General Information
Dx320Max
Disclaimer: Allow me to disclose first thing first that I am not affiliated with Ibasso, and hence I only speak from my most honest point of view. It may sound like a shill which help to hype the player, but I assure that I am not. Please remember that personal preferences is always a key player and the most important one in any subjective hobby. What is best for me, isn’t necessarily the best for your preferences. Please give it a try, experiences different systems, and understand your inner beasts. All of the followings are the result of my analyzations and comparisons of the 320Max performances in references to my desktop system and over the many years experiences.
The summarized :
The introductions
With AKM fires and Sabres slowing down their productions during Covid, there was a new DAC chip introduced to the industry, the ROHM new flagships. Now, this isn’t the first time that ROHM is doing DAC chips, but it is the first time they are stepping into the high-end segments of it. They were known for many other silicon based IC productions. Anyways, it was something to be excited about, and we can never judge something without having to observe it. Especially in this hobby, when it comes to our senses, preferences, paper specs really only is half of the battle
The first ROHM chips being used on a portable was Cayin N8ii. You probably have known it, and may even be cross shopping in between ? The next one one the market that came a few months later was from Ibasso Dx320. I listened to N8ii, and I loved it. I didn’t know if it was the ROHM or the manufacturers that did a good job. However, after confirming with Ibasso next player, and now the 320Max, I gotta say that ROHM is an amazing chip. How so ? Because it has the best of both worlds, between AKM & Sabres. To sum it up, AKM is overwhelmingly warmth toward the highs and extensions, while Sabres is too dry and analytical in the low and the mids. It is so diverse that either you are an AKM or a Sabres fan. We are not even talking about the amplifications and the house tuning yet
For all that said, I found myself to be enjoying ROHM by a lot, simply because to my preferences and listening to various genres, from classical, orchestral, EDM, modern pops with the exception hip-hop, I found that ROHM is the best. However, in the portable hobby, it doesn’t stop there. Even with desktop systems, we all know that there are ways more to the chains than just the DAC and it chips. Therefore the next thing would be the gears, either the headphones or the buds, and it depends on many different factors. Most of us would agree that power is never enough. However, when you have too much output power by a little 3.8V li-ion packs, we will be faced with consequences, the floor noises/the hisses. Therefore, in order to have a dream system technically, we will have to optimize the system under compromises. Usually, it is form and costs.
The chassis:
The 320Max Ti, and we don’t call it Ti, is because it only have 1 version, made by titanium. We should be calling it Ti, so that we don’t confuse it with other players which usually is made by Stainless steel or aluminum. Titanium by itself is also an exotic materials, while being abundant as a resource, the processing is why it is expensive. Because they are hard to produce, and high cost, most of the time, you would see either SS or Aluminum to be the common chassis. Now, from different players, different chassis versions, the titanium as a chassis materials can still affect the end performances, which make it usually to be a special editions or limited editions. Here we have a limited release of 888 units world wide of the 320Max. You may remember that the stainless steel version of 300Max was cheaper in comparison. Now with 320Max, you only get 1 chassis, and it is Titanium.
The technicalities:
What bring to my attentions is that it is a Max series. This stands for it being the top of the line from Ibasso, the flagship of the flagship. I have been with Max series since the Dx220Max, and I can clearly tell that there is evolutions with each successor. Most importantly is that all of the Max are Limited release. They are what they are, and they will not be produced anymore than that.
I was very happy with the last generation, the Dx300Max-Ti. But how come I moved on away from it ? There are a couple reasons, and that is because I seek for the high fidelity, the textures, the sparkling, the extensions that AKM chips just don’t bring in the game. I am pretty sure for anyone who love the AKM signature, the 320Max will carry a very different signature. Whether or not it is an upgrade, that is a personal choice. However, in my opinion, I love ROHM chip, and for this reason alone, the 320Max is already an upgrade.
Now, let’s talk a bit more in-depth into the other segments of Dx320Max prowess. It sports 4X BD34301EKV of the ROHM flagship DAC, which makes it the first portable being worldwide at this moment. This chip dedicated into Stereos processing, which means it process full signals per channel which consists of L+ L- R+ R-. Therefore, theoretically speaking, using one single chip is already enough for fully balanced digital processing. But Ibasso didn’t stop there. Because the flagship Dx320, which is much more portable, already have dual chips. This little brother has a unique modular amplifiers that you won’t be able to find on the Max. The 320Max is sporting 4X ROHM chips.
