Hmmm...is this supposed to be some kind of competitor to Audioquest’s Dragonfly Red? I’m a huge fan of THX, but how come you don’t state if it’s a 24 or 32-bit ESS DAC? The two products are the same price, both support MQA, but yet Audioquest’s product works with both Apple camera adapters and states it’s a 32-bit DAC chip. Please let us know some more info so I can choose between the two!
Straight from Andrew Mason (the guy in the video) For PCM, THX Onyx's ES9281 supports maximum 32-bit and 384 kHz input. For DSD, THX Onyx supports DoP 64 and DoP 128 input. For MQA, the app (Tidal, UAPP, etc) acts as MQA decoder and outputs a partially-unfolded 88.2/96 kHz, 24-bit output. (In MQA applications like this when Decoder/Renderer are separated, the MQA protocol ensures audio sample rate and bit depth is always decoded and normalized to 88.2/96 24-bit for transport regardless of whether the source is 44.1k Master, 88.2k Master, 96k Master, 176.4k Master, etc.) THX Onyx's ES9281 receives the standard 88.2/96 kHz 24-bit, then finishes the unfold, then 8x up-samples it within the DAC to 705.6/768 kHz before digital-to-analog conversion.
Ok, THX LTD. Did I mention that's your deep note sound give us nightmares as kids from our childhood? And also, can I suggest that you making a THX trailer for Horror Movies? My suggestion when the THX logo showed up, they'll be jumpscares.
Portable dac is convenient, but the small size makes me wonder about performance for pc. I hope Razer to collaborate with thx to make a DAC or sound card for pc. just like they build once before barracuda
Could you explain please how does the Onyx decode MQA with smartphone when the smartphone itself doesn't decode MQA? The phones sends 44khz signals only, the Onyx can't take cd quality and make it MQA, that's not how it works
Straight from Andrew Mason Phones are capable of sending higher than 44.1/48 kHz to external DACs. Several phone apps (USB Audio Player Pro for Android, Tidal for iPhone, etc) are capable of outputting bit-perfect high res audio, higher than 44.1 kHz. For MQA playback, the app (Tidal on iOS, UAPP on Android, etc) acts as MQA decoder and outputs a partially-unfolded 88.2/96 kHz, 24-bit output. (In MQA applications like this when Decoder/Renderer are separated, the MQA protocol ensures audio sample rate and bit depth is always decoded and normalized to 88.2/96 24-bit for transport regardless of whether the source is 44.1k Master, 88.2k Master, 96k Master, 176.4k Master, etc.) THX Onyx's ES9281 receives the standard 88.2/96 kHz 24-bit, then finishes the unfold, then 8x up-samples it within the DAC to 705.6/768 kHz before digital-to-analog conversion.
@@THXLtd cool but this is marketed as plug and play. It doesn't say anywhere that i need to install a third party software like USB audio player pro to get MQA from my android
@@CaptHotah "THX Onyx can connect to an MQA core signal - in global streaming service apps such as TIDAL". Its in the marketing material. The SOURCE needs to be able to output MQA - Practically speaking that's Tidal. Probably not worth doing unless you have 'audiophile' grade headphones.
Does it have custom silicone in it or is it just a rebaged dac/amp using an ESS or Ak chip like many others??? Also it doesn't do the thing most people want which is you can't charge the phone while using it.. So. The phone goes flatter faster and then you need to disconnect your headphones to plug in an external battery or charger...
I cannot put this in my pocket to enhance my music experience on my Bose Quiet comfort earbuds as wireless headsets have been excluded from this great invention. Please tell me I am incorrect. Best part of this video was the THX signature sound at the end... On my home cinema I was more than anxious for the next sequel or should that be prequel of the George ( Disney...) Lucas blockbuster Star Wars to commence with a drum roll and horn section to equal your closing words. Looking forward to the Bluetooth version whilst sitting on the edge of my seat with baited breathe!
I have a pair of Drop Panda's on route currently. Seeing as they already have the THX AAA amps built in would there be much need for me to own this as well? I'm planning on using them with my Samsung Galaxy note 10 and I use TIDAL. So is the only way to get MQA files on the go a DAC such as this?
