dB (single-ended)
• DNR: 128.7125dB
• THD+N: 0.0001405% (balanced), 0.0002015% (single-ended)
• Noise Floor: <1μV
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.5dB)

The Fosi Audio DS2 achieves excellent performance with slightly tighter frequency response tolerance (±0.5dB vs ±1.0dB for Moondrop Dawn Pro), suggesting a more focused design approach on the audible range. Its noise floor is marginally better than the Moondrop Dawn Pro (<1μV vs 1.3μV), but its SINAD and THD+N measurements are slightly behind. The channel imbalance noted earlier (better performance on Ch1 than Ch2) indicates slightly less precise matching in the balanced implementation, keeping it from the top spot.

Rank 3: TempoTec Sonata BHD

• THD: 0.00006% (balanced), 0.00014% (single-ended)
• THD+N: 0.00038% (balanced), 0.00043% (single-ended)
• Noise Floor: -124.8dB (balanced), -120.9dB (single-ended)
• Frequency Response: 0-40kHz (±0.5dB) with measured flatness of +0.00dB, -0.01dB
• Crosstalk: -121.5dB (balanced), -59.7dB (single-ended)

The TempoTec Sonata BHD shows a mixed technical implementation. It achieves the best raw THD measurements (0.00006% balanced), suggesting excellent distortion control in the analog stage. However, the higher THD+N ratio indicates more noise in the implementation. The extremely flat measured frequency response (+0.00dB, -0.01dB) shows excellent precision in the analog filters. The relatively poor crosstalk performance in single-ended mode (-59.7dB vs -121.5dB balanced) suggests a design that strongly prioritized the balanced output path.

Rank 4: TRN Black Pearl

• THD+N: -110dB @ 2Vrms (0.0003%) balanced, -105dB @ 1Vrms (0.00056%) single-ended
• SNR/DNR: 130dB (balanced), 125dB (single-ended)
• Frequency Response: Not specified

The TRN Black Pearl shows good technical performance but lacks the exceptional measurements of the other three. The THD+N figures are excellent but not quite matching the best performers. The consistent performance across different load impedances (32Ω and 600Ω) does indicate a robust output stage design. The lack of detailed specifications and independent verification makes it difficult to fully assess the implementation quality, but the provided figures suggest a competent implementation that prioritized consistent performance across different loads.

--

But then I started wondering if there's any audible difference between 0.0003% THD+N (Black Pearl) and 0.000135% (unofficial Moondrop Dawn Pro results) and GPT told me realistically, no.

I was kinda set and comfy on the Black Pearl but something made me run a search for it and try to find some new info and I caught wind of the article about the flaws with these chips and the DRE technology by jkim. This issue ails the TRN Black Pearl (the dreaded Cirrus hump).

I also discovered that some users reported issues with ramp-up problems on the DS2. But it is confirmed to have no DRE issues.

I also think the Moondrop Dawn Pro has the most impressive specs but it has shit-for-brains lottery level QC / design flaws with the shell that people frequently end up warrantying or having to fix the volume buttons (or avoid using the volume buttons) and have to seal the holes in the chassis to protect from rain and elements (or tragic spills). The Dawn Pro is also the most expensive and has the most volume steps (100 versus what I was told is 90 on the Black Pearl, 60 on the DS2, and 48 (16 by 3 impedance levels) on the Sonata BHD, and the Dawn Pro is also the lightest. But I don't know if the Dawn Pro has DRE issues.

The Sonata is confirmed to have no DRE issues and is priced competitively but for five extra dollars I can get a DS2 with a 2 year warranty (and Sonata only has a 1 year warranty).

And now I'm wondering as a casual, will I even hear the DRE issues? I don't think I heard any ramp-up issues on my copy of the DS2 and its use on my desktop PC but I'll try to listen more carefully.

As for differences between DAC's, honestly, they all sound pretty much the same to me, like I don't think I can blindtest and choose one from the other.

