Newb with iBasso D1... help! - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Lsportline43 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 11:34 PM

So I just got my first amp/dac ever and here's my impression:

I think it sounds extremely clear, but also extremely high. As in it sounds bright, if that makes sense. I am running the iBasso D1 with the optical out from my iRiver H120. Also the headphones I'm using are my less than 1 week old AKG K271S.

I bought this amp from musicmaker and this is the opamps that he left in the iBasso D1:

LR: OPA2107
Buffers: LM4752
DAC: LT6234

Musicmaker stated that this combo of opamps, if that's what they're called

, would sound great. I really do not agree with this...

I have a 13 year old Panasonic Portable CD player that sounds near perfect, imo, with my AKG K271S. Well what I mean is that the Panasonic is the best sounding source that I've used with my AKGs. That's using the Panasonic portable cd player's headphone out with the CD player plugged up to the adapter and not running on batteries.

The sound from the iBasso is completely lacking bass and makes listening to music fatiguing. To me it sounds like the iBasso is extremely clear and detailed, which makes it sound analytical. This, to me, is not a good thing. It makes listening to music seem like work.

Compared to my Panasonic portable cd player the iBasso sounds extremely weak. The components in the iBasso seem to make the sound clear and detailed, but it sounds as if the iBasso is limited in terms of it's power supply. When running the panasonic on batteries it does not sound as "full" as when it is plugged into the adapter. Is this the same with the iBasso? The iBasso D1 seems to lack a bottom end/bass. There seems to be no "punch" that I get with the Panasonic...

Any help/suggestions?

P.S. Sorry for the long post just had to vent a little.

asainz · #2 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 11:57 PM

There is a huge D1 appreciation thread with lots of posts about op-amp rolling. A post from Skylab comparing the D1 with the move, with information about another op-amp combination. Sorry, I can't help you more than redirecting to those threads. Good luck!

tracyrick · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 12:12 AM

I have the latest D1 version being sold. With my ER-4S and H140 I also think the D1 sounds "bright" and very clear with amazing detail. This compared to my Portaphile V2 Maxxed, which sounds smoother and with possibly more bottom end. I love the detail of the D1, which pairs well with my ER-4S.

Is the D1 really lacking bass? I'm not sure yet after several weeks, but I am sure that it is "bright" and detailed. I'd like to try the D1 with the Shure E530 to see if that creates more fullness/body to the sound and reduces some of the brightness. Won't change the fact that the D1 by itself may be bright, but it could help me acheive a better overall balanced sound profile.

Lsportline43 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 01:43 AM

Thanks for the responses and yes I will check out that iBasso D1 thread.

This bright sound is definitely not my style. Anyone have recommendations as to what portable amp would mate well with the D1? I'm thinking LaRocco Pocket Reference II...?

wolfen68 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsportline43

Thanks for the responses and yes I will check out that iBasso D1 thread.

This bright sound is definitely not my style. Anyone have recommendations as to what portable amp would mate well with the D1? I'm thinking LaRocco Pocket Reference II...?

I've seen this reference to the D1's thin brightness a couple of times and it concerns me as a potential buyer of one. I guess I'll wait until I get to hear one.

If you still want to play with DAC's...I would recommend the HR MicroDAC. Sounds clear and full with a good bottom end through the different amps I've tried (using SR71 with it now). I really have no complaints with it except for it's size and battery life.

musicmaker · #6 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 02:14 AM

Everyone's setup is different. It's all about synergy. Audio optimization takes some patience

There are other opamps I sent you Lsportline43 that you can try. For starters, try the LT6241 in the dac (already mounted on a browndog so its plug and play). Some of the other opamps require to be mounted on a browndog.

The AKG K271S IMO are a bit bass lean for starters. So I suggest you try the AD797 in the LR of the D1. This will require a 2 to 1 DIP adapter. You will need 2 AD797s. PM HiFlight for the adapter and buffer bypasses. He can also recommend other buffers.

