TANCHJIM Space Portable Headphone Adapter Review

[nightskyyozora]

Updated the latest firmware with no problem. But if it dies on you here is my thread on reddit to solve it, basically traced down the factory tool or similarly lmao.

https://www.reddit.com/r/inearfidelity/comments/15tnubv/avoid_tanchjim_space_bricked_after_firmware_update

The latest ASIO driver finally plays nice with foobar200. I cannot get it to work using older driver. The iOS app still does not offer control of the dongle though.

 

[VientoB]

Is there a guide to updating the firmware?

 

[nightskyyozora]

Install these two drivers, unzip first recommended, and then simply run the tool provided (tanchjim_Tool_V1.0exe) inside the zip folder from Tanchjim website.
Should remove the Chinese character in some folders, if not might not detect the dongle.
Using 'stable' USB port that you usually use to avoid disconnection mid-flash.

 

[nightskyyozora]

View attachment 389587
Install these two drivers, unzip first recommended, and then simply run the tool provided (tanchjim_Tool_V1.0exe) inside the zip folder from Tanchjim website.
Should remove the Chinese character in some folders, if not might not detect the dongle.
Using 'stable' USB port that you usually use to avoid disconnection mid-flash.
View attachment 389588

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

App from vendor to flash.

It seems that, many people did encounter 'failed flash'

https://www.reddit.com/r/inearfidelity/comments/15tnubv/comment/k4iq79h

https://www.reddit.com/r/inearfidelity/comments/15tnubv/comment/k9ethfa

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Do you think the Space (balanced) has enough power for the Audeze MM-100,
if I use Oratory's preset and have to set the preamp to -6 dB?

Sensitivity	98 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
Impedance	18 ohms

 

[staticV3]

Do you think the Space (balanced) has enough power for the Audeze MM-100,
if I use Oratory's preset and have to set the preamp to -6 dB?

Sensitivity	98 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
Impedance	18 ohms

At 115dB/Vrms (according to Audeze), the MM-100 is an extremely sensitive headphone, meaning that you should have no issues at all getting it to play loud, even with Preamp reduction.

 

[Ken Tajalli]

Do you think the Space (balanced) has enough power for the Audeze MM-100,
if I use Oratory's preset and have to set the preamp to -6 dB?

Sensitivity	98 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point)
Impedance	18 ohms

By the book, @staticV3 is correct, however, efficiency figures (sensitivity) can be misleading.
I have an LCD-XC with a similar sensitivity to your MM100. My DAC/amp can do 500mW or more, as opposed to space's 120mW. I use no preamp cut whatsoever, and yet, I need most of my amp's power to reach loud levels, though it is enough.
Audeze, themselves, state a minimum of 100mW, recommend 250mW. If one is to go by the book! at 250mW, it should blow your eardrums clear off, so what gives?
By all means, use the sensitivity figures as a comparison tool, but not as a judging figure.
On the basis of my own experience with a similar headphone, and Audeze's own figures, I would say NO! Space will not have enough power.
You need a stand alone, battery operated device, that can give you the power you need, or alternatively, and possibly, an E1DA 9039s, if it must be a dongle.

 

[staticV3]

By the book, @staticV3 is correct, however, efficiency figures (sensitivity) can be misleading.
I have an LCD-XC with a similar sensitivity to your MM100. My DAC/amp can do 500mW or more, as opposed to space's 120mW. I use no preamp cut whatsoever, and yet, I need most of my amp's power to reach loud levels, though it is enough.
Audeze, themselves, state a minimum of 100mW, recommend 250mW. If one is to go by the book! at 250mW, it should blow your eardrums clear off, so what gives?

That would be the right time to take out a multimeter and actually measure the Amp's output voltage, to ensure that you're getting the expected levels.

 

[Ken Tajalli]

That would be the right time to take out a multimeter and actually measure the Amp's output voltage, to ensure that you're getting the expected levels.

Nothing beats five minutes of auditioning. If it is effortlessly loud enough to you, regardless of what multimeters say, buy it.
Electronics measurements are absolute (if interpreted correctly), transducers are not. If Audeze says, 250mW, I have no reason to assume they are going to be undermining their own products!
At 120mW it barely clears the min. requirements. And then he wants to implement -6dB for EQ. God forbid if he ever wants to listen to Classical music, that do not adhere to loudness wars.
The E1DA 9039s , can do around 350mW at 18R. Allowing for -6B, it would be a better choice as a dongle.
I, personally, would pick up a used Mojo1 and be done with it, lots available.

 

[staticV3]

Nothing beats five minutes of auditioning. If it is effortlessly loud enough to you, regardless of what multimeters say, buy it.

