JCALLY JM20 Headphone Dongle Review

[CedarX]

The only thing they offer is the EQ,

I think it safe to say that JM20 measures better than JA11/JM12. But then, measurements vs. features… it’s all about what one values.

I have a bunch of these DSP-enabled dongles & cables that I leave permanently attached to the IEM (or headphones): they are cheap enough, and they allow me to tinker with the EQ once, and get something that works for me. So that, in the end, I get IEMs (or HPs) with a ubiquitous USB-C connection and a FR tailored to my taste.
I may still hear differences… but that’s the fun part for me: finding what it is I hear, and whether I prefer it or not.
Can’t do any of that with JM20, need an upstream app which for me, is less convenient…
For most of my IEMs (and actually, a bunch of my HPs), JA11 is “good enough” measurements), and has this killer feature (PEQ) that I value the most.

I've got Hi-MAX dongle, the CX-Pro cousin based on CB1200AU

I also have a few of these—because of the 8x PEQ feature. The CBHT chips (CB1200AU, CB5100pro) appear to be custom versions of the Space Touch SPV4040 (or SPV5048 in the case of CB5100?).

SPV4040 spec: DAC SNR 105dB,THD+N -90dB. Would need measurements to confirm, but I’m not sure they’re much better than the KT02H20 from JA11.

sold at $3, but couldn't even bother to do a proper listening test on it (sounds ok on a quick listen though

Probably “good enough”… and only $3: great if it’s what you value!

 

[fws]

I can certainly get behind different people looking for a different specific things in their dongles
I personally either look for performance as a DAC for use with a dedicated Amp or for power for more hungry headphones (I want 7Vrms dongle!).

I also have a few of these—because of the 8x PEQ feature. The CBHT chips (CB1200AU, CB5100pro) appear to be custom versions of the Space Touch SPV4040 (or SPV5048 in the case of CB5100?).

SPV4040 spec: DAC SNR 105dB,THD+N -90dB. Would need measurements to confirm, but I’m not sure they’re much better than the KT02H20 from JA11.

That is interesting, I recall JCAlly JM11 is supposedly running SPV4040. With all the rebrands and oems, I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't much different from the Hi-MAX. It would be amazing if someone managed to open and look into it, as well as CX-Pro vs JM6 and JM7, CX-DAC vs JM6 Pro, and so on. Generally I miss shots of PCB's and components for various dongles, but it does seem hard to get into those in a non destructive way (well my FAAEAL KT4099 and Avani are half broken, so maybe it is about the time to try). Crinacle has a store now I think, perhaps he has some broken dongle returns waiting to be utilized...

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Anyone tried using it with Samsung S21?
I'm looking for small dongle (wanted to buy apple one but in EU it's limited to 0,5v... ) hence I'm considering JM20.

I'm asking because my old Shanling UA1 pro is not working with my samsung phone... I don't know why I contacted Shanling support they said it's problem with Samsung power management through usb... whatever.

 

[NorWeb]

Hi all, new poster here. I've enjoyed reading the reviews and discussions for a long time.

I've got a query / issue with the Jcally JM20 that just arrived today and wondered if anyone could help. It is connected to a Samsung Galaxy A9 tablet and I'm listening with Truthear Crinacle zero blue earphones. I played BBC radio 2 through the Sounds app and the volume is just far too loud on the lowest setting. The music and dialogue sounds great, clear and punchy but just too loud. I had this issue with an android phone before and used the Precise Volume app to get finer control. I downloaded this to the tablet but the volume is still too high on 1 out of 100. Listenable but a bit shouty. The settings in the sound menu were no help. Have other people had this issue or know what to do? Thanks in advance.

 

[staticV3]

Hi all, new poster here. I've enjoyed reading the reviews and discussions for a long time.

