JCALLY JM20 Headphone Dongle Review

[masterhw]

re: Walkplay app, as an iPhone user I was prepared to have difficulty setting PEQ filters on the JM20 Pro.
There is a site that still requires an account, but lets you set this via web browser. no app required. https://peq.szwalkplay.com/
Its still a clunky experience, but worked fine for me.

 

[CedarX]

re: Walkplay app, as an iPhone user I was prepared to have difficulty setting PEQ filters on the JM20 Pro.
There is a site that still requires an account, but lets you set this via web browser. no app required. https://peq.szwalkplay.com/
Its still a clunky experience, but worked fine for me.

I agree it is somewhat clunky… You may want to look at @Jeromeof webapp at https://www.pragmaticaudio.com/ (IEM Graphs or Headphone Graphs).

It also depends how you use these WalkPlay dongles: I just leave them attached to the IEM/HP, so I don’t mess with them too often.

 

[kekus]

Got one, as Fiio Ka11 is useless now (keeps disconnecting at the slightest touch). Using it with Artti T10 and it sounds great, end game setup for me.

 

[markanini]

Got one, as Fiio Ka11 is useless now (keeps disconnecting at the slightest touch). Using it with Artti T10 and it sounds great, end game setup for me.

A direct replacement works for sure, have you considered this form of dongle with replacable USBC portion though?

 

[kekus]

For someone who needs balanced out or to use mic, i'm sure it's worth it. For my use case (at home listening) those are not needed and I prefer the minimalistic form factor and cheaper price of JM20

 

[markanini]

For someone who needs balanced out or to use mic, i'm sure it's worth it. For my use case (at home listening) those are not needed and I prefer the minimalistic form factor and cheaper price of JM20

I prefer the compact form factor too. But having gone through multiple dongles that went intermittent is making me consider giving up the conveniance of small size.

 

[sabih]

A direct replacement works for sure, have you considered this form of dongle with replacable USBC portion though?
View attachment 449374

name of this dongle?

 

[kekus]

@sabih TRN Black Pearl
@markanini you can always go bluetooth dac/amp route. I also have the Snowsky (Fiio) Retro Nano for portable use: sounds great (haven't AB'ed to JM20 but I bet they sound identical), battery doesn't last very long but it's replaceable, and price is reasonable.

 

[patoulol]

JCALLY JM20 pro doesn't heat up too much? because some dongles heat up

 

[mc.god]

JCALLY JM20 pro doesn't heat up too much? because some dongles heat up

Pro version was not tested so we can't say, anyway it doesn't use additional output opamp, so heath production should be similar to the standard version, unless the different usb bridge with integrated dsp heats up much more.

 

[Cleawave]

I was able to buy a JM30 at aliexpress at a discount ($8.00). But is it broken? The glitches are terrible.
I am using it on a PC (Windows 11), and when I play a sound, the beginning of the sound is missing for about 0.1 seconds (like “Hallo” becomes “llo”).

The sound is missing when I play a test sound from the Windows sound settings window.
In this test sound, the left channel is played first, then the right channel, but after the first part of the left channel is played missing, the first part of the right channel is also played missing.
(The symptom still occurred after installing the Savitech driver.)

In some games, the audio would be interrupted every second.
(The event viewer stated usbaudio2 ID16 An audio format implemented by device \Device\000000c9 is not supported by the driver. The format was ignored.)

Additionally, when booting from standby, no sound is output when playing.
This returns to being output when the frequency is switched to another frequency in the sound settings and then returned to the original frequency.

The beginning of the sound is missing symptom of the missing beginning of the sound occurred even after trying on a different PC and a fresh install of the OS.
The inexpensive CX31993 and ALC5686 USB dongles were stable and did not cause the symptom at all.

 

[mc.god]

I was able to buy a JM30 at aliexpress at a discount ($8.00). But is it broken? The glitches are terrible.
I am using it on a PC (Windows 11), and when I play a sound, the beginning of the sound is missing for about 0.1 seconds (like “Hallo” becomes “llo”).

The sound is missing when I play a test sound from the Windows sound settings window.
In this test sound, the left channel is played first, then the right channel, but after the first part of the left channel is played missing, the first part of the right channel is also played missing.
(The symptom still occurred after installing the Savitech driver.)

In some games, the audio would be interrupted every second.
(The event viewer stated usbaudio2 ID16 An audio format implemented by device \Device\000000c9 is not supported by the driver. The format was ignored.)

Additionally, when booting from standby, no sound is output when playing.
This returns to being output when the frequency is switched to another frequency in the sound settings and then returned to the original frequency.

