The Ibasso DX80.
A worthy successor of the DX90?
Ibasso has been a pillar in the portable audio world. They have been producing several consumer products that helped shape the hobby and has always been an advocate of well priced equipments.
This is the 4th DX DAP from the Ibasso house.
www.ibasso.com
Specs:
•Si TIme MEMS Oscillator X2•XMOS USB receiver with Thesycon USB Audio driver. Easy to use USB DAC. •Line out has a set voltage. •Dual CS4398 dacs and native DSD.•Dual micro SD slots.•3600mah battery.•Optical and coax digital output. •3.2 inch screen with a resolution of 480*800 IPS screen.•Native DSD64 and 128 from SD card or USB input.•Headphone out: Output Level: 2.9Vrms(32ohm Load).••260mW into a 32 ohm load. •FrequencyResponse: 17Hz~20KHz +/-0.1dB •S/N: -114dB +/-1dB (32ohm Load) •THD+N: 0.002% (32ohm load)•Output Impedance: <0.1ohm•Size: 120mm*63.2mm*16.8mm•Weight: 178g
•Retail price: $359.00
The Build.
It's made out of aluminum, glass & hard plastic composite. The body is about 60% CNC aluminum and 40% plastic. I wish the edges felt smoother but the rubber sleeve it comes with does the job. I hope Ibasso considers on using a leather case on future models. That would give it a more elegant look and feel. Compared to the DX90, this is more sharp looking.
I would prefer its size than the DX90 as it offers more grip.
The buttons feel solid and well made. The power button is at the left side & volume is at the right side. The 3 buttons below the screen is for play/pause, skip and back. It does not have a removable backplate like the DX90 as the battery is fixed. BTW, this has a bigger and better battery inside.
At the top would be your 3.5mm optical/coaxial out, micro usb jacks and 2 micro SD slots. The line out and phone out is at the bottom.
Functionality.
The ff. for me are the most significant improvements from the DX90.
* optical out
* line out
* USB dac via pc/laptop (you need to download the software though)
Ibasso made a huge improvement from the old DX90 line out. This thing will automatically activate the line out once you plug your interconnect to the amp. In the DX90, you need to be careful to lower the volume otherwise you're in for a treat. Well done Ibasso!
The optical out is another good addition from the old DX90.
The new interface needs getting used to. You need to swipe it to the right if you want to view your directory & music menu. Swipe from right to left and you'll see the settings.
The only thing that disappoints me is the DOP thru optical/coaxial as I mainly pair the DX80 to Hugo. You cannot play DSD thru coaxial/optical. So all Mojo and Hugo users has to settle with 24/192.
How does it sound?
This is going to be based on FW1.4 as the previous 3 FW's had many issues.
The IEM's I used during this review are:
Lear BD4.2, Jomo 6r, W60 (Lear reshelled), UE TF10, Noble K10 & ZA Doppio(modded).
Dire Straits - Your Latest Trick (DSD 2822.4khz)
W/ the TF10, K10, Jomo 6r & w60
- Treble is slightly rolled off and thin. Layering is good but not exceptional. Bass is controlled but a little loose. Staging, width, depth is where the DX80 shines. Instruments are well placed and has a slightly better soundtage compared to the DX90. Midrange is slightly warmer than the 90.
Josh Groban - All I ask of you (FLAC 24/88)
W/ the Lear bd4.2, Jomo 6r & TF10
- Sounstage is wide and holographic. Instruments sounds grand. It only falls short on the male vocals where I would desire more weight on Josh's voice. Female vocals is well presented. Kelly's voice is emotional, robust and never shrill.
Ed Sheeran - Tenerife Sea (16/44)
W/ the K10, TF10 & Doppio
- Background is noticeably black. Each guitar pluck is felt. Bass has body with a slightly longer decay. Imaging is clear cut. Ed's voice is deep and romantic. It needs more air and top end extension for my taste.
Final words.
For the commanded price, this is a very good DAP from Ibasso. Paired with a very good portable amp this thing shines more so with a very good dac/amp. If it plays DSD on coaxial, then this would have been unbeatable in its price range. It is clean, musical & articulate. It may not be as delicate compared to higher end DAP's but for someone who's not as demanding this is more than enough.
Does 2 micro sd slots, slightly better UI, improved line out, additional optical out, longer battery life, a slighty wider soundstage and warmer presentation makes it better than the DX90? I'd say yes.
