[Ojisan]

I'm still trying to figure out what Ibasso was going for with the 240. Is it supposed to be the upgrade path for 220 owners so that they can use the amp modules? Whereas the 300 is it's own separate thing? I'm just thinking that the 240 is too close in price to the 300 if the 300 is supposed to be their TOTL dap. The 240 and 300 are both obvious upgrades to the 220 in regard to features, UI, operation and battery life. But in terms of sound, is 300 supposed to be better than 240 such that 300 is their TOTL? Or are they both considered TOTL but for two different types of people, namely those who have the old style amp modules and those who don't?

Or maybe I'm just overthinking it ...

I believe the way they are positioning is that 300 is still the uncompromised TOTL - excluding the MAX series - (multiple batteries, latest amp iteration, larger) and 240 being the "compact" successor to 220 (single battery, newer but compact amp, compact/portable size).

There's an interesting 3-way review post here (use your favorite translator) that basically suggests sound quality order 220 << 240 < 300.
https://www.torachanblog.com/2021/10/ibasso-dx220-dx240-dx300.html

Sure there's an individual preference at play here for tonality but architecturally 300 is clearly the most sophisticated. Can't go by price alone since iBasso packs a lot for its price...

 

[German Expat in Vietnam]

I also think that the DX 312 is sonically a bit higher than the DX 240 with AMP 8. But the 240 is interesting for two reasons. I think it will have a completely different sound signature and it has a nice size to put in a tight jeans pocket. This is only possible to a limited extent with the DX 300. In any case, I'm looking forward to more comparisons and I will eventually buy the DX240. Who knows, maybe iBasso will bring out a new AMP card at the level of AMP12. And hopefully with 4.4. Wait and see

 

[Ben86]

I believe the way they are positioning is that 300 is still the uncompromised TOTL - excluding the MAX series - (multiple batteries, latest amp iteration, larger) and 240 being the "compact" successor to 220 (single battery, newer but compact amp, compact/portable size).

There's an interesting 3-way review post here (use your favorite translator) that basically suggests sound quality order 220 << 240 < 300.
https://www.torachanblog.com/2021/10/ibasso-dx220-dx240-dx300.html

Sure there's an individual preference at play here for tonality but architecturally 300 is clearly the most sophisticated. Can't go by price alone since iBasso packs a lot for its price...

Thanks a lot for your short review!

 

[Ojisan]

Thanks a lot for your short review!

Not mine, for the record I'm also on the fence waiting for more info on 240

 

[twister6]

For a relative size comparison: DX300, DX220, DX240, and DX160:

Compact size makes a difference, and to my ears DX240 sounds more neutral (sound sig) and revealing (tonality) relative to DX300 (amp11.2 and amp12). DX300, with either amps, has more bass impact and a warmer tonality, while DX240 is more neutral in comparison. After 100+ hrs of burn in, I even prefer amp1mk3 (default DX240 amp) over amp8 with DX240 since the original amp8 sounds brighter in comparison.

The only "negative" is that amp1mk3 has only enough room for 3.5mm LO/PO and 2.5mm BAL and all my cables are 4.4mm, so I'm using ddhifi adapter. Btw, I have been told we might even see a new amp for DX240 in a future, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 4.4mm output. But, as I posted before, DX300 amp has 2x more real estate so more opportunities for something new and innovative.

DX300 is a flagship, borrowing some of its tech from MAX architecture, but if you are going to judge it purely on sound performance and DAP performance (speed/UI), in my book both DX240 and DX300 share a flagship status. 2-3 years ago when we had DX120, DX150, and DX220, there was a clear line between entry, mid-fi, and summit-fi. Everything changed after DX160 release which blurred the lines between entry and mid-fi. DX300 has upper hand because it has more "room" to grow and its big display turns it into multimedia phablet, but I wouldn't call DX240 a mid-fi. It's a great compact super fast DAP with a modular amp design. Based on 3D benchmark tests, heavily influenced by Rockchip SoC (DX220) vs Snapdragon 660 (DX240), DX240 is 3x faster. I think it's a no brainer as an upgrade from DX220. If you already have DX300 and want something more compact and pocket friendly while being as fast and as responsive as DX300, DX240 is also a clear alternative. But I think it will be a tougher decision if you are choosing to get either DX240 and DX300.

