<Renewed at 2012/03/12>The new HiFiMAN 802 & New UI named "Tai-Chi" - Page 42

I have strongly considered the DX100. The two things holding me up are:

1. They chose to use an sdhc instead of an xc slot. I know that I can reformat cards, but fat32 isn't good for a large file system, and it voids your warranty if you have problems with it.

2. It's not going to Jelly Bean (or at least ICS). I realize that is beyond the control of iBasso, largely, given the chipset that they had to buy at the volume they would be making the device, but Android 4.X is just head and shoulders better than 2.X.

What I am looking for is a nice portable design (design wise, the iRiver AK100 hits the mark for me), a good 24 or 32-bit DAC (which the 901, DX100, and AK100 all hit the mark on) lots of available storage space with room to grow (the 901 is best here, since it supports sdxc, the AK100 is close with its dual slots combined with its 32GB on board) and a great, amplifier with low output impedance (this is where the AK100 falls on its face, the 901 will probably as well, and the DX100 shines).

I want these things so that I have a good portable to pair with the UM Merlins I am going to most likely order in the new year. I guess I can wait to see what the Pogo thing is like. Hisound has just never appealed to me. My Clip+ will do alright while I ponder my choices.

True enough. But the firmware on the DX100 isn't as bad as it's being made out to be. Plus you can root it and make it run smoother which I've done. I've made it minimalist. I don't find android as the OS to be a plus at all. In fact until the unit can use other players in 24/192 there really is no point in using android. I only see the main point of using this player is to play music so I could give a rip about android support on it. Also you have a point with converting the card to FAT32 but I did it and there are no issues. You could always convert the card back over if you noticed issues before it completely died. Also if the card completely dies who is to say Sandisk can revive it to even see if you put it in FAT32 lol. Pretty much when memory chips burn out they are unrecoverable period. So I wouldn't worry so much about it and Sandisk has a very high track record for quality. I have yet to have a Sandisk card go bad on me out of the years I've owned them. Plus at $40.00 a 60 GB Micro SD card is it that big of a deal? I just wouldn't waste money on the iRiver due to the 22 Ohm output impedance. That is not acceptable at all for a player that is suppose to cater to Sensitive IEMs. Pretty much the product is a joke in my book.

Well, the DX100 certainly comes closest, thus far, for me. But I find the choice for devices like this to keep using hc, when xc has been out for so long baffling. The DX100 simply should have been XC. But I agree with you regarding Android, I think they should have used the open source firmware designed for music: Rockbox. I think they wanted Android because it's flashy, but they aren't catering to a mass market, so that decision does seem odd.

The only benefit I can see in using android is if they release their API to Neutron and Power Amp and these two companies make a version that will utilize their API and will allow for their players to fully use the hardware capabilities of the sabre DAC. This would yield us an amazing UI with amazing sound quality as well. That is the only reason I could see the use of android. I've already talked with Dmirty from Neutron Audio and he has shown interest in this. So I linked him to ibasso and now it is in ibassos hands. The door is open for them. Now if they will walk through that door or close it remains to be seen.

The only benefit I can see in using android is if they release their API to Neutron and Power Amp and these two companies make a version that will utilize their API and will allow for their players to fully use the hardware capabilities of the sabre DAC. This would yield us an amazing UI with amazing sound quality as well. That is the only reason I could see the use of android. I've already talked with Dmirty from Neutron Audio and he has shown interest in this. So I linked him to ibasso and now it is in ibassos hands. The door is open for them. Now if they will walk through that door or close it remains to be seen.

Well, the DX100 certainly comes closest, thus far, for me. But I find the choice for devices like this to keep using hc, when xc has been out for so long baffling. The DX100 simply should have been XC. But I agree with you regarding Android, I think they should have used the open source firmware designed for music: Rockbox. I think they wanted Android because it's flashy, but they aren't catering to a mass market, so that decision does seem odd.

EDIT: and btw, if you think that 22 Ohm is bad, according to EricHD at Head-Direct, the GAME module for the 801, you know, the one that they market as being for IEMs? 32 Ohm output impedance. I almost fell over.

If you check his answer shortly after the one you refer to, he says it is less than 1 Ohm.

I did see that. Much better answer. I wonder which one is correct? 

I expect the last one.

With my Miracle, which is has 6 BA drivers and is only 16 Ohms, the bass should have been soft and the frequency response off, if the output impedance is 32 Ohm.

None of this is the case. I hear tight, puchy bass and an extremely flat frequency response - only slightly V-shaped, when listening critically to many tracks across very different genres in both rhythmical and classical music.

I expect the last one.

With my Miracle, which is has 6 BA drivers and is only 16 Ohms, the bass should have been soft and the frequency response off, if the output impedance is 32 Ohm.

None of this is the case. I hear tight, punchy bass and an extremely flat frequency response - only slightly V-shaped, when listening critically to many tracks across very different genres in both rhythmical and classical music.

I ordered a DX100 its should be at my door tomorrow hopefully. I am so stoked! The 901 might be the best thing since sliced bread but i does nothing for me sitting on a shelf. They would have to give away there new flagship iEm with a purchase to compete at that price point or do something else special for those people who waited for months for them while hearing little news.

The wait is indeed endless and I am sure you are not the only one who shops elsewhere. DX100 or AK100 the options are out there. Curious how many will sell the DX100 when the 901 comes out. In a few months we will see a few sweet deals on the clasified section:)