The beginning of the sound is missing symptom of the missing beginning of the sound occurred even after trying on a different PC and a fresh install of the OS.
The inexpensive CX31993 and ALC5686 USB dongles were stable and did not cause the symptom at all.

The lost first audio samples is a known and common flaw of many of these devices with CS43131 + Savitech bridge combination, it was extenively discussed in many threads. My JM20 acts differently, instead of truncating the first samples, it outputs a brief background pink noise, maybe less annoying when notification or os system sounds are important for you.

Can't say anything about the issue with games.

 

[Cleawave]

The lost first audio samples is a known and common flaw of many of these devices with CS43131 + Savitech bridge combination, it was extenively discussed in many threads.

Thanks. I had no idea.
That's a pretty tough flaw.
If it's that widespread, I wonder why Jcally(or Savitech) hasn't released a firmware fix...

 

[Cleawave]

Fosi Audio DS2 Portable DAC & Amp Review

+50% max perceived loudness (+6dB). Isn't +6dB just double the voltage while for double perceived loudness you need +10dB?

www.audiosciencereview.com

Ah, this is it.

 

[fws]

I've got my JM20, and... there are clicks when launching a track. But! they are not universal!

Android phone
Mi Music (Xiaomi) - no clicks, nothing's cut!
YouTube Music - no clicks, I don't think anything's cut but didn't test too much
HiBy Music - clicks!
HiBy Music in USB exclusive mode - clicks!

Windows 11 23H2
WinAmp 2.92 (shhh) - clicks, but not 100% of the time, seems to be a bit track dependent, but even the most clicky ones can start without a click, the beginning I think is slightly truncated though

Similar behavior seems to be with CS-Pro CS43131 (possibly SA9312L) dongle as well (note CS-Pro designation was also used for an earlier CS-Pro CS46L41, and is mistakenly used on renders for CX-DAC CX31993 + Max97220 dongle).

Creative SoundBlasterX G6 is fine/free of clicks though (CS43131 + actual discreet amp).

Doesn't seem to be affected by impedance - tried with 32Ohm Yincrow X6 earphone, 64Ohm Faaeal Snow-Lotus 1.0 earphone, and 300Ohm Sennheiser HD600. Also tried defeating the impedance sensing (build into the chip) by launching it open with 3.5mm to 3.5mm 90 degree adapter, but the clicks were still there. I made Windows stop playing sound out of both dongles though, and I have no idea why, reconnecting them didn't help, neither did different USB C to A, OS still saw them, power was on (CS-Pro has LED), got an OS popup about device not working correctly once.

Honestly I won't be mentioning to people any CS43131 dongles which aren't confirmed to be click free, no matter how good their measurements are. I feel like there should be a big WARNING on the review/measurements pages, about the issue. Although to be fair, I only noticed the clicks because I read about them, I've ran CS-Pro CS43131 previously and just didn't paid any attention to them. Too bad, because I actually like the sound out of JM20, at least with earphones, cause imo it is not enough for HD600 (I knew that though - I bought the dongle to be used as DAC for an amp).

 

[markanini]

I've got my JM20, and... there are clicks when launching a track. But! they are not universal!

Android phone
Mi Music (Xiaomi) - no clicks, nothing's cut!
YouTube Music - no clicks, I don't think anything's cut but didn't test too much
HiBy Music - clicks!
HiBy Music in USB exclusive mode - clicks!

Windows 11 23H2
WinAmp 2.92 (shhh) - clicks, but not 100% of the time, seems to be a bit track dependent, but even the most clicky ones can start without a click, the beginning I think is slightly truncated though

Similar behavior seems to be with CS-Pro CS43131 (possibly SA9312L) dongle as well (note CS-Pro designation was also used for an earlier CS-Pro CS46L41, and is mistakenly used on renders for CX-DAC CX31993 + Max97220 dongle).

Creative SoundBlasterX G6 is fine/free of clicks though (CS43131 + actual discreet amp).

Doesn't seem to be affected by impedance - tried with 32Ohm Yincrow X6 earphone, 64Ohm Faaeal Snow-Lotus 1.0 earphone, and 300Ohm Sennheiser HD600. Also tried defeating the impedance sensing (build into the chip) by launching it open with 3.5mm to 3.5mm 90 degree adapter, but the clicks were still there. I made Windows stop playing sound out of both dongles though, and I have no idea why, reconnecting them didn't help, neither did different USB C to A, OS still saw them, power was on (CS-Pro has LED), got an OS popup about device not working correctly once.