 

[eloelo]

For a relative size comparison: DX300, DX220, DX240, and DX160:



Compact size makes a difference, and to my ears DX240 sounds more neutral (sound sig) and revealing (tonality) relative to DX300 (amp11.2 and amp12). DX300, with either amps, has more bass impact and a warmer tonality, while DX240 is more neutral in comparison. After 100+ hrs of burn in, I even prefer amp1mk3 (default DX240 amp) over amp8 with DX240 since the original amp8 sounds brighter in comparison.

The only "negative" is that amp1mk3 has only enough room for 3.5mm LO/PO and 2.5mm BAL and all my cables are 4.4mm, so I'm using ddhifi adapter. Btw, I have been told we might even see a new amp for DX240 in a future, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 4.4mm output. But, as I posted before, DX300 amp has 2x more real estate so more opportunities for something new and innovative.

DX300 is a flagship, borrowing some of its tech from MAX architecture, but if you are going to judge it purely on sound performance and DAP performance (speed/UI), in my book both DX240 and DX300 share a flagship status. 2-3 years ago when we had DX120, DX150, and DX220, there was a clear line between entry, mid-fi, and summit-fi. Everything changed after DX160 release which blurred the lines between entry and mid-fi. DX300 has upper hand because it has more "room" to grow and its big display turns it into multimedia phablet, but I wouldn't call DX240 a mid-fi. It's a great compact super fast DAP with a modular amp design. Based on 3D benchmark tests, heavily influenced by Rockchip SoC (DX220) vs Snapdragon 660 (DX240), DX240 is 3x faster. I think it's a no brainer as an upgrade from DX220. If you already have DX300 and want something more compact and pocket friendly while being as fast and as responsive as DX300, DX240 is also a clear alternative. But I think it will be a tougher decision if you are choosing to get either DX240 and DX300.

how well do DX240 and DX300 perform as desktop usb dac/amps? Does it sound just as good as when using them as a dap? Considering using them as a desktop dac/amp for my iems as well.

 

[14christ]

For a relative size comparison: DX300, DX220, DX240, and DX160:



Compact size makes a difference, and to my ears DX240 sounds more neutral (sound sig) and revealing (tonality) relative to DX300 (amp11.2 and amp12). DX300, with either amps, has more bass impact and a warmer tonality, while DX240 is more neutral in comparison. After 100+ hrs of burn in, I even prefer amp1mk3 (default DX240 amp) over amp8 with DX240 since the original amp8 sounds brighter in comparison.

The only "negative" is that amp1mk3 has only enough room for 3.5mm LO/PO and 2.5mm BAL and all my cables are 4.4mm, so I'm using ddhifi adapter. Btw, I have been told we might even see a new amp for DX240 in a future, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 4.4mm output. But, as I posted before, DX300 amp has 2x more real estate so more opportunities for something new and innovative.

DX300 is a flagship, borrowing some of its tech from MAX architecture, but if you are going to judge it purely on sound performance and DAP performance (speed/UI), in my book both DX240 and DX300 share a flagship status. 2-3 years ago when we had DX120, DX150, and DX220, there was a clear line between entry, mid-fi, and summit-fi. Everything changed after DX160 release which blurred the lines between entry and mid-fi. DX300 has upper hand because it has more "room" to grow and its big display turns it into multimedia phablet, but I wouldn't call DX240 a mid-fi. It's a great compact super fast DAP with a modular amp design. Based on 3D benchmark tests, heavily influenced by Rockchip SoC (DX220) vs Snapdragon 660 (DX240), DX240 is 3x faster. I think it's a no brainer as an upgrade from DX220. If you already have DX300 and want something more compact and pocket friendly while being as fast and as responsive as DX300, DX240 is also a clear alternative. But I think it will be a tougher decision if you are choosing to get either DX240 and DX300.