Then, in order to give the users a better controls, Ibasso sport in the patented MangoOS system. Yet, I can not stress enough that other makers usually do not give you such option for dual OS, due to the complications and incompatibilities, the cost to develop and continue to support the platforms from firmware updates but, with Ibasso, you have it. Together with the 2 modes of Standard and Ultimate, with each modes, the playtime will be either 16-12 hours respectively.
Standard modes: Utilizing only 2X of the ROHM chips, just like any other flagships that is using Dual DAC. Each chip carry 4x signals, and we have 8 Signals, to finally be summed up into whether Balanced out 4.4mm or Single ended 3.5mm. It lasts upto 16 hours
Ultimate modes: Utilizing all 4X of the chips. The first of it kind, and the only one on earth at this moment to be implemented with 4X of the chips and be fully utilizing it. We may take it for granted that giong from 2 chips into 4 chips are not going to be complicated, and especially true for current output architectures. If you have to tackle the aspects of achieving performances, and optimizing the power consumed, together with minimizing thermal activities system wide. Ibasso have checked all boxes. If you have tried the Cayin N8ii, you possibly realized the differences in thermal activities between Cayin and Ibasso. Then you will be just floored with Dx320Max. It virtually generates Zero heat in comparison to other players on the market. It lasts upto 12 hours. You should be burning in ultimate mode, so all 4 chips will be utilized, then when you want to use normal mode, you can do so and skip the burn-in process
Between AK4499EX and ROHM, the ROHM itself is a truer current output converters. Being a current output DAC, it is both simple and complex in order to implement the DAC in a high-end overall. It is very complicated to keep the current constants regarding the load variations. However, it seems that Ibasso is trying to head that way with the digital converters at the optimized output, while using gain level with the analog gain knob, together with the stepped attenuation. We may take it for granted that both the DMP-Z1 and 320Max has “pure analog gains and volume attenuations”. However, in order to achieve such milestone accurately, to bypass the digital controls of “gains/attenuations”, the engineers will have to finely tuning the digital conversions from the algorithms, the amplitudes, the interpolations, and all things related, in order to keep the DAC chips under the most optimized performances while having no undershoots/overshoots problems. Yes, I did put in some inquiries about this, and there are some “secret trade aspects” that Ibasso refuse to comments about, but Ibasso do confirm that they have utilized a new and innovative implementations overall for the 320Max Regarding the ROHM chips.
Ofcourse, while these modern chips are allowing digital controls of it interface aka, attenuations, gains. But that is taking it an easy way at compromising the overall performances. DMP Z1 was the first one to tackle the issues. The previous Maxes were still having digital controls. Now, with 320Max, we have the first Max ever to be utilizing this optimization from it own digital processing unit that is sporting Quad ROHM DAC chips! A milestone of achievement for such a small form factor.
Amplifications technologies: before we get there, the one thing I want to state out loud is that Ibasso understand their own market very well, and many reasons would come from the market researches from the flagship players that has modular designs. Simply following the feedbacks, the desires from both the engineerings, the acoustic tuning team, together with the sell and the customers. Yes, this approach was criticized by different groups of people, and just like anything on the world, there are always pros and cons. But I can guarantee that by listening, looking at the evolution of the Max, the 320Max clearly carrying out the understanding, the most optimized tuning, and the best remarks that Ibasso have yet to achieve right at this very moment. Even if you think about how fast Ibasso has been releasing their products, there are clearly new developments, new research, with every little bit of hard works behind it. Ibasso shows to me that they are into this as much as a dedicated hobby with all the love and dedications, and not just the sales/profits alone.
The amplifier being used in the 320Max is the Super Class A with discrete architecture. It eliminates the switching distortions of active transistors, while performing just like a classical class A with minimizing heat generation. On top of that, Ibasso also implement the best approach for tuning the analog circuitry with the most idealistic components yet. The mixtures of Tantalum capacitors and polypropylene multilayer filmed capacitors, electrolytic capacitors. The Dx320Max is also the first player to have implemented very bulky capacitors into such little board and into such compact space at higher level of complexity in comparison to the 300Max-Ti. You will not see these from even any of the other so called External portable amplifiers either. Yet, the amplification within is Dedicated amplification. It has it own batteries which consists of 4X li-ion packs. If you know about Cayin C9, which probably was inspired by DX220Max, then the 320Max is a 2 systems in one housing, a dedicated and balanced amplifier Plus a dedicated DAC/DAP. A 2 systems in one compact chassis With each system have it own battery as power source, and dedicated voltage regulations
With balanced out achieving 9Vrms and Single ended of 4.5Vrms, the 320Max has the power that is unrivaled in this compacted form factor. It proved so by the first time when you plugged in any full-size headphones such as the Hd800s and the like, just listening to it, and be carried away into a blissful audio performances that could only be normally achieved by connecting into desktop systems. Not just any systems, but high end systems. Yet, there are other aspects that high end desktop systems would still pull ahead. However, in this form factor, the winner is 320X and not any desktop system. Because of this, I will call the Dx320Max to be the best portable player for Full-size headphones yet to be released by any manufacturers known to man until now. You don’t have to take my words for it, please give it a try, and be floored.
