Quote:
Originally Posted by trickywombat /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Ron:
How would you rate the D3 compared with the clean-sounding iQube or very open/euphonic ZH1? Transparency, soundstage and bass impact are important to me. For neutrality, I always have my iQube to fall back on.
I'm a sucker for amps with user-replaceable batteries.
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Keeping in mind that I only have about 10 hours on my D3, I really like the sound of this amp. It is hard to compare with the ZH-1, as the ZH-1 crossfeed produces a lot of subjective soundstage differences.
I have been switching back and forth between the ZH-1 and D3, using the D3 DAC for both. There are differences but both sound superb. I can't say one is better than the other. Which would I keep if I could only have one??? Well, the D3 has a superb DAC! and is mucho smaller.
The ZH-1, on the other hand, has an outstanding soundstage and the best crossfeed implementation that I have heard.
I hope I never have to make this decision!!!!
That said, the D3 overall sound is more reminscent of my iQube than the ZH-1. There is a lot of space around the instruments in the D3, and soundstage depth is, I believe, more apparent than in my iQube. It is a very "fast" amp, accurately reproducing transients that I have not noticed before in some of my recordings, but is still well balanced throughout the audio spectrum. It VERY well reproduces the delicate and difficult to reproduce harmonics of such instruments as violins, piano, harpsichord, etc. A very great sense of realism. Brass has a very nice sheen, as in live performances. The D3 also presents vocals very convincingly.
My Klipsch Images sound better with the D3 than any of my other amps. I have not, as yet, really run thru all my phones with both new amps. They both drive my Senns with no difficulty. I just wanted to try it with IEMs to make sure it wasn't too bright. It's not.
These audio traits mentioned above are, in large part, due to the sonic characteristics of the ADA4841-2 opamps that are used in the D3. This opamp can be a bit bright in the highs, but the iBasso circuit design seems to have tamed this tendancy.
The only real negative I have noticed is an increased sensitivity to outside RF, such as cellphone. iBasso mentioned this to me in an email. Nearly all portables are affected, but the D3 more than most. All it means is that you must move your cellphone a bit further away from the amp and interconnects.
At this point, I prefer the sound and imaging of the D3 over that of the P3, but I am sure that there are going to be many very good opamp combinations that will make the P3 a standout amp. I have not, as yet, made any changes over what was installed on arrival. (But you can bet that I will very soon!)
At this point, I will have to say that the D3 Python is iBassos best amp yet!
Below are a couple of pictures.
