iBasso DX100 Reference DAP Impression

[Randius]

Not that many of us will be concerned but iBasso confirmed that they will not be making the aluminium mount base. Not sure if Hibino Intersound will be doing so.


Just curious, anyone else placed pre-order for the 2nd batch of DX100?


@iRBaboon: other DAPs I think in the same class as DX100, namely HM801 and C4 are pretty focused as well.

Obvious differences:
DX100 - Optical / coaxial / line output, plays 24/192 bit-for-bit, 3-level gain setting
HM801 - interchangeable amp module, a more-common SD card slot, act as USB DAC
C4 - SPDIF input/output, plays 24/192 WAV (FLAC 16/44.1), act as USB DAC

However, the true value of the DAPs go beyond the extra functionality (which are quite little) and lies in their sound quality. Suggest you put aside functionality when considering these DAPs, unless they are very important (e.g. USB DAC, gapless playback, optical output).

HiFlight, who was a HM602 beta tester, commented that DX100 is much better. Well, just in case you were thinking, "how about HM602?"

 

[iRbaboon]

I see, I see.

Sound quality is number 1 priority that's for sure, but for something in that price range and with high-end components (supposedly, Idno), I think it'd be a lot more value-added in a sense if it can be used as a DAC, especially since the battery can last around 6/8 hours only. If the battery is those quality type that won't deteriorate over 1 year, good for you, if not, that's a major fail on Ibasso's part.

Maybe Ibasso DX200 will tackle the battery problems.

Anyways, no offense intended whatsoever. Enjoy your new toy

 

[Randius]

I understand your concern and I also wish that the DX100 can act as USB DAC, though I don't really use that function often on my D12. iBasso is being very conservative here and is not taking (however remote) chances that including USB input on DX100 will hurt their amp/DAC sales. Yes, people will say the price difference is significant and should not affect but that's the impression I get from my email exchanges with iBasso. They want to play it very, very safe...

As for battery quality, I will know in a year's time

 

[Singapura]

I pulled the trigger this morning and pre-ordered one. I don't care about the size because I'm logging an iPad 1 and a Kindle as well as my iPod+Fiio E11 around all the time. Did anyone try to use Pandora on this? I wonder if you can install a VPN app and use it like I do now on my iPhone.

 

[Randius]

Yes, HiFlight tried it and Pandora works fine on DX100 but you will need to change volume in the settings. The volume in the iBasso music player does not affect Pandora. As for VPN, I am not sure.

 

[Randius]

Early this morning, iBasso had released the latest firmware update for the DX100 which addressed most of the issues reported by owners of initial batch. Installation was very simple and most of the more obvious issues were resolved. Now asking iBasso if they can provide a list of bugs fixed.

 

[Randius]

After updating the firmware and listening to the same tracks, the DX100 seems to have slightly more bass impact and a little more open-sounding. This is rather unexpected but certainly much welcomed

Loving it more everyday

 

[riderxps]

Thanks for the update, waiting for mine to arrive next month.

 

[dqwong]

looks like DX100 is the slimiest of them(portable audiophile class players) all:

Mini audio DX100 Jaben?? ? ???

 

[Randius]

looks like DX100 is the slimiest of them(portable audiophile class players) all:

Mini audio DX100 Jaben?? ? ???

Now DX100 joins the rank of the "godly bricks"

 

[chesterqw]

compared to the the ipod classic, external caps and portable amp era

the dx100 is ******* tiny.

 

[iAHBEE]

looks like DX100 is the slimiest of them(portable audiophile class players) all:

Mini audio DX100 Jaben?? ? ???

wah whats that brick on the right? i like the looks of it

 

[Randius]

wah whats that brick on the right? i like the looks of it

That's the Sony PCM-D50 digital voice recorder

 

[dqwong]

Now DX100 joins the rank of the "godly bricks"

bricks don't cost ~S$1k lah!

But we have come a long way since the first advent of mp3 players:

Same "brick" design:

 

[Randius]

bricks don't cost ~S$1k lah!

But we have come a long way since the first advent of mp3 players:

Found that comparison (and a pretty lengthy, detailed one) and the author did give DX100 pretty high points in almost all areas. Well done, iBasso!


There are two things bad about DX100 - short battery life and that it makes my iPhone 4 sounds bad...

 

[dqwong]

Found that comparison (and a pretty lengthy, detailed one) and the author did give DX100 pretty high points in almost all areas. Well done, iBasso!


There are two things bad about DX100 - short battery life and that it makes my iPhone 4 sounds bad...

can sic the comparsion?

I think I might need to invest in this next time as well:
Belkin : AC Anywhere™ Power Inverter with USB charging - 200W

 

[Randius]

can sic the comparsion?

I think I might need to invest in this next time as well:
Belkin : AC Anywhere™ Power Inverter with USB charging - 200W

Here is the comparison

I am looking at the Energizer XP8000 battery pack.

 

[dqwong]

Here is the comparison

I am looking at the Energizer XP8000 battery pack.

Thanks!

did some homework into the ess sabre32 dac, sic with you:


http://www.esstech.com/pdf/noise-shaping-sigma-delta.pdf
http://www.esstech.com/pdf/digital-vs-analog-volume-control.pdf
http://www.esstech.com/pdf/about-jitter.pdf
http://www.esstech.com/PDF/sabrewp.pdf
http://www.esstech.com/PDF/Application_Note_Component_Selection_and_PCB_Layout.pdf

predecessor of ES9018, but describes the tech that ESS uses:
Test hearing of Evaluation boad of ES9008S ESS Technology

some technical info:
General « H i F i D U I N O

 

[dqwong]

yo randius found another review on ibasso dx100:
Lyra Media - Headphone, Earphone news and reviews, daily update.

 

[Randius]

yo randius found another review on ibasso dx100:
Lyra Media - Headphone, Earphone news and reviews, daily update.

Thanks for the link. A pity that he is not testing the production unit and I find that his statement on DX100 having a 1.2GHz CPU to be incorrect. As for the rest of the comments, I agree with most of them.