I'm very indecisive. Any advice would be appreciated. If we can keep it under $60.00 before tax and shipping that'd be great, too.

And I apologise if this too wordy without really saying all that much, I could just use some help and my 30-day returns for all four of these DAC's are like a week away and I don't know which to pick and how to not regret my decision.

One day I want the Sonata BHD, the next I want to commit to the DS2, the next I'm like, okay, I can risk Moondrop QC and awkwardness, and I was warming up a lot to Black Pearl because it gets me 99.999% of the way there (or so it seemed) but then the DRE issue popped up and I can't be certain if it is worth buying what GPT told me is a huge engineering oversight (and DS2 having ramp-up issues it says is more blasphemous and QC issues on the Moondrop even more so). It sorta sounds like the Sonata BHD is what's left but I don't really know where is the forest and where is the trees and it's very overwhelming and intimidating as a newbie.

I didn't know what an FR curve was until a couple months ago, let alone what EQ was. Please be gentle heh... and please give your penny of thoughts. GPT sort of reinforces whatever I last tell it or ask it to "contradict."

 

[gvl]

I'm looking for a girl

It appears you’re posting on a wrong forum, members here are predominantly male. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

 

[Deleted member 86885]

gvl any advice as to which girl to choose? I’m at the point where I’ll flip a coin or enter 4 value in random number generator.

 

[gvl]

Am I talking to an audiophile AI chatbot?

 

[melomane13]

Take the one you like the most, which has the features you want, the cheapest or the most expensive if you want to show off. They are all perfectly competent in terms of sound.

 

[Deleted member 86885]

easier said than done melomane13. I don’t know which to pick at all

gvl still being snarky and not helpful

 

[masterhw]

I don't know that I would read too far into the manufacturer specs. The Fosi DS2 has been perhaps the most thoroughly scrutinized, performs great, and is intermediate on price and physical size. Its the one I went with. If it had hardware PEQ I would perhaps never even look at another headphone/IEM source again.

 

[Deleted member 86885]

That’s why I fed in the “more important third-party metrics” i.e. the independent tests for three of the devices. I couldn’t find a single independent test of the Black Pearl and would’ve loved to have the GPT analyse that as well.

I asked it many questions and the performance is top of the line between the Dawn Pro and the DS2. They truly have near identical performance.

Is this performance audible between them and the other two dongles? Honestly I don’t think I can perceive it. I’m not sure I can perceive the DRE issue as well.

Much of the media I listen to is low quality (a video game I play has almost every sound at a sample rate of 22.05kHz with some at 11.025kHz and lower). Mostly watching YouTube. Occasionally some higher quality video media recorded at standard 44.1kHz rate.

I’m wondering if I will really lose anything choosing the Black Pearl between the others. I don’t need perfect “paper specs” but I don’t wanna buy a faulty product or something that’ll breakdown and that’s why stuff like the dreaded cirrus hump on the Black Pearl and DS2 having ramp-up issues gives me pause.

 

[Deleted member 86885]

Well - my gut instinct is telling me my initial decision was probably okay.

I understand the CS431XX chips are flawed and that it would be smarter to use a chip such as ES9219 because of the current distortion issues that jkim has graciously written about.

I don't think I would be capable of hearing any such distortions with my amateur skills/senses. I can't differentiate all that much one DAC from another, this next week I will focus on using all four of them for hours at a time and determine if there is something that strikes me as more enjoyable (prettier on my desk, sounds better, etc) and if I have apathy and indecisiveness, I am content using the TRN Black Pearl because it is the lowest cost.

Appreciate any guidance that anyone gives or tries to provide so I can get clarity but these products seem mostly indistinguishable from each other and I can't find an ES9219 that is under $60.00 with a balanced connection and volume buttons. I think I'm fine accepting the Cirrus chips with their flaws and all.

