Razer
Razer THX Onyx RC21-01630100-R3M1 Portable DAC Amplifier
★★★★★
USB-C
The Razer THX Onyx bypasses your device's built-in DAC entirely, delivering ESS ES9281PRO precision and THX AAA amplification to any headphone you plug into it.
$199.99*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Key Features
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: The THX Onyx MQA renderer can reproduce digital Master Quality Audio recordings from services like Tidal or USB Audio Player Pro
ESS ES9281PRO DAC: This 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)
Magnetic Cable Management: A built-in magnetic clasp enables quick and convenient cable management, ensuring there are no messy headphone wires dangling around
Specifications
Brand
Razer
Model
RC21-01630100-R3M1
DAC Chip
ESS ES9281PRO
Amplifier Technology
THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA)
MQA Support
MQA Renderer (hardware)
Connectivity
USB / USB-C
Output
3.5mm single-ended
Compatible Platforms
Android, iOS, Windows 10, macOS
Driver Requirement
None (plug-and-play)
Power Source
USB bus-powered
Lightning Adapter Included
No
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- ESS ES9281PRO DAC delivers industry-leading THD+N and dynamic range measurements — audibly superior to integrated smartphone DACs with quality headphones
- THX AAA amplification drives high-impedance and planar magnetic headphones from USB bus power without audible distortion at high volumes
- MQA Renderer decodes Tidal Master Quality files in hardware — no software decoding overhead or quality compromise
- Completely driverless on all four supported platforms (Android, iOS, Windows 10, Mac) — zero setup friction
- Built-in magnetic cable management clasp prevents tangling during transit — a genuinely useful physical design detail
👎 Cons
- USB-C to Lightning adapter not included — iPhone users face an additional purchase before first use
- Bus-powered over USB means audio quality is subject to USB power noise from the source device; a noisy laptop USB rail can introduce interference
- No physical volume control on the dongle itself — volume management relies entirely on host device or headphone inline controls
- MQA support benefits only Tidal Master subscribers and USB Audio Player Pro users; standard Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube listeners gain nothing from MQA capability
- The compact form factor, while portable, means no balanced output option — single-ended 3.5mm only
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the THX Onyx provide enough power for high-impedance audiophile headphones?
THX AAA amplification is designed specifically to drive power-hungry headphones — including high-impedance (150–300Ω) planar magnetics and dynamic drivers — from a USB bus-powered source. The THX AAA topology achieves this by achieving extremely low noise and distortion even at high output levels, so you get clean volume rather than distorted headroom.
Does this require installing drivers on Windows or Mac?
No drivers required. The THX Onyx is USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant, which means it enumerates as a standard audio device on Windows 10, macOS, Android, and iOS without any software installation. Plug-and-play on all supported platforms.
What does MQA Renderer support actually mean for streaming services?
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is a lossless audio encoding used by Tidal's Master Quality tier and USB Audio Player Pro. The ES9281PRO DAC on the Onyx handles MQA decoding directly in hardware — you get unfolded studio-master files without CPU-side processing, provided your streaming app passes through the MQA bitstream. Tidal HiFi Plus subscribers will hear the direct benefit.
What's the actual bottleneck this solves versus just using a phone's headphone jack?
Modern smartphones use low-cost integrated DAC/amp circuits optimized for power efficiency, not audio performance. The ES9281PRO replaces that conversion chain with a chip that measures significantly better on THD+N (total harmonic distortion plus noise) and dynamic range — the difference is most audible with revealing headphones above ~$100. On devices without a 3.5mm jack entirely, it also restores wired headphone connectivity.
Is the USB-C to Lightning adapter included for iPhone use?
No — the Lightning adapter is not included. The Onyx ships with a USB-C connector and you'll need to source Apple's USB-C to Lightning adapter (or a third-party equivalent) separately for use with older Lightning-port iPhones.
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