iBasso DX100:24 bit for bit, PG 1> Reviews & Impressions, Downloads, VIDEO, NEW Firmware 1.4.2. - Page 632

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

My DX100 review is finally up. It's taken 3 months to get my thoughts together, which is a shame as the DX100's performance and abilities were obvious from day one. RMAA and square wave performance will be updated too. Overall, apart from the dismal UI speed and hardware response, this is THE player. 

 

There is no need for an external amp at all. I've not used a piece of portable gear that performs like this does. From perfect volume balance to its ability to treat any headphone almost as a straight cable, this thing sings. 

1) Thanks! Will be reading your review now, with a cup of coffee. 

2) I only add an amp for a slightly different flavor of sound, somewhat better separation of elements. Amp needed? Hell no.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorensiim 

The DX100 has spoiled me - any hint of noise or hiss absolutely disqualifies an amp for me and my 8.A's aren't even that picky. So I'm looking for an amp suitable for (c)iems, absolutely noise free and preferably with a footprint similar to the DX100 so I can stack them. Oh and since it has to actually be an improvement over the already damn good DX100, my choices are somewhat limited.

 

Ahh, who needs money anyway?

You might look up the Pico Slim. I've not used an amp with as low noise floor as it. It is much smaller than the DX100, though. But if noise gets you (I used to be called the noise king or something like that), any amp will disappoint to some degree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorensiim 

The DX100 has spoiled me - any hint of noise or hiss absolutely disqualifies an amp for me and my 8.A's aren't even that picky. So I'm looking for an amp suitable for (c)iems, absolutely noise free and preferably with a footprint similar to the DX100 so I can stack them. Oh and since it has to actually be an improvement over the already damn good DX100, my choices are somewhat limited.

 

Ahh, who needs money anyway?

Apex Glacier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by turokrocks 

Apex Glacier.

Actually, that is a pretty good choice, though with the DX100, you don't need an amp, and the Glacier errs on a similar sound signature as the DX100 does.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

 

You can check my mp3tag guide. Not sure if it can be applied entirely to your situation but if you are using mp3tag I'm sure a lot of it is applicable. This should allow you to batch tag and get it done a lot faster and get them squeaky clean. I am super anal about my tags in my library. Everything is neat.

 

http://www.head-fi.org/a/mp3tag-setup-guide

 

This is quite strange. I'm on Windows 8 and I swear the music sounds better. More clear. This is even in bit for bit and I still am perceiving this difference...   Also Windows 8 runs a lot faster than Windows 7. I kinda don't like the mac style and the missing Start menu but I added one myself so I'm good. Seems even lighter than XP at this point. It even installed super fast lol. Just finished installing most if not all my programs and tweaking the setting for my SSD. Made a system image so I'm quite cherry. If I end up messing up the install or get a virus I'll be up again in less than 10 minutes :).

Thanks lee. But sadly the mp3tag for mac only works on Lion, and I still have Snow Leopard.

Anyway, if there's someone out there that use AIFF format for listening on his DX100 and has managed to get the tags right I'm happy to know how ! At least I can reconfirm that AIFF is supported for listening up to 24/192 without problem by the DX100 ! Just the tags are an issue for now. Wondering if iBasso could do something about it, but as AIFF was co-developed by Apple, might be difficult...I prefer AIFF to FLAC as it it uncompressed. Even if FLAC is lossless, it's still compressed. Also itunes is picky with flac...

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

Actually, that is a pretty good choice, though with the DX100, you don't need an amp, and the Glacier errs on a similar sound signature as the DX100 does.

I agree with you, but a bit warmer than the Dx100, which gives the vocals a moisty signature which makes it more engaging.

The Glacier has really good clarity with micro details, without overshadowing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedboe 

Thanks lee. But sadly the mp3tag for mac only works on Lion, and I still have Snow Leopard.

 

Anyway, if there's someone out there that use AIFF format for listening on his DX100 and has managed to get the tags right I'm happy to know how ! At least I can reconfirm that AIFF is supported for listening up to 24/192 without problem by the DX100 ! Just the tags are an issue for now. Wondering if iBasso could do something about it, but as AIFF was co-developed by Apple, might be difficult...I prefer AIFF to FLAC as it it uncompressed. Even if FLAC is lossless, it's still compressed. Also itunes is picky with flac...

Without getting into the semantics of this or that, AIFF, as an uncompressed source, is easier for the decoder. Generally fewer decoding errors are forced in formats like AIFF and WAV simply because they read more similarly to straight PCM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

My DX100 review is finally up. It's taken 3 months to get my thoughts together, which is a shame as the DX100's performance and abilities were obvious from day one. RMAA and square wave performance will be updated too. Overall, apart from the dismal UI speed and hardware response, this is THE player. 

