Dual CS43198 DACs
High-resolution decoding with exceptional clarity across a wide range of formats.
SHANLINGPORTABLE DAC & TUBE AMPLIFIERCustomer reviews (0)
Shanling Onix Beta XI2 Portable Tube DAC/AMP Adapter
Tube warmth meets digital precision.
A portable DAC/amp with dual CS43198 DACs, dual JAN6418 tubes and up to 550mW at 32Ω, with a 0.87-inch screen.
Regular price
£349.00
Unit price
Including VAT
Free next day UK delivery
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Shanling Onix Beta XI2 Portable Tube DAC/AMP Adapter
A little extra. A better pairing.
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MEET THE Onix
Tube warmth meets digital precision.
A portable DAC/amp with dual CS43198 DACs, dual JAN6418 tubes and up to 550mW at 32Ω, with a 0.87-inch screen.
JAN6418 tube output
Dual tubes add warmth, glowing gently through two side windows.
Upgraded amplifier
4 × BUF634 and 2 × OPA1662 deliver up to 550mW at 32Ω.
Read the full description
The ONIX Beta XI2 is an upgrade of ONIX’s best-selling Alpha XI1: a USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier with a difference, a pair of JAN6418 tubes you can switch in when the mood or the music calls for it. Two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs handle up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512, and a new amplifier of two OPA1662 op-amps and four BUF634A buffers delivers up to 550mW into 32Ω from the 4.4mm balanced output, in a durable aluminium body.
A fan-favourite sound foundation
The XI2 is built around the same top-of-the-line CS43198 DACs as the ONIX XI1, one per channel for a fully balanced output, keeping the detailed, energetic sound that made the XI1 stand out.
An upgraded headphone amplifier
The biggest change is the amplifier: a more advanced design with dual OPA1662 op-amps and quad BUF634A buffers. Output power is similar to the XI1, but ONIX says the new design brings clear improvements in clarity and control, making the XI2 an even better match for high-end earphones and full-size headphones.
An extra tube output
Drawing on its partner Shanling’s long experience with tube designs, ONIX added a pair of long-lasting, low-heat JAN6418 tubes to the XI2’s audio circuit. They sit safely inside the body, with two small windows to glimpse their glow, and a setting switches the tubes on or off almost instantly. ONIX developed a special tube suspension over many months of testing and believes it reduces microphonics better than any similar device.
Classic ONIX
The XI2 keeps ONIX’s durable aluminium construction and design, a 0.87-inch screen for direct access to settings (gain, filters and screen orientation), three hardware buttons for volume and playback, and a multicolour light showing the sample rate. Its power-efficient design reduces the drain on your phone’s battery, and the Eddict Player app works as a companion. ONIX’s golden OL1 cable of silver-plated copper is included, and the standard USB-C socket makes it easy to change cables.
| DAC and amp | 2 × Cirrus Logic CS43198 · 2 × OPA1662 · 4 × BUF634A · 2 × JAN6418 tubes (switchable) |
|---|---|
| 4.4mm, transistor | 180 / 550mW @ 32Ω (low / high gain) · THD+N 0.0008% · SNR 128dB · separation 107dB · 0.6Ω |
| 4.4mm, tube | 152 / 550mW @ 32Ω · THD+N 0.06% · SNR 127dB |
| 3.5mm, transistor | 45 / 180mW @ 32Ω · THD+N 0.0006% · SNR 124dB · separation 73dB · 0.3Ω |
| 3.5mm, tube | 37 / 152mW @ 32Ω · THD+N 0.06% · SNR 122dB |
| Formats and USB | PCM 768kHz/32-bit · DSD512 · UAC 2.0 and 1.0 · 20Hz–40kHz (−0.5dB) |
| Light | Blue 44.1/48kHz · green 88.2/96kHz · yellow 176.4/192kHz · purple 352.8–768kHz · white DSD |
| Size and weight | 69.8 × 39 × 14mm · 45.3g · 0.87-inch screen · 3 buttons |
Good to know
- Tubes can never be completely free of microphonics: in tube mode, tapping or dropping the XI2 can be audible. ONIX notes this is not a cause for a warranty claim.
- Works with Android and iOS devices and Windows and Mac computers. For an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning socket, ONIX recommends Shanling’s L3 cable.
- In the box: Beta XI2, ONIX OL1 USB-C cable and user manual.
In the box
- Shanling Onix Beta XI2
- User Manual
THE FINER DETAILS
Built for
better listening.
Know what you’re choosing.
Find the right fit for your setup.
- DAC
- 2 × Cirrus Logic CS43198
- Headphone outputs
- 3.5mm single-ended · 4.4mm balanced
- Output power
- 550mW @ 32Ω balanced · 180mW @ 32Ω single-ended (transistor, high gain) · tube mode 550mW / 152mW
- Frequency response
- 20Hz–40kHz (−0.5dB)
- Hi-res support
- PCM 768kHz/32-bit · DSD512
- Screen
- 0.87" monochrome
- Gain modes
- Low / high
- Signal-to-noise ratio
- 128dB (4.4mm) · 124dB (3.5mm), transistor mode
- Distortion (THD+N)
- 0.0008% (4.4mm, transistor) · 0.06% (tube mode)
- Output impedance
- 0.6Ω (4.4mm) · 0.3Ω (3.5mm)
- Crosstalk
- 107dB (4.4mm) · 73dB (3.5mm)
- Size (H × W × D)
- 69.8 × 39 × 14mm
- Weight
- 45.3g
- Amplification
- 2 × OPA1662 + 4 × BUF634A · transistor or JAN6418 tube mode
- Inputs
- USB-C
Specifications are based on manufacturer information and may change.
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How does free delivery work?
Every UK order has a free delivery option, and orders of £50 or more qualify for free next day delivery. Order by 12 noon, Monday to Friday, for next day delivery; orders placed after 12 noon, at the weekend or on a bank holiday are dispatched on the next working day. Stock availability and destination also affect arrival — check the options shown at checkout.
Pre-orders ship when stock arrives; the next day service starts after dispatch. Full delivery information
What if it’s not right for me?
Return within 14 days for any reason, or within 30 days if faulty, with free return postage. See our full Returns Policy for conditions and how to start a return.
Can you help me choose headphones?
Absolutely. Tell us what you listen to and the headphones you have — or the ones you’re considering — and we’ll help you find a suitable pairing. Chat with us
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Use the Price Beat option on this page to send us the competing offer. The team will review your request; it isn’t an automatic discount. How Price Beat works
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