![]() ![]() The underside of the metal housing is magnetic, which acts as a nifty means of cable management when connected to a smartphone. The long, flexible cable ensures either end isn’t yanked on too hard when taken in or out of a pocket. It has a thin metal housing and is longer and narrower than the average USB stick. The THX Onyx is sleek and easy to use and boasts a few quality of life features that make managing an external dongle DAC less cumbersome. However, a quality DAC and amp combo on its own can make even a low-quality Spotify stream and entry-level headphones sound noticeably better. This includes the encoding of the music and how it is mastered, as well as the headphones you’re using. Keep in mind there are other factors along the chain that impact sound quality. There are many audiophile-grade dongle DACs on the market at various price points with the most popular one being the DragonFly Red from AudioQuest and the recently released Astell&Kern’s USB-C Dual DAC, both of which were used to compare and contrast the performance of the THX Onyx. It’s also trickier to incorporate a higher quality DAC into a phone because it tends to be more sensitive to interference from other parts of the phone such as the integrated 4G/5G modem. Meanwhile, a cheap USB-C to a 3.5mm headphone adapter (or Lightning to 3.5mm for iPhone) can oftentimes sound worse.Īudiophile-grade dongle DACs such as the THX Onyx is designed to significantly improve the quality of sound sent to a pair of wired headphones or earbuds, and the amp is powerful enough to drive a large pair of headphones. ![]() As such, manufacturers often skimp on the DAC and amplifier to save on costs. The problem is that the amplification and DAC components found in those devices are pretty average, resulting in compromises in sound quality as well as unwanted noise.Ī hyper-converged device like a smartphone, for instance, has to perform many other functions. This includes smartphones, tablets, laptops and Bluetooth headphones. If your device makes a sound then it already has a DAC and amplifier. Wait, what is a DAC and why should I care?įor the uninitiated, a DAC and amplifier sit between the digital file being played and your ears, turning the digital information into an electronic analogue signal you need to hear sound. Yes (Mac, PC, Android), no mic on iPhone/iPad THX Onyx DAC amplifier with THX AAA™ Website ![]()
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