 

There is no need for an external amp at all. I've not used a piece of portable gear that performs like this does. From perfect volume balance to its ability to treat any headphone almost as a straight cable, this thing sings. 

I bow for such a review...

BTW shigzeo, what firmware were you running on the DX100? You make no mention of that. There have been quite some updates, and the latest FW v.1.2.7 most agree on is quite an improvement, not only in UI responsiveness, but also SQ.

And I salute you, fellow ex-MiniDisc user for such an excellent write-up .

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

My DX100 review is finally up. It's taken 3 months to get my thoughts together, which is a shame as the DX100's performance and abilities were obvious from day one. RMAA and square wave performance will be updated too. Overall, apart from the dismal UI speed and hardware response, this is THE player. 

 

There is no need for an external amp at all. I've not used a piece of portable gear that performs like this does. From perfect volume balance to its ability to treat any headphone almost as a straight cable, this thing sings. 

A very nice and thorough review, but there are a few points I must address...

1) You recommend using Poweramp or another third party player. I wouldn't do that, especially not on the 1.2.7 firmware. Poweramp does NOT have access straight to the DAC, so will be going through Android's audio layer, resampling everything to 16/44.1. No more bit-perfect playback

2) Micro USB is now by far more common than Mini-usb, which is why it was chosen as the USB connector for the DX100. 

3) The line out is controlled by the volume control because the volume control operates directly on the DAC chip. Which is why it is exactly as brilliant as you so very well describe in your review 

4) Charging from USB would be great, but the DX100 demands 12V/1.5A, not the measely 5V/0.5A offered by USB. It sucks, I agree. Luckily a spare charger will only cost you $6 from Ibasso. I have two and consider getting a third. 

#1 is my only real concern with your great review, the rest is just nit-picking. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by the wizard of oz 

BTW shigzeo, what firmware were you running on the DX100? You make no mention of that. There have been quite some updates, and the latest FW v.1.2.7 most agree on is quite an improvement, not only in UI responsiveness, but also SQ.

 

And I salute you, fellow ex-MiniDisc user for such an excellent write-up .

Hello! I used both 1,1,7 and 1,2,7. I didn't mention that and maybe I should have. I've got to go back and clean up some things. Thank you for the help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorensiim 

A very nice and thorough review, but there are a few points I must address...

1) You recommend using Poweramp or another third party player. I wouldn't do that, especially not on the 1.2.7 firmware. Poweramp does NOT have access straight to the DAC, so will be going through Android's audio layer, resampling everything to 16/44.1. No more bit-perfect playback

 

2) Micro USB is now by far more common than Mini-usb, which is why it was chosen as the USB connector for the DX100. 

 

3) The line out is controlled by the volume control because the volume control operates directly on the DAC chip. Which is why it is exactly as brilliant as you so very well describe in your review 

 

4) Charging from USB would be great, but the DX100 demands 12V/1.5A, not the measely 5V/0.5A offered by USB. It sucks, I agree. Luckily a spare charger will only cost you $6 from Ibasso. I have two and consider getting a third. 

 

#1 is my only real concern with your great review, the rest is just nit-picking. 

Nitpicking is actually helpful. These days, there is only one editor in my department... and he isn't that clever at picking out a things. 

1. I need to clear up that at least you can use other software. I only used Music App for the majority of testing and review, but used the other players from time to time to see if they worked. To be honest, the only one I really care about isn't even an audio app: it's Ultima 7's reverse playback engine, Exult. I've played, loved, and been addicted to Ultima since the early 1990's. If that was a bit easier to wrangle (and the DX100 sported a faster processor), I'd quit work, quit eating, and just play.

2. I will add your opinion about Micro USB to the review. Perhaps my electronics are all cameras (I'm a photographer by trade) and not a one uses micro USB and I've encountered only a very few machines of any type that use micro USB.

3. The Line out with variable voltage is great isn't it? I love it because many portable amps are simply too loud and can't achieve channel parity. 

4. Wouldn't that be great? I do wish iBasso used a different internal power plant that could utilise lower voltage mains adapters. 

As we all know, the DX100 is simply the bomb. The issues I list I take very seriously and are the reason this player doesn't get full marks. But when considering the full package, and the sound, it's a great product. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

Hello! I used both 1,1,7 and 1,2,7. I didn't mention that and maybe I should have. I've got to go back and clean up some things. Thank you for the help.

