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Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 High End ESS DAC

High-end DAC for the Zenith line.

A high-end desktop DAC with dual ESS ES9039PRO, eight OPA1611 op-amps, Talema transformers and FPGA-assisted I2S input.

Regular price £2,399.00

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Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 High End ESS DAC

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MEET THE Onix

High-end DAC for the Zenith line.

A high-end desktop DAC with dual ESS ES9039PRO, eight OPA1611 op-amps, Talema transformers and FPGA-assisted I2S input.

01

Dual flagship DACs

Two ES9039PRO chips with an in-house I/V stage built from eight OPA1611 op-amps.

02

Superior power supply

15W and 25W Talema transformers with Vishay capacitors for clean, stable power.

03

Every input covered

USB, I2S with 10 pinouts, AES, BNC, coaxial and optical, with RCA, XLR and headphone outputs.

Read the full description

The ONIX Zenith XDA20 is a high-end desktop DAC and preamplifier, the second member of ONIX’s Zenith line of high-end desktop and speaker components, designed to pair with the XST20 SACD transport and the XMT20 streamer. Designed by ONIX, the hi-fi brand born in Brighton in the 1980s, and made by Shanling, it takes the ESS ES9039PRO from the ONIX Miracle system and doubles it, with every digital input a serious system needs, balanced and single-ended outputs and a 1.6W headphone amplifier.

ONIX Zenith XDA20 high-end DAC

ONIX Zenith XDA20 features: dual ES9039PRO, Brighton I/V, Talema transformers, Vishay capacitors

Two flagship DACs and the Brighton I/V stage

The XDA20 is inspired by ONIX’s Miracle system and uses the same ESS flagship DAC, upgraded to a pair of ES9039PROs for resolution and dynamics up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512. Eight OPA1611 op-amps form ONIX’s in-house “Brighton” I/V conversion stage, for a delicate sound presentation. The balanced outputs reach 127dB signal-to-noise ratio with 0.0003% THD+N.

Next stage of ONIX hi-fi: the XDA20’s key components

A superior power supply

Clear, stable power is key to true high fidelity, so the XDA20 combines iron-core 25W and 15W Talema transformers with four 3,300µF/63V Vishay capacitors for power filtering.

Built for I²S

ONIX designed the Zenith line around the I²S connection between source and DAC, and the XDA20 performs at its best from its I²S input, ideally with the XST20 or XMT20. To match other brands’ I²S transports too, ONIX added an FPGA-assisted I²S circuit with 10 different pinouts.

The heart of your system

ONIX focused on the XDA20’s performance as a DAC, with its best sound on the RCA and XLR outputs, used either as a pure line output or as a pre-amplifier for speakers. For headphones, a compact TPA6120 amplifier gives up to 1.6W into 32Ω from the 6.35mm output, with two gain levels. Optical, coaxial, AES and BNC inputs, and a dedicated XMOS XU316 USB input for computers, connect your other components.

ONIX Zenith XDA20 inputs, outputs and output modes

Classic ONIX look, simple control

The robust aluminium body is CNC-machined in ONIX’s classic black-and-gold style. A 3.4-inch touchscreen gives a simple, quick system, with a volume wheel and a remote control.

The CNC aluminium construction of the ONIX Zenith XDA20

The 3.4-inch touchscreen of the ONIX Zenith XDA20

ONIX Zenith XDA20 DAC

DAC 2 × ESS ES9039PRO · “Brighton” I/V stage with 8 × OPA1611
Digital inputs I²S (FPGA-assisted, 10 pinouts) and USB (XMOS XU316): 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512 · optical, coaxial, AES, BNC: 192kHz/24-bit, DSD64
XLR output 4.2V · SNR 127dB · dynamic range 127dB · separation 126dB · THD+N 0.0003%
RCA output 2.1V · SNR 123dB · dynamic range 123dB · separation 122dB · THD+N 0.0003%
6.35mm headphone TPA6120 · 101mW (low) / 1,620mW (high) @ 32Ω · 252mW @ 300Ω · SNR 120dB · 3.3Ω
Power 25W + 15W Talema transformers · 4 × 3,300µF/63V Vishay capacitors
Control and size 3.4-inch touchscreen · volume wheel · remote · 320 × 240 × 62mm · 5.7kg

ONIX Zenith XDA20 specification

Good to know

  • The pre-out mode lets the XDA20 drive a power amplifier or active speakers directly.
  • In the box: XDA20, remote control, power cable and manuals.

THE FINER DETAILS

Built for
better listening.

Know what you’re choosing.
Find the right fit for your setup.

Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 High End ESS DAC
DAC
2 × ESS ES9039PRO
Headphone outputs
6.35mm
Output power
1,620mW @ 32Ω · 252mW @ 300Ω (6.35mm, high gain) · 101mW @ 32Ω (low gain)
Frequency response
20Hz–40kHz (−0.5dB)
Hi-res support
USB and I2S: PCM 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512 · S/PDIF inputs: PCM 192kHz/24-bit, DoP64
Screen
3.4-inch touchscreen
Gain modes
Low / high (headphone output)
Remote control
Remote control (included) · touchscreen · volume wheel
Signal-to-noise ratio
127dB (XLR) · 123dB (RCA)
Distortion (THD+N)
0.0003% (line outputs)
Output impedance
3.3Ω (headphone)
Crosstalk
126dB (XLR) · 122dB (RCA)
Size (H × W × D)
62 × 320 × 240mm
Weight
5700g
Amplification
Eight OPA1611 in the in-house “Brighton” I/V stage · TPA6120 headphone amp
Line outputs
RCA (2.1V) · XLR balanced (4.2V), line-out or pre-out
Inputs
USB (XMOS XU316) · I2S (FPGA-assisted, 10 pinouts) · AES/EBU · BNC · coaxial · optical
Power
Mains, 25W + 15W Talema transformers, Vishay capacitors

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

How do I request a Price Beat?

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