On the more detailed view of it, and from a tinkerer point of views, in order to populate the amplification sections with densely packed capacitors on the top of surface Mount components, it requires extreme skills. Why didn’t other companies not doing similar ? Because the labors for this would be too extreme, too costly, too intense. The 320Max is cheap from how I am looking at it. I can assure that in order to have these components mounted, no machines could have done it, except hand soldering by very skillful people. Cost would be significantly reduced if it was all done by machines instead. I know Astel&Kern advertised that their SP3K is the one that has all the Quad DAC chips implementations, and dedicated amplifications, but without dissecting too far into it, I gotta say that Maxes has been having dedicated power source, voltage rails, and separated channels all along, with the 320Max being a step up from the previous by utilizing all the fancy components as mentioned above. When you really dive deep into it, you will see that Ibasso is carrying the innovations, the complexity, the dedications to aim for better audio performances while keeping the MSRP suggestion down to earth. The level of innovations, the complexities of the hardware inside the 320Max is definitely mind blowing to my own level of technicalities. Yes, I do perform complex works when I modify things that I desire, and on the 320Max Ibasso has my respects to pull it off for such pricing.
Stepped attenuator: in order to achieve the best balances between channels, Ibasso opted to go as far as to custom design and producing a 24 steps stepped attenuator. The reasons being is that, instead of using resistive stripes, it uses discrete resistors with traces and grooves, which physically is more reliable and bullet proof in comparison. It also has a much better balances controls between signals. With only one set back that is on portable, you may have some sound anomalies when turning the knobs. There will be a segment where the shaft will be lifted slightly before it could drop into the designated grooves again. This normally doesn’t happen on desktop systems, because with desktop systems, these stepped attenuators are about 20X larger. The whole attenuator can get as large as your palm.
True Line Out: for both SE or Balanced available in settings after connecting to your external amplifiers. It completely bypassing the internal amplifications, and is available in the setting menu. Using it this way, the 320Max is a high-end digital to analog conversion source, which boasts 4X ROHMs. It does extremely well in this role.
Sound signatures:
Very neutral, natural, yet full of musicality, engaging, liquid, and effortless. Beautifully balanced throughout for all 3 main spectrums of Low-Mid-High. Usually, in portable worlds, the players will have to compromise at the least 1 spectrum in order to optimize the other 2, and that makes sound signatures and synergies matching to be a huge factor in choosing your personal system. It is more so for portable system and less so for desktop systems. Here, the Dx320Max does not compromise any of the 3. For this, it is already an achievement. Please noted that I am speaking relatively to other portable devices. When compared to my desktop system, and using 320Max excellent line out as a comparison, the tuning from the amp section do have some thinning out in the mid section and this provide an even more grandes soundstages for a portable system.
I have faced questions before, what am I trying to achieve with my tinkering and modding ? If you want to know it, the Dx320 is an example of “my perfections”. It is what I have always aimed for, desired for.
Sparkling trebles, smooths, detailed, amazing extensions, no harshness, no graininess, just perfection! Yeah…perfection doesn’t exist, but IMO, up until now, the 320Max-Ti is that perfection from all of my experienced so far from many years of listening to portable systems.
Bass is very articulated, well controlled, great articulations, great exertions within it density and tonal balances, virtually zero distortions, very dynamic but also very fluid and effortless. I don’t typically observe such bass performances from many products, even desktop products. It isn’t easy to have this “blended formulation”
Mids and vocal are straight out amazing, vocal is leaning a bit of being analytical and brighter. Though, it is still amazing this way. Anything more than this is just going to be icing on the cakes.