Yes, Onyx + Panda is a good pairing. Onyx will give the benefit of more power than the standard amplifier inside of Panda. Also, Onyx will unlock MQA playback which wireless headphones cannot support due to Bluetooth limitations.
Any chance there will be a discount/bundle for TIDAL users ? I love Tidal and this would be a great add-on to enable MQA - on my computer or the iPhone :-D (wink wink)
Should include the THQ Deep note as a startup sound when you first plug it in.
THQ?
@@THXLtd sorry THX 🙇♂️
Genius!
Oh, PLEASE no... 😥😰
THQ Spatial Audio is an expensive app
THX
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
You forgot the THX Certification can found in BMV and Lincoln cars and live concerts since Beyoncé and Aerosmith
*THX*
*AAA*
Yes I know what THX stands for I have a THX Certified Logitech 5.1 sound system it shakes my house while watching movies
With superior clarity
what is the impedance of the Onyx's preamp? Will it drive a pair of Sennheiser HD600 headphones?
Hmmm...is this supposed to be some kind of competitor to Audioquest’s Dragonfly Red? I’m a huge fan of THX, but how come you don’t state if it’s a 24 or 32-bit ESS DAC? The two products are the same price, both support MQA, but yet Audioquest’s product works with both Apple camera adapters and states it’s a 32-bit DAC chip. Please let us know some more info so I can choose between the two!
Straight from Andrew Mason (the guy in the video)
For PCM, THX Onyx's ES9281 supports maximum 32-bit and 384 kHz input.
For DSD, THX Onyx supports DoP 64 and DoP 128 input.
For MQA, the app (Tidal, UAPP, etc) acts as MQA decoder and outputs a partially-unfolded 88.2/96 kHz, 24-bit output. (In MQA applications like this when Decoder/Renderer are separated, the MQA protocol ensures audio sample rate and bit depth is always decoded and normalized to 88.2/96 24-bit for transport regardless of whether the source is 44.1k Master, 88.2k Master, 96k Master, 176.4k Master, etc.) THX Onyx's ES9281 receives the standard 88.2/96 kHz 24-bit, then finishes the unfold, then 8x up-samples it within the DAC to 705.6/768 kHz before digital-to-analog conversion.
Ok, THX LTD. Did I mention that's your deep note sound give us nightmares as kids from our childhood? And also, can I suggest that you making a THX trailer for Horror Movies? My suggestion when the THX logo showed up, they'll be jumpscares.
Is the firmware configurable for EQ, DAC filter settings, etc.?
No, we don't offer user-customizable firmware at the moment.
@@THXLtd I see. If that were added I'd probably buy!
Any issues with Microphone for iOS/Apple devices?
Just make sure you get the slim adapter and you'll be OK
Portable dac is convenient, but the small size makes me wonder about performance for pc.
I hope Razer to collaborate with thx to make a DAC or sound card for pc. just like they build once before barracuda
Really disappointed the mic function won't work on iOS devices.
Hey L8, unfortunately, the bottleneck for mic support exists on the iOS side of the equation.
@@THXLtd what exactly is that bottleneck?
will it be solved in the near future? Or waiting for the next product.
Could you explain please how does the Onyx decode MQA with smartphone when the smartphone itself doesn't decode MQA? The phones sends 44khz signals only, the Onyx can't take cd quality and make it MQA, that's not how it works
Straight from Andrew Mason
Phones are capable of sending higher than 44.1/48 kHz to external DACs.
Several phone apps (USB Audio Player Pro for Android, Tidal for iPhone, etc) are capable of outputting bit-perfect high res audio, higher than 44.1 kHz.
For MQA playback, the app (Tidal on iOS, UAPP on Android, etc) acts as MQA decoder and outputs a partially-unfolded 88.2/96 kHz, 24-bit output. (In MQA applications like this when Decoder/Renderer are separated, the MQA protocol ensures audio sample rate and bit depth is always decoded and normalized to 88.2/96 24-bit for transport regardless of whether the source is 44.1k Master, 88.2k Master, 96k Master, 176.4k Master, etc.) THX Onyx's ES9281 receives the standard 88.2/96 kHz 24-bit, then finishes the unfold, then 8x up-samples it within the DAC to 705.6/768 kHz before digital-to-analog conversion.
