Interesting new Moondrop product- DSP equipped IEM cable

[Berwhale]

I'm referring to USB C input but with 4.4 mm output instead of the fixed 2-pin cable. Sorry if that wasn't clear

Ah, you said 4.4mm plug, not socket

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Nice. I wonder if it works with new iphones that have USB c

 

[Jeromeof]

I believe the current Moondrops DSP enabled IEM's were not great - the reviews I read mentioned they were very "noisy" but this might be a great device for the new USB-C enabled iPhone.

 

[D!sco]

At the least Moondrop has a short development cycle and should improve quickly. I hope their iterative planning and production stages shows in their electronics department. Noisy earbuds are the worst.

 

[Soria Moria]

This + my Variations = heaven.
I just need to get a phone that actually has functionality first.

 

[yossarian]

I believe the current Moondrops DSP enabled IEM's were not great - the reviews I read mentioned they were very "noisy" but this might be a great device for the new USB-C enabled iPhone.

I have one of them (JIU) and I did not notice them to be noisy. I may not have golden ears, though...

 

[Jimbob54]

I have one of them (JIU) and I did not notice them to be noisy. I may not have golden ears, though...

I have the Jiu too. Like you, don't notice. I think I read /saw that earlier DSP models (quark?) had a pretty cack dac/amp. That might have been gizaudio /timmy youtube review of the jiu iirc.

 

[Berwhale]

I think this is the first 'headphone upgrade cable' that actually can provide an audible upgrade!

 

[Soria Moria]

I have the Jiu too. Like you, don't notice. I think I read /saw that earlier DSP models (quark?) had a pretty cack dac/amp. That might have been gizaudio /timmy youtube review of the jiu iirc.

I own the Quarks DSP. Noise floor is quite audible but what I find worse is that it has this phase issue which makes sounds go up and down in pitch. Was listening to some organ and when the organ was keeping a note pressed I heard it go up or down in pitch and it was incredibly unnatural sounding!
Great FR but the DAC really needs to be fixed because I could never recommend it as is (unless it has been fixed).

 

[CedarX]

Tanchjim and Moondrop have DSP-enabled versions of their entry-level IEMs: the Tanchjim Zero, One & Tanya, Moondrop Quarks & JIU (the JIU being the DSP version of the Chu). Those have "fixed", factory-programmed, EQ--no app that I am aware of, although Tanchjim has mentioned an upcoming app. It may be possible to re-flash the FW to a different EQ (speculation...).
The Tanchjim Zero One DSP was reviewed at https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tanchjim-zero-dsp/
Despite the middling numbers, the idea is nevertheless interesting: it may be a cheaper way to improve/correct an entry-level IEM rather than adding drivers, filters etc. It also open the door for multiple versions with manufacturer-defined "house" sound targets.

Moondrop also has "The Droplet" IEM (single BA) that only exists in USB-C DSP version. I believe it is another category of DSP-enabled IEM's: those intended to be used with DSP/EQ, and would sound totally crappy without. The original Audeze iSine's also belonged to that category. The main benefit here is to relax the FR target constraint (the DSP takes care of it) to improve other aspects--e.g. lower distortion.

The (not quite) Free DSP may belong to yet a third category, with higher spec, and an app allowing on-the-fly DSP adjustments. Fiio has a similar LS-TC1 LC-TC1 cable, but although they proudly talk about the integrated DSP, they don't mention any EQ, whether factory-programmed or adjustable (is it a case where Fiio used a DSP/DAC/HPA chip and... did nothing with the DSP?). Those are really USB-C DSP/DAC/HPA dongle... in the form of an IEM cable. I don't quite get the idea of making it into a cable: if it has a balanced outputs as Moondrop claims, why not cutting the cable and solder it into a 2.5 or 4.4mm female plug?

 

[Jimbob54]

Those have "fixed", factory-programmed, EQ--no app that I am aware of

You can view/ change the Jiu filters with the current version of the Moondrop Link app- same app that can work with the Dawn dacs and their BT TWS.

I believe the upcoming Link V2 will be used for this new Free DSP and other new products (hopefully backwards compatible too)

 

[staticV3]

Tanchjim and Moondrop have DSP-enabled versions of their entry-level IEMs: the Tanchjim One & Tanya, Moondrop Quarks & JIU (the JIU being the DSP version of the Chu). Those have "fixed", factory-programmed, EQ--no app that I am aware of, although Tanchjim has mentioned an upcoming app.

