iBasso D10 Cobra or Not... - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

lescanard · #1 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 12:46 AM

Having recently upgraded to some Grado Sr325is'...and very happy about it mind you - I'm considering a potential upgrade in the Amp/Dac area. I'ver taken fellow head-fi-er's advice about upgrading the source files (lossless) and have truly noticed a huge difference and have been diligently working to re-rip all cds. I mainly listen to my tunes through my Macbook - via a Total Bithead USB Amp/Dac combo. I like the combo idea - as although I am not looking for a truly portable solution in the sense that I need to hit the road with it - I like to be light and portable (and probably 1 unit vs 2) in the sense of moving around the house. Basically its a digital world to me - and I don't think I'll ever want/need a top notch desktop or fixed location setup. Although I know many will say "get tubes to really open those Grados up"....or upgrade to a great/expensive amp set-up it probably won't be for me. I'd love a Meier Cantate but it looks a little too big for my situation.

So...I want a combo unit - usb a must at a minimum. I started looking at RSA Predator, Pico but recently came across the iBasso D10. Aside from the combo and usb part - its optical and coax options leave some room for additional functionality and I could run the opical out via my Macbook (as well as USB). I plan on mostly using my 352is' and HD595s and like/love both.

2 questions for you guys...1) - will any of the 3 I mentioned be a "huge" upgrade from the Total Bithead out of USB I am currently using? 2) - If yes, any opinions as to the D10 vs the Predator or Pico. I read the reviews and comparisons of each - the price difference of the iBasso is pretty nice but I'm more concerned about quality as opposed to a deal.

Thanks.

GreenLeo · #2 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lescanard

...
2 questions for you guys...1) - will any of the 3 I mentioned be a "huge" upgrade from the Total Bithead out of USB I am currently using? 2) - If yes, any opinions as to the D10 vs the Predator or Pico. I read the reviews and comparisons of each - the price difference of the iBasso is pretty nice but I'm more concerned about quality as opposed to a deal.

Thanks.

I believe that Q1 has been answered in other threads and the opinion was that D10 is a recent product while Total Bithead is relatively old so D10 wins in virtually all of the departments. Whether the upgrade is "huge" or not can probably only be judged by you, though

.

For Q2, the D10 update thread (probably the OP was jamato8, can't remember exactly) did mentioned that D10 = Predator + an upgraded DAC by HPA.

People are interested in D10 because its superb SQ for a great deal, not a fair SQ for a great deal.

None of the opinions are originally but I've spent a lot of time watching threads about D10. Hope this helps.

lescanard · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLeo

People are interested in D10 because its superb SQ for a great deal, not a fair SQ for a great deal.

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a d10 - great turnaround - shipped from China on a Monday and in my house in Upstate NY by Tuesday around noon. I really am impressed - sound quality of course - the optical out from my Macbook is fantastic - lots of options and an OpAmp rolling kit to boot if I decide to go there. I can't compare it to the Pico or Predator (others have as mentioned) but am very happy with my decision so far and what a great price which is simply a bonus - under $300 USD delivered.

GreenLeo · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lescanard

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a d10 - great turnaround - shipped from China on a Monday and in my house in Upstate NY by Tuesday around noon. I really am impressed - sound quality of course - the optical out from my Macbook is fantastic - lots of options and an OpAmp rolling kit to boot if I decide to go there. I can't compare it to the Pico or Predator (others have as mentioned) but am very happy with my decision so far and what a great price which is simply a bonus - under $300 USD delivered.

I'm glad that you like it. Now I'm listening to the PC USB to D10 output to my Lisa and the sound is even better. Maybe you would like to try the topkit mentioned in another thread:

iBasso D10. .UPDATES 1st page, with Current Opamp Choices by HiFlight . . . images page 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 71

Search for "topkit" of post written by HiFlight.

Cheers

lescanard · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 12:00 AM

Thanks - I have been diligently working my way through this thread - long way to go. I do want to try some other opamp configs when I get the courage to open this up but 1 step at time. One of the reasons I bought this was the option to add or expand down the road - do you find you prefer another amp (i.e. Lisa) to the d10s or do you just look to change it up?

GreenLeo · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lescanard

Thanks - I have been diligently working my way through this thread - long way to go. I do want to try some other opamp configs when I get the courage to open this up but 1 step at time. One of the reasons I bought this was the option to add or expand down the road - do you find you prefer another amp (i.e. Lisa) to the d10s or do you just look to change it up?

I don't quite understand the phrase "look to change it up" (English is not my 1st language). So I interpret it means just want to have a change.

In terms of SQ Lisa wins, no doubt. But Lisa is not that portable -- my Lisa weights more than one pound (454 g, if you like) and is bulky. Hence it's transportable rather than portable even though I used to carry the Lisa on my way to my working place and vice versa. Now I don't carry Lisa around because it cannot be charged through USB and one should use the LLP specifically designed for Lisa to reveal its full potential. The LLP is another pound of weight though.

I tried to feed my IMod 4G to the D10 directly and I just felt something is missing. I didn't know what it was but just music is just less full body and not as rick as it used to be. When I use the same source feeding to Lisa a higher quality of sound come back. Lisa do hiss heavily with the ES3X (my holy grail at the moment). However, once the music came, the hissing is partially or heavily masked and I can sincerely tell you that Lisa sounds definitely better.

Then I tried the PC -> USB -> D10 HP out and the PC -> USB -> D10 -> Lisa and the same conclusion is reached every time. In fact last night I was listening to the configuration and suddenly the sound went back because the battery of Lisa was depleted and I was forced to listen to the D10 HP out. The contrast was so huge that I find the D10 dry in comparison. After sometime my ears accustomed to that and no more complain.

D10 has a built-in DAC cost only $275 which is a deal or a steal (when compare to the predator) IMO. But the Lisa (no DAC) + LLP cost nearly $1000 (depends on the model of the Lisa). The Lisa is much bigger than the D10 so it should sound better. Lisa is very famous for its SQ. Check Skylab's thread for amp review in the portable amp forum and you'll find the review of Lisa.

Now I use my Lisa as a home amp and it certainly can combat with quite a few desktop amp in its price range.

I opened the D10 twice. That's not difficult at all. Just use the kit provided to loosen all the screws. Do not pull the pot but push from the optical input side will do. Again one of the post in the thread that I gave you has a detail description. But I can't remember the post number.

I haven't tried any opamp rolling but planing to--need to do some soldering. I need to spend more time with the stock version of the D10 before opamp rolling. Otherwise I can hardly appreciate the upgrade which is one of the major fun of this hobby.

lescanard · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2009, 02:58 PM

That makes perfect sense - thanks. I was not sure if you didn't like the amp part of d10 or just loved the Lisa more. I appreciate the information/opinions from you and all head-fiers. I am trying to resist the urge to always look for the next best thing however as noted - I really decided to purchase the d10 not only for what I thought would be a great improvement to my listening experience (which it is) - but for the possibilities of upgrade/improvement down the road. Right now the d10 is exactly what I thought it would be and the amp is considerably better than anything I have heard personally to date. Plus it really allows me to be a bit mobile with my music listening which is important. That being said - since I primarily listen out of my Macbook, I can when I am ready add to it with an amp like a Lisa, Meier or the like for a more stationary setup and still have the d10 to let me roam. I guess there's endless options to consider which indeed makes this a fun hobby (although dangerous for the wallet).