BGVP MX1 Review – Dongle DAC& with Dual CS43198 Chips – Perfect Engineering
In the ever-expanding market of portable audio, the demand for high-fidelity sound on the go has led to a surge in the popularity of compact USB DAC/amplifiers. These devices promise to elevate the listening experience on smartphones and laptops, bypassing their often underwhelming internal audio components. BGVP, a name well-regarded in the realm of in-ear monitors (IEMs) for its blend of quality and value, has ventured into this competitive space.
The Tech Inside
BGVP’s audio expertise is evident in the internal components they’ve chosen. The core of the MX1 is a dual-DAC setup using two Cirrus Logic CS43198 chips, a highly regarded chipset known for its efficiency and detailed sound. This dual implementation allows for a true balanced architecture, which contributes to the excellent channel separation and clean power of the 4.4mm output.
The device supports high-resolution formats up to 32bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD256, making it future-proof for any audiophile’s library. Crucially, the MX1 is also incredibly power-efficient. It barely sips battery from your phone, and it remains completely cool to the touch even during extended listening sessions at high gain.
Surprising Power and Smart Design
A major highlight of the MX1 is the sheer amount of power BGVP has packed into its diminutive frame. It features both a standard 3.5mm single-ended output and a 4.4mm balanced output. The latter is where the device truly shines, delivering a robust 320mW into 32Ω.
This is more than enough grunt to drive the vast majority of IEMs to their full potential and can even handle many full-sized, power-hungry headphones with surprising authority. The ability to switch between low and high gain via a dedicated hardware switch is a thoughtful touch, allowing you to match the power output to your transducer’s sensitivity perfectly.
The physical design of the MX1 is both elegant and practical. The main chassis is a sleek, CNC-milled aluminum rectangle that feels sturdy and premium in the hand. The front and back are covered with polished panels that give it a sophisticated, almost jewel-like appearance, though they are magnets for fingerprints. The MX1 weighs next to nothing, just 16g, ensuring it won’t be a cumbersome addition to your phone or pocket.
Usability is excellent. BGVP included independent volume buttons, offering fine-grained control that isn’t tied to the source device’s volume steps. There’s also a multi-function button for play/pause and track skipping, which is incredibly handy for on-the-go use.
The BGVP MX1 has a detachable USB-C cable. This not only allows for swapping in different cables but also means a frayed or broken cable doesn’t render the entire device useless—a common point of failure for many dongles.
Specifications
DAC Chip:
- Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198
Supported Audio:
- PCM 32bit / 768kHz
- DSD256
Output:
- 3.5mm Single-Ended
- 4.4mm Balanced
Output Power:
- 3.5mm: 125mW @ 32Ω, 2Vrms
- 4.4mm: 320mW @ 32Ω, 4Vrms
Frequency Response:
- 20Hz – 40kHz (both outputs)
Performance:
- THD+N: 0.00032% (balanced)
- SNR: 130dB (balanced), 125dB (single-ended)
- Dynamic Range: 130dB / 125dB
- Crosstalk: -115dB / -80dB
Features:
- Android APP support
- 9-channel independent power supply
- Hi-Res certified
- PEQ 8-band DSP adjustment
- Real-time sampling indicator
- Portable 3-button control
Build:
- Five-axis CNC-engraved 7-series aluminum alloy body
- Lightweight, pocket-sized
Disclaimer: The MX1 dongle DAC was kindly provided by BGVP for review.
Unboxing
Walk Play App
The BGVP MX1 has APP support. I wasn’t aware of that until I reread the specs from its website while I was preparing for the review. For me, App support is the most important feature, after sound quality, of course. In 2025, if a dongle DAC does not have hardware volume control and App support, it’s a pass for me. You can’t find the Walk Play App in the Google Store, but you can download it from its webpage here.
Interestingly, the APP also supports web-based EQ, which you can access here. This feature is very important for guys like me, who spend many hours in front of the PC. The App supports 8-Band PEQ too, I wish it were minimum 10 Bands, but it’s better than nothing. Great job.
Sound
Clean, Controlled, and Compelling
Before I begin, a footnote: The BGVP MX1 dongle DAC won’t turn on until you plug an earphone in.
The sonic performance of the MX1 is impressively clean and mature. BGVP has tuned this device for neutrality and transparency, avoiding the temptation to add excessive color or warmth. The result is a sound that feels honest to the recording.
The background is utterly silent—a deep, black canvas from which the music emerges. There’s no hint of the electronic hiss or interference that can plague lesser devices, especially when paired with sensitive IEMs.
The bass is a perfect example of quality over quantity. It’s not a bass-head’s dream of booming, thunderous lows. Instead, it’s tight, articulate, and incredibly fast. You can hear the texture and decay of bass notes with precision, from the thrum of a cello to the sharp kick of a drum machine. This controlled approach ensures the low end never bleeds into or muddies the midrange, maintaining an overall sense of order and clarity.
Moving up to the midrange, the MX1 delivers a performance that is open, natural, and engaging. Vocals, both male and female, are presented with a satisfying presence and realism, free from any nasal or chesty coloration. Instruments like guitars and pianos have a natural timbre and weight. This transparency makes the MX1 incredibly versatile across genres, handling complex orchestral pieces as adeptly as it does intimate acoustic sessions.
The treble is extended and airy, providing a great sense of detail and space without ever becoming sharp or fatiguing. Cymbals have a realistic shimmer and decay, and subtle high-frequency details in the mix are easy to pick out. This contributes to a soundstage that is surprisingly expansive for a dongle DAC.
While it won’t replicate the vastness of a full desktop setup, it creates a convincing sense of width and depth, with precise imaging that allows you to easily place instruments within the stereo field.
Sum-Up
Let’s face it, the golden age of the dedicated headphone jack is over. We’re living in a world of dongles, and for anyone who has invested in a decent pair of headphones or in-ear monitors (IEMs), the audio output from a standard smartphone or any other gear like notebooks is often a frustrating bottleneck. It’s functional, but it lacks the power, clarity, and finesse to make your music truly sing.
The BGVP MX1 is perfect for the discerning audio enthusiast who primarily uses IEMs or efficient headphones and demands both power and portability. The combination of its potent, balanced output, meticulous sound tuning, and user-friendly features like hardware controls and App support makes it a standout product.
If you’re looking to unleash the true potential of your portable audio gear without being weighed down by a bulky setup, the BGVP MX1 is a powerful, practical, and sonically impressive solution that is very easy to recommend.