The D1 amp is not its strong suit. Its not bad by any means but not great. I found it to be a bit bass lean as well. The AD797 improves the bass to a certain extent. The DAC in the D1 however is just excellent. Pairing the D1 with a dedicated amp is the route I went. If you're already concerned about brightness I would not recommend the Larocco PrII with your setup. Instead I would recommend the Corda2Move. The Move has a warm sound signature, great top and bottom end and is just delightful. Haven't heard the PICO but people recommend it highly. Read Skylab and OICDN's review on portable amps.

Hope this helps.

kiwirugby · #7 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 02:20 AM

Is your Panasonic an analogue or digital out? If it's the former, I think the stock opamps in the amp may be an issue. I know many have said that it's the weaker aspect of the D1. There has been so much opamp rolling with the D1, I am not sure the stock configuration is really considered to be very good. Maybe that's what you're hearing.

I only use the D1 DAC (LT6234) with an optical out from a Sony D-EJ2000 pcdp into an iBasso p2 amp. Really a good combination for me.

Lsportline43 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwirugby

Is your Panasonic an analogue or digital out?

I'm not using my Panasonic with the iBasso D1. I'm just comparing the sound from the headphone out of the Panasonic player to the sound of the iRiver H120 connected via optical to the iBasso DAC/AMP. (using AKG K271S as headphones)

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmaker

The AKG K271S IMO are a bit bass lean for starters.

I agree the AKG K271S is lean in the bass, but it is there when played with the Panasonic PCDP. **(by the way I found out the specific model: Panasonic SL-S290) With the iBasso the AKGs don't sound like there's any bass AT ALL. The D1 seems to just focus on the high frequencies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmaker

There are other opamps I sent you Lsportline43 that you can try. For starters, try the LT6241 in the dac (already mounted on a browndog so its plug and play). Some of the other opamps require to be mounted on a browndog.

I'll try that and see if it works out for me. Hopefully it'll be tolerable until I can find a separate portable amp. I do believe I will be purchasing a different amp and just use the iBasso D1 for its DAC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmaker

If you're already concerned about brightness I would not recommend the Larocco PrII with your setup. Instead I would recommend the Corda2Move.

Hmm... didn't know that the LaRocco Pocket Reference II sounds bright. So no PRII. How about the Hornet? I've been interested in that headphone amp for sometime. But musicmaker you suggest the Corda2move? Maybe I'll check it out. I guess I have some research to do...

How did I end up with a bright setup... bright headphones and bright amp/dac. Well atleast now I know I do not prefer a bright sounding audio setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmaker

Audio optimization takes some patience

Hopefully I'll be able to find my perfect setup soon. It really is the worst when buying/trying new audio equipment. Tough to find exactly what you like. But when you do find the perfect setup it is REALLY worth it.

P.S. Besides the sound the iBasso D1 is really a sweet looking piece of audio equipment. Is the PRII the similar size? Just curious.

HeadphoneAddict · #9 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 04:59 AM

The D1 is a great sounding amp with the AD797 in the main section, and AD8397 in the buffers (same opamp in DAC as you) and bass is NOT LACKING at all. It has great punch and power with this setup, and I doubt you will be disappointed after you try it.

Lsportline43 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 05:04 AM

Thanks HeadphoneAddict for the advice. I will contact HiFlight to get the AD797s. I REALLY am a noob at all of this, so I guess any advice as to what to do would help. I would definitely want everything to be plug and play, for I do not know how to switch things around. Hope I'm making sense. Very new to this rolling of opamps.

musicmaker · #11 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 06:18 AM

Not sure I'd call the PRII bright but its extremely revealing. It sounds fantastic, no question about it. Its by far the best portable I've heard. I don't have experience with the hornet sorry. The corda move is also a great amp. It is also warmer sounding than the PRII which is the reason I recommended the move and it may help balance out the brightness.

Lsportline43 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 07:23 AM

I was also thinking about the Portaphile Vmaxxed. There's one in the For Sale section and I'm thinking about getting it. I'll read up on the performance of the Portaphile before purchasing though.