Do not mind me, but do take note that I am comparing the 320Max in references to a 300B western electric amplifier which is decked out with Lundahl transformers and constantly plugged in. I have had a friend who loves asking question in a perspective number, such as how would I rate the 320Max to my desktop amp in % ? The 320Max is like 95% there. It depends on your view of how much different any 5% would be. For example, the human DNA VS Ape ? For me, specifically, the last 5% that my desktop has better is the ability to stretch the spectrum wider in both musicality and neutrality, enough to show me that the 320Max as a portable, still remaining portable, because it has some thinning in the mid spectrum, very small segment of it. However, the 320Max is non the less once again transcending portability, stepping into the desktop world, having to perform better than the previous maxes, and that means a lot to me. Most importantly is the ROHM chips, which I love so much and in QuAD !
Burn-in: So then, will the Dx320Max need burn in ? Yes, definitely, even though you will be welcomed with such amazing performances out of the box. You will be greeted by differences during the time it burns in. Most of the rides are smooth, and not negative, until I met with 125 hours approximately toward 170 hours or so, which is about 3 days (not 24 hours burning in). I do have an overwhelming bass textures and some congested layerings in mid spectrum. But it quickly fade and back to performances. I recommend you to not constantly burning in, but rather to give it a couple hours rest between burning in sessions for the best performances. Each sessions would be about 8-10 hours, depends on whichever works better for you. Basically, never fully do 24/24 burn in. Also, please burn in with your favorite mixes of different collections.
Charging: Ibasso provides 2 different charging circuitries, a strictly 12V DC in which uses the common 5521 or 5525 plug, and a USB C with PD compatible. You can buy a PD triggered 12V and look for charger that listed specifically 12V supported. If you would like to use power bank, which I use. So I can always charge it up anywhere I desire, on a plane, a cruise, a beach vacation, whatever. Do make sure that they do have 12V supported. Please do notice that the previous Maxes have a huge range of 12-18V charging circuitry, the 320Max is specifically 12V.
The stock protective case: it has been improved over the previous, it fits better, and doesn’t slide out at all for my unit. The back is no longer just a thick slab of leather that covers up everything, but with a nicely imbedded Ibasso logo by steel. It gives the 320Max a great aesthetic appearances. Though, grabbing the back at the steel cut out feel sharp. I tried to handle it with care, but the sharp feelings that it can cut me is always there when I grabbed it.
The player doesn’t come with screen protective pre-applied. For some reasons, even if I tried to use it with tempered glasses from 320 screen, or the plastic film, the touch sensitivity just gone down, and become annoying from times to times. So at this moment I just use it as is.
A candidate of endgame worthy: as a decked out player coming off the assembly line, together with the performances out of the box and the ability to easily unscrew the back plate, plugging and replacing the battery packs, which can be purchased from your authorized Ibasso dealer, the 320Max is a candidate for an endgame for portable system that can drives full-size such as 800s effortlessly
Final words: I love this little player. It may be huge, thick, brick like. But I do believe this is the most optimized and compacted form for such a power house that can drive the likes of 800S with eases. Yes, the stepped attenuator will be a love it or hate it situation, but if you are all about music performances like I am, then it is a must. I am surprised that Ibasso could have customized it. This is what I have been seeking for, and it will remain on my side for many years to come, which means it is an end game in it own rights
Some more questionnaires : DSD filters Low-Mid-High. This is the ability of the DAC chips to filter out it own processing during the conversions. This will yet be again filtered by the analog filters behind it as well. No human are meant to tell the differences, but it is a thing, and you may be able to tell the differences. However, what is it ?
low: allow the high extensions to roll off earlier and suppressing upper frequencies noises which were a result of sigma delta processing to the most aggressive. You can relate it to a much more musical and smoother performances at the cost of sparkling sand sharpness
mid: the nice medium in between low and high, the most optimized performances for human bandwidth as it is slightly above human limitations and still providing noises suppressions enough
high: almost no noises suppression at all as this one will let the noises to be going upward to 56kHz as shown.
What does it all mean ? Well, if You have sibilants and sharpness, please choose DSD filter Low, and if you want more aggressiveness, go for High, and a nice medium is Mid. Once again, you are not meant to be able to tell the differences though . Yes, this control system is after the pcm processing and will affect both pcm/DSD alike.
