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Ibasso P3+ vs D10 vs XM5

post #1 of 17
7/6/09 at 9:24pm
Thread Starter 
Hi new guy here and am looking at the Ibasso P3+, D10 and the XM5.
This will be my first headphone amp.
I would be using them with Sennheisser HD 580 and some new IEM probably Shure SE310 (I ran over my E2c with the lawn mower recently)

I listen to Alternative, Rock, Jazz. and some NewWave.

I have been reading so many threads on these Amps that I`m getting overloaded with info. I mostly listen to my Creative zen and IPhone 3gs through my antique Marantz reciever or amp. Any suggestions will be very helpfull
Thanks for your help
Jim
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post #2 of 17
7/7/09 at 12:26am
Does the presence of a built-in DAC matter? If so, the D10 seems to be your winner
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post #3 of 17
7/7/09 at 7:26am
I'd say the p3+ is more bang for the buck if you don't need a DAC
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post #4 of 17
7/7/09 at 7:57am
that you both saying the ibasso are better than the XM5?
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post #5 of 17
7/7/09 at 8:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark2410 View Post
that you both saying the ibasso are better than the XM5?
Seems to be the case, I think we need an input from someone like jamato who has listened to both D10 and P3+
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post #6 of 17
7/7/09 at 9:52am
I have the xm5 (with rolled AD8065 op amps)... it's an awesome sounding amp (when paired with my W3's and UM3X's), and the AD8065's make it sound even better.

BUT.... I just got my D10 yesterday, and right out of the box (no burn-in) I can tell you it already sounds better. Everything is just much smoother and more "musical" sounding. And the instruments seem better situated in their own space... there's a great open-ness about the sound.

The D10 also has a better DA converter... don't know if that's important to you.

In all fairness, the XM5 is more "control-able"... it gives you a bunch of options (including bass boost, treble boost, and cross-over)... but to my ears, the D10 just sounds better.

Hope that helps.
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post #7 of 17
7/7/09 at 10:56am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies. The DAC? will I need this if I am using the Creative zen VM line Out dongle ? I assume the Zen already uses its own DAC, will the D10 Dac improve the SQ?
Thanks, Jim
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post #8 of 17
7/7/09 at 12:51pm
DAC are just for computers. They use USB to MiniUSB (or mikro) and you wont even be able to use it on a mp3 player. So id say go p3+. Thats what ive ordered. its at the same level as the d10, maybe lacking a tad of SQ, i'm not sure, but not worth 75 extra$ if you don't need a DAC. OFC if youd want something smaller theres the t4, but still, p3+ makes the most sense since you don't ned a DAC function.

Best regards, Gb
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post #9 of 17
7/9/09 at 3:53pm
Thread Starter 
Next dumb question,
If I am using the Iphone 3Gs Ipod and use the USB line to the amp will I need the DAC ?
Like I said I`m new at this...
Thanks, Jim
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post #10 of 17
7/9/09 at 5:23pm
I'm curious about this as well. From what I gather, you can use an LOD on an Ipod and bypass it's amp. Is that also true for the Iphone and more importantly Ipod Touch (2G, what I have)? I am interested in a portable amp for my Touch and new W3's, but really need that question answered before I proceed.

If one had a similar rig and was interested in SQ over volume, what's the best bang for the buck?
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post #11 of 17
7/9/09 at 5:47pm
The ipod/iphone LOD outputs a line-level signal into a minijac.. so the iphone/ipod is the Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) .. which outputs an analog signal through that mini (usual, but can be RCA or 1/4") that NEEDS to go into an external amp
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post #12 of 17
7/9/09 at 8:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Khemist View Post
I'm curious about this as well. From what I gather, you can use an LOD on an Ipod and bypass it's amp. Is that also true for the Iphone and more importantly Ipod Touch (2G, what I have)? I am interested in a portable amp for my Touch and new W3's, but really need that question answered before I proceed.

If one had a similar rig and was interested in SQ over volume, what's the best bang for the buck?
You dont need a dac if u use a lod. but u do need an external amp as the signal that comes out of your lod isnt amplified. U use lods so you wont amplify the sound twise, this makes SQ worse.
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post #13 of 17
7/9/09 at 8:33pm
Bojamijams-Thank you, I just wanted to make sure I would not be double amping using Touch->Lod->Amp*->W3's

*to be determined.
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post #14 of 17
7/11/09 at 10:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gbjerke View Post
DAC are just for computers....

Not necessarily true with the D10, which will also work with any portable or other device that has an optical or coaxial output.
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post #15 of 17
7/11/09 at 1:20pm
the ipod nor the zen have optical or coaxial
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