The App is available for both Android and iOS, and works just fine with my Zero DSP: https://tanchjim.com/en/services/

The Tanchjim One DSP was reviewed at https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tanchjim-zero-dsp/

That's the Zero, not the One.

Fiio has a similar LC-TC1 cable, but although they proudly talk about the integrated DSP, they don't mention any EQ

I can't find that one anywhere online. FiiO do sell an LD-TC1 and an LT-TC1 though. Both are regular "dumb" cables afaik with no DSP capabilities whatsoever.

 

[CedarX]

I can't find that one anywhere online. FiiO do sell an LD-TC1 and an LT-TC1 though. Both are regular "dumb" cables afaik with no DSP capabilities whatsoever.

Sorry: it is the Fiio LS-TC1 cable... My bad!

 

[Blorg]

More than USB-C IEM cables I would like to see DSP enabled dual dongles. Like a Dawn Pro DSP for 80 USD would be a killer product, technically superior to a Qudelix 5k.

Qudelix has double the power of the Dawn Pro, and likely more sophisticated and usable app than Moondrop are putting out.

Dawn Pro probably does have inaudibly better SINAD numbers.

I have the Tanchjim one already and have this on order.

 

[Blorg]

I believe the current Moondrops DSP enabled IEM's were not great - the reviews I read mentioned they were very "noisy" but this might be a great device for the new USB-C enabled iPhone.

The Quarks DSP had a relatively low quality DAC locked to 48/16 and with reports of noise floor. The Jiu however supports 8 different rates from 44.1/16 up to 96/24 and has no discernable noise floor. Same goes for the Tanchjim DSP IEMs.

The Moondrop DSP cable they are claiming specific numbers that are very decent and wouldn't hiss. I suspect this is the same as in the Jiu already.

 

[Blorg]

You can view/ change the Jiu filters with the current version of the Moondrop Link app- same app that can work with the Dawn dacs and their BT TWS.

These are just the DAC filters though which are pretty inaudible even if it was changing them. I also don't think it's actually doing anything with the Jiu though, if you click "USB Device Control" that's the settings for their MoonRiver2/Dawn/Dawn Pro DACs, like it also lists 2V/4V gain and LED on/off which do nothing on the Jiu. That page will come up whatever you have plugged in (or even nothing). When I click the filters on the Jiu, there is nothing audible, on the MoonRiver2/Dawn/Dawn Pro there is an audible click switching between the filters.

 

[Jimbob54]

These are just the DAC filters though which are pretty inaudible even if it was changing them. I also don't think it's actually doing anything with the Jiu though, if you click "USB Device Control" that's the settings for their MoonRiver2/Dawn/Dawn Pro DACs, like it also lists 2V/4V gain and LED on/off which do nothing on the Jiu. That page will come up whatever you have plugged in (or even nothing). When I click the filters on the Jiu, there is nothing audible, on the MoonRiver2/Dawn/Dawn Pro there is an audible click switching between the filters.

No, no. Its actual PEQ filters. 5 of them with Freq, gain and Q values and they are changeable

Edit @Blorg I've got my text size turned up but here it is for the jiu

 

[Blorg]

No, no. Its actual PEQ filters. 5 of them with Freq, gain and Q values and they are changeable

Edit @Blorg I've got my text size turned up but here it is for the jiu

That's cool, what app do you use to get these? I am on 1.2.23 of Moondrop Link, I see they have 1.3.12 and 2.0 on their website.

 

[Jimbob54]

That's cool, what app do you use to get these? I am on 1.2.23 of Moondrop Link, I see they have 1.3.12 and 2.0 on their website.

1.3.12 I think. It's a bit glitchy, click on jiu under usb options and it says no device connected but swipe back and click jiu again and that screen comes up. I just can't be bothered to sit down and work out how to turn the existing 5 filters into 5 that incorporate their stock curve plus my couple of adjustments

 

[TheBatsEar]

Most interesting part of a recent Shenzhenaudio Moondrop mailshot.

Assuming the app/ interface has a decent english translation and works (looking at you Tanchjim Android app!) might well be worth a punt- a viable alternative to the Qudelix for IEMs?

MOONDROP Free DSP Headphone Upgrade Cable

shenzhenaudio.com: professional headphone, earphone, amplifier, dac, decoder, hifi player, cable supermarket. you will find good price here.

shenzhenaudio.com

The product surely is interesting and it's kind of a novel idea.

But why do they have to market it with a yellow teethed girl in Japanese school children uniform?

What does it say about what they think about their main customer group?
It's a mystery for sure.