Disclaimer: Allow me to disclose first thing first that I am not affiliated with Ibasso, and hence I only speak from my most honest point of view. It may sound like a shill which help to hype the player, but I assure that I am not. Please remember that personal preferences is always a key player and the most important one in any subjective hobby. What is best for me, isn’t necessarily the best for your preferences. Please give it a try, experiences different systems, and understand your inner beasts. All of the followings are the result of my analyzations and comparisons of the 320Max performances in references to my desktop system and over the many years experiences.
The summarized :
As a tinkerer who played around with many different systems, build, diy craft, upgrade, mods….etc….there are marks that I want to score and achieve. The 320Max as a portable in this compact form and the performances , all of it is exactly what I have Been looking for, neutral, references, and yet musically performing. If you love full-size phones, look no further, this one is the best of it kinds, and will even challenge many other dedicated portable stacks, or desktop systems.
The introductions
With AKM fires and Sabres slowing down their productions during Covid, there was a new DAC chip introduced to the industry, the ROHM new flagships. Now, this isn’t the first time that ROHM is doing DAC chips, but it is the first time they are stepping into the high-end segments of it. They were known for many other silicon based IC productions. Anyways, it was something to be excited about, and we can never judge something without having to observe it. Especially in this hobby, when it comes to our senses, preferences, paper specs really only is half of the battle
The first ROHM chips being used on a portable was Cayin N8ii. You probably have known it, and may even be cross shopping in between ? The next one one the market that came a few months later was from Ibasso Dx320. I listened to N8ii, and I loved it. I didn’t know if it was the ROHM or the manufacturers that did a good job. However, after confirming with Ibasso next player, and now the 320Max, I gotta say that ROHM is an amazing chip. How so ? Because it has the best of both worlds, between AKM & Sabres. To sum it up, AKM is overwhelmingly warmth toward the highs and extensions, while Sabres is too dry and analytical in the low and the mids. It is so diverse that either you are an AKM or a Sabres fan. We are not even talking about the amplifications and the house tuning yet
For all that said, I found myself to be enjoying ROHM by a lot, simply because to my preferences and listening to various genres, from classical, orchestral, EDM, modern pops with the exception hip-hop, I found that ROHM is the best. However, in the portable hobby, it doesn’t stop there. Even with desktop systems, we all know that there are ways more to the chains than just the DAC and it chips. Therefore the next thing would be the gears, either the headphones or the buds, and it depends on many different factors. Most of us would agree that power is never enough. However, when you have too much output power by a little 3.8V li-ion packs, we will be faced with consequences, the floor noises/the hisses. Therefore, in order to have a dream system technically, we will have to optimize the system under compromises. Usually, it is form and costs.
The chassis:
The 320Max Ti, and we don’t call it Ti, is because it only have 1 version, made by titanium. We should be calling it Ti, so that we don’t confuse it with other players which usually is made by Stainless steel or aluminum. Titanium by itself is also an exotic materials, while being abundant as a resource, the processing is why it is expensive. Because they are hard to produce, and high cost, most of the time, you would see either SS or Aluminum to be the common chassis. Now, from different players, different chassis versions, the titanium as a chassis materials can still affect the end performances, which make it usually to be a special editions or limited editions. Here we have a limited release of 888 units world wide of the 320Max. You may remember that the stainless steel version of 300Max was cheaper in comparison. Now with 320Max, you only get 1 chassis, and it is Titanium.
The technicalities:
What bring to my attentions is that it is a Max series. This stands for it being the top of the line from Ibasso, the flagship of the flagship. I have been with Max series since the Dx220Max, and I can clearly tell that there is evolutions with each successor. Most importantly is that all of the Max are Limited release. They are what they are, and they will not be produced anymore than that.
I was very happy with the last generation, the Dx300Max-Ti. But how come I moved on away from it ? There are a couple reasons, and that is because I seek for the high fidelity, the textures, the sparkling, the extensions that AKM chips just don’t bring in the game. I am pretty sure for anyone who love the AKM signature, the 320Max will carry a very different signature. Whether or not it is an upgrade, that is a personal choice. However, in my opinion, I love ROHM chip, and for this reason alone, the 320Max is already an upgrade.
Now, let’s talk a bit more in-depth into the other segments of Dx320Max prowess. It sports 4X BD34301EKV of the ROHM flagship DAC, which makes it the first portable being worldwide at this moment. This chip dedicated into Stereos processing, which means it process full signals per channel which consists of L+ L- R+ R-. Therefore, theoretically speaking, using one single chip is already enough for fully balanced digital processing. But Ibasso didn’t stop there. Because the flagship Dx320, which is much more portable, already have dual chips. This little brother has a unique modular amplifiers that you won’t be able to find on the Max. The 320Max is sporting 4X ROHM chips.
