On the Distortion of Cirrus Logic CS431xx-Based Devices: A Comparative Review

[Somafunk]

I just messaged them yesterday about the possibility of fixing DRE issues, and you're right, they no longer reply.

What issues do you have? I mainly use it for streaming Tidal, as long as the Wi-Fi signal is good, it's working fine.

Bluetooth drops out for no reason
Streaming from tidal causes the unit to freeze then reboot.
Whilst playing through an album it will jump randomly throughout the track listing
Randomly reboots when skipping tracks/changing volume

These are the main issues (so far)

 

[SlowLife]

I found the iBasso Macaron measurement, it should be pretty good, right?

毁HiFi | 专业耳机数据测评网站

huihifi.com

 

[pangcukaipang]

Bluetooth drops out for no reason
Streaming from tidal causes the unit to freeze then reboot.
Whilst playing through an album it will jump randomly throughout the track listing
Randomly reboots when skipping tracks/changing volume

These are the main issues (so far)

I just realized they released V1.1 firmware on August 13rd. I've updated mine. I hope it'll solve stability issues.
However they didn't add NOS filter and didn't solve the DRE issues (actually no idea since there's no release note).

 

[Somafunk]

I just realized they released V1.1 firmware on August 13rd. I've updated mine. I hope it'll solve stability issues.
However they didn't add NOS filter and didn't solve the DRE issues (actually no idea since there's no release note).

Cool, I’ll try updating now

Edit : Tried to update “over the air” and received the message “firmware update method failed”

Tried the “turn off/on again” trick but still on V1 software, nah….still” fubar

 

[pangcukaipang]

Cool, I’ll try updating now

Edit : Tried to update “over the air” and received the message “firmware update method failed”

Tried the “turn off/on again” trick but still on V1 software, nah….still” fubar

Won't work via OTA. Must be downloaded from their web and put to micro SD.

 

[Somafunk]

Won't work via OTA. Must be downloaded from their web and put to micro SD.

Yeah I had to go through the rigmarole of finding an sd micro card, then an adapter card to plug into my iMac.

Why offer an OTA option then not use it?

Updated but still issues so I did a factory reset, sd card firmware updated, switch off then on, insert sd card loaded with music, update music data base, switch off then on.

Seems to be working now, no tidal crashing which is a bonus, Bluetooth still dodgy as if I venture to another room it can cut out but I use an iPhone, perhaps aac is the issue?

Fingers crossed it continues to work……

 

[Kaisertastiera]

Topping replied to my email, there is still hope for d30pro and d70pro otct friends!

 

[tccalvin]

I tried emailing SMSL but there was no reply. You guys are welcome to try. Maybe you'll get luckier!

 

[jkim]

I found the iBasso Macaron measurement, it should be pretty good, right?

毁HiFi | 专业耳机数据测评网站

huihifi.com

View attachment 469942

If the multitone signal level is 50mV, it is in the Cirrus hump range, and it should show up in the test. It seems that it does. The Fosi DS2 belongs to the group without a Cirrus hump (but still distorts when the signal level is increasing as shown in Part II of my review). As expected, the Fosi DS2's multitone response is cleaner.

By the way, the website's chosen set of tests is somewhat limited. Not very informative...

 

[jkim]

Important Update (8/16/25)

WalkPlay/TTGK is another company reacting to the issue of DRE-induced distortion associated with the CS431xx chips! A new firmware release (V0.3) for the TRN Black Pearl changed a key parameter related to DRE operation. With this firmware installed, the Black Pearl does not exhibit audible distortion behavior caused by DRE while retaining reconstruction filter options. An analysis based on measurements was added to the bottom of the TRN Black Pearl review.

 

[DamDamxD]

Does anyone have some info about BTR13 getting update to solve it like others?

 

[DamDamxD]

Does anyone have some info about BTR13 getting update to solve it like others?

Ok i contacted Fiio support and it seems that they are interested and maybe will fix it in BTR13 also

 

[CuriousAli]

Has anyone measured Audient devices for this hump?
I believe my Audient iD24 uses three CS43198 chips, but I don't have the measurement equipments to test for this.

 

[jkim]

Has anyone measured Audient devices for this hump?
I believe my Audient iD24 uses three CS43198 chips, but I don't have the measurement equipments to test for this.

In that case, it is reasonable to assume that the device is affected by the distortion. Unless a manufacturer deliberately takes action---there was none before FiiO or TTGK who reacted to this review---, I believe all devices exhibit either the full hump distortion or the behavior shown in Part II (special case limited to only certain devices) of my review.

 

[CuriousAli]

In that case, it is reasonable to assume that the device is affected by the distortion. Unless a manufacturer deliberately takes action---there was none before FiiO or TTGK who reacted to this review---, I believe all devices exhibit either the full hump distortion or the behavior shown in Part II (special case limited to only certain devices) of my review.

Thank you, I just sent Audient a ticket, will post their answer in case they reply.

 

[CuriousAli]

This is Audient's response for iD24:

We are aware of the noise caused by the DRE switching on the Cirrus chips. This was something we were aware of when designing iD24, and we have worked with Cirrus to ensure that the DRE noise is not audible in our output channels on iD24.

 

[mc.god]

This is Audient's response for iD24:

That's interesting, so they alredy knew the issue when developing the interface? When did it come out inbthe market? Anyway it would be nice if you culd try by yourself listening at the CMaj test file following the lines described by jkim and see if you can hear anyrhing strage.

 

[CuriousAli]

That's interesting, so they alredy knew the issue when developing the interface? When did it come out inbthe market? Anyway it would be nice if you culd try by yourself listening at the CMaj test file following the lines described by jkim and see if you can hear anyrhing strage.

I think Audient iD24 was originally released in Februray 2023.
I tried listening to the attached CMaj file with these settings:
MacBook Pro M2 headphone out - set to 96 kHz
Audient iD24 - set to 96 kHz
Fiio KA17 - set to 96 kHz

Opened the CMaj file in Audacity and changed the rate in Audacity to 96 kHz too.
Then I played the file while switching between devices, and all of them sounded weird to me
Should listen at a specific volume? It can be hard with headphones as it gets too loud at -15db.

 

[mc.god]

I think Audient iD24 was originally released in Februray 2023.
I tried listening to the attached CMaj file with these settings:
MacBook Pro M2 headphone out - set to 96 kHz
Audient iD24 - set to 96 kHz
Fiio KA17 - set to 96 kHz

Opened the CMaj file in Audacity and changed the rate in Audacity to 96 kHz too.
Then I played the file while switching between devices, and all of them sounded weird to me
Should listen at a specific volume? It can be hard with headphones as it gets too loud at -15db.

With my dongles I just played the track in loop at original sample rate, then started listening at low volume gradually rising it, at one point where volume was still not harming (the track content is safe on its own) i started hearing the "clicks" and then i knew the dongle is affected.

 

[Rantapossu]

Has anyone measured Audient devices for this hump?
I believe my Audient iD24 uses three CS43198 chips, but I don't have the measurement equipments to test for this.

Yep, it's there (iD24):