Serious and Affordable
Ratings
Pros
- Simple, well-built and well-cabled.
- Supports microphone.
- Neutral sound with a bright tendency, very detailed, clear, clean and informative.
- Very good bass quality.
- Great value for money.
- Choice of 3.5mm SE or 4.4mm BAL audio output.
Cons
- There is no USB Type-A adapter.
- The 3.5mm SE version only has an output voltage of 1V RMS. This may be a bit tight for more power-hungry headphones.
Purchase Link
Link to the WEB
Introduction
I believe this is the first time BQEYZ has released a DAC/AMP. It is a small integrated dongle with a USB Type-C cable and a 3.5mm SE or 4.4mm BAL headphone output of your choice. On this occasion the Conexant (USA) DAC CX31993 has been used, which can deliver an SNR of 110dB and a dynamic range of 110dB. It can play formats up to 32bit/384kHz. The DAT4332ZY USB decoder chip is used and is compatible with Android, Win10/11, IOS and MacOS. The entire assembly is 12cm long and the aluminium alloy parts are coated with a high-strength oxidation process and have an ergonomic, non-slip design. It is capable of delivering 60mW for 32Ω and is compatible with headphones from 16Ω to 600Ω. Finally, 392 0.05mm silver-plated monocrystalline copper wires have been used for the cable, divided into groups of 14 wires, strands of 7 groups, bonded in two polarities for each channel. The current price is quite affordable, with the 4.4mm version available for less than $20. Let’s see what this little dongle cable can do.
Specifications
- DAC: Conexant CX31993.
- DAT USB: DAT4332ZY.
- USB interface: Type-C.
- Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz.
- SNR: 95 ~ 105dB for 32Ω.
- PCM: 384kHz/32bit.
- Output power: 60mW @ 32Ω.
- Headphone output: Choice of SE 3.5mm, BAL 4.4mm.
- THD+N: 0.0007% ~ 0.0015% @ 32Ω.
- Crosstalk: -60 ~ 50dB @ 32Ω.
- Length: 120mm.
- Weight: 8 grams.
- Supports Android, Win10/11, IOS and MacOS.
Packaging
The BQEYZ Lin comes in a small square white box. On its front side there is a realistic photo of the product. It specifies the DAC used and a short description of the product and its main features. On the back side are the product specifications and the brand name. The box is double sealed in its two possible openings. The dongle is inserted in a custom-made cardboard box and only the warranty certificate is included as the only accessory/documentation. Nothing else. Simple. No USB Type-A adapter included.
Construction and Design
The BQEYZ Lin has a USB Type-C interface covered by an aluminium alloy casing on which a high-strength oxidation process has been used. The brand name can be read in white letters on the surface. The metal part is oval. The cable outlet is a black rubber cone. The cable consists of two coiled strands. A total of 392 strands of 0.05mm silver-plated monocrystalline copper wires have been used, divided into groups of 14 wires, strands of 7 groups, joined in two polarities for each channel. The headphone output is a cylinder whose inlet has the same black rubber cone to protect the cable. The part near the output has an ergonomic non-slip design. Afterwards the cylinder is smooth up to the 3.5mm SE output (in my case). A choice of 4.4mm BAL output is available. The connection is gold plated. The length of the whole assembly is 120mm.
The metal parts are sufficiently robust, pleasant to the touch and of an elegant colour. The cable is thick, well constructed, a far cry from some thin cables of more expensive dongles. I really liked that you can choose a 4.4mm balanced option. Again, simple, but elegant as well as durable
Connectivity and Operativity
The BQEYZ Lin is compatible with Android, Win10/11, IOS and MacOS, and is fully Plug & Play, with no drivers required. It supports formats up to 384kHz/32bit. Connected to Windows it becomes an efficient headphone output and microphone input all in one. Volume control is via Windows itself. Connected to my Android smartphone it supports headphones with microphone, just as with Windows. I have had no problems using it in conjunction with the HiBy Music App. In the same way, the volume setting must be controlled via the device to which it is connected. I have not found any compatible ASIO drivers.
Measures
The specified power is 60mW for 32Ω. Applying Ohm’s Law that would mean that the Lin should have an output of 1.39V RMS. This is not the case because the maximum no-load output is 1V RMS.
