This is the translation of Garyvictor's review of the DX100 (Part one of Two):
"I can still remember it was around 2010, Mini Audio (Ibasso)'s chief audio designer, Old Fellow (as he is known by that nick name in China) told me, he wanted to develop a new and unique kind of portable DAP. During the Christmas of 2011, Mini Audio's first portable DAP, the DX100, (also known as Hibino's HDP-R10) finally somewhat appeared within our glimpse. It is interesting to talk about the developmental milestone of this unique DAP, I believe within the forum (erji), headfiers still remember that groundbreaking iRiver hard drive player iHP120? Yes, it is that common looking player with a 20g hard drive player. At that time that was the only portable player that came with an optical out. It is this player that planted the seed of thinking about having a portable but completely separate system. That is transport+DAC+amp. Also at the time, because of this player (iHP120), Old Fellow developed the MAD-D10, a DAC/Amp combo, which I considered a groundbreaking classic. Subsequently, the portable amplifiers that Mini Audio developed flourished within the wall of our country but its fragrance spreads outside the wall. These were well received with very good sales records overseas; of which, the D4 was particularly successful. Inside China, the earlier model that left its mark had to be the MAD05. Later, during RSA (Ray Samuels)'s advance portable amp's reigning period, the unusual rise of the P3-DIY allowed the headfiers in China to come to know the Mini Audio brand.
Mini Audio's chief audio designer, Old Fellow, is a very experienced hifi system designer and a very low key but very meticulous person. He played very good guitar when he was young and had a handsome look, that at 40 something years old was recognized by AF2000 as only 30 something. Since the early 1990s, Old Fellow has participated in many audio design and developed solutions to many audio problems. In 2006, he created Mini Audio and the world's first double lithium battery DAC (MAD-01). As time goes by, several years have passed, and Mini Audio has not stopped progressing. Their product lines were well received internationally including from the D4 that used a 9V battery to the D6 with lithium battery. From the pioneering P3-DIY to the improved P4, and the later PB2/DB2 combo, set the standard for portable balance audio. The PB2/DB2 combo has received both domestic and international headfier's consensus as achieving highly regarded audio accomplishment. Therefore, from digital conversion to amplification and back to digital conversion, and from single unit to separate unit back to single unit, Mini Audio accumulated abundant experience in the development of initial sound processing to amplification. In 2010, Mini Audio started to work in cooperation with the famous Japanese company Hibino. And after much work and development finally giving us the DX100, or the Japanese version of HDP-R10. According to the rumor, the Japanese company has put together TV commercials and is going to heavily advertise this unique music player.
A word about this Hibino company. Hibino's major business focuses on audio and video equipment--LED monitors, etc. and is the main sponsor of the famous Japanese Red White singing competition (may be equivalent to American Idol)? It is an authorized dealer of many high-end hifi brands. However, in terms of audio hifi development, Mini Audio (Ibasso) is the only Chinese partner.
Back to the DX100, what makes me surprised is the high -116 db S/N ratio, this almost represents absence of noise. With the C4's -108db, I am not able to hear any background noise. So we know how special it is with -116. Under 20Khz the separation of sound can also achieve an admirable 82db. These specs are the highest of what I have seen in a DAP."
I'll will continue in a bit of his audition.
