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Review: Apple vs Google USB-C Headphone Adapters

Does anyone know if this Apple dongle switches sampling rate and bit depth dynamically from 44.1 > 48 and 16 > 24. I’m guessing not as 24/48 music has a lot more ‘punch’ when it’s not resampling…
 
markanini said:
Have you not dug yourself into a logical corner? If Apples restrictions are in fact a feature, then Android is working as intended and can't be blamed.

Let me adress why "blaming Apple" or "blaming Android" is a red herring: When inconveniently faced with too low output levels from a source assigning blame is not a solution. What helps is identifying and informing about issues before a purchase. Mindful recommendations and consumer knowledge works, anything else is conjecture.
Click to expand...
For the nth time it’s not a restriction Apple’s device conforms to the USB Audio class specification, until recently Android made a completely unwarranted assumption about that specification with the result that Android did not work properly with a conformant device.

Assigning blame does help because Google would not have fixed the issue without people investigating and reporting the issue to them.
 
Owis said:
Does anyone know if this Apple dongle switches sampling rate and bit depth dynamically from 44.1 > 48 and 16 > 24.
Click to expand...
Only if your playback software is set up for it.

This is true for every USB DAC ever made. They don't switch sample rate on their own. It's the USB Host device that dictates sample rate.
 
staticV3 said:
Only if your playback software is set up for it.
Click to expand...
Ok thanks. I’m using Apple Music via an iPad so I guess not. I reckon I can guess 9 times out of 10 which songs are 16/44 vs 24/48 on a random shuffle. Strange how via the same connection/software the CCK is bit perfect
 
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danadam said:
The bug report has a comment from 2 days ago saying that the issue is fixed and is going to be rolled out in the next release.
Click to expand...
24/48k full scale 1 kHz sine played on Android 12 (Pixel 3), Android 16 (Pixel 8a), iOS 18 (iPhone 16 Pro Max) measured through ADI-2 Pro FS @ +4 dBu.

apple.png
 
I just had to register to say this, some people are for some reason recommending jcally dongles here, for example jm6.
Have you tested it ?
I did, and adc performance is terrible. There is close to no gain making mic input very quiet and there is no way how to alter it.
I also tested some 4€ walkplay dongle that has PEQ where I was able to set 15dB gain for adc, but that introduced some noise compared to Apple dongle, and also it was a bit worse in audio reproduction a bit, understandably I guess.

Apple dongle is all in one, dac as well as performant and good adc. Which makes it very good for basically all devices.

I use it on my PC gaming as well as for work in my Mac, both via via kvm, and it’s EU version, no complains about volume whatsoever, I’m at like 40% max.

Jcally might have more performant amp and could drive some more demanding headphones better but majority of people don’t need that.
Also, some jcally dongles have crackling issue, I had it on Mac (but not windows).

Idk I’m not an expert but to me it doesn’t seem like there is any need to stop recommending apple dongle yet.
 
xh43k said:
I just had to register to say this, some people are for some reason recommending jcally dongles here, for example jm6.
Have you tested it ?
I did, and adc performance is terrible. There is close to no gain making mic input very quiet and there is no way how to alter it.
I also tested some 4€ walkplay dongle that has PEQ where I was able to set 15dB gain for adc, but that introduced some noise compared to Apple dongle, and also it was a bit worse in audio reproduction a bit, understandably I guess.

Apple dongle is all in one, dac as well as performant and good adc. Which makes it very good for basically all devices.

I use it on my PC gaming as well as for work in my Mac, both via via kvm, and it’s EU version, no complains about volume whatsoever, I’m at like 40% max.

Jcally might have more performant amp and could drive some more demanding headphones better but majority of people don’t need that.
Also, some jcally dongles have crackling issue, I had it on Mac (but not windows).

Idk I’m not an expert but to me it doesn’t seem like there is any need to stop recommending apple dongle yet.
Click to expand...
A while back I tested the ADC performance of various dongles and the Apple dongle did well there, too :)
B

'Recommendation for a USB Audio-interface DAC/ADC for ADC performance'

using USB DAC/ADC/Audio Interface with a Raspberry Pi 4B - as a BirdNET Pi (it detects and automatically identifies birds by their song/calls)

I am using a Clippy EM272 Microphone via TRS-TTRS converter

micbooster.com

Clippy EM272 Mono Microphone - micbooster.com

A clip-on lavalier microphone using the superb low noise, high sensitivity Primo EM272 omni capsule Rugged black anodized aluminium enclosure, metal grid, tough metal clip and 1 metre of thin flexible screened cable To use with a smartphone you can use a TRS to TRRS Microphone Adapter or a...
micbooster.com

I was first using a 96/48 Audio interface - Ugreen - Ugreen 94khz/24bitwhich seemed OK but gain seemed lower than I would have hoped

I accidentally broke that one so replaced it with a 384/32bit - Ugreen 384khz/32bit -...
 
xh43k said:
I just had to register to say this, some people are for some reason recommending jcally dongles here, for example jm6.
Have you tested it ?
I did, and adc performance is terrible. There is close to no gain making mic input very quiet and there is no way how to alter it.
I also tested some 4€ walkplay dongle that has PEQ where I was able to set 15dB gain for adc, but that introduced some noise compared to Apple dongle, and also it was a bit worse in audio reproduction a bit, understandably I guess.

