Thanks for the entertaining and informative read. How does the Dx200 compare to the dx 90 in terms of pure sound quality ?
Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
Burma Jones
HiFiChris
@Burma Jones
"While the DX200 is really good in terms of hiss performance with very sensitive in-ears and definitely among the better players, the DX90 is even quieter and among the quietest audio players ever made with basically no audible hiss with extremely sensitive in-ears.
Both players have got a very low output impedance that is ideal for all multi-driver in-ears.
Comparing the two players, the DX90 appears slightly more “aggressive”/”rawer” sounding in terms of treble and cymbal attacks, but besides that the subjectively perceived timbre is identical to my ears (both players measure flat anyway). Transparency with well-resolving in-ears is a little higher on the DX200’s side (but please don’t expect any dramatic night-and-day difference when properly volume-matching both devices, since there just isn’t anything like this nowadays as long as the audio devices that are to be compared measure well).
Soundstage width appears to be quite comparable to my ears while the DX200 seems to have more spatial depth (which is not that much of a surprise to me since I always heard the DX90 as having more width than depth when using it with sensitive in-ears). Spatial precision/separation is equally precise to my ears with both devices."
"While the DX200 is really good in terms of hiss performance with very sensitive in-ears and definitely among the better players, the DX90 is even quieter and among the quietest audio players ever made with basically no audible hiss with extremely sensitive in-ears.
Both players have got a very low output impedance that is ideal for all multi-driver in-ears.
Comparing the two players, the DX90 appears slightly more “aggressive”/”rawer” sounding in terms of treble and cymbal attacks, but besides that the subjectively perceived timbre is identical to my ears (both players measure flat anyway). Transparency with well-resolving in-ears is a little higher on the DX200’s side (but please don’t expect any dramatic night-and-day difference when properly volume-matching both devices, since there just isn’t anything like this nowadays as long as the audio devices that are to be compared measure well).
Soundstage width appears to be quite comparable to my ears while the DX200 seems to have more spatial depth (which is not that much of a surprise to me since I always heard the DX90 as having more width than depth when using it with sensitive in-ears). Spatial precision/separation is equally precise to my ears with both devices."
jerick70
Very informative review. I have a Fiio X5 III. Have you listened to the Fiio? How does the DX200 compare to the Fiio X5 III?
pr0b3r
Awesome review! Informative and filled with poison! ^_^
dcph
Switching the DX200 from OFF, how long does it take before it is ready for it to begin playing?
HiFiChris
@dcph
In Android or in Mango OS mode?
It takes less than 30 (I measured 23 if I recall correctly) seconds in Android mode to boot, and is immediately ready to start playback (the CPU is quick and there is no lag/slowness after the Android home screen has showed up).
Booting into Mango OS takes less than 10 seconds and probably 3-4 more until playback can start.
I have stated all of this in my review though.
In Android or in Mango OS mode?
It takes less than 30 (I measured 23 if I recall correctly) seconds in Android mode to boot, and is immediately ready to start playback (the CPU is quick and there is no lag/slowness after the Android home screen has showed up).
Booting into Mango OS takes less than 10 seconds and probably 3-4 more until playback can start.
I have stated all of this in my review though.
sharktopus
How did you go about measuring the frequency responses of the player?
rolli1949
Hi Chris
I read in other reviews that the DX 200 Basso has a bit problems with less quality files compair to OPUS II (meaning they not sounding good guess the DX 200 is a honest player). Aim a bit confused with that because if a player such us Opus II makes a less quality music file sound better that means they add coloration to any music file? Other say it its the DAC ? Would appriciate your view on that if you had a simular experience ? Aim also concerned that this days many DAP don't have a replacable Battery anymore and we all know that after 2 years use you have to replace the battery to keep up the performance .If you like or have to replace the battery to you have to send it back to the company ? One reason I hold on to my old DX 50 as the battery (Samsung S3 )is easy to get anywere in the world !
I read in other reviews that the DX 200 Basso has a bit problems with less quality files compair to OPUS II (meaning they not sounding good guess the DX 200 is a honest player). Aim a bit confused with that because if a player such us Opus II makes a less quality music file sound better that means they add coloration to any music file? Other say it its the DAC ? Would appriciate your view on that if you had a simular experience ? Aim also concerned that this days many DAP don't have a replacable Battery anymore and we all know that after 2 years use you have to replace the battery to keep up the performance .If you like or have to replace the battery to you have to send it back to the company ? One reason I hold on to my old DX 50 as the battery (Samsung S3 )is easy to get anywere in the world !
HiFiChris
@sharktopus
See this thread (http://www.head-fi.org/t/800208/the-rmaa-rightmark-audio-analyzer-source-and-audio-device-measurement-thread-measurements-in-post-3-tutorial-in-post-2) that I created just for that topic.
