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

[RickS]

Thanks, I already posted a similar table here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...vices-a-comparative-review.63038/post-2501644

although I didn't bother specifying which of the two problematic chips the devices have (I don't think anyones found a difference between the two?)

But it's been lost in the mass of other posts on this thread. Perhaps a mod (@RickS) can move my post to be at the…

@jkim can do else I would need to edit his post.

 

[CedarX]

Not directly related to the CS431xx distortion…
FiiO has released a fw update for the KA15 to address another source of clicks or short silences: v1.1.6 allows the user to turn the power saving mode off by long-pressing the "Volume -" button while connecting/powering the KA15. Restoring factory settings will re-enable the power saving mode.
Note that they also did something about the LS/HS wrong Q-factor, but I think it’s only for the QX13.

 

[KDRN]

The only mention about KA13 seems to be here, and rather indicates the issue is there

i used to have owned the KA13. and i do hear clicking when playing the cmaj test file. when the KA13 isset to NOS the clicking was reduced. the filter selection in the KA13 is abit bugged and doesnt save the filters i select after a power cycle in random.

 

[Alou]

Not directly related to the CS431xx distortion…
FiiO has released a fw update for the KA15 to address another source of clicks or short silences: v1.1.6 allows the user to turn the power saving mode off by long-pressing the "Volume -" button while connecting/powering the KA15. Restoring factory settings will re-enable the power saving mode.
Note that they also did something about the LS/HS wrong Q-factor, but I think it’s only for the QX13.

I ordered a KA15 a month and a half ago and came with 1.1.4 .never had problems with power or power saving.Only problem was the volume button that required to be pressed twice 1.1.5 fixed it.All features work excellently and the android app,only thing is that i feel that sound is a bit boosted ,like applying a VST loudness plug in.I turned desktop mode off and amplifier to H mode and now is a bit better but you have to bring volume a bit up.But its my personal opinion,others might like it boosted.

 

[IsaacOscar]

I ordered a KA15 a month and a half ago and came with 1.1.4 .never had problems with power or power saving.Only problem was the volume button that required to be pressed twice 1.1.5 fixed it.All features work excellently and the android app,only thing is that i feel that sound is a bit boosted ,like applying a VST loudness plug in.I turned desktop mode off and amplifier to H mode and now is a bit better but you have to bring volume a bit up.But its my personal opinion,others might like it boosted.

I've replied to you on the KA15 thread, so that other people looking for information on that device are more likely to find this discussion (and we can keep this thread on topic)

 

[confucius_zero]

Any news on the iBasso Macaron, Machiato and DC04u?

 

[pangcukaipang]

Any news on the iBasso Macaron, Machiato and DC04u?

According to the manual, iBasso DC04U came with DRE switch (On, Off, Optimized) out of the box.

 

[Jalan]

I know that soon one person will start taking measurements of this device and perhaps publish them on this forum.

Indeed...

Snowsky (FiiO) Retro Nano Bluetooth Reciever Measurements

Hello everyone, my first review post here. Hope you'll like it. This is detailed measurements of Snowsky Retro Nano bluetooth reciever that can also work as a USB DAC. It was sent to me by one of my friends. It costs about $60 US dollars. The battery is replaceable, which is awesome since...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[pangcukaipang]

According to the manual, iBasso DC04U came with DRE switch (On, Off, Optimized) out of the box.

And, here's the snapshot. (credit: AndyAudioVault)

 

[Alou]

Just try the procedure except the "-15dB step" since I do not know how to set it, on iBasso DC07 Pro (4xCS43131), with Fast filter, I do not hear any clicking noise along with the low-frequency sound.

So the DC07 pro is on affected with the Cirrus distortion ?I see that Ibasso has no Firmware update for this since 2024 ,does it have a DRE switch or not needed ?

 

[Alou]

And, here's the snapshot. (credit: AndyAudioVault)
View attachment 516775

Optimized is new ,no other dongle one has it until this one.

 

[CedarX]

Optimized is new ,no other dongle one has it until this one.

Macchiato, DC04U little brother, already had this “optimized” setting.
DC4U may simply be the op-amp, high-power version of Macchiato (with CS43198 instead of CS4313). Similar to FiiO KA15/Melody…

 

[IsaacOscar]

Macchiato, DC04U little brother, already had this “optimized” setting.
DC4U may simply be the op-amp, high-power version of Macchiato (with CS43198 instead of CS4313). Similar to FiiO KA15/Melody…

Yeah, the KA15/Melody with updated firmware basically has "off" and "optimized" options, but no option to go the original firmware behaviour (which activated DRE more agrassively)

 

[Alou]

KA15 has DRE ON/OFF not OPTIMIZED option

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Even if DRE switch were in the works I have no idea how anybody at the ad copy department would have got wind of it let alone drawn it into concept art.

Would be pretty sure DRE here doesn't stand for the DRE switch of the CS chip, even if god knows what it might actually stand for.

Will update if I have one.

Well... it was never an advertised feature unless you consider these background graphics an advertisement. And upon having these pictures pointed out to them, their reaction has been to instruct the team to remove the wording from the pictures ASAP.

 

[CedarX]

Well... it was never an advertised feature unless you consider these background graphics an advertisement. And upon having these pictures pointed out to them, their reaction has been to instruct the team to remove the wording from the pictures ASAP.

I see that the picture from HiBy web-store has been retouched, but not yet in AliExpress.
I believe this part about HiByBlue is still wrong though—you can’t configure W4 with HiByBlue:

 

[Joe Bloggs]

I believe it is very much intended for the W4 to be configurable via hiby blue. The question is when--firmware updates have proven to be more difficult than expected, both to write and to flash (users reporting issues flashing the first update). That said, I have reported the current discrepancies to the team. Sorry about this

 

[confucius_zero]

That said, I have reported the current discrepancies to the team.

can the switch from Class H to the Class AB be also enabled in the Hiby Blue app? It was a missing feature from the snowsky melody retro nano. I would really appreciate that to be part of the W4.

 

[IsaacOscar]

can the switch from Class H to the Class AB be also enabled in the Hiby Blue app? It was a missing feature from the snowsky melody.

What? I can switch my Melody from class AB to H:

 

[confucius_zero]

I can switch my Melody from class AB to H:

Yes but not for the Snowsky Retro Nano (sorry I wrote the wrong name) which is the competing product to the Hiby W4.