Then, in order to give the users a better controls, Ibasso sport in the patented MangoOS system. Yet, I can not stress enough that other makers usually do not give you such option for dual OS, due to the complications and incompatibilities, the cost to develop and continue to support the platforms from firmware updates but, with Ibasso, you have it. Together with the 2 modes of Standard and Ultimate, with each modes, the playtime will be either 16-12 hours respectively.
Standard modes: Utilizing only 2X of the ROHM chips, just like any other flagships that is using Dual DAC. Each chip carry 4x signals, and we have 8 Signals, to finally be summed up into whether Balanced out 4.4mm or Single ended 3.5mm. It lasts upto 16 hours
Ultimate modes: Utilizing all 4X of the chips. The first of it kind, and the only one on earth at this moment to be implemented with 4X of the chips and be fully utilizing it. We may take it for granted that giong from 2 chips into 4 chips are not going to be complicated, and especially true for current output architectures. If you have to tackle the aspects of achieving performances, and optimizing the power consumed, together with minimizing thermal activities system wide. Ibasso have checked all boxes. If you have tried the Cayin N8ii, you possibly realized the differences in thermal activities between Cayin and Ibasso. Then you will be just floored with Dx320Max. It virtually generates Zero heat in comparison to other players on the market. It lasts upto 12 hours. You should be burning in ultimate mode, so all 4 chips will be utilized, then when you want to use normal mode, you can do so and skip the burn-in process
Between AK4499EX and ROHM, the ROHM itself is a truer current output converters. Being a current output DAC, it is both simple and complex in order to implement the DAC in a high-end overall. It is very complicated to keep the current constants regarding the load variations. However, it seems that Ibasso is trying to head that way with the digital converters at the optimized output, while using gain level with the analog gain knob, together with the stepped attenuation. We may take it for granted that both the DMP-Z1 and 320Max has “pure analog gains and volume attenuations”. However, in order to achieve such milestone accurately, to bypass the digital controls of “gains/attenuations”, the engineers will have to finely tuning the digital conversions from the algorithms, the amplitudes, the interpolations, and all things related, in order to keep the DAC chips under the most optimized performances while having no undershoots/overshoots problems. Yes, I did put in some inquiries about this, and there are some “secret trade aspects” that Ibasso refuse to comments about, but Ibasso do confirm that they have utilized a new and innovative implementations overall for the 320Max Regarding the ROHM chips.
Ofcourse, while these modern chips are allowing digital controls of it interface aka, attenuations, gains. But that is taking it an easy way at compromising the overall performances. DMP Z1 was the first one to tackle the issues. The previous Maxes were still having digital controls. Now, with 320Max, we have the first Max ever to be utilizing this optimization from it own digital processing unit that is sporting Quad ROHM DAC chips! A milestone of achievement for such a small form factor.
Amplifications technologies: before we get there, the one thing I want to state out loud is that Ibasso understand their own market very well, and many reasons would come from the market researches from the flagship players that has modular designs. Simply following the feedbacks, the desires from both the engineerings, the acoustic tuning team, together with the sell and the customers. Yes, this approach was criticized by different groups of people, and just like anything on the world, there are always pros and cons. But I can guarantee that by listening, looking at the evolution of the Max, the 320Max clearly carrying out the understanding, the most optimized tuning, and the best remarks that Ibasso have yet to achieve right at this very moment. Even if you think about how fast Ibasso has been releasing their products, there are clearly new developments, new research, with every little bit of hard works behind it. Ibasso shows to me that they are into this as much as a dedicated hobby with all the love and dedications, and not just the sales/profits alone.
