Tanchjim Stargate II: DSP CS43131 dongle

[Matias]

Got my Tanchjim Stargate II dongle today. It is a CS43131 based dongle with built in DSP, and has mic support for 38 USD.

I have been playing with the PEQ in the Tanchjim app and seems to be working fine. It saves the PEQ to the dongle so it works without the app later. So far so good!

This particular PEQ should bring the Truthear Zero Red close to the Meta target.

 

[Matias]

To be fair the app install is far from mainstream yet. First I searched for it on Google Play Store, it was not there. Then I searched on the Tanchjim website, found a QR code and downloaded it. But in order to open and install I had to enter 2 different security settings to allow installing apps from the internet, that they were not secure etc.

Once installed, the first time opening there came 2 notification windows all in Chinese with 2 button options in Chinese as well. I had no clue what was written there so I clicked whatever to get rid of the notification windows. Hopefully I did not sell my soul or something.

Once inside the app labels were in English and easy to figure out where to enter the PEQ parameters and save. There are lots of preset EQs by genre and to enhance their own IEMs, which I did not use.

But more impressive is the community sharing of EQs, which requires to create an account etc, which I also did not do, but still I am pleasantly surprised by the effort.

Overall all would be good if the app was in the Google Play Store in system default language. @Tanchjim congrats.

 

[BeeKay]

Is there a working app for iOS? There isn’t one for the Space.

 

[Matias]

Is there a working app for iOS? There isn’t one for the Space.

Both iOS and Android.

APP Services-TANCHJIM

TANCHJIM is a professional audio brand that was established in 2015. The company specializes in the ...

www.tanchjimaudio.com

Forgot to mention that for some reason there is no direct link to download them. I had to download the QR image, Google Lens to check the link and then download.

 

[BeeKay]

Forgot to mention that for some reason there is no direct link to download them. I had to download the QR image, Google Lens to check the link and then download.

That's really the problem with Tanchjim. The hardware convinces all along the line, but as soon as it comes to software such as apps or firmware, it gets complicated. Just the detour you described - first download the QR code, then read the link with Google Lens and finally start the download - is cumbersome and not user-friendly. There would definitely be potential for optimization.

 

[Matias]

Agreed. As is it right now I would only recommend the app (and therefore the dongle itself) for more advanced users willing to jump all the obstacles to get to audio nirvana.

 

[CedarX]

About the Tanchjim app...

The Stargate II appears to be based on a TTGK module. The USB bridge / DSP chip is the CBHT-Audio CB5100pro, and it is WalkPlay enabled (CBHT is a sister Company or is part of TTGK, as well as WalkPlay).
I wouldn't claim that the WalkPlay Android app is much better than the Tanchjim app--you still have to register on their website, login, and it needs a live web connection to set the PEQ--but at least, it has a few more features not exposed in the Tanchjim app:

First you have those preset (not very interesting IMO), but you also have access to the 8x PEQ (peak) filters. Side note: is it the Android device I use, a HiBy M300 DAP, or the Tanchjim app only shows 7 of the alleged 8 filters?

Here are the extras:

I haven't checked the mic. gain. I believe the CB5100 has a stereo ADC, but only one is connected to the mic. input, or they are in parallel.
You also get to choose between 5 DAC digital reconstruction filters (EDIT: one of them is NOS), Class H/AB mode, Low/High gain, and L/R balance.
There is also an OTA FW upgrade: there was an upgrade available on mine, upgraded to V0.6 with no issue.

The WalkPlay webapp, https://peq.szwalkplay.com/ is another option for the PEQ. You need a Chromium-based browser (with support for the HID API), but you still have to register and login. In its current stage, not all the features of the Android app are available on the WalkPlay webapp.

The last option is/will be @Jeromeof webapp, https://www.pragmaticaudio.com/headphones/ (in Beta):

I think it's only enabled for the FiiO JA11 at this point. But eventually, if your HP/IEM measurements are in the database, you could use the AutoEQ feature and "Push" the calculated PEQ filters directly to Stargate-II (or any HW-based PEQ device supported by the WebApp).
I believe you could also use the webapp to enter/adjust the PEQ filters & filter-type manually and push them to the device.

So the little glass windows of the Stargate-II is actually a good hint that there is a lot more going on under the hood of these "dongles"... Something to be mindful of when evaluating / measuring these devices.

