A Thread Dedicated to Cirrus Logic CS43131

[mc.god]

jm30，It started because the @staticV3 measured jm20 piqued my interest.By comparing it to my measurements, it's reasonable to believe they are roughly the same design, and different looks.

JM30 has just different enclosure and a status led, but from you measurement seems indeed identical to JM20 (I assume the slightly better numbers are due to you using the usb isolator). At Alixpress JM30 specs report THD + N: <0.003% only, when JM20 specs on it's box say 0.0003% tht is in line with the measurements, but we all know what a mess can be Aliexpress descriptions.

I see just now they sell even a JM30 PRO with mic support, so with an added ADC

it can be of interest for @doc2c

 

[doc2c]

JM30 has just different enclosure and a status led, but from you measurement seems indeed identical to JM20 (I assume the slightly better numbers are due to you using the usb isolator). At Alixpress JM30 specs report THD + N: <0.003% only, when JM20 specs on it's box say 0.0003% tht is in line with the measurements, but we all know what a mess can be Aliexpress descriptions.

I see just now they sell even a JM30 PRO with mic support, so with an added ADC

it can be of interest for @doc2c

Thank you for the heads up!! It's exactly what I was looking for

 

[Gencho]

Thank you for the heads up!! It's exactly what I was looking for

I received one jM30 pro last month. It had worked only 5 days, before the USB-C connection failed. Poor QC.

 

[192kbps]

JM30 has just different enclosure and a status led, but from you measurement seems indeed identical to JM20 (I assume the slightly better numbers are due to you using the usb isolator). At Alixpress JM30 specs report THD + N: <0.003% only, when JM20 specs on it's box say 0.0003% tht is in line with the measurements, but we all know what a mess can be Aliexpress descriptions.

I see just now they sell even a JM30 PRO with mic support, so with an added ADC

it can be of interest for @doc2c

I'm not sure if JM30PRO uses the same USB bridge.

 

[CedarX]

A slightly different CS43131-based device: the recent HiBy W3-II. It is a USB+Bluetooth battery-powered dongle, similar in concept to the Qudelix 5K--see here on the left, next to the Q5K:

Compared to the Q5K, the W3-II is slightly longer, narrower, and thinner. It has rounded sides and also includes a clip like the Q5K.

The W3-II is an update from the previous W3 which was build around an AKM 4377. There is a single CS43131 as DAC/amp, and a Qualcomm QCC5125 for USB & BT.
Through USB, you get up to 16bits/48kHz and for BT streaming, you get an adequate list of audio codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and UAT (the HiBy proprietary "near-lossless" codec). The output is the usual 3.5mm with Mic and remote support. There is also an integrated Mic if needed.

The HiBY Blue app, available for both Android and iOS, offers the usual configurable parameters and includes a 5-bands GEQ:

The W3-II is on sale at the HiBy store for $49 (+shipping). For that price, you get a Qudelix 5K "Lite", built around the CS43131.
It should be fine for most IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones. I assume, like the Q5K, SINAD should be "acceptable" but not great, hampered by the QCC5125--not the greatest chip as USB bridge.

On the other hand, these QCC51xx chips have a quite powerful DSP, and a diyAudio member shared an interesting tool, called "HYT TOOLS": https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...c3034-qcc3031-programming.374322/post-7523235

It's an Android APK, and it does work with the W3-II connected through BT (I have not checked whether it works or not with the Q5K...). You can rename the device, control the volume & mute, and it also gives you full access to the EQ section of the W3-II.
I did not try to rename the W3-II, being afraid I would permanently loose access through HiBy Blue.
The QCC5125 EQ settings are only exposed when something is playing (same as with HiBy Blue GEQ), but what you get access to is quite impressive:

On the W3-II, "BANK 1" is configurable (it's the only one, the other Banks appear to be the Hiby presets), with 5x full-featured PEQ filters: LPF1 (low-pass type 1, F adj.), LPF2 (low-pass type 2, F&Q adj.), APF1 (all-pass type 1, F adj.), APF2 (all-pass type 2, F&Q adj.), HPF1 (high-pass type 1, F adj.), HPF2 (high-pass type 2, F&Q adj.), LS1 (low-shelf type 1, F&G adj.), LS2 (low-shelf type 2, F&Q&G adj.), TILT1 (tilt type 1, F&G adj.), TILT2 (tilt type 2, F&Q&G adj.), HS1 (high-shelf type 1, F&G adj.), HS2 (high-shelf type 2, F&Q&G adj.), PEQ (peak, F&Q&G adj.), and BYPASS (no filter).
The only problem… There is apparently no way to save the changes you made--they get reset after a power cycle !!!
But still, with this APK tool companion, the W3-II becomes a "geeky", "lite" version of the Qudelix 5K... and it's CS43131-based, so I'm not completely off-topic !!!

