SOLD: iBasso D4 portable dac/amp w/2x 9.6v nimh & HiFlight 'Topkit'

We need money for a renovation so I'm being forced to sell some of my toys 

I believe this is still the best value for the money going.  And here's its even a little cheaper but effectively brand new (just burned in!)

I assume if you're looking at this, you already have read about it, but here's all you really need to know: effectively sounds identical to a RSA P-51 + Pico DAC + good interconnect at just over 1/3 the cost.  

Still under warranty with card (12/09), fully burned in (200+ hours), with both cases in as-new condition, extra mounting screws, leather case - everything that came with it originally ($219 + $20 shipping) PLUS the Hi-Flight "topkit" ($45) with the additional resistors for switching, AND two rechargeable NIMH true 9.6v batteries for a seriously big power supply.  To me, the USB power sounds thin.  With the topflight kit, it sounded a bit better.  With the kit and the 9.6v, it sounds incredible! 

Cost me $310 total.  Will sell for SOLD!> 

first price drop.

second price drop.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Qonad 

Sorry, I'm new to opamp rolling. Could you explain to me more about the topkit?

See here:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/450260/hey-hey-the-ibasso-d4-mamba-with-dual-dacs/360#post_6238748

and that huge thread more generally.

HiFlight (a member) has created a very easy to install opamp chip that can be plugged in to replace the default.  He also includes replacement caps.  You can read that forum (or pm hiflight) if you want all the precise technical details about what does what and why, but the quick and dirty is that, with the new opamp but keeping everything else stock, you've basically got a clone of the much more expensive Ray Samuels Audio P-51, which if one of the best portable amps made.  The double wulfson dac on this is widely considered to be almost equivalent to the incredible Pico standalone DAC, which means that you're getting $375+$350 or $725 worth of gear in a much smaller, more portable package for about 1/3 of the price.  It's a fantastic deal, and in my opinion, it's one of those "sweet spots" in hi-fi where you have to spend a TON more money to get only a very negligible improvement in sound.  (although those who have already spent the money often need to justify this to themselves by claiming there is a "massive" difference - thankfully we have experienced head-fi'ers like HeadphoneAddict who doesn't resort to the "more $ automatically = better" tendency)

I'm sorry, no, the point is that you don't have to solder anything.  You just pull out the opamp installed by hand and plug in the new one.  There's an opamp and two dummy capacitors.  HiFlight recommends that you replace the capacitors with these dummy capacitors, but if you leave the original ones in, it has a stronger bass presence.  But basically, you can do both and see which you like best.