If anyone feels particularly strongly against or for the DS2, Sonata BHD, Dawn Pro, Black Pearl feel free to chime in.

Love and peace (will make a decision in the next few days very soon).

 

[LDvo]

Well, my choice was #4 - TRN Black Pearl (TE-C) (before any DRE issues shown up here).
Why? - 1. Nice competitive specs (no issues with my device so far, works great, no glitches or distortions)
2. Modern new device (negative - no detail tech reviews, as you've mentioned)
3. Compatible with my also new IEM TRN Shell (balanced + 3.5mm out), well satisfied sound overall
4. Available now on Amzn (so no more lost items from Ali)
5. Right price i am willing to risk
6. Works with PEQ App (not yet tested)
7. TRN TE-C seems like a real product from real brand with its own website, providing product warranty (not sure how good, hope will never need to find out), updatable firmware (from v.0.1 to v.0.2) and change of internal settings (similar to FiiO App)

 

[JSmith]

Moondrop Dawn Pro

(Unofficial) Moon Drop Dawn Pro Balanced DAC/Headphone AMP Measurements

I have measured the Moon Drop Dawn Pro with Audio Precision APx555 recently and I would like to share with you. I bought the Dawn Pro myself. Here's the specifications from the manufacture. Just in case. The Dawn Pro is a small and light DAC/Headphone AMP, Only 42mm * 22.45mm * 12.39mm and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Fosi Audio DS2

Fosi Audio DS2 Portable DAC & Amp Review

This is a review, detailed measurements and listening tests of Fosi Audio DS2 portable DAC and balanced headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $55. Well, it looks like a dongle. :) The LED seems to indicate the sample rates. What I like is inclusion of 4.4mm...

www.audiosciencereview.com

TempoTec Sonata BHD

TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro portable DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $70. I really like the fresh look of the BHD. There is a red LED that lights up the tiny ICs in there, giving it some elegance. There...

www.audiosciencereview.com

TRN Black Pearl

Is an unknown.


JSmith

 

[denydog]

Everything is a compromise, and there's no guarantee you won't change your mind after you finally make a decision. It doesn't appear to me that asking the "internet" what you should do is helping at all. But I suppose it's entertaining in some way.

I'd just choose the one I wanted if I was in your shoes, as that is what you will do in the end anyway.

 

[Deleted member 86885]

It’s been rough though. I’ve been dealing with indecisions all my life.

My past relationships failed because I wasn’t able to make iron-blooded quick decisions and there were other men who were less indecisive. I’ve tried to be more decisive for sure and I’ve become better with it.

You’re totally right that asking you or GPT won’t get me the answer I seek and it’s like the same reason all my past experiences failed.

I’ll try to make my own decision and thanks everyone for the guidance and help.

 

[Michou]

If you're looking for a fuss-free, great-sounding DAC under $70, I can personally recommend the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro. It’s compact, well-built, and has proven itself reliable over time. One of its standout features is the onboard volume control with excellent granularity—perfect for fine-tuning levels without relying on software controls. It delivers clear, balanced audio and works smoothly across devices.

Another option I’ve used is the EarFun UA100, which is an interesting case. It uses a higher-grade ESS chipset—not just an entry-level component—and appears to be either a clone or a rebranded version of the Shanling UA2 Plus. While it lacks physical volume buttons, it offers solid sound quality and can often be found at a very affordable price. For anyone looking to dip into better audio without investing too much, it's a compelling alternative.

Both are plug-and-play, deliver surprisingly refined sound for the price, and have become part of my regular audio setup.

 

[kemmler3D]

It’s been rough though. I’ve been dealing with indecisions all my life.

My past relationships failed because I wasn’t able to make iron-blooded quick decisions and there were other men who were less indecisive. I’ve tried to be more decisive for sure and I’ve become better with it.

You’re totally right that asking you or GPT won’t get me the answer I seek and it’s like the same reason all my past experiences failed.