On the other hand, the output impedance is ridiculously low, almost zero, less than 0.1Ω.
No load
As can be seen, the maximum no-load output is 1V RMS.
15Ω
The output voltage with 15Ω connected is 0.896V RMS. Some distortion is observed at 10kHz and above. Lowering the output to correct this is the solution, but the power output suffered too much. With this value the output power is 53.5mW. Decent.
33Ω
The output voltage with 33Ω connected is 1.004V RMS with no distortion throughout the audible range. The output power is 30mW, half of what is specified. Do they mean the power of the balanced version?
100Ω
The output voltage with 100Ω connected is 1.004V RMS with no distortion over the entire audible range. The output power is 10mW. As you can see using this dongle for headphones over 100Ω may be insufficient.
Frequency Response
As the output voltage is extremely equal over the entire 20Hz to 20kHz range, the response is also flat, with no need to look at other graphs.
Sound
The sound of the BQEYZ Lin is quite clean and bright, with a neutral profile and a clear bright tendency. It is not a warm dongle, but has good informative capabilities without falling into pure analytical coolness. On the other hand, the Conexant CX31993 DAC is widely known and has received very good reviews in those very low-budget dongles in which it has been correctly implemented. And this is the case with the new Lin. The sound quality of this dongle for less than $20 is surprisingly high.
The bass is punchy, voluminous and textured, powerful, tight and fast. Pure, very low frequency tones are reproduced quite naturally and there is not that much difference in texture or colour compared to $100 dongles. With this test it can be noted that the very low frequency notes are not as pure and have a slightly higher wave character, but compared to one of the best $100 dongles I own. In the dirty, unfiltered bass reproduction test the Lin resolves tricky passages without falling back on facile. It is able to recreate complex bass lines without reduction to absurdity, layering the bass, separating bass drums from those lines, with plenty of resolution and descriptiveness.
The midrange is clean, concrete, descriptive, neutral, even luminous. But it is also somewhat thinner, something that gives it a slight luminous emphasis that makes vocals sound subtly more forward, but not as refined or smooth as on $100 dongles. However, this feature can be beneficial on many occasions. For vocal tracks, guitars, rock and the like the Lin comes across as very powerful, well shaped and highly descriptive. Without sounding harsh but energetic, those looking for a more musical or softer DAC might find the Lin too neutral or too sharp. In my opinion the Lin has a very high level of resolution, being a little raw, without being harsh or sibilant. Superior refinement comes at a price.
The brighter character is evident in the treble. The first part is very sparkling and crisp. The first treble is marked and energetic, clearly expressed, high, bright, slightly abrupt or rougher if you are looking for some softness. The high end is extended, while the first treble is felt in the foreground, the feeling of air and other harmonics is less expressed in the ambience.
As for the image, it is quite precise and focused, it is easy to intuit the origin of the sounds and the instrumental positioning, although it is mainly shown frontally. There is good laterality, but the brighter focus and leaner thickness of the notes returns Lin to a dongle with a more direct, concentrated, close-up scene, with greater emphasis on the foreground and middle ground. So detail is quite clearly perceived, even at the micro level, with a level of refinement beyond its price.
Conclusion
The BQEYZ Lin is a safe bet for under $20 when choosing a dongle for smartphones without a headphone output. It’s small, microphone compatible and has enough power to drive a lot of common headphones. It’s true that for those who are more demanding the power level is a little fair. In terms of sound the Lin has a very clean, neutral profile with a bright tendency, tight bass, clear and energetic mids and highs. This subtly analytical profile is very descriptive, detailed and informative. It is available with 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL output, and it is worth noting that the cable is better than even more expensive competitors. Without a doubt, the BQEYZ is great value for money.
Earphones Used During Analysis
- BQEYZ Frost.
- BQEYZ Cloud.
- Kiwi Ears KE4.
- LetShuoer S12 2024.
- LetShuoer Cadenza 4.
- Simgot SuperMix 4.
- NiceHCK NX8.
- 7Hz Timeless II.
- Apevoix Grit.
- Hidizs MP143 Titanium Edition.
- Kiwi Ears Division.
- Xiaomi 13T.