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

[pangcukaipang]

Tanchjim Space Pro also have DAC DRE Optimization.

They also specifically said that 4.4 mm and 3.5 mm can be used at the same time with 4.4 mm IEM/headphone and 3.5 mm microphone.

 

[IsaacOscar]

Tanchjim Space Pro also have DAC DRE Optimization.

They also specifically said that 4.4 mm and 3.5 mm can be used at the same time with 4.4 mm IEM/headphone and 3.5 mm microphone.

Oh cool, I wonder if it's possible to get a balanced 4.4mm cable that also has buttons + microphone going to a 3.5mm?

 

[CedarX]

They also specifically said that 4.4 mm and 3.5 mm can be used at the same time with 4.4 mm IEM/headphone and 3.5 mm microphone.

A few other OEMs are claiming the same feature. Not really a breakthrough since the ADC is a separate chip from the DAC/Amp. But they are somewhat vague about the 3.5mm microphone: a 3.5mm dipole would not work, and a 3.5mm IEM with mic. (4-poles CTIA I believe) would put the 3.5mn HP/IEM in parallel with the “L+/R+” of the 4.4mm HP/IEM. I think it would work—no smoke —but this is weird…

 

[VientoB]

Would be nice if the normal Space got the update

 

[CedarX]

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

This section of the manual is interesting:

5. DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement): When DRE is enabled, it can improve SNR/DNR, but may cause multi-tone anomalies (which do not affect the listening experience).
When DRE is disabled, the noise floor may slightly increase, and the SNR/DNR may decrease slightly, but there are no multi-tone anomalies. When DRE is set to optimized mode, it resolves the multi-tone anomaly issue. The noise floor at output levels from 0 to -44dB is the same as when DRE is off. For outputs below -44dB, DRE is enabled, resulting in reduced noise floor.

Assuming the description is correct, the "DRE Optimization" setting would work as a kind of noise gate: DRE-off above -44dB, DRE-on below -44dB. It would be interesting to determine if the -44dB is a fixed transition or it has some hysteresis built-in. I suspect FiiO did something similar when they optimized the DRE-on settings in various devices.

Besides DRE, the iBasso app let you select various settings: Max. volume, Balance, Digital filters (5 filters, including 2 "low-latency" and NOS), DRE (on/off/optimized), Gain (L/M/H), Coax output (on/off), Screen rotation, Mic. (on/off, uo to 24-bit/48kHz), Amp. voltage (manual entry from 4.0 to 6.0V by 0.1V increments), EQ (off, various presets, or 3x custom PEQ to choose from 10x filters of PK/LS/HS/LP/HP/BP/AP types), DAC Class AB/H, Language, Screen time. Most of the settings can be toggled from the on-board UI, with the addition of UAC 1.0/2.0. The amp. voltage selection is pretty cool and is also selectable from the on-board UI.

DC04U VID/PID shows up as 0x661/0x883 (1633/2179). It is not recognized as WalkPlay-compatible (unlike Macchiatto, VID/PID 0x661/0x881 that is listed in WalkPlay API) and I'm not sure if it is built around a TTGK module or not... Interestingly, PID 0x883 shows up in the WalkPlay API as "SPV6040 10-EQ" but under VID 0x666, a dummy VID for prototypes I believe... If it is correct, this would be a relatively uncommon chip from SpaceTouch (Moondrop RAYS & Marigold IEMs most likely use it). The SPV4040, SPV5048, and their CBHT/TTGK-derived chips are a lot mor common. Unfortunately DC04U has a glued (glass?) backplate and it's way too nice to open in order to confirm the internals.

 

[confucius_zero]

Unfortunately DC04U has a glued (glass?) backplate and it's way too nice to open in order to confirm the internals.

I just got my DC04u yesterday and it is indeed gorgeous. I'm really enjoying the 980mW per channel drive powering my Sundara. However, it's eating 10%/hr off my 5500mah phone

 

[pangcukaipang]

Would be nice if the normal Space got the update

They did update the DAC DRE Optimization I believe.

 

[Alou]

I just got my DC04u yesterday and it is indeed gorgeous. I'm really enjoying the 980mW per channel drive powering my Sundara. However, it's eating 10%/hr off my 5500mah phone

Hi i just got a DC04U as well,do you know where i can download windows drivers (ASIO) and or firmware updates ,i cant find a product page on Ibasso site.

 

[confucius_zero]

do you know where i can download windows drivers (ASIO) and or firmware updates ,i cant find a product page on Ibasso site.

I have no ideas but I've been spamming the iBasso service chat for manual pdf and drivers but so far I managed to get pdf manuals.

Reading through them, it seems only the DC04u and the Macchiato come with DRE configuration options, with the "Optimized" option available.

 

[confucius_zero]

Hi i just got a DC04U as well,do you know where i can download windows drivers (ASIO) and or firmware updates ,i cant find a product page on Ibasso site.

The official answer I got from iBasso: " The DC04U is a plug and play. There is no firmware or drivers needed. The driver is provided by the USB receiver chip manufacturer.The USB receiver that used in the DC04U doesn't have an ASIO driver. The advantage of this USB receiver is that it supports microphone. The DC04U doesn't use ASIO."

