Pixel USB-C Audio out measurements (Stepped sine tests added 1/24))

[philpoe]

Cheap Realtek DACs

Looking at the results for the Realtek USB DAC, I clicked the link to see the item on ebay.
Looking at the Basevs logo on the DAC, I recalled seeing it on Amazon.
It's available for less there. A 2-pack is available for $19.99. Given that the new Google Dongle is $12, some people may be interested.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B47SWJ4/

Additionally, I kept reading about Airsfish dongles, which claim to have a Realtek chip, and may behave the same as the Basevs.
They have a 2-pack for a similar price, but poor reviews. People not minding a gamble may want to try their single item for $5.90
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G2PNMRB/

Another one seen is CONMDEX, a little less expensive for a 2-pack at $16.90
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07GN8X5RL

 

[jickbahtech]

Early testing between the original Pixel dongle and the new dongle, the new dongle seems to be a slightly poorer performer on my G7 and OP6. I also can't get the new dongle amp to trigger a higher impedance mode, but none of my gear is over 100ohm.

 

[cstark27]

Early testing between the original Pixel dongle and the new dongle, the new dongle seems to be a slightly poorer performer on my G7 and OP6. I also can't get the new dongle amp to trigger a higher impedance mode, but none of my gear is over 100ohm.

@mistemuse do you use a splitter? I just tested the Y-Splitter trick and while it did get more volume like before, it definitely wasn't as loud as the V1 dongle. Straight to the V1 and V2 dongle still seems like the same volume to me on 24ohm headphones..Maybe I just don't have the ear for that small of a difference. Oh well, conclusive results hopefully come soon.

 

[jickbahtech]

@mistemuse do you use a splitter? I just tested the Y-Splitter trick and while it did get more volume like before, it definitely wasn't as loud as the V1 dongle. Straight to the V1 and V2 dongle still seems like the same volume to me on 24ohm headphones..Maybe I just don't have the ear for that small of a difference. Oh well, conclusive results hopefully come soon.

I did a direct line and split with my sennhesier 599's. The v1 pixel dongle was fiddly it wouldn't always trigger, but I could usually get it to shift to a higher amp output. The v2 dongle on my G7 doesn't seem to change. The v2 dongle on my OP6 running the pie beta gets quieter when I use the y adapter.

 

[mistemuse]

@mistemuse do you use a splitter? I just tested the Y-Splitter trick and while it did get more volume like before, it definitely wasn't as loud as the V1 dongle.

No I haven't but will order one soon. I did try the extension cable trick that worked great for the LG V30 and it worked as well for my Pixel2XL, but after 10-15 minutes it starts to cut-out so I abandoned that idea. As far as the lower volume on the V2, I played a track that was mastered really low at full volume on V1, and then switch to V2. That is where you really notice the output difference.

 

[MrMeeseeks]

Anyone else notice audio skipping with v2 when locking/unlocking? It doesn't happen every time but I don't remember this behaviour with the original.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs

 

[SubZeroNexii]

I want to order this (https://www.hidizs.net/products/dac-cable) for my mi mix 2s.

What do you guys think about it?

 

[mistemuse]

I want to order this (https://www.hidizs.net/products/dac-cable) for my mi mix 2s.

What do you guys think about it?

I have this, and using with my Pixel 2 XL, and it is now my number one dongle. I must have tried at least 7-8 different USB dongles since using this phone. It is clear, crisp, flat sounding and even has enough output to drive my lower mastered vinyl rips on my SE846's. I now have a mate to go with my Dragonfly, but with half the weight and much less of a power hog. Well done Hidizs.

 

[SubZeroNexii]

I have this, and using with my Pixel 2 XL, and it is now my number one dongle. I must have tried at least 7-8 different USB dongles since using this phone. It is clear, crisp, flat sounding and even has enough output to drive my lower mastered vinyl rips on my SE846's. I now have a mate to go with my Dragonfly, but with half the weight and much less of a power hog. Well done Hidizs.

Thanks for the reply. If you say it's this good I'll probably buy one. I'm pretty sure you can't find anything better at that price.

 

[g0at1]

Thanks, I ordered one to test it out.

Were you able to test it already?

 

[bjrmd]

Were you able to test it already?

I just got it last night and looked at just a couple of things before getting on a flight.

The output impedance is about 6 ohms, much higher than the old one. Definitely a problem for multi transducer iem's.

Interestingly, the alsa parameters are much different and it supports both recording and playback at 44 and 48 k sample rates. The original only supported 48k playback.


Will give it a through evaluation in about a week.

 

[Navanod]

I want to order this (link removed) for my mi mix 2s.

What do you guys think about it?

I have this, and using with my Pixel 2 XL, and it is now my number one dongle. I must have tried at least 7-8 different USB dongles since using this phone. It is clear, crisp, flat sounding and even has enough output to drive my lower mastered vinyl rips on my SE846's. I now have a mate to go with my Dragonfly, but with half the weight and much less of a power hog. Well done Hidizs.