 

[staticV3]

Yes, Ugreen HiFi Pro supports mic and has CTIA TRRS connector.

Are you certain?
My Ugreen 80583 does not support headset microphones, or in-line remotes for that matter.

 

[mc.god]

Are you certain?
My Ugreen 80583 does not support headset microphones, or in-line remotes for that matter.

I posted the screen of the box stating it, tried a couple of time with mic cable on smartphone and it worked on audio recorder app, never test quality in calls.
I remember it having some problems on windows but was a relly quick test long times ago.

My is model AV164

 

[Deleted member 71835]

Hi! Newbie here.
I bought a Soundmagic A30 DAC that have CS43131. It should be able to play DSD256 but its not. Only playing up to DSD128. People on the internet said it can have CS43130 instead 31 due to chip shortage.

Is this possible? How can i confirm?
Is there any audible difference between them? I am using Takstar Pro 82 with it.

 

[staticV3]

People on the internet said it can have CS43130 instead 31 due to chip shortage.

Is this possible? How can i confirm?

The model number is engraved on the chip, so you could open up the DAC and confirm visually:

Is there any audible difference between them?

There's no audible difference between the two chips.

 

[mc.god]

Hi! Newbie here.
I bought a Soundmagic A30 DAC that have CS43131. It should be able to play DSD256 but its not. Only playing up to DSD128. People on the internet said it can have CS43130 instead 31 due to chip shortage.

Is this possible? How can i confirm?
Is there any audible difference between them? I am using Takstar Pro 82 with it.

Hi,
I think it's unlikely to have the older CS43130 chip, but seeing some pictures online they only generically specify DSD support on the body and box of the dongle, nowhere I read DSD256.
While CS43131 is technically capable of DSD256 itself, it mainly depend on the usb bridge used ad if it supports Native or DoP DSD.
My Ugreen only goes in Dop mode, that needs double data band of Native, so it can play at max DSD128
My Jcally JM20 supports Native and can play DSD256
With Hiby player exclusive mode on Android you can explicitly chose DSD Native or DoP and check easily what mode and format the A30 supports, with other software\systems it can be more tricky and I don't know very well since I'm not interested at all in DSD format and only checked it once for testing the device.

 

[ZolaIII]

@mc.god it's USB bridge alone. DoP is PCM container.

 

[Deleted member 71835]

The model number is engraved on the chip, so you could open up the DAC and confirm visually:

Do you know how can i open it up? I searched on net but couldn't find it.

but seeing some pictures online they only generically specify DSD support on the body and box of the dongle, nowhere I read DSD256.

SoundMAGIC声美A30/A30i便携解码耳放_耳放_SoundMAGIC_声美科技

SoundMAGIC国内称“声美”或“声美科技”。2005年由许先生(Tony Xu)创立， 主要产品包括中高端音乐耳机、耳机放大器、音箱、无线耳机、无线音箱、蓝牙等。

www.soundmagic.com.cn

I took images from official website. And it shows DSD256 support.

supports Native or DoP DSD.
My Ugreen only goes in Dop mode, that needs double data band of Native, so it can play at max DSD128
My Jcally JM20 supports Native and can play DSD256
With Hiby player exclusive mode on Android you can explicitly chose DSD Native or DoP and check easily what mode and format the A30 supports,

I tried Hiby and Neutron. They play DSD128 native (Neutron shows DSD128 and DAC also light up green=DSD playing) but do not open 256. Only plays it as DPCM256 so converted im guessing.

Neutron shows DSD256 in PCM to DSD menu but converts to DSD128 when i select 256:

I'm not interested at all in DSD format and only checked it once for testing the device.

Yeah im not either. But it bugs me why it cant play even though they advertise it because i'm thinking if its broken or counterfeit or what...

I'm not from UK but accidentally mailed soundMAGIC UK thinking theyre CN. They said its not prone to counterfeiting and they do not make counterfeit check codes for DAC in UK (So probably other regions as well, because CN site said the code behind box could not found). Other people as well said cheap DACs are not counterfeited. But...

I think it's unlikely to have the older CS43130 chip

Another info: the local store i bought said they bought it 2-3 years ago (my guess) and couldn't sell it. Maybe this can be cause due to chip crisis in pandemic.

 

[MCH]

Do you know how can i open it up? I searched on net but couldn't find it.

SoundMAGIC声美A30/A30i便携解码耳放_耳放_SoundMAGIC_声美科技

SoundMAGIC国内称“声美”或“声美科技”。2005年由许先生(Tony Xu)创立， 主要产品包括中高端音乐耳机、耳机放大器、音箱、无线耳机、无线音箱、蓝牙等。

www.soundmagic.com.cn

I took images from official website. And it shows DSD256 support.

