[lantian]

Have not ried low gain or medium. Just going from the experience of dx200, it should always be in high gain, because we are swithcong the gain of the dacs and not the amps. Amps seem to be fixed gain. Therefore low gain equals less of everything and wrong placement(on all my gear) YMMW.

 

[iMongui]

Have not ried low gain or medium. Just going from the experience of dx200, it should always be in high gain, because we are swithcong the gain of the dacs and not the amps. Amps seem to be fixed gain. Therefore low gain equals less of everything and wrong placement(on all my gear) YMMW.

So you suggest to go always for high gain and play with the volume instead of play with the gain and don't play too much with the volume at all... More reasons pls?

 

[DeejayAlex73]

Is this update also good for AMP 8 or only for AMP9?

 

[bahamot]

this album really suitable for AMP8EX-FE...

hehehe... let me copy this

It's a nice album indeed. Thanks for posting.

 

[lantian]

So you suggest to go always for high gain and play with the volume instead of play with the gain and don't play too much with the volume at all... More reasons pls?

Simple, All dac sound their best in high gain,not single one have i heard that actually sounded the same in low gain. default voltage sabre gives out is 3,2v and low gain 1,8v(high gain and low gain on dx200). Since no specifics are given I presume it is the same way with dx220. The same applies to the big speaker amps and speakers. Always high gain, otherwise I find it is ll to wrong and not all the image was there,with way smaller sound stage. In my own experience all of these devices sound a lot better in high gain.My rule of thumb is :don't go to lower gain unless your gear can not handle high gain or for some strange reason it sounds bad. Unfortunately can not explain any better than this. Keep in mind this is all my experience YMMW.

 

[kalo86]

For me, all the life with High Gain.
Hardware in signature.
Dreaming while enjoying the Music

 

[Whitigir]

I am looking for a WM1A to perform and experiments with EX modification. I have some sweet trades available, if anyone interested please pm me
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/wanted-wm1a-sony-for-experimental-purposes.924351/

 

[ExpatinJapan]

iBasso DX220, Amp8ex with Dignis case and Campfire Audio Solaris (Final Audio tips).
Medium gain, Filter 4.

 

[nxxo]

I love

 

[flarex3]

I still think that my DX220 sounds bad/mediocre.
Focal Clear or Elegia, out of DX220 amp1 single ended or AMP8 4.4mm balanced. 4 different conbinations but no luck.
I don't know why they don't sound good. A TOTL dap and two TOTL headphones, what can be wrong ?
It seems like everyone enjoys their DX220 except me.

 

[fokta]

I still think that my DX220 sounds bad/mediocre.
Focal Clear or Elegia, out of DX220 amp1 single ended or AMP8 4.4mm balanced. 4 different conbinations but no luck.
I don't know why they don't sound good. A TOTL dap and two TOTL headphones, what can be wrong ?
It seems like everyone enjoys their DX220 except me.

What song file you use with ?

 

[artpiggo]

I still think that my DX220 sounds bad/mediocre.
Focal Clear or Elegia, out of DX220 amp1 single ended or AMP8 4.4mm balanced. 4 different conbinations but no luck.
I don't know why they don't sound good. A TOTL dap and two TOTL headphones, what can be wrong ?
It seems like everyone enjoys their DX220 except me.

Try AMP1 Balanced port. You may like.

Set mid or high gain.

 

[filip sebastian]

Bad post

 

[filip sebastian]

iBasso DX220, Amp8ex with Dignis case and Campfire Audio Solaris (Final Audio tips).
Medium gain, Filter 4.

Masonic watch

 

[fokta]

on left corner, Full local mod AMp1Mk2 with Fidelizer...
The opponent on the right Corner is Lightweight DX220 with AMP8EX-FE...

Let's Rumble...

My summary Highlight, IMHO :
- DX220 Mod (DM) with Fidelizer with AMP1Mk2 Mod (A12M) is Neutral Bright.
- DX220 Stok (DS) with AMP8EX-FE (A8EF) is Neutral Warm.
- DM will make the sound will be more open, better separation and add Depth in Soundstage.
- DM will get the most beneficial in term of SQ at Android OS (Mango player).
- AMP mod seems affect more in term of SQ increase rather then unit Modding. IMHO
- A good mastering recording song will be mandatory if you already in the phase of Modding Unit and AMP.
- Higher gain & volume, sometimes can help to increase the dynamic. but with compensation of loud and bad staging....

Spoiler: original post....

After a whole day listening and doing swap AMP. Exhausting day it was, I had a a lot of learning and reminder... but lets carry on to the comparison.
DX220 Mod (DM) with Fidelizer with AMP1Mk2 Mod (A12M) compare to DX220 Stok (DS) with AMP8EX-FE (A8EF) & AMP1Mk2 Stoc (A12S)

DM+A12M vs DS+A12S
There some scenario / Parameter, I used :
1) using my Song (Flac 16/24 Bit). Mid Gain; Mango OS; Digital filter 4; Volume 7
DM +A12M will be more open especially in Vocal and Treble (spark), with better separation and more depth in soundstage. But DS+A12S will be more musical and Dynamic with my song.

2) using HiRes song like DSD, DSF etc. Mid Gain; Mango OS; Digital filter 4; Volume 7.
Here DM+A12M shine Much better, and make DS+A12S sound muddy. Here I found, changing Gain to High, can help to improve the DM+A12M dynamic. (but for me this is painfull, really loud).

3) using HiRes song like DSD, DSF etc. High Gain; Android OS (mango Player); Digital filter 4; Volume 18.
DM+A12M will have more darker background, the sound was more impressive then in MANGO OS.
But here some draw back I experienced, in current scenario, Music File must be Hi-Res like DSD and so on. if not, the sound will be not improve in high marginal.

DM+A12M vs DS+A8FE
High Gain, Android OS, Volume 17-22. digital filter 4
1) DSD song : DM+A12M will shine better with great clarity,
2) my Flac song : DS+A8FE will be Musical with great dynamic...

from here onward, I felt myself become complicated... and supposed to enjoy... so I consulted to a friend and was given advised to simplified.

My own conclusion :
DS+A12M will be my wanted preference, I like the dynamic sounding, with a bit detail...
AMP1Mk2 stock is the most balanced sounding to cater all music, IMHO (quite revealing for myself in the end)
AMP8EX-FE will be very good for song genre like Vanesa Fernandez, for me, its like a good pair why AMP8EX-FE shine in Vocal and instrument.
Based on owner also modder, the last 2-3 update, Fidel seems no much effect...

My own concern :
When you upgrade / mod your device, transparency will be your two edge sword, song file will determine the Sound quality u perceive
High Gain and Volume can help to gain Dynamic, but also quite painful if you are a low volume listener.

All demo use and pair with current gear : CFA SOLARIS & BRISE cable