I’ll try to make my own decision and thanks everyone for the guidance and help.

Decisiveness comes from trusting your own judgment and properly evaluating the cost of a wrong decision.

Looks like you've done enough research. Over-researching a $60 purchase can save you at most $60 and a bit of time. Since the differences are known to be small, the upside of making the 1st vs. 2nd best decision is also small.

You didn't ask for life advice, but learn to trust yourself in these situations and simply pull the trigger. Indecisiveness can cost more than a relationship over time!

Asking ChatGPT is redundant with asking forum people (maybe ASR is better, but) it just tells you something that sounds about right, but it doesn't actually know what it's talking about. Same as commenters on most sites.

 

[JSmith]

It’s been rough though. I’ve been dealing with indecisions all my life.

My past relationships failed because I wasn’t able to make iron-blooded quick decisions and there were other men who were less indecisive. I’ve tried to be more decisive for sure and I’ve become better with it.

Hey don't stress mate, many of us have the indecision bug. I would suggest just pick one of the 3 reviewed here, that has the connectivity and functions you need, plus is aesthetically pleasing to you. DAC's are pretty much a solved problem.


JSmith

 

[Deleted member 86885]

Thank you all for the warm comments. I decided from speaking and reading so much about it to do a risky budget stretch and to try and dip my toes into PEQ for the first time in my life.

I have a Qudelix 5K arriving soon also with a 30-day policy. It’s very frustrating that there’s no discount codes or reseller websites with at least $10-15 dollars off. It’s just full retail price but I’m going to try PEQ this next week and see what the talk is about. This might be my final decision. I will keep the other four dongles while I assess the Qudelix and this magic power of EQ. This is more money than I had thought to spend but I’ll return it if need be.

 

[kemmler3D]

Thank you all for the warm comments. I decided from speaking and reading so much about it to do a risky budget stretch and to try and dip my toes into PEQ for the first time in my life.

I have a Qudelix 5K arriving soon also with a 30-day policy. It’s very frustrating that there’s no discount codes or reseller websites with at least $10-15 dollars off. It’s just full retail price but I’m going to try PEQ this next week and see what the talk is about. This might be my final decision. I will keep the other four dongles while I assess the Qudelix and this magic power of EQ. This is more money than I had thought to spend but I’ll return it if need be.

Nice, PEQ is definitely a game-changer. I didn't see if you mentioned which headphones / speakers you are using, but if you dig around on this site you will find a lot of guidance on how to set it up properly.

One thing to be aware of is to avoid EQing beyond the capabilities of the speaker / headphone, you want to avoid/be careful with EQing regions of the frequency response that have a lot of distortion, resonances, etc.

My last piece of advice to save time is to use EQAPO / Peace or similar on your computer to figure out the ideal EQ settings, then implement those on the Qudelix.

 

[oleg87]

Thank you all for the warm comments. I decided from speaking and reading so much about it to do a risky budget stretch and to try and dip my toes into PEQ for the first time in my life.

I have a Qudelix 5K arriving soon also with a 30-day policy. It’s very frustrating that there’s no discount codes or reseller websites with at least $10-15 dollars off. It’s just full retail price but I’m going to try PEQ this next week and see what the talk is about. This might be my final decision. I will keep the other four dongles while I assess the Qudelix and this magic power of EQ. This is more money than I had thought to spend but I’ll return it if need be.

The Q5K is a nice gadget, but keep in mind that its interface isn’t very good for tuning EQ since adjusting the parameters is kind of a fussy process. I would develop presets in EqAPO and copy them from there.

 

[JSmith]

The Q5K

Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Qudelix-5K USB DAC and balanced headphone amplifier with Bluetooth receiver. I purchased this myself but a member kindly donated one third of the cost. The Qudelix 5K costs US $110 on Amazon including shipping. The Qudelix comes in a nice...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Not too flash in the DAC department...


JSmith