See this thread (http://www.head-fi.org/t/800208/the-rmaa-rightmark-audio-analyzer-source-and-audio-device-measurement-thread-measurements-in-post-3-tutorial-in-post-2) that I created just for that topic.
HiFiChris
@rolli1949
There is no objective indication for such a thing. By the way, researches have also found out, that, as long as at least a minimum sampling rate is given, a person with healthy hearing cannot tell these files apart from lossless files (unless he/she has a specific hearing loss that doesn't go well hand-in-hand with the way lossy formats work). PS: You might be surprised about how little sonic influence the file format has compared to the mastering of the music that is way more important - usually those Hi-Res files and albums only sound so great because they were mastered very well, and converting the Hi-Res files into standard redbook format (16 Bit/44.1 kHz) and doing an ABX test with the Hi-Res files and the downsampled Hi-Res-now-redbook-files shows no audible difference. So yep, it is mainly the quality of the recording and mixing plus mastering that is taken more care of for "superior" formats.
If it were true that the Opus II makes "inferior" files sound "better", there might be a difference in the way the players handle the files (e.g. probably a resampler that might lead to a slightly different perception). But I haven't heard the Opus, so cannot confirm or deny that from my point of view.
I haven't opened the DX200 I have on hand yet, but iBasso's Paul said that replacing the battery is a rather easy procedure and only requires a few screws to be taken off.
As long as devices aren't glued and the batteries aren't soldered in, replacing the batteries of modern electronic devices isn't that difficult actually - I have opened a few of my smartphones and tablet computers, and in all cases the battery was easy to replace.
I don't know how iBasso handles battery replacements - I think that they require you to send the device in for service, but asking them whether they also send the battery out on request on the customer's responsibility wouldn't hurt.
There is no objective indication for such a thing. By the way, researches have also found out, that, as long as at least a minimum sampling rate is given, a person with healthy hearing cannot tell these files apart from lossless files (unless he/she has a specific hearing loss that doesn't go well hand-in-hand with the way lossy formats work). PS: You might be surprised about how little sonic influence the file format has compared to the mastering of the music that is way more important - usually those Hi-Res files and albums only sound so great because they were mastered very well, and converting the Hi-Res files into standard redbook format (16 Bit/44.1 kHz) and doing an ABX test with the Hi-Res files and the downsampled Hi-Res-now-redbook-files shows no audible difference. So yep, it is mainly the quality of the recording and mixing plus mastering that is taken more care of for "superior" formats.
If it were true that the Opus II makes "inferior" files sound "better", there might be a difference in the way the players handle the files (e.g. probably a resampler that might lead to a slightly different perception). But I haven't heard the Opus, so cannot confirm or deny that from my point of view.
I haven't opened the DX200 I have on hand yet, but iBasso's Paul said that replacing the battery is a rather easy procedure and only requires a few screws to be taken off.
As long as devices aren't glued and the batteries aren't soldered in, replacing the batteries of modern electronic devices isn't that difficult actually - I have opened a few of my smartphones and tablet computers, and in all cases the battery was easy to replace.
I don't know how iBasso handles battery replacements - I think that they require you to send the device in for service, but asking them whether they also send the battery out on request on the customer's responsibility wouldn't hurt.
sharktopus
Thanks a lot Chris!
rolli1949
Hi Chris
Thanks for your reply that is much appreciated and as the Opus cost around 500 US dollar more I lean more to the DX 200 as it represents great value for the money you pay for it .In regards of Battery I will contact I-Basso directly to get their advice .Once again thanks very much .
Thanks for your reply that is much appreciated and as the Opus cost around 500 US dollar more I lean more to the DX 200 as it represents great value for the money you pay for it .In regards of Battery I will contact I-Basso directly to get their advice .Once again thanks very much .
AudioMan2013
Great review on the DX200. I still have bad taste with the DX100 that I spent over $800 on. The wifi never worked and the start up time for even a 1000 files were in the minutes. They never released firmware for the DX100 to speed things up making it usable including random freezes that requires a master reset. I refuse to buy another iBasso product because of this. If someday they will offer a refund or buyback for my DX100, then I will consider it but until then, it is a very expensive brick.
jerick70
@AudioMan2013 I purchased a DX200 because of Chris' review. I'm very glad I did. It is an incredible DAP. By far the best I've owned. If it is any help, the DX200 has none of the issues you describe. I know how the bad taste stays after an experience like that though. I really think you would be doing yourself a disservice not to at least try the DX200 though. It's really good.