@@THXLtd cool but this is marketed as plug and play. It doesn't say anywhere that i need to install a third party software like USB audio player pro to get MQA from my android
@@CaptHotah "THX Onyx can connect to an MQA core signal - in global streaming service apps such as TIDAL". Its in the marketing material.
The SOURCE needs to be able to output MQA - Practically speaking that's Tidal.
Probably not worth doing unless you have 'audiophile' grade headphones.
Does it have custom silicone in it or is it just a rebaged dac/amp using an ESS or Ak chip like many others???
Also it doesn't do the thing most people want which is you can't charge the phone while using it..
So. The phone goes flatter faster and then you need to disconnect your headphones to plug in an external battery or charger...
It uses ES9281 DAC and custom AAA-78 amplifier. It's designed to be used on-the-go e.g. in your pocket, where there's no charger present.
I cannot put this in my pocket to enhance my music experience on my Bose Quiet comfort earbuds as wireless headsets have been excluded from this great invention.
Please tell me I am incorrect.
Best part of this video was the THX signature sound at the end...
On my home cinema I was more than anxious for the next sequel or should that be prequel of the George ( Disney...) Lucas blockbuster Star Wars to commence with a drum roll and horn section to equal your closing words.
Looking forward to the Bluetooth version whilst sitting on the edge of my seat with baited breathe!
Hey Rich, yup we hear you about wanting THX AAA quality sound in wireless headphones.
We need a clip of Tex the THX robot using it
I have a pair of Drop Panda's on route currently. Seeing as they already have the THX AAA amps built in would there be much need for me to own this as well? I'm planning on using them with my Samsung Galaxy note 10 and I use TIDAL. So is the only way to get MQA files on the go a DAC such as this?
Yes, Onyx + Panda is a good pairing. Onyx will give the benefit of more power than the standard amplifier inside of Panda. Also, Onyx will unlock MQA playback which wireless headphones cannot support due to Bluetooth limitations.
Very interested in this! Are there any issues with the MIC performance? Plan to use it with multiple participants video conferencing.
No issues with mic performance. The THX Onyx Mic path has a very good signal-to-noise ratio of 98 dB.
@@THXLtd finally got it, definitely a step up from my previous DAC/AMP. No issue with mic as well :)
@@masonw.1032 Glad you're liking it! Happy listening
Does the THX Onyx work with the AirPods Max with the Apple recommended wire and the THX recommended Apple adapter? The source would be an iPhone.
In analog mode, without pairing the AirPods Max, the behavior should be just like any other headphone
Does it work with any 3.5mm gaming headset?
Yup!
I'll take it!
2:28 thx -1.5 pitched deep note with low pitch eclipse deep note cameo and ending of background music from another video
Any chance there will be a discount/bundle for TIDAL users ?
I love Tidal and this would be a great add-on to enable MQA - on my computer or the iPhone :-D (wink wink)
Hey Thomas, we'll let everyone know if a bundle happens
I bought this dac would love to use it on my PS4 with my black shark v2 pro wireless
Hey, we’re not quite ready for gaming platforms, but we’ll let you know if we get there
@@THXLtd thank you 🙏🏻 I appreciate your reply! I can’t wait 😝 it’s gonna sound amazing when you guys do.
Is it enough to power beyerdynamic dt-990 250 ohms?
Hey Emmanuel, you can find the specifications for THX Onyx at this link: www.thx.com/onyx
Unfortunately only available in the USA.
Hey Florian, try this link and it'll redirect you to the store for your country rzr.to/onyx
@@THXLtd perfect! Thanks a lot 👌
You got it. Happy to help and happy listening
please make a lightning version
Looks neet
I have a £100 helm bolt but which dac amp is better OK this one goes up to a impressive 115db for when you want to blow your ears out lol
I hope you bring the price down.
The Price is $200 Dollar.
Ordered this for use with tidal tracks.....
Gotta find some wired headphones now
What they dont tell you is you must also pay for high quality streaming for these things to work