 

[Alou]

The official answer I got from iBasso: " The DC04U is a plug and play. There is no firmware or drivers needed. The driver is provided by the USB receiver chip manufacturer.The USB receiver that used in the DC04U doesn't have an ASIO driver. The advantage of this USB receiver is that it supports microphone. The DC04U doesn't use ASIO."

Thanks for the reply,thats what customer service replied to me!There is a firmware page though only in the Chinese Ibasso site,but it looks that its an old one from 2025.I am not sure i used a translator.Anyway i wish i knew they dont have drivers before i purchased it,Iits not that important since most of time is with phone use but its a plus to have on a laptop.Other have it and also even the very early Ibasso dongles had ASIO!!They should have stated that in their sale!Disappointed they probably used a low end USB chip.First impression are that i didnt go wow in sound,DC03pro sound more delicate to me!There is lack in the highs,same thing that i felt the KA15 had .I don't thing it was worth the step up,unless you needed more power.Its the same situation they emphasized on delivering high volume ,i have everything at zero gain,H amp, 4.5V and levels are massive!But they left out details you can spot them ,i listen to my tracks i personally mastered and can tell its lacking some brilliance,i suspect they used some kind of SMG amp chip,since so far i have noticed this in all dongles that use this chips.

 

[confucius_zero]

its a plus to have on a laptop

in what way? Low end usb chip? if you're not using the 4.4mm output, it's less useful. I do feel our subjectivity (and bias towards "inferior parts") will differ on this device but I did use class-AB mode with Low Latency Fast filter to reach a positive outcome on my end. Maybe this helps?

 

[Alou]

I am just guessing its low end since they don't offer drivers for it,bulk/generic product!Asio is needed in order to bypass windows audio system and access the sound device directly from the DAW app. Its something almost all audio manufactures of PC related equipment offer.I basso did as well with inferior products.Filters have no real effec,at least to me.Even in my studio with professional DACs they have minimal or no effect.I will listen more to it ,you cant tell just from the first time but usually after one hour you can tell a few things.But i still needed the driver for laptop use.Dont want to carry a heavy desktop dac!

 

[IsaacOscar]

But i still needed the driver for laptop use.Dont want to carry a heavy desktop dac!

Is there something wrong with your laptop's DAC? (I know my desktop one is not loud enough and it may imagine it having some hiss...)

 

[Alou]

No there is nothing wrong,i just needed the drivers to use the dongle for monitoring with headphones and not carry my desktop dac with me

 

[IsaacOscar]

No there is nothing wrong,i just needed the drivers to use the dongle for monitoring with headphones and not carry my desktop dac with me

Ahh, your laptop DAC doesn't support ASIO!
(sorry, I failed to read your post correctly).

If ASIO is the only feature you care about, I'd suggest getting the KA11 (reviewed here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...iio-ka11-portable-dac-amp-review.68800/page-6)

FiiO has an ASIO driver but it doesn't say what devices it supports (all FiiO USB devices?)

(the driver is bugged on my Tiny A: it only works at 48kHz...)

 

[Alou]

ASIO driver is provided by the manufacturer.Its a unique driver for each device ,unless they have a unified driver that's includes drivers for several devices.
MY desktop DAC's or USB sound devices have ASIO drivers but they are not portable.There are also ASIO emulation drivers for devices that have no manufacturer drivers but they dont always work well!
I Have other dongles that have ASIO drivers,all of Ibasso previous dongles had ASIO drivers,wonder why they stopped with this one.
I thought that this one should have as well specially at this price point.Anyway i can use it for phone only i just need to evaluate it a little because its great ,but its not like day or night when switching from a DC03pro,just louder so far.Maybe I am rushing.

 

[confucius_zero]

Is there a place in the forum where @amirm specifically states why "Cirrus Hump measurements" aren't part of his test bench?

 

[danadam]

Is there a place in the forum where @amirm specifically states why "Cirrus Hump measurements" aren't part of his test bench?

Maybe these:

Suggestion for reviews: Extend the frequency range for 'THD+N vs Freq.' test

As to ultrasonics, I don't have to cater to my cats' hearing range with my system. This may be true if the ultrasound does not cause clipping in amplifiers and does not return as intermodulation within the audible range, which often happens.

www.audiosciencereview.com

Suggestion for reviews: Extend the frequency range for 'THD+N vs Freq.' test

As to ultrasonics, I don't have to cater to my cats' hearing range with my system. This may be true if the ultrasound does not cause clipping in amplifiers and does not return as intermodulation within the audible range, which often happens.

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[sushi2020]

TRUTHEAR released a dongle with PEQ for US $30.

TRUTHEAR KEYX CS43131 Portable USB DAC/AMP

TRUTHEAR KEYX CS43131 Portable USB DAC/AMP

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

shenzhenaudio.com

Since it uses the CS43131, it is likely to have the "Cirrus Hump," but it seems like a good option because its EQ app (based on CrinGraph) looks easy to use.