Select Comparisons
FiiO KA5
Technical
The KA5 is one of FiiO’s top sellers and it may be because it brings to the table high value, good sound, and many features. It kind of reminds me of the Alpha XI1 in many ways and is one of my favorite dongles in this price range.
There are many similarities between the two starting with the dual CS43198 setup. The FiiO KA5 does have one feature in this area that the Alpha XI1 doesn’t have and that’s the switchable class H or AB mode that can either opt to use both DAC chips or just go easy on power consumption.
The KA5 also uses dual amplifier chips, in this case, a pair of SGM8261. These chips do take a power output hit and are not as potent as the SGM8262 set.
For comparative purposes, the Alpha power output can hit 500mW at 32Ω and the FiiO KA5 can reach a max output of 256mW at the same impedance.
Other similarities are that they both have a similarly sized screen, an app that on the FiiO offering includes more features versus the Eddict Player. Both do PCM and DSD formats but neither do MQA. They’re both similarly PC, Android, and iOS compatible as well.
Design
To elaborate some more on these two models’ similarities, both models employ a metal body with heatsink fins on each side and endcaps that house the same basic I/O. Both models employ 4.4mm and 3.5mm connectors and a USB-C connection on the input side.
The KA5 is way smaller and that’s one advantage it has over the Alpha XI1. The Alpha XI1 has a more luxurious look to it but I’d give the KA5 longevity points because of the XI1 leatherette back which has me worried that one day it will depreciate or take the rubber coating route which is unpleasant. Hopefully not.
Performance
The KA5 can give the Alpha tight competition in detail, width of soundstage, and tonal accuracy as well. It’s also capable of producing a similar amount of power, even though the KA5 has a lower output rating on paper and is the smallest model in this comparison.
These two models are similar and the small stature of the KA5 could be a determining factor at the end of the day but the XI1 has the edge in output capacity at the end of the day.
They both use the same DAC, but another area in which the KA5 has an edge is with the accompanying app which includes a couple of extra features.
But sonically speaking if I had to choose one, I’d toss a coin. I’d probably choose the KA5 for sensitive IEMs and the XI1 for insensitive models.
MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2: Ti
Technical
Craftsmanship costs cash. This is the concept here. The MOONRIVER 2: TI costs a bit more but it’s mostly because it’s an artistic concept design with modern innards. There are many similarities internally between these two dongles but none whatsoever on the outside.
The MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2: Ti has the same dual CS43198, dual mono topology but switches over to a pair of LM6863D amplifiers in a four-channel configuration which is the main internal component difference.
Outer shell differences aside, both these models perform well with PCM and DSD formats and have the same I/O. The MOONRIVER 2: TI also has onboard volume controls but it lacks a screen and a features menu. It’s the straightforward model in this comparison.
Design
When you hold the MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2: TI in your hands, it feels substantial because it feels like a hefty piece of metal, almost like a small bullion bar. It’s a hunk of metal with a precisely machined body with a MOONRIVER motif.
But the design is artistic, more so than the first MOONRIVER 2: Ti which had some rough edges and sharp corners. One drawback of the new design is that it gained some weight.
However, compared to the utilitarian look of some other dongles, this one is the antithesis of an eyesore.
The MOONRIVER 2: TI also has a glass on the rear that lets you peek at the internal electronic components, and I must say, looking at the soldering work, I can tell lots of care and skill were implemented to make this dongle.
Performance
When I A/B compared these sonically, I immediately got a sense of smoothness, particularly in the high frequencies from the MOONRIVER 2: TI.
It seems to have a gentle side and is best for IEMs that have mid or high-frequency peaky areas. The ONIX Alpha XI1 is the best for hardcore drivability.
The Alpha XI1 is certainly the more powerful dongle and although the MOONRIVER 2: TI can push some large full-size headphones, I would still consider the XI1 better for that purpose.
The MOONRIVER 2: TI does have a precise soundstage but it seems smaller, in contrast to the Alpha XI1 which can produce a wider soundstage but at a small loss of focus.
Shanling UA4
Technical
The Shanling UA4 takes a different approach and uses a single flagship ES9069Q DAC and although Shanling only uses one chip, they still managed to make the UA4 the most digital-format capable dongle in this comparison because it is MQA capable on top of being PCM and DSD ready.
Both these models use the Eddict player app but ironically one provides more features than the other. For example, the UA4 has eight available digital filters versus the six available when connected to the Alpha XI1.
Both these models are firmware upgradable but not through the app. You have to download each file from their respective website and execute the process on a PC.
Design
The Shanling UA4 is one of the best-looking dongles around. The construction is all-meta and every corner is round and has a countersunk area with a trapezoid frame that encases the .87-inch screen. The back is covered with a glass that’s easy to clean and is also scratch-resistant.
The I/O is the same on all these models but the UA4 has the best feeling buttons within this group of dongles, and to be honest, the worst are the ones incorporated into the XI1.
They feel a bit low-budget, creak at times operating the volume specifically, and perhaps the only advantage they have is that they’re the largest and the best looking.
Performance
Fuller, bigger, and with more bass is how I would describe the overall sonic characteristics of the Shanling UA4. I also like the presence of the bass response and it seems to have an improved transient response in that region but it stops there.
Overall, the XI1 seems smoother but more vivid, and the midrange area is produced with an increased presence. That’s probably the source of so much detail that’s being produced by the Alpha XI1.
Where the UA4 falls short, no pun intended is at the height of the soundstage. The overall size it produces seems to have the same width, and depth but the top seems to remain at eyeball level within the soundstage. The XI1 is taller in representation.
My Verdict
OXIX hit the ball out of the park with the Alpha XI1 and surprisingly, I have to remind the reader that this is their first crack at this gear segment.
The Alpha XI1 is one of the best-sounding dongle DACs around or below the $200 price point at the moment.
ONIX used modern-day tech within a miniature ONIX classic Black and Gold metal chassis to make it happen. Add to that the features list and there’s not much to complain about.
ONIX Alpha XI1 Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: 64 x 32 x 14mm
- Weight: 38g
- Hi-Res support: 32bit / 768kHz / DSD256
- Gain: Low and high gain
- Display: 0.89-inch Monochromatic
- Controls: 3 hardware multifunctional buttons
- Input: standard USB-C connector
- Compatibility: Android / iOS / Windows / MAC OS /
- 5mm SE
- Output power: 2.4V @ 32Ω (180mW @32Ω)
- Output impedance: 0.4Ω4
- 4mm Balanced
- Output power: 4V @ 32Ω (500mW @ 32Ω)
- Output impedance: 0.8Ω
- THD-N: 0.0005% @32Ω A-weighted
- Dynamic range: 129db @32Ω A-weighted
- Channel separation: 99db
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 129db @32Ω A-weighted