 

[Jeromeof]

The last option is/will be @Jeromeof webapp, https://www.pragmaticaudio.com/headphones/ (in Beta):

I bought a few more devices and tested them this week (including the Tanchjim Bunny DSP) so will be updating support pretty soon and I have shared it with some of the maintainers of the various Cringraph / Squig.link instances so hopefully support for connecting your PEQ hardware will become much easier.

So, I should have FiiO, various Walkplay and Tanchjim supported probably next week.

I might put together a technical post on ASR on the various USB API's used and how to capture them either with a hardware device ( which I bought ) or via capturing the WebHID commands inside Chrome.

 

[CedarX]

I might put together a technical post on ASR on the various USB API's used and how to capture them either with a hardware device ( which I bought ) or via capturing the WebHID commands inside Chrome.

Would love to see it !!!
But…

So, I should have FiiO, various Walkplay and Tanchjim supported probably next week.

I still wonder how much traction this will get...
This very thread will be a great example: Stargate-II’s main differentiation over many other dongles (especially at this price point) are IMO the DSP features.

I believe the next big thing to solve for Headphones and IEMs is the personalization of the FR: for example, pick one these super-low distortion IEMs that fits you comfortably, push your tailored, personal, PEQ onto the hardware, and that’s it! Problem solved… enjoy your music !!!
The ASR community—I don’t have much faith in the broader “audiophile” community (Stargate-II power is too weak and it’s way too cheap ) should be all over these DSP-enabled dongles, IEMs, TWS, DAC etc. and corresponding PEQ software… They’re not.

So, is Amir (to pick on him) correct in thinking that DSP, PEQ… belongs “upstream”, Roon server, Tidal…?
If yes, then what’s the point of Stargate-II: another CS43131-based dongle with, most likely, good performances, but not enough power and useless features?

 

[Jeromeof]

The ASR community—I don’t have much faith in the broader “audiophile” community (Stargate-II power is too weak and it’s way too cheap ) should be all over these DSP-enabled dongles, IEMs, TWS, DAC etc. and corresponding PEQ software… They’re not.

You are probably right - but my assumption with PEQ up to now is that it is just too difficult for many people to understand and use. I think even on ASR - entering and tweaking the filters "numbers" even in a well designed App (like Roon) is both time consumer and often people can get the numbers transposed. And I know other people hate exporting "files" and importing them, even ignoring the fact that there are different files formats for different apps.

I personally switch around headphones and IEM's all the time and I switch devices depending on what I am working on (iPhones, Macbooks, a windows Laptop and even an Android DAP) and having the right PEQ built into a cable that is cheap enough to "permanently" be attached to the headphone or IEM is a fantastic benefit.

So, I am hoping with this little tool that it can help popularlise both PEQ and the benefits of "permanently" altering the sound of whatever headphone (within obvious power limits) or IEM they want, such that people can then mostly forget about having to keep switching the software PEQ configuration.

 

[cscs54cs]

You are probably right - but my assumption with PEQ up to now is that it is just too difficult for many people to understand and use. I think even on ASR - entering and tweaking the filters "numbers" even in a well designed App (like Roon) is both time consumer and often people can get the numbers transposed. And I know other people hate exporting "files" and importing them, even ignoring the fact that there are different files formats for different apps.

I personally switch around headphones and IEM's all the time and I switch devices depending on what I am working on (iPhones, Macbooks, a windows Laptop and even an Android DAP) and having the right PEQ built into a cable that is cheap enough to "permanently" be attached to the headphone or IEM is a fantastic benefit.

So, I am hoping with this little tool that it can help popularlise both PEQ and the benefits of "permanently" altering the sound of whatever headphone (within obvious power limits) or IEM they want, such that people can then mostly forget about having to keep switching the software PEQ configuration.

The website is a hidden gem! I played with it and am super excited about this tool. Chi-fi companies make fantastic hardware, but the software is just bad. And installing an apk on an android phone is just ridiculous. Thanks a lot for making it. Just want to report some bugs on the website. Sorry if I am doing it in the wrong place. Somehow the frequency read from tanchjim bunny dsp cable is 2x of what showing on their app. also the type was empty instead of PK. But at this point I don't know if this is a bug on the website or Tanchjim APP lol.