AudioMan2013
@jerik70 Im glad that the DX200 doesn't have those issues. For the last 2-3 years, my dx100 has just sat there unused. I don't even want to take time to sell it (not that I would get much for it at this point). If I do come across a dx200, sure I would listen to it as a test. For the last 1-2 years, I've stopped investing in portable hardware and more for home/office stuff, where I listen to most of my music. However if there was a knock your socks off mobile phone with audiophile quality, then I would think about purchasing it.
Psychomiks
Awesome review! You even went on installing GTA just to test the capability of the device! Kudos to that! My only question is, since you tackled Streaming app ie., Tidal/Spotify, I wanted know if you ever got to try Apple music on that as well?
Reason I'm asking is because apple music is the only available streaming service in my country and I'm really curious if it will be compatible with the device. Quality wise and what not. I've read that you can side load all other stuff by using your PC but no one has tried to use Apple music.
So, just curious since that will definitely make a huge impact on the "buying factor" of the device. Hope you can help me out here.
Reason I'm asking is because apple music is the only available streaming service in my country and I'm really curious if it will be compatible with the device. Quality wise and what not. I've read that you can side load all other stuff by using your PC but no one has tried to use Apple music.
So, just curious since that will definitely make a huge impact on the "buying factor" of the device. Hope you can help me out here.
HiFiChris
@AudioMan2013
I would say if you can, give the DX200 a try. I haven't experienced any of this so far.
As a little topic-related excursion, I was quite disappointed when I bought the DX50 - it just didn't reach my expectations for sensitive in-ear monitors for various reasons. The consequence was that I put it up for sale just about less than three hours after it had arrived. After that, I didn't believe that any other iBasso product was any better. Oh boy, was I wrong. After the recommendation (and two confirmations) of a forum-friend of mine who I really trusted, I did however buy the DX90 after the concerns I had were debilitated.
And boy, was I glad that I bought the DX90 anyway even though the DX50 didn't convince me on the sonic side at all, and it turned out that all of the things that the DX50 didn't do right for me were pretty much perfect on the DX90. And I still consider it to be an awesome, if not even one of the best (or even the best) pure audio player for my needs and overall.
The point is, even though the DX100 probably disappointed you on some levels, it doesn't mean that the DX200 will alike. As I said, if you face a chance to demo it at one time, I would recommend you to go for it.
I would say if you can, give the DX200 a try. I haven't experienced any of this so far.
As a little topic-related excursion, I was quite disappointed when I bought the DX50 - it just didn't reach my expectations for sensitive in-ear monitors for various reasons. The consequence was that I put it up for sale just about less than three hours after it had arrived. After that, I didn't believe that any other iBasso product was any better. Oh boy, was I wrong. After the recommendation (and two confirmations) of a forum-friend of mine who I really trusted, I did however buy the DX90 after the concerns I had were debilitated.
And boy, was I glad that I bought the DX90 anyway even though the DX50 didn't convince me on the sonic side at all, and it turned out that all of the things that the DX50 didn't do right for me were pretty much perfect on the DX90. And I still consider it to be an awesome, if not even one of the best (or even the best) pure audio player for my needs and overall.
The point is, even though the DX100 probably disappointed you on some levels, it doesn't mean that the DX200 will alike. As I said, if you face a chance to demo it at one time, I would recommend you to go for it.
HiFiChris
@Psychomiks
I am very sorry that I haven't installed and won't install Apple Music because I heard that it can mess around with your physical iTunes music library. I rarely use iTunes at all and pretty much do so only for my music-playing iDevices, but the offline library it accesses is the same where I store my CDs after I have digitalised them, so I an a bit cautious and don't want it to mess with my files. That's why I am not registered for Apple Music and will not try it, sorry.
But maybe you could ask in the DX200 thread (http://www.head-fi.org/t/791531/dx200-details-features-and-specifications-1st-page-available-on-our-website) - I am quite sure that there are a few people who probably already use Apple Music (on their computers/iDevices) and can test whether it works on the DX200, too. It should though unless it requires a Google Play Store/Google Play Services verification.
I am very sorry that I haven't installed and won't install Apple Music because I heard that it can mess around with your physical iTunes music library. I rarely use iTunes at all and pretty much do so only for my music-playing iDevices, but the offline library it accesses is the same where I store my CDs after I have digitalised them, so I an a bit cautious and don't want it to mess with my files. That's why I am not registered for Apple Music and will not try it, sorry.
But maybe you could ask in the DX200 thread (http://www.head-fi.org/t/791531/dx200-details-features-and-specifications-1st-page-available-on-our-website) - I am quite sure that there are a few people who probably already use Apple Music (on their computers/iDevices) and can test whether it works on the DX200, too. It should though unless it requires a Google Play Store/Google Play Services verification.