A worthy successor of the DX90?
Ibasso has been a pillar in the portable audio world. They have been producing several consumer products that helped shape the hobby and has always been an advocate of well priced equipments.
This is the 4th DX DAP from the Ibasso house.
www.ibasso.com
Specs:
•Si TIme MEMS Oscillator X2•XMOS USB receiver with Thesycon USB Audio driver. Easy to use USB DAC. •Line out has a set voltage. •Dual CS4398 dacs and native DSD.•Dual micro SD slots.•3600mah battery.•Optical and coax digital output. •3.2 inch screen with a resolution of 480*800 IPS screen.•Native DSD64 and 128 from SD card or USB input.•Headphone out: Output Level: 2.9Vrms(32ohm Load).••260mW into a 32 ohm load. •FrequencyResponse: 17Hz~20KHz +/-0.1dB •S/N: -114dB +/-1dB (32ohm Load) •THD+N: 0.002% (32ohm load)•Output Impedance: <0.1ohm•Size: 120mm*63.2mm*16.8mm•Weight: 178g
•Retail price: $359.00
The Build.
It's made out of aluminum, glass & hard plastic composite. The body is about 60% CNC aluminum and 40% plastic. I wish the edges felt smoother but the rubber sleeve it comes with does the job. I hope Ibasso considers on using a leather case on future models. That would give it a more elegant look and feel. Compared to the DX90, this is more sharp looking.
I would prefer its size than the DX90 as it offers more grip.
The buttons feel solid and well made. The power button is at the left side & volume is at the right side. The 3 buttons below the screen is for play/pause, skip and back. It does not have a removable backplate like the DX90 as the battery is fixed. BTW, this has a bigger and better battery inside.
At the top would be your 3.5mm optical/coaxial out, micro usb jacks and 2 micro SD slots. The line out and phone out is at the bottom.
Functionality.
The ff. for me are the most significant improvements from the DX90.
* optical out
* line out
* USB dac via pc/laptop (you need to download the software though)
Ibasso made a huge improvement from the old DX90 line out. This thing will automatically activate the line out once you plug your interconnect to the amp. In the DX90, you need to be careful to lower the volume otherwise you're in for a treat. Well done Ibasso!
The optical out is another good addition from the old DX90.
The new interface needs getting used to. You need to swipe it to the right if you want to view your directory & music menu. Swipe from right to left and you'll see the settings.
The only thing that disappoints me is the DOP thru optical/coaxial as I mainly pair the DX80 to Hugo. You cannot play DSD thru coaxial/optical. So all Mojo and Hugo users has to settle with 24/192.
How does it sound?
This is going to be based on FW1.4 as the previous 3 FW's had many issues.
The IEM's I used during this review are:
Lear BD4.2, Jomo 6r, W60 (Lear reshelled), UE TF10, Noble K10 & ZA Doppio(modded).
Dire Straits - Your Latest Trick (DSD 2822.4khz)
W/ the TF10, K10, Jomo 6r & w60
- Treble is slightly rolled off and thin. Layering is good but not exceptional. Bass is controlled but a little loose. Staging, width, depth is where the DX80 shines. Instruments are well placed and has a slightly better soundtage compared to the DX90. Midrange is slightly warmer than the 90.
Josh Groban - All I ask of you (FLAC 24/88)
W/ the Lear bd4.2, Jomo 6r & TF10
- Sounstage is wide and holographic. Instruments sounds grand. It only falls short on the male vocals where I would desire more weight on Josh's voice. Female vocals is well presented. Kelly's voice is emotional, robust and never shrill.
Ed Sheeran - Tenerife Sea (16/44)
W/ the K10, TF10 & Doppio
- Background is noticeably black. Each guitar pluck is felt. Bass has body with a slightly longer decay. Imaging is clear cut. Ed's voice is deep and romantic. It needs more air and top end extension for my taste.
Final words.
For the commanded price, this is a very good DAP from Ibasso. Paired with a very good portable amp this thing shines more so with a very good dac/amp. If it plays DSD on coaxial, then this would have been unbeatable in its price range. It is clean, musical & articulate. It may not be as delicate compared to higher end DAP's but for someone who's not as demanding this is more than enough.
Does 2 micro sd slots, slightly better UI, improved line out, additional optical out, longer battery life, a slighty wider soundstage and warmer presentation makes it better than the DX90? I'd say yes.