I've got a query / issue with the Jcally JM20 that just arrived today and wondered if anyone could help. It is connected to a Samsung Galaxy A9 tablet and I'm listening with Truthear Crinacle zero blue earphones. I played BBC radio 2 through the Sounds app and the volume is just far too loud on the lowest setting. The music and dialogue sounds great, clear and punchy but just too loud. I had this issue with an android phone before and used the Precise Volume app to get finer control. I downloaded this to the tablet but the volume is still too high on 1 out of 100. Listenable but a bit shouty. The settings in the sound menu were no help. Have other people had this issue or know what to do? Thanks in advance.

Hi @NorWeb! Welcome to ASR.

You can listen to internet radio through USB Audio Player Pro, which will enable much more granular volume control since it can control the JM20's Hardware volume directly.

Key settings in the App are 'Volume->USB Volume control->Hardware volume control' and 'Volume->Volume steps' to choose how granular you want it to be.

 

[NorWeb]

Hi @NorWeb! Welcome to ASR.

You can listen to internet radio through USB Audio Player Pro, which will enable much more granular volume control since it can control the JM20's Hardware volume directly.

Key settings in the App are 'Volume->USB Volume control->Hardware volume control' and 'Volume->Volume steps' to choose how granular you want it to be.

Thanks x 2 ! I'll have a look at that app.

I tried it on my wife's iPhone with a usb c connection and it worked well. At least it confirms the Jcally is working properly.

 

[fws]

Seems like can't edit posts after some time, so here is the updated list of JCAlly dongles which I was able to find, chips and power output are based on sellers so they might be inaccurate (particularly USB bridge/interface ones)

JA series (solid/no cables), T = 90 angle
JA3T - CX31993
JA10T - C100 (Lightning)
JA10i - C100 (Lightning)
JA31 - CX31993
JA56 - ALC5686

JM series (cable type dongles with exception of JM10 Pro), C = USB-C L = Lightning
JM04Pro - ALC5686, 1Vrms
JM6 - CX31993, 1Vrms
JM6 Pro - CX31993 + Max97220, 60mW@32Ohm 7.4mW@600Ohm
JM7 - CX31993, 1Vrms
JM08C - KT0210, under 1Vrms
JM09 - CS46L41, 25mW@32Ohm 8.6mW@100Ohm
JM10 Pro - CS43131, 2Vrms, detachable cable
JM11 - SPV4040, 10.5mW@32Ohm
JM12 - KT02H20, under 1Vrms //FiiO JA11 firmware compatible
JM20 - CS43131, 2Vrms //112dB SiNAD
JM20 Pro - CS43131 + ADC, 2Vrms
JM20 Max - CS43131 + SGM8262, 2.5Vrms //no impedance sensing
JM25 - ES9318C (SA9312L), 35.15mW@16Ohm 1.2mW@600Ohm
JM28 - CS43198, 28.15mW@32Ohm 1.68mW@600Ohm
JM30 - CS43131 (SA9123L), 2Vrms, 31.25mW@32Ohm 6.7mW@600Ohm
JM30Pro - CS43131 + ADC
JM35 - ES9270C 1Vrms@32Ohm 2Vrms@300Ohm
JM40 - ES9280C Pro, 2Vrms
JM45 - ES9318, 1Vrms@600Ohm
JM50 - ES9281AC Pro, MQA
JM60 - ES9038Q2M (ES9603Q SA9317L RT1239Q), 2.2Vrms
JM80E - ES9280AC Pro + ADC, 45mW@32Ohm 6.7mW@600Ohm

AP series (detachable cables)
AP7 - AK4377, 1Vrms //Sevenhertz 71 PCB
AP10 - 2x CS43131 (SA9312L) 1.8/3.8Vrms, volume wheel
AP20 - 2x CS43131 (SA9312L) 1.8/3.8Vrms, build in battery, 3.5mm + 2.5mm + 4.4mm
AP90 - 2x AK4493SEQ (CT601PR), 2/4Vrms, 125mW/240mW@32Ohm
AP98 - 2x CS43198 (CT601PR), 2/4Vrms

There are also DAC cables, and CS43131 based SP30 which is round, oversized/desktop dongle with USB-C PD60W charging port.