Honestly I won't be mentioning to people any CS43131 dongles which aren't confirmed to be click free, no matter how good their measurements are. I feel like there should be a big WARNING on the review/measurements pages, about the issue. Although to be fair, I only noticed the clicks because I read about them, I've ran CS-Pro CS43131 previously and just didn't paid any attention to them. Too bad, because I actually like the sound out of JM20, at least with earphones, cause imo it is not enough for HD600 (I knew that though - I bought the dongle to be used as DAC for an amp).

Good point, these clicks can be very annoying with sensitive IEM. Might make a good case for recommending lower output 1V dongles in that case.

 

[fws]

Good point, these clicks can be very annoying with sensitive IEM. Might make a good case for recommending lower output 1V dongles in that case.

Overly high output itself shouldn't be an issue with IEMs as according to staticV3 the JM20 will output only 1Vrms into impedance up to around 210Ohm, here is his post

JCALLY JM20 Headphone Dongle Review

May I ask which channel? Shenzhenaudio discord server. One of the mods named kr0mka has measured various dongles, including the ADC, which has been informative for me and others looking for this information. Apple dongle was never a default recommendation due to the Android and EU restrictions...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Amirm likely measured 33Ohm with impedance sensing defeated.

While there are plenty of good, budget 1Vrms dongles to recommend instead, if 2Vrms are not needed, the 2Vrms range is a bit harder. There is the old 108dB SiNAD FiiO KA1 (ES9181AC), but it is "pendrive style" yet with a fixed cable. When going through my notes on dongles I found F.Audio KS01 (not Fosi) which I forgot about, it is only around $30, yet supposedly ES9038Q2M + ES9603Q + XMOS and an OLED screen. Listed specs are:

"Output level: 2Vrms
Output power: 280mW
SNR: 118dB
THD+N: 0.0015%
Max supported format: 32bit/768kHz DSD512"

I'm starting to be a bit annoyed I didn't order it instead of JM20, but I did want a measured flatness and performance with this purchase. Rather I'm more annoyed I bought ES-Pro ES9318 a few months earlier for also like $15-20, and its really bad, seems like there is a roll off on both ends and the power is under 1Vrms (while some sellers claimed 2Vrms).

 

[mc.god]

Overly high output itself shouldn't be an issue with IEMs as according to staticV3 the JM20 will output only 1Vrms into impedance up to around 210Ohm, here is his post

JCALLY JM20 Headphone Dongle Review

May I ask which channel? Shenzhenaudio discord server. One of the mods named kr0mka has measured various dongles, including the ADC, which has been informative for me and others looking for this information. Apple dongle was never a default recommendation due to the Android and EU restrictions...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Amirm likely measured 33Ohm with impedance sensing defeated.

Yes, JM20 has impedance autosensing, you just have to be sure to connect it with headphones already attached, otherwise it will set automatically at high gain 2 VRms.

While there are plenty of good, budget 1Vrms dongles to recommend instead, if 2Vrms are not needed, the 2Vrms range is a bit harder. There is the old 108dB SiNAD FiiO KA1 (ES9181AC), but it is "pendrive style" yet with a fixed cable. When going through my notes on dongles I found F.Audio KS01 (not Fosi) which I forgot about, it is only around $30, yet supposedly ES9038Q2M + ES9603Q + XMOS and an OLED screen. Listed specs are:

"Output level: 2Vrms
Output power: 280mW
SNR: 118dB
THD+N: 0.0015%
Max supported format: 32bit/768kHz DSD512"

I'm starting to be a bit annoyed I didn't order it instead of JM20, but I did want a measured flatness and performance with this purchase. Rather I'm more annoyed I bought ES-Pro ES9318 a few months earlier for also like $15-20, and its really bad, seems like there is a roll off on both ends and the power is under 1Vrms (while some sellers claimed 2Vrms).

You are good with JM20, I bought F.Audio KS01 some months ago and immediately returned it after experiencing serious usability issues, potentially harming, like volume suddenly resetting to max or skipping tracks instead of changing volume. Even should it measure exceptionally well (and I'm dubious about it, given that my Kuang Pai Player 3 with similar ESS opamps measured very bad), it would be not worth with all those issues, unless they fixed them in newer firmware.

 

[jkim]

I've got my JM20, and... there are clicks when launching a track.

Windows 11 23H2
WinAmp 2.92 (shhh) - clicks, but not 100% of the time, seems to be a bit track dependent, but even the most clicky ones can start without a click, the beginning I think is slightly truncated though

Good point, these clicks can be very annoying with sensitive IEM.

What "clicks" do you mean? Is it the same thing as a song's beginning being muted?

I am listening to music through the JM20 on my Windows PC using foobar2000 (w/ WASAPI shared and EQ APO). I do not hear any clicks or muting / fade-in.

 

[sabih]

Is it worth it to upgrade from cx31993 to cs43198 for DAC usage