THX penetrates the consumer electronics field. If you’ve ever wanted higher quality music from your smartphone, the THX Onyx might be the one for you. Designed to connect to your headphones and iPhone or Android device – or even your Mac or Windows computer – it contains a tiny DAC (digital to analog converter) powered by the company’s THX AAA amplifier technology.
While 3.5mm headphone jacks have disappeared on modern phones, we’ve also seen a general push toward convenience over absolute quality. Streaming music at mediocre bit rates, Bluetooth headphones with limited bandwidth, and phone DACs that aren’t powerful enough to power serious headphones leave audiophiles out of the loop. In the meantime, phone manufacturers who take high definition audio seriously, such as: B. LG, the segment as a whole.
However, the THX Onyx promises a simple audio upgrade. Inside the CNC-machined metal housing is a THX AAA-78, the company’s most powerful mobile amplifier with AAA support. The THX « Achromatic Audio Amplifier » promises to reduce harmonics, intermodulation and crossover distortion by up to 40 dB and at the same time increase the maximum power level. The result, the company says, is a desktop amp-style performance that, however, fits in a pocket.
According to THX, the ESS ES9281PRO DAC is up to five times more powerful than other USB DACs / amplifiers and has an integrated MQA renderer (Master Quality Authenticated). This supports MQA tracks from TIDAL and other services.
According to THX, no drivers are required, with a USB-C connector and a USB Type-A adapter. They magnetically cling to the body of the onyx to create order. Of course, if you are an iPhone user, you will also need a lighting adapter. Onyx also works with headphones with built-in microphones, but not with iOS / iPadOS devices.
LEDs on the side indicate audio quality, from standard 44.1 / 48kHz PCM to MQA. Generally though, everything is just plug and play, and Onyx is powered by the source device.
THX Onyx is available to order starting today at a price of $ 199.99. It is available direct from THX or through Razer in the US.
Ref: https://www.slashgear.com
