TANCHJIM Space Portable Headphone Adapter Review

[BeeKay]

Tanchjim app has been updated, Dac DRE Optimization, on or off... however I can't turn it on, it's always off??? View attachment 471601

That’s for Android only as I cannot find anything younger than 7 months in the iOS AppStore, right?

 

[Rotiv]

That’s for Android only as I cannot find anything younger than 7 months in the iOS AppStore, right?

On the Facebook page they only mention that it is available on Google Play

 

[Satiomeliom]

Can you update the firmware through the app by any chance?
Oh and most importantly is there a way to roll back in case i do not like the changes?

 

[bnqzzdf]

Can you update the firmware through the app by any chance?
Oh and most importantly is there a way to roll back in case i do not like the changes?

The answer is no. Firmware can only be done on windows.
Roll back is possible when you have the old firmware. It seems like the update program does not check the firmware version.

 

[bnqzzdf]

The website says it's for all USB devices, but I really think the function to turn the DRE on or off isn't active, it's there...but no effect.

The option is available only when your device runs the newest firmware.

 

[badboygolf16v]

I am finding that the DRE optimization setting doesn't save when applied. I have tried to update the firmware but the tool says I have the latest. Anyone else finding the same?

 

[Matias]

Tanchjim app now available at the Play Store.

Too bad it does not perform firmware upgrade through the app... @Tanchjim

 

[giraffe]

I am finding that the DRE optimization setting doesn't save when applied. I have tried to update the firmware but the tool says I have the latest. Anyone else finding the same?

I have the same behavior. Most likely, this switch does not affect anything yet and apparently a firmware update is needed to support this setting on the device side. The manufacturer's website only has one from 2024.01.29

 

[giraffe]

The firmware has appeared on the chinese site.

Post in thread 'On the Distortion of Cirrus Logic CS431xx-Based Devices: A Comparative Review'

Aug 29, 2025

Tanchjim has also rolled out their DRE firmware update. Just update both the firmware and the app, and you'll find the DRE toggle in the app. The catch is, it's not on the official English site yet—you can only grab it from the Chinese official site. Here's the link:https://tanchjim.com/services/

• creepy crow

• 

If you have problems with the utility not seeing the firmware file, try removing Chinese characters from the folder names.

 

[giraffe]

Spoiler: PC sofware

I didn't even know that there was software for PC.

After updating the firmware, the DRE setting is saved. It remains to be seen whether it works. Perhaps someone can check the corresponding tests or measurements.

 

[badboygolf16v]

Thanks for the tip on the firmware, I've updated it successfully now.

I still don't know whether I should enable the setting or not!

 

[Rotiv]

Thanks for the tip on the firmware, I've updated it successfully now.

I still don't know whether I should enable the setting or not!

If turned on, it reduces distortion. It would be great if someone measured to confirm.

 

[badboygolf16v]

It's not totally clear from the info on the app what it does. I'd prefer it if it was just DRE on (bad) DRE off (good).

I'm assuming Tanchjim app DRE Optimisation On means DRE off.

 

[giraffe]

Spoiler: FW update

Now we can update the firmware via the Tanchjim PC software (v1.0.0.9).
I haven't tested how well this update method works because I already have the latest firmware.

 

[MusicLover2112]

I thought I had already upgraded the firmware, but I had version 5 installed and the software offered version 9 (which I installed successfully). Thanks for the head's up, giraffe.

 

[nightskyyozora]

Just installed the PC version of the driver to control gain and filter, very excited as I do not own an Android phone.

 

[Rotiv]

I've already updated the firmware, after several days of listening I prefer the NOS filter, DRE off (on), Upsampled to 384khz

 

[Mr.Christiee]

Neither of those stories were about me - they were hypothetical, for illustrative purposes.

Too many people don't know just how common some preeeetty toxic byproducts are in manufacturing. In places where regulations are lax (or places the government has declared itself an enemy of the place the products are being shipped........), whichever the motive (saving money, saving time, inflicting ), those toxins can end up in products.

Maybe a toxin can be incorporated into plastic... If that plastic is a fork and is used to eat very hot food, that could be bad. If it's plastic and is used to make the basket of a cheap woofer to be used in a mini audio system, that's not as bad... But it is bad later on, when that item is sent to a landfill, or worse - recycled into beverage or food containers!!



I agree, VientoB! Back to the topic of the excellent Tanchjim Space, hopefully those two posts inform or informed people to be more careful with the things they buy, and as a result they don't get some weird disease or hormonal imbalance or something before they even hit midlife!

I got the Kiwi Ears - Allegro Mini for a friend recently - it's a bit cheaper and one less CS43131, but more the shape and design for his use case:
View attachment 430637
Pretty cool! Also has a balanced out. I think it peaks at 2V though (not a problem, his 'phones are under 50 ohms)

Is the Kiwi Allegro Mini a CS43131 chip?? I couldn't find any information on their webpage! Is it possible for it to have a balanced output using only one DAC chip? All the other CS43131 with balanced output seem to use dual chips.

 

[CedarX]

Is the Kiwi Allegro Mini a CS43131 chip?? I couldn't find any information on their webpage! Is it possible for it to have a balanced output using only one DAC chip? All the other CS43131 with balanced output seem to use dual chips.

KTmicro KT02H20. The 4.4mm output is for convenience only, it’s the same as the 3.5mm.

 

[mike7877]

Is the Kiwi Allegro Mini a CS43131 chip?? I couldn't find any information on their webpage! Is it possible for it to have a balanced output using only one DAC chip? All the other CS43131 with balanced output seem to use dual chips.

Yes it's a single CS43131 wired to 4.4mm + 3.5mm.

It should be on is not on the product page that it's a CS43131.

You might want to go with a dual 43131 option if you've got higher impedance headphones (>100 ohms), as you'll be able to get 4V output instead of 2V, giving quadruple the power, or +6dB output

edit: I've got the Tanchjim Space with 2x CS43131 in series, and it drives my Sennheiser HD650s to the level I want 99% of the time. If I was into more bass heavy music, it'd be 93-95% of the time (it doesn't clip anywhere in the output, just the output can't be driven as far)

Looks like the CS43131 is good for up to 29mA, so two of them in series should be able to push a 64 ohm load to about 60 milliwatts