 

[Jeromeof]

The website is a hidden gem! I played with it and am super excited about this tool. Chi-fi companies make fantastic hardware, but the software is just bad. And installing an apk on an android phone is just ridiculous. Thanks a lot for making it. Just want to report some bugs on the website. Sorry if I am doing it in the wrong place. Somehow the frequency read from tanchjim bunny dsp cable is 2x of what showing on their app. also the type was empty instead of PK. But at this point I don't know if this is a bug on the website or Tanchjim APP lol.

Thanks I will fix these over the next few days

 

[JeffGB]

I've just ordered one of these little things, today. I'm planning on using it on my PC as well as an Nvidia Shield Pro streamer, because I can't get an app for the Nvidia that does PEQ. My speakers aren't great without EQ (JBL Studio 630) so I use my streaming services through my PC so that my EqualizerAPO works. The problem is, streaming services don't allow full resolution of videos when viewed on PC. I guess they are afraid of copying. Anyway, I'll get good sound with EQ and better video quality for the price of a cable. I've installed the EQ app on my Iphone, and will see what happens when I try the Tanchjim, when I receive it. If it actually works the way I hope it does, I'll post the results.

 

[cscs54cs]

I've just ordered one of these little things, today. I'm planning on using it on my PC as well as an Nvidia Shield Pro streamer, because I can't get an app for the Nvidia that does PEQ. My speakers aren't great without EQ (JBL Studio 630) so I use my streaming services through my PC so that my EqualizerAPO works. The problem is, streaming services don't allow full resolution of videos when viewed on PC. I guess they are afraid of copying. Anyway, I'll get good sound with EQ and better video quality for the price of a cable. I've installed the EQ app on my Iphone, and will see what happens when I try the Tanchjim, when I receive it. If it actually works the way I hope it does, I'll post the results.

I am almost sure the tanchjim stargate 2 EQ doesn't work with the iOS app. You have to set it use the android app or the website mentioned above. it will save to the dongle after set. So you are fine, just the iOS part won't work

 

[JanL]

I bought one of these and got it today. It worked for a few minutes and now it's going into some sort of low frequency oscillation. That happened right after I connected to it using the pragmaticaudio.com tool.

Anyone know how to do a reset on it?

 

[Jeromeof]

I bought one of these and got it today. It worked for a few minutes and now it's going into some sort of low frequency oscillation. That happened right after I connected to it using the pragmaticaudio.com tool.

Anyone know how to do a reset on it?

Sorry to hear that my tool caused a problem. I haven't got the Stargate II yet (so I havent' had a chance to debug it yet) but I did notice it has 8 filters instead of 5 so I will push an update to my website which might fix this issue.

But I think you can reset it in the Tanchim Android App if you have access.

 

[Adornix_jitz]

how many custum PEQ profiles can you save on that tanchjim (or can I modify the presets)? and is there a difference between the walkplay and tanchjim app?

coz I really need different profiles for different genres ^^

 

[JanL]

I don't know if your tool was the culprit.
I tried to install the app but my phone is refusing to install it based on security settings. Is there a workaround, and is it really smart to install an unsafe app?

 

[Jeromeof]

how many custum PEQ profiles can you save on that tanchjim (or can I modify the presets)? and is there a difference between the walkplay and tanchjim app?

coz I really need different profiles for different genres ^^

The 2 Tanchjim devices I have currently only have 5 filters, but I did notice the latest ones have 8 filters.

And yes the Walkplay and Tanchjim App are different and the device use a similar but different protocol.

Is there a workaround, and is it really smart to install an unsafe app?

I don't know as I haven't tried the Stargate II yet. Mostly I decided to build this tool because almost all of the available App are very poor but I do need to test the various usb-c devices with my tool just to be sure I am setting the write values.

Here are some of the DSP enabled dongles I bought to test with the tool:

And here are the current cables:

 

[JanL]

Sorry to hear that my tool caused a problem. I haven't got the Stargate II yet (so I havent' had a chance to debug it yet) but I did notice it has 8 filters instead of 5 so I will push an update to my website which might fix this issue.

But I think you can reset it in the Tanchim Android App if you have access.

I think I got it fixed. When you push to the device from your app, some of the PEQ bands get populated with the default web app settings of 0Hz and Q of 0. That causes the DSP to go into some sort of loop.
I connected a few times and pulled the settings, which resulted in 8 bands being displayed, but half of the bands had the zeros in frequency column. I typed in realistic frequency values, small gain of 0.1dB per band and pushed again and now it works fine.

If you can, make the default EQ values non zero for frequency and Q in your app.