Nothing beats five minutes of checking that your gear actually performs as expected

Especially before jumping to conclusions about power requirements

 

[Ken Tajalli]

Nothing beats five minutes of checking that your gear actually performs as expected

Especially before jumping to conclusions about power requirements

Are you suggesting that people like Amir or L7audio etc. maybe mistaken about how much power a certain device under test is capable of?
Or are you suggesting Audeze are underestimating their own product?
It is never, ever a good idea, to buy an amp, that you would need its absolute max. power. One needs a good, healthy headroom with amps.
120mW with -6dB intention ! .....
You know best.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

I usually listen to EDM, very loudly, so i ordered the Fiio Q11, to be on the safe side

 

[Ken Tajalli]

I usually listen to EDM, very loudly, so i ordered the Fiio Q11, to be on the safe side

Good for you.
Please do report back after you had a bit of time with it. Perhaps it would provide feedback as to how much power was indeed required.
If you could, do let us know:
- At what kind of volume setting you usually used, for a satisfying loudness.
- If you used the balanced out or not
- How much preamp cut you did use (finally)
I am eager to know, as this issue had come out before.
Good luck.

 

[staticV3]

Are you suggesting that people like Amir or L7audio etc. maybe mistaken about how much power a certain device under test is capable of?
Or are you suggesting Audeze are underestimating their own product?

I am suggesting that before you conclude that 500mW is not enough and that sensitivity specs should not be trusted, you actually make sure that your Amp is putting out said 500mW, using a multimeter.

 

[Ken Tajalli]

I am suggesting that before you conclude that 500mW is not enough and that sensitivity specs should not be trusted, you actually make sure that your Amp is putting out said 500mW, using a multimeter.

Chord Hugo 2 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the CHORD HUGO 2 portable (battery operated) DAC and headphone amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $2,950. As expected, Chord carries its "design language" into this product which in my opinion, puts looks ahead of usability...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Take it up with Amir or ....
BTW, I actually said I need most of it, but it was enough.

 

[staticV3]

Chord Hugo 2 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the CHORD HUGO 2 portable (battery operated) DAC and headphone amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $2,950. As expected, Chord carries its "design language" into this product which in my opinion, puts looks ahead of usability...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Take it up with Amir or ....
BTW, I actually said I need most of it, but it was enough.

Are you really that dense?

I'm not asking you to double-check that your Mojo2 is really capable of 500mW (as measured by Amir), I'm asking you to measure your Mojo2's actual output power while you're personally listening to music and lacking loudness.

This is pretty easily done using a multimeter and I suspect will show less than your assumed 500mW, for one reason or another.

Verify, don't assume. That's the scientific method.

 

[Jimbob54]

Tone it down a bit please folks.

 

[Ken Tajalli]

Are you really that dense?

I'm not asking you to double-check that your Mojo2 is really capable of 500mW (as measured by Amir), I'm asking you to measure your Mojo2's actual output power while you're personally listening to music and lacking loudness.

This is pretty easily done using a multimeter and I suspect will show less than your assumed 500mW, for one reason or another.

Verify, don't assume. That's the scientific method.

it is a Hugo2, not Mojo2.
Amir measured it. Good enough for me.
The output is over 3V RMS at 20R, which happens to be LCD-XC impedance. You do the math.
At any rate, 400 or 500mW, let's not lose perspective here. Audeze recommends 250mW. The gentleman needs to do 6dB preamp reduction. Are you suggesting 120mW under these circumstances is plenty? or enough?
I disagreed. My amp's output was just an example, not the argument!
As to sensitivity figures, Audeze claims LCD-XC a figure of 100dB for 1mW. Amir came up with something like 95 IIRC. They may have different methods of measuring. Hence my statement, that transducers measurements are not absolute as per Amir's preface to every headphone review.
Anyways, I offered my personal view, surely you didn't think I meant it as gospel.

 

[multiformous]

So I was wondering about the clipping on the balanced output described in the original review here. Is that a real issue? Was it fixed in the firmware update (have there been any other firmware updates since the early one that fixed the volume memory issue)? To avoid the clipping, do you just need to adjust the digital volume, say, use 99/100 in Windows or something?

 

[Ken Tajalli]

So I was wondering about the clipping on the balanced output described in the original review here. Is that a real issue? Was it fixed in the firmware update (have there been any other firmware updates since the early one that fixed the volume memory issue)? To avoid the clipping, do you just need to adjust the digital volume, say, use 99/100 in Windows or something?

My understanding:
0dB is max. digital level, disregarding special circumstances!
The amp side clips at this max. level. I think it is bang on. The amp's gain is so chosen to make sure one can actually achieve max. output from the amp.