I tried Hiby and Neutron. They play DSD128 native (Neutron shows DSD128 and DAC also light up green=DSD playing) but do not open 256. Only plays it as DPCM256 so converted im guessing.

Neutron shows DSD256 in PCM to DSD menu but converts to DSD128 when i select 256:
View attachment 350977

Yeah im not either. But it bugs me why it cant play even though they advertise it because i'm thinking if its broken or counterfeit or what...

I'm not from UK but accidentally mailed soundMAGIC UK thinking theyre CN. They said its not prone to counterfeiting and they do not make counterfeit check codes for DAC in UK (So probably other regions as well, because CN site said the code behind box could not found). Other people as well said cheap DACs are not counterfeited. But...

Another info: the local store i bought said they bought it 2-3 years ago (my guess) and couldn't sell it. Maybe this can be cause due to chip crisis in pandemic.

I have not checked the data sheets and anyways, I think it might be something complex and not worth trying, but many chips report what model and even revision they are via i2c registers.

edit:

reading register 0x1 0002 should give 0 for 43130 and 00010000 (=16) for 43131, but i dont think it is possible to access the registers without opening the unit and soldering a couple of cables if even possible. At that stage you could as well read the printing if not sanded.

 

[Deleted member 71835]

I have not checked the data sheets and anyways, I think it might be something complex and not worth trying, but many chips report what model and even revision they are via i2c registers.

I checked and well didnt understand what it is. So no way exception opening it up...

 

[mc.god]

@mc.god it's USB bridge alone. DoP is PCM container.

Yes, that's why DoP requires 2X PCM rate. DSD 64 requires a 176.4 PCM package, DSD 128 requires a 352.8 PCM package, and DSD 256 requires a 705.6 PCM package, so DSD256 files will not play in DoP on the CS43131 since it's limited to 384 Khz.
And if Dop or Native is supported depends on the USB bridge alone.

SoundMAGIC声美A30/A30i便携解码耳放_耳放_SoundMAGIC_声美科技

SoundMAGIC国内称“声美”或“声美科技”。2005年由许先生(Tony Xu)创立， 主要产品包括中高端音乐耳机、耳机放大器、音箱、无线耳机、无线音箱、蓝牙等。

www.soundmagic.com.cn

I took images from official website. And it shows DSD256 support.

Then it should be able to play DSD256 files in Native mode.
I'm not used to Neutron, in Hiby did you set it like this?

If so, then i don't know.

 

[ZolaIII]

@mc.god it's a beat stream of 64x44100 cut by 16 (as bits) unfolded (and so on for 2x, 4x DSD rate's and bit to beat exact meaning it's convertible). You don't need more than 2x anyway and for a noise shaping and it's in line then with PCM in audible range then. You don't need DSD and especially not in direct mood for materials you already have in it. In direct mode you can't change anything to it like loudness level and so on. In PCM mode you can control loudness in 32 bit integer and add PEQ's and MSAB. This is much more useful anyhow.
You can play with it having PCM converted to DSD x2 on the flight but it's very CPU consuming (4x MP OoO 2 GHz requirement). It's not suitable for storage nor pretty much anything else then transport and for the sake it doesn't need a bus nor syncing (jitter oscilator clock) in designs where that's useful.

 

[mc.god]

@mc.god You don't need DSD and especially not in direct mood for materials you already have in it. In direct mode you can't change anything to it like loudness level and so on. In PCM mode you can control loudness in 32 bit integer and add PEQ's and MSAB. This is much more useful anyhow.

I said above that I'm not interested at all in DSD format, I don't have any DSD music but only a bunch of test files at various rates for testing if a device meets it's advertised specs, just as @WKorkmazW it trying to do.

​

 

[Deleted member 71835]

I'm not used to Neutron, in Hiby did you set it like this?

Yes exactly.

@mc.god it's a beat stream of 64x44100 cut by 16 (as bits) unfolded (and so on for 2x, 4x DSD rate's and bit to beat exact meaning it's convertible). You don't need more than 2x anyway and for a noise shaping and it's in line then with PCM in audible range then. You don't need DSD and especially not in direct mood for materials you already have in it. In direct mode you can't change anything to it like loudness level and so on. In PCM mode you can control loudness in 32 bit integer and add PEQ's and MSAB. This is much more useful anyhow.
You can play with it having PCM converted to DSD x2 on the flight but it's very CPU consuming (4x MP OoO 2 GHz requirement). It's not suitable for storage nor pretty much anything else then transport and for the sake it doesn't need a bus nor syncing (jitter oscilator clock) in designs where that's useful.

Uh dont get me wrong but i dont think i understand anything. You see im not goot at english that well!

