iBasso DX100:24 bit for bit, PG 1> Reviews & Impressions, Downloads, VIDEO, NEW Firmware 1.4.2.
Apr 2, 2014 at 4:35 PM Post #12,497 of 13,503
  I own both the DX100 as well as the Fiio E12, and seldom use the E12 as an external amp with the DX100.
As Gamefreak054 aptly described: the E12 is too much colored, narrow sounding and has poor imaging than the DX100's internal amp. Although, I cannot deny the fact that the E12 certainly does have more driving power than the DX100!
The DX100 is able to drive my LCD 2.2 to pretty high volumes, with very good dynamics. So, I don't see any reason why it will have any trouble driving the Mad Dogs...
IMO, I have found the DX100 to be truly a portable totl dap, that I can take with me anywhere, and will have no issue driving anything from IEMs to headphones, to near perfection ("near" - atleast for full-size headphones).
 
That being said, the Fiio E12 DIY edition amp might be better than DX100's internal amp...since you could swap opamps and buffers, etc...and so the SQ will be better than stock E12, and with the added driving power (over the DX100).
I too am thinking about getting one! since it seems VFM.

That's a great post for me. Really useful. Thank you.
And pretty much what I wanted to ear... Guess the DX100 might be the jack of all trades for me... A single box solution with great sound quality, drive power, and doesn't tie me to a desk. :)
 
Or try the HDP-R10
wink.gif
...

Care to elaborate?
Are the Amps different?
 
Cheers!
 
Apr 2, 2014 at 4:50 PM Post #12,498 of 13,503
Supposedly, yes. Those who have compared both find the HDP-R10 slightly better. iBasso obliterated any ID off their op-amp so we don't really know, whereas Hibino proudly advertises using a Texas Instruments / Burr-Brown OPA627, and since the SQ difference can't be explained by just the battery change, so...
You can check out the HDP-R10 thread for more enlightment.
 
Apr 2, 2014 at 5:02 PM Post #12,499 of 13,503
Supposedly, yes. Those who have compared both find the HDP-R10 slightly better. iBasso obliterated any ID off their op-amp so we don't really know, whereas Hibino proudly advertises using a Texas Instruments / Burr-Brown OPA627, and since the SQ difference can't be explained by just the battery change, so...
You can check out the HDP-R10 thread for more enlightment.

I will do so, thanks.
Just out of curiosity, does the HDP-R10 have full english language on the OS?
 
Cheers!
 
Apr 2, 2014 at 5:06 PM Post #12,501 of 13,503
  I will do so, thanks.
Just out of curiosity, does the HDP-R10 have full english language on the OS?
 
Cheers!

I remember seeing it in english. I believe the UI is slightly different as well.
 
Just as a heads up. You might want to consider what company you are buying from. Ibasso does not cover HDP-R10 warranties and vice versa. 
 
Ibasso has incredible CS, and highly reccommend them. Other than that I know nothing on the HDP-R10 end.
 
Apr 2, 2014 at 5:10 PM Post #12,502 of 13,503
Or you can wait for the DX90
smily_headphones1.gif

He would most likely need an amplifier then. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the amp is supposed to put out similar power to the DX50 which puts out similar power to the E17. Plus I heard the DX50 with mad dogs and it was too under powered for my tastes.
 
The DX100 will remain the all in one solution. The DX90 will be the I need a really good DAC but not a powerful amp.
 
Apr 2, 2014 at 5:31 PM Post #12,504 of 13,503
As for the DX90's power, Jamato is able to drive an HE560 not sure how it compares to the AD with regards to efficiency.

For the sound, it is yet to be heard by many but Jamato seems to suggest that it is as good as the DX100. This is sound quality. As for the sound signature, no idea yet.

For the dual headphone size, well I guess, it is the Dx100 and R10 then.

+1 to gamefreak's suggestion on ibasso not supporting hibino. Not sure how much Hibino would charge for them. Unless you're not on the go, being plugged is the solution of the short battery life :wink:
 
Apr 2, 2014 at 5:42 PM Post #12,505 of 13,503
The DX100 appeals to me because of the sound quality, but also the power of the amp and the dual headphone outputs in 3.5 and 6.3 sizes.
I believe the DX90 will not offer that.
I believe the DX90 will be. Ore inline with the Fiio X5. From what I have been reading lately at least...

Cheers!

IMO, no it is not in line with the X5. YMMV. The DX100 does offer more power. 
 
As for the DX90's power, Jamato is able to drive an HE560 not sure how it compares to the AD with regards to efficiency.
 

The HE560 are about like the HE500 to drive not bad but not the easiest. The ESW10 or the Foxtex TH900 are easy for it to drive. 
 
Apr 3, 2014 at 4:49 AM Post #12,506 of 13,503
While deciding b/w the DX100 and HDP R-10, I came across this post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/607423/i-basso-hdp-r-10-is-ibasso-dx-100-japan-version-impression-and-appreciation-thread/45#post_8637388
And this is when I decided to go with the DX100....coupled with the fact that iBasso has an Awesome Customer Service, which I have had the pleasure of dealing with, in the past.
 
As for the DX90, I am hard pressed to think it will be able to surpass the SQ of DX100, as far as the Dac section is concerned - maybe come at par with it, but definitely not surpass it.
Or, maybe I'm wrong...is it!!?? >> I guess there is only person who could answer this for now: @jamato8 
 
Apr 3, 2014 at 6:03 AM Post #12,507 of 13,503
  While deciding b/w the DX100 and HDP R-10, I came across this post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/607423/i-basso-hdp-r-10-is-ibasso-dx-100-japan-version-impression-and-appreciation-thread/45#post_8637388
And this is when I decided to go with the DX100....coupled with the fact that iBasso has an Awesome Customer Service, which I have had the pleasure of dealing with, in the past.
 
As for the DX90, I am hard pressed to think it will be able to surpass the SQ of DX100, as far as the Dac section is concerned - maybe come at par with it, but definitely not surpass it.
Or, maybe I'm wrong...is it!!?? >> I guess there is only person who could answer this for now: @jamato8 

 
Hi,
Can you elaborate a bit more about your decision to go with the DX100?
Also, I don't think the DX90 will have better SQ. If it will be the same size as the DX50, it is a matter of phisics. Cannot fit the powerfull amp of the DX100 inside... :)
 
Apr 3, 2014 at 3:56 PM Post #12,510 of 13,503
Just one more thing...

Does the stock audio player app on the DX100 play 24 bit 192 natively or does it downsample?


Cheers!

Natively, and very well....
I concur. Beautifully and without breaking a sweat.
Only when the battery level is really low and the musical passage very dense does it perform a little less smoothly, but that behaviour is to be expected of all battery operated devices. And you do get a warning when the battery is running low: a message pops up on the screen, thankfully without a beep or anything annoying like that. Maybe you get a vibration when you reach that point if you have kept the haptic feedback box checked, I can't recall, since I disabled that function the first day I got the DX100 to precisely save on battery life :D .
That was two years ago exactly, the best audio investment I ever made :atsmile: . And two years later, I have the feeling that even with all the bubbling competition, it still holds its Reference DAP status pretty well. AFAIUI, in respect to versatility from ultra sensitive (C)IEMs to power hungry headphones, SQ, capacity, all-in-one-box-solution, design, affordability, it is only dethroned by the HDP-R10.
The only thing I wish it did do is USB DAC. I'd gladly pay iBasso quite a premium to add that functionality.
 

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