I just received this in the mail after reading about this on another forum. Worked right out of the box with Pixel 2 XL.
Compared to the stock Pixel 2 dongle, it's better built and better sounding IMHO. More soundstage, even better clarity/details and more "lively" (warmer than Pixel's?) subjectively.

And that's compared to the optimal Pixel dongle after jumping through hoops using Neutron MP to workaround the gain issue. Yes, for a bundled dongle, the Pixel 2's sounds pretty good with the proper gain settings. But it's extremely annoying to be playing music and reading social media on the train, and playing a video on FB, only to have the video play through the phone's speaker while music continue on the headphone.

Not sure what the output impedance is but it definitely has more power as well. The Hidizs volume via hardware gain + direct USB Access (for an apple to apple comparison) at 20-25% gain is able to match the stock dongle's 60-70%. I'm now running it at around 50% on device volume without direct USB Access to get the same volume.

For $29USD with free shipping, there's no reason to live with the stock dongle's pain. Just remember to flash it to V2.0 and then "Pure Music D" firmware for best performance.

 

[bjrmd]

Test of the New Google DAC:

Impedance 6 ohms
Max voltage just under 1 V but .3 volt with low impedance headset
Crosstalk no load 70 dB
Crosstalk with load (SE846) about 40 dB:

Distortion banding Optimized (max android volume, cut the digital DAC gain to adjust voltage)

Not optimized (pure stock):

They are now the same!!

If you read my posts from the initial Pixel 2 tests, the OS set the digital gain to max, thereby creating distortion banding at lower volume settings. This apparently has been fixed in Pie. I also checked the old G dongle and HTC adapter and the new behavior is proper with no difference in banding using my gain control app (which is now not really needed unless monitoring Spl).


Back to the new G dongle vs old one:

• Output voltage a bit less with line out but only .3 V with low impedance headphones (tested 16 ohm)
• Higher output impedance (not good with low impedance multi driver IEM's)
• Crosstalk not as good with low impedance IEM
• Distortion banding about the same

The gain optimization in Pie is really a nice development. The Dragonfly Red still won't put out full voltage in stock mode but my app still can take care of that.


Edit--I did some further tests and unfortunately the gain optimization only seems to work with line in mode, not with a "forced" headset scenario.

 

[danzel]

Yep Google DAC v1 is still better: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...attle-of-google-pixel-headphone-dongles.4863/

 

[bjrmd]

Yep Google DAC v1 is still better: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...attle-of-google-pixel-headphone-dongles.4863/

Thanks!
But the tester did not use any DAC digital gain optimizations which would produce different results at low outputs.
Also, a problem with many (most) cell phone's on board DAC (including LG 32 bit) is the poor crosstalk from grounding issues.

 

[sand_bit]

On the "Hi-Fi" type c dac/amp space, we now have the:

1. Nextdrive Spectra Type C (ESS 9018 dac/amp, check amazon for $149), they disappointingly decided to raise prices from $99 to $149 which makes it an instant no.
2. Musiland MU1 (cirrus 42l42 dac/amp, check penonaudio for $35), quite well reviewed
3. Musiland MU2 Plus (cirrus 43130 dac/amp, MU2 has been discontinued, check taobao NON AFFILIATE LINK for $86 on Nov 11)
   
   Measurements of the MU2 can be found at here behind a login wall, apparently measures quite well​
4. Nanjiangyuan Gen 3 (Realtek ALC4040, check taobao NON AFFLIATE LINK for $15)

Edit: the MU2 normal edition (non-plus) is apparently still selling, and Musiland Customer service claims on their forums that there is no fundamental difference between the plus and non-plus editions, with the plus edition available to resellers due to "psychological demand" and to raise the selling price.

Some might be worth checking out, as they should be theoretically capable (barring some design mistakes or high output impedance) of outputting transparent sound.

 

[Galactus]

Any plans to test Apple's USB C to 3.5mm dongle?

 

[bjrmd]

Thanks, great idea.
On order for next week and some testing.

 

[JNavas2]

Review of Razer Usb Dac

I had high hopes for this but testing was very disappointing.
...
Summary

• Razer Dac is much larger in size and weight.
• Impedance relatively high.
• Crosstalk very good
• Output average for class (about 1 V)
• Distortion bands even at optimized Dac digital gain and low outputs--worst in my testing so far.
• Going back to Amazon!

With respect, color me skeptical.
That would not pass THX certification, and the Razer adapter is THX certified.
Testing results can be sensitive to testing configuration and equipment,
and something in your setup might be affecting your results,
especially given your distortion results on other devices.
I've not run rigorous tests,
but my subjective impression of the Razer adapter is quite positive.

 

[bjrmd]

With respect, color me skeptical.
That would not pass THX certification, and the Razer adapter is THX certified.
Testing results can be sensitive to testing configuration and equipment,
and something in your setup might be affecting your results,
especially given your distortion results on other devices.
I've not run rigorous tests,
but my subjective impression of the Razer adapter is quite positive.

Sure, you are certainly free to believe what you want.
I triple checked everything and compared to the Dragonfly red and Google DAC at the same time, same equipment.