Another question: players have option to control loudness in native dsd with direct mode enabled. How does that work? Does it block bit perfect?
And i didn't get what you mean. Can i control volume while playing bit perfect pcm tracks?
Maybe i can control it because my a30 dac has hardware audio control? Not sure what it means tho.

 

[Deleted member 71835]

reading register 0x1 0002 should give 0 for 43130 and 00010000 (=16) for 43131, but i dont think it is possible to access the registers without opening the unit and soldering a couple of cables if even possible. At that stage you could as well read the printing if not sanded.

Well yeah...
I checked usb otg apps and they dont give useful info i think. I'll drop here still maybe you can find anything:

ID: 0
Path: /dev/bus/usb/001/002
VID: 0x262A
PID: 0x9302
Class: 239 (USB_CLASS_MISC)
Subclass: 2
Protocol: 1
6 Interfaces:
  ID: 0
  Class: 3 (USB_CLASS_HID)
  Subclass: 0
  Protocol: 0
  1 Endpoint:
    ID: 0
    Descriptor: [0x07 0x05 0x81 0x03 0x01 0x00 0x06]
    Address: 0x81
      Endpoint Number: 1
      Direction: 1 (device to host)
    Attributes: 0b00000011
      Type: 0b11 (Interrupt)
    Max. Packet Size: 1 Bytes
    Interval: 6
  ID: 1
  Class: 1 (USB_CLASS_AUDIO)
  Subclass: 1
  Protocol: 32
  0 Endpoints:
  ID: 2
  Class: 1 (USB_CLASS_AUDIO)
  Subclass: 2
  Protocol: 32
  0 Endpoints:
  ID: 3
  Class: 1 (USB_CLASS_AUDIO)
  Subclass: 2
  Protocol: 32
  2 Endpoints:
    ID: 0
    Descriptor: [0x07 0x05 0x03 0x05 0xC8 0x00 0x01]
    Address: 0x03
      Endpoint Number: 3
      Direction: 0 (host to device)
    Attributes: 0b00000101
      Type: 0b01 (Isochronous)
    Max. Packet Size: 200 Bytes
    Interval: 1
    ID: 1
    Descriptor: [0x07 0x05 0x84 0x11 0x04 0x00 0x04]
    Address: 0x84
      Endpoint Number: 4
      Direction: 1 (device to host)
    Attributes: 0b00010001
      Type: 0b01 (Isochronous)
    Max. Packet Size: 4 Bytes
    Interval: 4
  ID: 4
  Class: 1 (USB_CLASS_AUDIO)
  Subclass: 2
  Protocol: 32
  2 Endpoints:
    ID: 0
    Descriptor: [0x07 0x05 0x03 0x05 0x2C 0x01 0x01]
    Address: 0x03
      Endpoint Number: 3
      Direction: 0 (host to device)
    Attributes: 0b00000101
      Type: 0b01 (Isochronous)
    Max. Packet Size: 300 Bytes
    Interval: 1
    ID: 1
    Descriptor: [0x07 0x05 0x84 0x11 0x04 0x00 0x04]
    Address: 0x84
      Endpoint Number: 4
      Direction: 1 (device to host)
    Attributes: 0b00010001
      Type: 0b01 (Isochronous)
    Max. Packet Size: 4 Bytes
    Interval: 4
  ID: 5
  Class: 1 (USB_CLASS_AUDIO)
  Subclass: 2
  Protocol: 32
  2 Endpoints:
    ID: 0
    Descriptor: [0x07 0x05 0x03 0x05 0x90 0x01 0x01]
    Address: 0x03
      Endpoint Number: 3
      Direction: 0 (host to device)
    Attributes: 0b00000101
      Type: 0b01 (Isochronous)
    Max. Packet Size: 400 Bytes
    Interval: 1
    ID: 1
    Descriptor: [0x07 0x05 0x84 0x11 0x04 0x00 0x04]
    Address: 0x84
      Endpoint Number: 4
      Direction: 1 (device to host)
    Attributes: 0b00010001
      Type: 0b01 (Isochronous)
    Max. Packet Size: 4 Bytes
    Interval: 4

 

[mc.god]

Maybe i can control it because my a30 dac has hardware audio control? Not sure what it means tho.

Yes, on my JM20 it works, since CS43131 has hardware volume control, I can set Hiby to "Unlock volume" and i can control volume while playing DSD in native mode.
Be aware, don't try to set "locked volume" or "Unlock for all but DSD" with you headphone on, in that case DSD will go at 100% volume and it can be dangerous for your ears.

EDIT
Ok, AC30 has hardware buttoins for volume, what i said is for JM20 that doesn't have them, but you can control volume with the smartphone buttons too, in Exclusive mode they will change hardware volume of the dongle.