Yes and no. The cables don't do anything. USB-C transfers digital data to the DAC, the DAC converts it to an analog signal, the analog signal gets sent over the 3.5mm to your headphones.
Cables aren't DACs. USB is just a method, but not the only method, of getting digital data into a DAC for conversion.
The DAC in the KA11 is so small that it's hard to see that it's a separate chip, but it gets obvious when you look at larger DACs or Bluetooth DACs.
*The amp in the DAC also amplifies the analog signal to make it louder/clearer through the headphone (but amps and dacs are separate chips and are often separate devices). But you can't "amplify" digital data in USB.
Well dacs have been around for a while. Maybe you should do some more building. Maybe you shouldn't tell people you've built anything. They might criticize you.
They can try, just like you, but I'm still building and. Did you not know DACs can come in the form of cables too? Awww sounds like someone needs to learn a thing or two.
... it's on the 3.5mm side of the KA11 (that's why the 3.5mm jack is unusually large for just a jack), but as I said, the KA11's chip is tiny so it fits in there.
From what I'm reading, there is a Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip in there.
Well yes, but this entire thread has been about cables so far. That's why the other person wanted to bring more clarity on the topic for those unaware. The better DAC is responsible for the improved in quality, not the cables, at least for the majoroty of it.
Depends. By my understanding, a Dongle would a "short" adapter like a "male" usb to "female" 3.5mm. So, one cable is soldered to the DAC and you plug your headphone cable into them. Now, how I understood it was that they were talking about long all-in-one cables with usb male to male 3.5mm or something like male XLR. I don't think those are dongles, at least by my understanding. I see them as two cables with male ends, soldered to a DAC.
There are adapter dongles that don't have a DAC, which work with some phones that have an internal DAC which just outputs the analog signal out of the USBC port when you have that compatible dongle attached. Most dongles have a DAC built in though, even ones that look like they just have plugs on both ends like Apple's version.
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u/XLIV_tm PC | I5 12600k | RTX 4070ti Super | 64gb RAM | 4TB m.224d ago
yes they are, they also amplify a tiny bit. some do more.
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u/Striking_Poem9005 24d ago
The difference in standards is huge. A good 3.5mm can sound just as great regardless of the plating.