The amplifier being used in the 320Max is the Super Class A with discrete architecture. It eliminates the switching distortions of active transistors, while performing just like a classical class A with minimizing heat generation. On top of that, Ibasso also implement the best approach for tuning the analog circuitry with the most idealistic components yet. The mixtures of Tantalum capacitors and polypropylene multilayer filmed capacitors, electrolytic capacitors. The Dx320Max is also the first player to have implemented very bulky capacitors into such little board and into such compact space at higher level of complexity in comparison to the 300Max-Ti. You will not see these from even any of the other so called External portable amplifiers either. Yet, the amplification within is Dedicated amplification. It has it own batteries which consists of 4X li-ion packs. If you know about Cayin C9, which probably was inspired by DX220Max, then the 320Max is a 2 systems in one housing, a dedicated and balanced amplifier Plus a dedicated DAC/DAP. A 2 systems in one compact chassis With each system have it own battery as power source, and dedicated voltage regulations
With balanced out achieving 9Vrms and Single ended of 4.5Vrms, the 320Max has the power that is unrivaled in this compacted form factor. It proved so by the first time when you plugged in any full-size headphones such as the Hd800s and the like, just listening to it, and be carried away into a blissful audio performances that could only be normally achieved by connecting into desktop systems. Not just any systems, but high end systems. Yet, there are other aspects that high end desktop systems would still pull ahead. However, in this form factor, the winner is 320X and not any desktop system. Because of this, I will call the Dx320Max to be the best portable player for Full-size headphones yet to be released by any manufacturers known to man until now. You don’t have to take my words for it, please give it a try, and be floored.
On the more detailed view of it, and from a tinkerer point of views, in order to populate the amplification sections with densely packed capacitors on the top of surface Mount components, it requires extreme skills. Why didn’t other companies not doing similar ? Because the labors for this would be too extreme, too costly, too intense. The 320Max is cheap from how I am looking at it. I can assure that in order to have these components mounted, no machines could have done it, except hand soldering by very skillful people. Cost would be significantly reduced if it was all done by machines instead. I know Astel&Kern advertised that their SP3K is the one that has all the Quad DAC chips implementations, and dedicated amplifications, but without dissecting too far into it, I gotta say that Maxes has been having dedicated power source, voltage rails, and separated channels all along, with the 320Max being a step up from the previous by utilizing all the fancy components as mentioned above. When you really dive deep into it, you will see that Ibasso is carrying the innovations, the complexity, the dedications to aim for better audio performances while keeping the MSRP suggestion down to earth. The level of innovations, the complexities of the hardware inside the 320Max is definitely mind blowing to my own level of technicalities. Yes, I do perform complex works when I modify things that I desire, and on the 320Max Ibasso has my respects to pull it off for such pricing.
Stepped attenuator: in order to achieve the best balances between channels, Ibasso opted to go as far as to custom design and producing a 24 steps stepped attenuator. The reasons being is that, instead of using resistive stripes, it uses discrete resistors with traces and grooves, which physically is more reliable and bullet proof in comparison. It also has a much better balances controls between signals. With only one set back that is on portable, you may have some sound anomalies when turning the knobs. There will be a segment where the shaft will be lifted slightly before it could drop into the designated grooves again. This normally doesn’t happen on desktop systems, because with desktop systems, these stepped attenuators are about 20X larger. The whole attenuator can get as large as your palm.
True Line Out: for both SE or Balanced available in settings after connecting to your external amplifiers. It completely bypassing the internal amplifications, and is available in the setting menu. Using it this way, the 320Max is a high-end digital to analog conversion source, which boasts 4X ROHMs. It does extremely well in this role.
Sound signatures:
Very neutral, natural, yet full of musicality, engaging, liquid, and effortless. Beautifully balanced throughout for all 3 main spectrums of Low-Mid-High. Usually, in portable worlds, the players will have to compromise at the least 1 spectrum in order to optimize the other 2, and that makes sound signatures and synergies matching to be a huge factor in choosing your personal system. It is more so for portable system and less so for desktop systems. Here, the Dx320Max does not compromise any of the 3. For this, it is already an achievement. Please noted that I am speaking relatively to other portable devices. When compared to my desktop system, and using 320Max excellent line out as a comparison, the tuning from the amp section do have some thinning out in the mid section and this provide an even more grandes soundstages for a portable system.
I have faced questions before, what am I trying to achieve with my tinkering and modding ? If you want to know it, the Dx320 is an example of “my perfections”. It is what I have always aimed for, desired for.
Sparkling trebles, smooths, detailed, amazing extensions, no harshness, no graininess, just perfection! Yeah…perfection doesn’t exist, but IMO, up until now, the 320Max-Ti is that perfection from all of my experienced so far from many years of listening to portable systems.
Bass is very articulated, well controlled, great articulations, great exertions within it density and tonal balances, virtually zero distortions, very dynamic but also very fluid and effortless. I don’t typically observe such bass performances from many products, even desktop products. It isn’t easy to have this “blended formulation”
Mids and vocal are straight out amazing, vocal is leaning a bit of being analytical and brighter. Though, it is still amazing this way. Anything more than this is just going to be icing on the cakes.
