MASTER-QUALITY AUDIO. ON THE GO.
Amp up your headphones and upgrade to master-quality audio with the THX Onyx™—a powerful, portable digital-to-analog (DAC) amplifier equipped with THX AAA™ technology, to ensure the highest fidelity mobile listening experience for your music, movies, and games.
THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA™)
THX AAA™ technology enables the world’s highest fidelity audio and maximum dynamic range with the capacity to support power-hungry, audiophile grade headphones. Crank it up and enjoy satisfyingly loud volumes and ultra-clean sound.
Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) renderer
Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) is an award-winning audio technology that delivers studio-quality sound and reveals every detail of the original recording. MQA Renderer technology in the THX Onyx can connect to an MQA core signal – in global streaming service apps such as TIDAL – to complete the final "unfold" of an MQA music file and provide incredible audio quality.
Elevate your personal music listening with Qobuz and experience all THX Onyx has to offer. For a limited time Qobuz is offering studio quality streaming subscriptions free for three months when you purchase THX Onyx. Get access to over 70 million tracks in Hi-Res, unique content, tailored recommendations, and of course uncompromising sound quality.
TIDAL has the largest Master Quality audio catalog of any streaming service.
ESS ES9281PRO DAC
The ES9281PRO digital-to-analog converter provides best-in-class dynamic range and lowest distortion, with direct rendering of MQA files in the DAC. Enjoy the studio quality of Tidal Master Quality files on-the-go.
Cross-platform compatibility
THX Onyx™ connects to any USB/USB-C port and works on Android, iOS, Windows 10, and Mac without the need for any drivers or installation. USB-C to Lightning adapter not included.
A built-in magnetic clasp enables quick and convenient cable management, ensuring there are no messy headphone wires dangling around.
Whether your preference is for headsets with or without a mic, this DAC amp is designed to work with either option flawlessly.
All of its premium audio technology is packed into a tough, compact chassis that makes it durable and easy to carry.
| Status Indicators | Sample Rate | Audio Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
44.1 or 48 kHz PCM | Standard Quality |
 |
>48 kHz PCM | High Resolution |
 |
DSD | Direct Stream Digital |
 |
MQA Render | Master Quality Authenticated |
1.Male USB-A Adapter
2.Female USB-C Port
3.Male USB-C Connector
4.Flexible Rubber Cable
5.LED Indicators
6.Female 3.5mm Analog Jack
| PC | Android | Mac | iOS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Music HD | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple Music Lossless | N/A1 | N/A1 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Qobuz Studio | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spotify HiFi2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tidal HiFi | ✓M | ✓M | ✓M | ✓M |
| Amarra | ✓M | N/A | ✓M | N/A |
| Audirvana | ✓M | N/A | ✓M | N/A |
| Foobar2000 | ✓M | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Onkyo HF Player | N/A | ✓ | N/A | ✓ |
| Roon | ✓M | N/A | ✓M | N/A |
| USB Audio Player Pro | N/A | ✓M | N/A | N/A |
| Vox Player | N/A | N/A | ✓ | ✓ |
✓M = Supports MQA and High Resolution Audio
N/A = App unavailable on OS
1 = Apple Music Lossless expected soon for Android and PC
2 = Coming Soon
FAQ
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How do I use THX Onyx?
THX Onyx works right out-of-the-box with 3.5mm headphones and headsets with no drivers to install. Just plug and play! If you’d like to optimize your settings, we have several user guides and resources here.
Note THX Onyx for iOS requires the slim Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (sold separately). All other Lightning adapters are incompatible, including the wide Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter. -
How will a DAC amp improve my sound?
Using a THX Onyx DAC-amp improves the sound quality in several ways over a stock 3.5mm headphone jack or adapter.
THX Onyx increases the output power and voltage available in your headphones to a full two volts, with enough current to drive power hungry headphones with as little as 22 ohms impedance to an impressive 180 milliwatts per channel. Having so much power on-tap provides listeners with a superb dynamic range to make spines tingle and emotions soar when listening to the pure audio output.
THX Onyx achieves this high output power without creating distortion or noise in the signal. The THD+N of THX Onyx is a vanishingly low -112 dB (0.00025%), and the output impedance is a small <0.2 Ohms to resist non-linearities in the headphones and cabling. This lack of distortion and noise makes for an enthralling, fatigue-free listening experience. You’ll be listening to your favorite songs on repeat in audio bliss. -
What is a DAC amp?
A THX Onyx DAC-amp is a two-in-one product that delivers a pure headphone audio fidelity experience. First, the DAC or digital-to-audio converter, receives the digital audio stream from your smartphone or laptop and converts it into a stereo analog audio signal. Next, the THX AAA amplifier increases the voltage and current of this analog signal to push it powerfully into your headphones with very little output impedance so the headphones remain well-controlled.
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Where Can I Get High Resolution Audio?
Streaming high resolution audio is here, and it’s the pure sound you’ve been seeking! Top high res streaming services include Tidal HiFi, Amazon Music HD, and Qobuz. Alternatively, purchase and download your own high res audio from hdtracks.com for bit-perfect playback with favorite apps such as Vox, USB Audio Player Pro, Roon, Audirvana, Foobar2000, Onkyo HF Player, and more.