 

[defective unit]

registered to write my opinion about jm30. first of all i bought it as adapter for pc and secondly for my phone.
PROS:
-Highs less muddy and have a little extra crisp (its what i wanted)
-Affordable price
-soft, good cable (i expected it to be worse)
-small size
CONS:
-hissing highs. maybe crisp and hiss are 2 parts of 1 thing, but can't remember same problem with my old dac
-severe lack of bass, espcially low-end. i dont feel nether synth bass nor drum kicks
-Walk-play app don't work

more details:
before purchase i used my iem with phone (POCO F3) and connected it by USB-C_to_3,5mm adapter (no dac inside) and no matter what everybody is going say it was quite good. with jm30 i am having same bass problem as before: Lotoo PAW S2 + iBasso IT03 (not enough bass), Lotoo ps2+ Moondrop Variations - better, but still not enough. then i tried my phone and it's overall almost perfect so i sold lotoo. ether i'm far too sensitive for high frequencies (so everything else is quet) or it's my phone messing or dacs not for me - i don't know.
compared to lotoo paw s2: with lotoo i can feel difference in stage, details, clarity. with jm30 difference quite small, imo insignificant. but will i pay for lotoo? - No, cause imo increase is +/- 10%, it doesn't worth money. Does jm30 worth money? - Yes, it's just not suitable for me.
*i used 16/24bit flac, poweramp, UAPP in exclusive mode and mp3-streaming for testing.
i'm going to use it with phone for a week, maybe i'll get used to it, but i dont think so cause it didnt happen with my IT03 with different sources (i also had mid-level fiio player) and didnt happen with S2.
Walk-Play: doesn't work for me. i tried 2.1.6, 2.1.3 (on android) and web-version on pc. apps cant see my device which is sad, i could've tried to fix my issues with eq. i wrote letter to support. TTGK Station says no need to update dac

IMPORTANT NOTE: if you looking for DAC for iem, DON'T buy jm20 max, it's too powerful. with phone i used jm30 on 30% volume, in exclusive mode (UAPP) it's 10%, on pc 15-20. its freaking loud, don't run after big power numbers

 

[Matias]

Got my JM20 and like expected it sounds awesome with the Truthear Red. Stunning good actually.

 

[CedarX]

Walk-Play: doesn't work for me. i tried 2.1.6, 2.1.3 (on android) and web-version on pc.

Where did you see that JM30 was WalkPlay-enabled? AFAIK, in @fws list above, only JM20-Pro (CB5100-Pro Bridge/DSP) works with WalkPlay.

IMPORTANT NOTE: if you looking for DAC for iem, DON'T buy jm20 pro, it's too powerful.

Somewhat unexpected: JM20-Pro and JM30 have the exact same CS43131 DAC/Amp. Though, it is possible that the internal gain settings are different.

 

[mc.god]

Somewhat unexpected: JM20-Pro and JM30 have the exact same CS43131 DAC/Amp. Though, it is possible that the internal gain settings are different.

Maybe he intended JM20 Max?

 

[defective unit]

Somewhat unexpected: JM20-Pro and JM30 have the exact same CS43131 DAC/Amp. Though, it is possible that the internal gain settings are different.

thanks, i made mistake, i meant jm20 max (the one with extra Amps inside). edited original post

 

[defective unit]

Where did you see that JM30 was WalkPlay-enabled? AFAIK, in @fws list above, only JM20-Pro (CB5100-Pro Bridge/DSP) works with WalkPlay.

i didnt find list of supported devices, so i thought it will work because same chip as jm20 pro + mic support as in jm20 pro (same models i thought). Also i got answer from app support: jm30 dont work with walk-play, but jm30 pro does work - didnt know jm30 pro even existed
i will challenge my luck and try to sell jm30 (cause it's noname brand in my country)

 

[CedarX]

i didnt find list of supported devices, so i thought it will work because same chip as jm20 pro + mic support as in jm20 pro (same models i thought). Also i got answer from app support: jm30 dont work with walk-play, but jm30 pro does work - didnt know jm30 pro even existed
i will challenge my luck and try to sell jm30 (cause it's noname brand in my country)

Support for WalkPlay depends on what USB bridge chip is used: the JM20-Pro uses a CB5100-Pro chip which includes a DSP (also has an ADC for mic. support), and is programmed with a firmware supporting the communications with the WalkPlay Android app or Chrome WebApp.