Do not mind me, but do take note that I am comparing the 320Max in references to a 300B western electric amplifier which is decked out with Lundahl transformers and constantly plugged in. I have had a friend who loves asking question in a perspective number, such as how would I rate the 320Max to my desktop amp in % ? The 320Max is like 95% there. It depends on your view of how much different any 5% would be. For example, the human DNA VS Ape ? For me, specifically, the last 5% that my desktop has better is the ability to stretch the spectrum wider in both musicality and neutrality, enough to show me that the 320Max as a portable, still remaining portable, because it has some thinning in the mid spectrum, very small segment of it. However, the 320Max is non the less once again transcending portability, stepping into the desktop world, having to perform better than the previous maxes, and that means a lot to me. Most importantly is the ROHM chips, which I love so much and in QuAD !
Burn-in: So then, will the Dx320Max need burn in ? Yes, definitely, even though you will be welcomed with such amazing performances out of the box. You will be greeted by differences during the time it burns in. Most of the rides are smooth, and not negative, until I met with 125 hours approximately toward 170 hours or so, which is about 3 days (not 24 hours burning in). I do have an overwhelming bass textures and some congested layerings in mid spectrum. But it quickly fade and back to performances. I recommend you to not constantly burning in, but rather to give it a couple hours rest between burning in sessions for the best performances. Each sessions would be about 8-10 hours, depends on whichever works better for you. Basically, never fully do 24/24 burn in. Also, please burn in with your favorite mixes of different collections.
Charging: Ibasso provides 2 different charging circuitries, a strictly 12V DC in which uses the common 5521 or 5525 plug, and a USB C with PD compatible. You can buy a PD triggered 12V and look for charger that listed specifically 12V supported. If you would like to use power bank, which I use. So I can always charge it up anywhere I desire, on a plane, a cruise, a beach vacation, whatever. Do make sure that they do have 12V supported. Please do notice that the previous Maxes have a huge range of 12-18V charging circuitry, the 320Max is specifically 12V.
The stock protective case: it has been improved over the previous, it fits better, and doesn’t slide out at all for my unit. The back is no longer just a thick slab of leather that covers up everything, but with a nicely imbedded Ibasso logo by steel. It gives the 320Max a great aesthetic appearances. Though, grabbing the back at the steel cut out feel sharp. I tried to handle it with care, but the sharp feelings that it can cut me is always there when I grabbed it.
The player doesn’t come with screen protective pre-applied. For some reasons, even if I tried to use it with tempered glasses from 320 screen, or the plastic film, the touch sensitivity just gone down, and become annoying from times to times. So at this moment I just use it as is.
A candidate of endgame worthy: as a decked out player coming off the assembly line, together with the performances out of the box and the ability to easily unscrew the back plate, plugging and replacing the battery packs, which can be purchased from your authorized Ibasso dealer, the 320Max is a candidate for an endgame for portable system that can drives full-size such as 800s effortlessly
Final words: I love this little player. It may be huge, thick, brick like. But I do believe this is the most optimized and compacted form for such a power house that can drive the likes of 800S with eases. Yes, the stepped attenuator will be a love it or hate it situation, but if you are all about music performances like I am, then it is a must. I am surprised that Ibasso could have customized it. This is what I have been seeking for, and it will remain on my side for many years to come, which means it is an end game in it own rights
Some more questionnaires : DSD filters Low-Mid-High. This is the ability of the DAC chips to filter out it own processing during the conversions. This will yet be again filtered by the analog filters behind it as well. No human are meant to tell the differences, but it is a thing, and you may be able to tell the differences. However, what is it ?
low: allow the high extensions to roll off earlier and suppressing upper frequencies noises which were a result of sigma delta processing to the most aggressive. You can relate it to a much more musical and smoother performances at the cost of sparkling sand sharpness
mid: the nice medium in between low and high, the most optimized performances for human bandwidth as it is slightly above human limitations and still providing noises suppressions enough
high: almost no noises suppression at all as this one will let the noises to be going upward to 56kHz as shown.
What does it all mean ? Well, if You have sibilants and sharpness, please choose DSD filter Low, and if you want more aggressiveness, go for High, and a nice medium is Mid. Once again, you are not meant to be able to tell the differences though . Yes, this control system is after the pcm processing and will affect both pcm/DSD alike.