If the heat is causing crackling or distortion, try increasing the USB Buffer Size in apps like USB Audio Player PRO HiBy Music Disable Bit-Perfect: Some users find that toggling Bit-perfect mode
The datasheet explicitly states: "An external LDO with ripple < 50mV is recommended." Yet many budget dongles connect VBUS (5V nominal, often 5.25V) directly to the chip via a simple resistor divider or no regulator at all. forces internal ESD clamps and regulators into saturation, dissipating excess voltage as heat.
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🔇 Even with extremely sensitive multi-driver IEMs, the background hiss on this chip is practically non-existent. It is exceptionally quiet.
The Real Issue with the Spark (CX31993 + MAX97220) : r/iemlndia