I found a JM30-Pro listed on AliExpress, but the description says that the USB bridge is a Savitech SA9123L. If this is correct, it won’t support WalkPlay… But it also says it supports phone calls, which makes me think it’s either not a SA9123L (no ADC) or there is a 3rd chip with an ADC. It’s also not clear if it incorporates a mic. into the dongle body, or if it supports IEMs with mic. Then, they don’t talk about OMTO/CTIA support…

 

[goldark]

Has anyone tried a JM20 on an HD600? Can it drive it sufficiently at medium levels?

 

[staticV3]

Has anyone tried a JM20 on an HD600? Can it drive it sufficiently at medium levels?

It can drive the HD600 to 110dB SPL Peak.

That's way too loud for me. Close to 10x my usual listening level.

 

[fws]

Has anyone tried a JM20 on an HD600? Can it drive it sufficiently at medium levels?

It should run just as any 2Vrms dongle, I have CS-Pro CS43131, and now at night (completely quiet surrounding) on Windows for me that is 50-90% for music depending on a song and day, as I listen I would climb higher and unable to go down to 50%, and I can 100% and listen like that without fatigue, actually I might run it at 100% during the day. It is generally not as fun and enjoyable as on a big amp, but usable if you have to use your headphones and don't have anything better/don't plan on enjoying the music. For YouTube it can be down to 30 or even 20% at night, but probably more like 50% during the day.

On EU Android phone 100% is not enough, you can watch a youtube video maybe. Apps taking control like HiBy Music helps as always, mostly 27-32/32 since I already listened for a few minutes on Windows

Switched to Creative G6 (5Vrms, 106dB SiNAD) under Windows and oh... the sound is clearer right away, instantly went to 60-68%.
Next stop SoundBlaster Z (102dB SiNAD) into Douk U3 (7.2vrms, 94dB SiNAD) and that is the sweetspot, don't know where the knob is, somewhere around 1-2 o'clock. Switching to Topping L30 II (13Vrms, 121dB), the knob is around 12-1 o'clock, its about the same, but I actually like U3 a bit more for some reason.

Someone please make 7Vrms dongle DAC (call it Battery Killer or Burning Metal)

 

[multiformous]

I have the standard Meizu HiFi CS43131 dongle (should be pretty similar to JM20), and 20/100 Windows volume with my HD6xx is already getting pretty loud for me with music I typically listen to and no EQ/normalization. Obviously average levels of the program material matter a great deal here.

 

[SashaR]

JM20-Pro with Walk Play app

I'm not sure if my question is worded correctly: What "type" of Q does the PEQ of the JM20-PRO use?

REW's documentation for its configurable PEQ settings states that REW can build filters using four different "types" of Q (see the pic). I asked REW to build filters for the JM20-PRO using Q that is calculated as RBJ [Q format: "RBJ Q (half gain)" -- but I don't know if the filters built this way match the filters that the FW of JM20-PRO implements???
@staticV3

 

[staticV3]

I'm not sure if my question is worded correctly: What "type" of Q does the PEQ of the JM20-PRO use?

REW's documentation for its configurable PEQ settings states that REW can build filters using four different "types" of Q (see the pic). I asked REW to build filters for the JM20-PRO using Q that is calculated as RBJ [Q format: "RBJ Q (half gain)" -- but I don't know if the filters built this way match the filters that the FW of JM20-PRO implements???
@staticV3

View attachment 441667

Only measuring the JM20Pro's frequency response with different PEQ settings will answer that definitively.

I don't have one, so can't assist here.