Apple dongle is all in one, dac as well as performant and good adc. Which makes it very good for basically all devices.

I use it on my PC gaming as well as for work in my Mac, both via via kvm, and it’s EU version, no complains about volume whatsoever, I’m at like 40% max.

Jcally might have more performant amp and could drive some more demanding headphones better but majority of people don’t need that.
Also, some jcally dongles have crackling issue, I had it on Mac (but not windows).

Idk I’m not an expert but to me it doesn’t seem like there is any need to stop recommending apple dongle yet.
Click to expand...
There isn't a universal 1V dongle recommendation. For low current draw, the CX31993 is the best choice. If you want output free from signal distortion, the Walkplay dongle or KT02H20 with TinHifi firmware are your only options. For native EQ, the Walkplay dongle is the sole choice. However, if you need near-zero output impedance, the Walkplay dongle isn't suitable (~2.5Ohm).
 
I'm struggling to hear any difference between my bigger DACs (Cambridge Audio DacMagic, Chord Mojo, Fiio X5) and this dongle when paired with my active speakers/studio monitors Adam A5X. I've listened to just one song on repeat with my eyes closed, trying to really focus on all the details. (FLAC, Foobar exclusive mode for each DAC). It's hard!

Yesterday, just when I thought "Mojo's rendition is so punchy and transienty", I realized that my cable was plugged into the Apple dongle :facepalm: I would not want to bet my house on a blind test, that is for sure! 10$ speakers vs 500$ Adam speakers would be trivially easy for a blind test. 10$ DAC vs 500$ DAC - forget it.
 
Panasonyum said:
I'm struggling to hear any difference between my bigger DACs (Cambridge Audio DacMagic, Chord Mojo, Fiio X5) and this dongle when paired with my active speakers/studio monitors Adam A5X. I've listened to just one song on repeat with my eyes closed, trying to really focus on all the details. (FLAC, Foobar exclusive mode for each DAC). It's hard!

Yesterday, just when I thought "Mojo's rendition is so punchy and transienty", I realized that my cable was plugged into the Apple dongle :facepalm: I would not want to bet my house on a blind test, that is for sure! 10$ speakers vs 500$ Adam speakers would be trivially easy for a blind test. 10$ DAC vs 500$ DAC - forget it.
Click to expand...
very true, these blind tests shows that for most of us non golden ear, dac differences are very small , this one is a good one :
 
amanieux said:
this one is a good one
Click to expand...
This particular test was actually easier for the dongle as good headphones also need amplification. E.g., Sennheiser HD600 into Apple dongle vs HD600 into Mojo would be an easy blind test win for Mojo. In my case, the studio monitors are active, so it's pure DAC vs DAC comparison.
 
Panasonyum said:
I'm struggling to hear any difference between my bigger DACs (Cambridge Audio DacMagic, Chord Mojo, Fiio X5) and this dongle when paired with my active speakers/studio monitors Adam A5X. I've listened to just one song on repeat with my eyes closed, trying to really focus on all the details. (FLAC, Foobar exclusive mode for each DAC). It's hard!

Yesterday, just when I thought "Mojo's rendition is so punchy and transienty", I realized that my cable was plugged into the Apple dongle :facepalm: I would not want to bet my house on a blind test, that is for sure! 10$ speakers vs 500$ Adam speakers would be trivially easy for a blind test. 10$ DAC vs 500$ DAC - forget it.
Click to expand...
I'd love to see a proper double-blind test with the Apple adapter and many other highly-rated DACs. I'm betting that hardly anyone will hear a difference.
 
somebodyelse said:
Archimago did a public test with an Apple and a couple of Linns - although the DACs weren't announced until the results were in.
https://archimago.blogspot.com/2024/05/high-end-dac-blind-listening-results.html
Click to expand...
Thanks. I've read a lot of Archimago's posts but somehow missed that. (Before I read that one I have to confess that I've always liked Linn stuff even though the measurements aren't always commensurate with the price, which is why all of mine was bought used. ;-) )
 
somebodyelse said:
Archimago did a public test with an Apple and a couple of Linns - although the DACs weren't announced until the results were in.
https://archimago.blogspot.com/2024/05/high-end-dac-blind-listening-results.html
Click to expand...
This is a nice experiment, but, to be fair, with a sizable flaw, I quote :
With the actual DACs connected to the same system, it's certainly possible that the effect would be stronger than what was heard by respondents playing back the 24/96 files
Click to expand...
In other words, hearing a perfect recording of a $20K DAC on your personal $10 ($100, $1000, etc) DAC is not the same as actually listening to a $20K DAC. I initially thought that the participants were actually listening to the devices, but online survey with a set of recordings is not really convincing me. E.g., if I listened to a great recording of a $500 speaker on my $10 speaker, would I prefer it to a great recording of a $10 speaker? (Let's say we ran equalization them to make better fit to the DAC analogy.) The answer is not obvious...