Eww don't use Power Amp Shigzeo. :P Until ibasso releases the API to Power Amp and Neutron I'd avoid 3rd party players like the plague. You really downgrade the sound quality this way. Plus the UI is quite good now so I see no reason until true bit for bit is implemented to the DAC. Then we're talking some serious UI and sound quality :).

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

Eww don't use Power Amp Shigzeo. :P Until ibasso releases the API to Power Amp and Neutron I'd avoid 3rd party players like the plague. You really downgrade the sound quality this way. Plus the UI is quite good now so I see no reason until true bit for bit is implemented to the DAC. Then we're talking some serious UI and sound quality :).

Did you just say 'eww'? Haha. I've updated the review to reflect some of the opinions held in this thread and that I forgot to include in the original. Thank you everyone. 

Yes, the SQ may be downgraded, but over the course of 3 months with the DX100, I will tell you: I've never been so frustrated with an interface. After a certain point, you just want something to work with ease. What needs to be fixed is the auto-on touchscreen. Mine still goes on when it wants to, and since it relies on electrical current, changes tracks when any random bit of skin touches it. I never know when the bloody thing is going to switch from John Denver to Lady Gaga. 

Would it be better as button-only navigation player? I think so. I really do. Android makes many things possible but really really screws with basic functionality. At least the sound is damn damn fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

Did you just say 'eww'? Haha. I've updated the review to reflect some of the opinions held in this thread and that I forgot to include in the original. Thank you everyone. 

 

Yes, the SQ may be downgraded, but over the course of 3 months with the DX100, I will tell you: I've never been so frustrated with an interface. After a certain point, you just want something to work with ease. What needs to be fixed is the auto-on touchscreen. Mine still goes on when it wants to, and since it relies on electrical current, changes tracks when any random bit of skin touches it. I never know when the bloody thing is going to switch from John Denver to Lady Gaga. 

 

Would it be better as button-only navigation player? I think so. I really do. Android makes many things possible but really really screws with basic functionality. At least the sound is damn damn fine.

Hmm do you turn off the screen? Leaving it on will result in frustration for sure. Generally mine isn't buggy at all. Also have you ever used a Slow2 (AKA Teclast T51? ;) because that UI is so much worse than the DX100 that it isn't funny at all. I mean the DX100 UI isn't the best out there but hey. I really only got 2 more issues that need to be fixed and I'm pretty much happy at that point. 1. The fade in at the beginning of each track upon manually changing tracks needs to go. 2. Playlists need to automatically update and alphabetize instead of only having them show up in the order they are synced. If they fix those two then everything else is just icing on the cake for me ;).

If I read correctly you are having some issues with the player cutting the screen on by itself? When you updated to 1.2.7 did you do a factory reset? What I always do is do a factory reset which doesn't delete your music but will restore everything back to 1.2.7 factory settings. If not you are carrying over crap from the previous firmware updates which will contribute to buggy playback and possibly a slower UI. I also clear the Media Storage Process and the Music Player Process and then restart the player, letting it sit for 15 minutes to re-index everything. Should be better after that I think. Also turning off all the superfluous stuff such as WIFI, animation, haptic feedback, tilting screen, etc will help :).

You can make things even faster and smoother by rooting the device. I rooted my device with the help of Sorensiim and even messed things up quite a few times being stupid. I can honestly say this device will be hard to brick. You'd be more likely to brick it while installing a firmware update and the power goes out :P. As long as you follow the directions you are safe and the device will be even more responsive and smooth.

Regarding smoothness and ease of use; I strictly use playlists to access all of my music. It is the smoothest and fastest method to access music and this is generally universal for most DAPs out there. Feels like an ipod honestly with its smooth and sleek nature. Using this method every single track is organized and in the order I want it to be in ;). Guess I'm a control freak. I have the player screen time out on minimal but generally I turn it off manually so I don't have issues with things changing on their own unless I accidentally shut it on while in my pocket (rarely happens but does happen at times with my T1 amp attached :P).

 Also I recommend everyone be careful about accidentally turning up the volume to full blast using the screen. That is an option and very dangerous lol. I blasted myself once and a friend here destroyed his NT6 Custom IEM due to it. So be careful...

Not sure if this will be useful to you but I did contribute to the DX100 Faq page which gives full details on how to properly tag your files with mp3 tag to work with the DX100 and most players (on the fly so pretty simple and fast). I also put up a guide there on how to set up your playlists via media monkey on the DX100. Works like a charm :). You'll also find Sorensiims guide here on how to root your DX100 along with some other helpful contributions from various members. Sorry for babbling on figured the more descriptive I am may help you and others.

http://www.head-fi.org/a/ibasso-dx100-faq