[Solude]

Increased measured performance.

 

[headwhacker]

I thought this was discussed on the other thread. I think the most obvious benefit was better channel separation.

 

[SilverEars]

  Increased measured performance.

What measured performance specifically?

 

[Solude]

Improves dynamic range.  Using the 9018 as an example if you use all 8 DACs for a single channel you get 135dB, drop to 4 DACs and you get 133dB, drop to 1 DAC... 129dB. Averaging 2dB everytime you double the DACs.  Effectively nothing in a portable device.

 

[Sauntere]

 Really looking forward to direct comparisons with other TOTL Daps.

 

[Pudu]

Anybody know the benefits to the Duel sabre processing?   ...

You need two sabres to duel properly. With only one, it's a lot less fun.

 

[hkppl]

You need two sabres to duel properly. With only one, it's a lot less fun.

Sabre duel, lotta fun, lol.

 

[kkcc]

Got it on the 12th and only had about 10 hr listening time.



Early impressions (mainly with JH13FP on mid gain):

- Fast tight punchy bass
- Not recessed nor forward mids
- Airy high that can be more refined
- Quite transparent and neutral
- Good imaging and staging with good width. Can use more depth
- Big step up from DX50 in all sound aspect
- Firmware seems to be stable and more responsive than dx50 and screen having the right sensitivity
- personally like the DX90's tuning over that of the X5

[16-Apr adding some non-sound comments below]

I had tried the below but haven't had any issue thus far (ok now I think I jinxed myself):
- db scanning (*)
- album arts (*)
- 24 bit FLACS of all rates (48/88.2/96/176.4/192)
- gapless
- auto power off
- basically no hiss/noise on all gain settings
- coxial output to external DAC
- running the battery all the way down and power up/recharge

*the SD card and files were working fine on my DX50 and AK240

Things that I tried and didn't work
- USB DAC (I believe will only be supported when the driver is available)

Non-sound things I like over DX50:
- new/better HO/LO/coxial jacks
- more stable touch screen response (not too sensitive nor laggy) and faster UI response
- minimum "pop" when turning on even with my most sensitive TG334 on high gain

 

[AndrewH13]

Early impressions (mainly with JH13FP on mid gain):

- personally like the DX90's tuning over that of the X5[/quote]


While waiting my DX90 and currently listening to X5, in what area is the tuning different? Is the treble more open, crisper?

 

[kkcc]

 Really looking forward to direct comparisons with other TOTL Daps.

Comparison in progress....

 

[kkcc]

While waiting my DX90 and currently listening to X5, in what area is the tuning different? Is the treble more open, crisper?

Yes I find dx90 treble has more sparkle and dx90 generally feels more transparent while x5 more relaxed/refined. Not a direct A/B but impressions from listening to the same files.

 

[AndrewH13]

Yes I find dx90 treble has more sparkle and dx90 generally feels more transparent while x5 more relaxed/refined. Not a direct A/B but impressions from listening to the same files.

 
Excellent, I'm not finding my X5 relaxed but I'm new to recent DAPS having just bought Westone W40s. I would have been concerned had you said the DX90 was more refined, so I'm sure I am going to like the iBasso

 

[tenedosian]

* any comparisons between dx90 and sony f886 & zx1 would be much appreciated btw. I am currently using f886. Though being very happy with its highly engaging sound, I wonder if dx90 would be an upgrade to sony f886.
* besides, a review of dx90 not in iems but in headphones (cans?) would also light some of ours paths : )

 

[Mimouille]

What measured performance specifically?

Please keep to impressions and not have ten pages of discussions on everything and nothing like the other (unfollowable) thread.

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

Would it be possible for dx90 to have a better coaxial output (audiblle)than dx50 given the new and improved hardwares? Do such measurements exist?