Basically, I now think that the two links to blind tests above don't quite scratch my scientific itch :) The video with the headphones+DAC+amp blind test was done on a noisy street, the addition of amplification muddied the results, their volume matching to the weak Apple dongle amp put other DACs to a disadvantage. And the Archimago test was a blind test of DAC recordings .

I'll see if I can organize my partner to suffer though half an hour of cable switching to test my preference for Chord Mojo over the Apple dongle to finetune my current conclusion that the difference is very small or none. I'll be using my active Adam A5X, in a quiet room. Of course, in my test n will be equal to 1 participant, but at least the the other three shortcomings will be mitigated - actual device listening, no amp in the equation, no street noise. I used to be grade 8 on piano too, so my ears -while certainly not golden- shouldn't be made of lead :)
 
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Panasonyum said:
This is a nice experiment, but, to be fair, with a sizable flaw, I quote :

In other words, hearing a perfect recording of a $20K DAC on your personal $10 ($100, $1000, etc) DAC is not the same as actually listening to a $20K DAC. I initially thought that the participants were actually listening to the devices, but online survey with a set of recordings is not really convincing me. E.g., if I listened to a great recording of a $500 speaker on my $10 speaker, would I prefer it to a great recording of a $10 speaker? The answer is not obvious...

Basically, I now think that the two links to blind tests above don't quite scratch my scientific itch :) The video with the headphones+DAC+amp blind test was done on a noisy street, the addition of amplification muddied the results, their volume matching to the weak Apple dongle amp put other DACs to a disadvantage. And the Archimago test was a blind test of DAC recordings .

I'll see if I can organize my partner to suffer though half an hour of cable switching to test my preference for Chord Mojo over the Apple dongle (to finetune my current conclusion that the difference is very small or none). I'll be using my active Adam A5X, in a quiet room. Of course, in my test n will be equal to 1 participant, but at least the the other three shortcomings will be mitigated - actual device listening, no amp in the equation, no street noise. I used to be grade 8 on piano too, so my ears -while certainly not golden- shouldn't be made of lead :)
Click to expand...
i personally compared my chord mojo 1 to my apple dongle on my $550 mega5est iem and i sold mojo and kept apple dongle because i could not hear a big enough difference, though my music library is youtube opus 251 codec 160kbps
 
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Panasonyum said:
This particular test was actually easier for the dongle as good headphones also need amplification. E.g., Sennheiser HD600 into Apple dongle vs HD600 into Mojo would be an easy blind test win for Mojo. In my case, the studio monitors are active, so it's pure DAC vs DAC comparison.
Click to expand...
did you see the video ? they do compare a $20 dac/amp dongle to a $550 4.4W r2r desktop dac/amp on hd600, the non golden ear (6 out of 7) agreed that difference was minimal, though i must admit that listening to a openback in a noisy cafe open to street noise was not the best low noise environment to test it but it is at least real world usage scenario, they also used high end iem that block more of the street noise and conclusion was the same
 
amanieux said:
did you see the video ? they do compare a $20 dac/amp dongle to a $550 4.4W r2r desktop dac/amp on hd600, the non golden ear (6 out of 7) agreed that difference was minimal, though i must admit that listening to a openback in a noisy cafe open to street noise was not the best low noise environment to test it but it is at least real world usage scenario, they also used high end iem that block more of the street noise and conclusion was the same
Click to expand...
Two points on that video from me, just to clarify my position:
1. The notion of minimal difference - to me, minimal difference may be important. E.g., two sources sound almost the same, but one has better attack and decay/transients. Small change? yes, in the grand scheme of things - these may only be 1% of the overall wave graph shape. But, I do love them in my music. In their test, Fiio player won over the non-Apple dongle, regardless of the margins. But, this may have been due to the dongle's tiny amp.
2. DAC+amp test has more intangibles than just the DAC test, as there are 2 variables instead of 1. Additional problem of the video was volume matching to the weakest amp (dongle), as was picked upon by their last tester. IEMs are less affected by the amp, but still are affected. They really should have plugged all three sources into the same amp.

I am thinking of running my test in the following way. N trials, each trial consisting of the same song section played twice. The experimenter chooses if it is played from different sources (e.g., dongle then Mojo) or on the same source (eg., dongle twice). Volume is set to zero in the beginning of each song, the participant is free to adjust it. The participant ranks the first song as 10, second song as 11, 10 or 9 =better, same, worse. The experimenter adds up all the scores for both sources, divides by the number of trials and we have a result.
 
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