That is for sure a conundrum. I'm in that exact spot. I want to go dx300 but I'm very portable. I could make dx300 work but 240 would definitely be easier. Dunno...gonna have to keep watching this thread as it progresses.

 

[rlw6534]

Need to hear about wifi performance as that has been a weak link in previous iBasso products.

 

[twister6]

how well do DX240 and DX300 perform as desktop usb dac/amps? Does it sound just as good as when using them as a dap? Considering using them as a desktop dac/amp for my iems as well.

Sounds the same.

 

[twister6]

Need to hear about wifi performance as that has been a weak link in previous iBasso products.

Mentioned it here. It is as good as DX300, definitely an improvement over DX160/200/220.

 

[Siberian]

For a relative size comparison: DX300, DX220, DX240, and DX160:



Compact size makes a difference, and to my ears DX240 sounds more neutral (sound sig) and revealing (tonality) relative to DX300 (amp11.2 and amp12). DX300, with either amps, has more bass impact and a warmer tonality, while DX240 is more neutral in comparison. After 100+ hrs of burn in, I even prefer amp1mk3 (default DX240 amp) over amp8 with DX240 since the original amp8 sounds brighter in comparison.

The only "negative" is that amp1mk3 has only enough room for 3.5mm LO/PO and 2.5mm BAL and all my cables are 4.4mm, so I'm using ddhifi adapter. Btw, I have been told we might even see a new amp for DX240 in a future, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 4.4mm output. But, as I posted before, DX300 amp has 2x more real estate so more opportunities for something new and innovative.

DX300 is a flagship, borrowing some of its tech from MAX architecture, but if you are going to judge it purely on sound performance and DAP performance (speed/UI), in my book both DX240 and DX300 share a flagship status. 2-3 years ago when we had DX120, DX150, and DX220, there was a clear line between entry, mid-fi, and summit-fi. Everything changed after DX160 release which blurred the lines between entry and mid-fi. DX300 has upper hand because it has more "room" to grow and its big display turns it into multimedia phablet, but I wouldn't call DX240 a mid-fi. It's a great compact super fast DAP with a modular amp design. Based on 3D benchmark tests, heavily influenced by Rockchip SoC (DX220) vs Snapdragon 660 (DX240), DX240 is 3x faster. I think it's a no brainer as an upgrade from DX220. If you already have DX300 and want something more compact and pocket friendly while being as fast and as responsive as DX300, DX240 is also a clear alternative. But I think it will be a tougher decision if you are choosing to get either DX240 and DX300.

Thanks for your feedback! So far, I come to the conclusion that it makes no sense to change 220 to 240 if you dont use streaming services. I'll keep the DX300 Amp12 as my personal top-end DAP with deep and musical sound. And on walks I will use 220 with amp8.
And I’ll continue to wait for other reviews that will convince me to buy 240

 

[Tomm11]

I may be odd man out but I don't think DX300 is sonically "better" than DX220. It's a bit different tuning that I saw as being more of a preference rather than better or worse. It's been a while and I only had the DX300 with me for a couple of days but that's how I felt about it at the time. Regardless, the size (height/length) of the DX300 was definitely not my thing. I'll be watching for reviews and owners opinions when the DX240 is in peoples hands.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Out and about
…whilst Tokyo covid-19 daily numbers are under approx 30 a day or so. Still masked up etc…



DX240/amp8, android mango/D4/G1 & Campfire Audio Andromeda Gold. ddhifi case.

Todays ‘R’ bonus:
https://www.headpie.net/2021/10/ibasso-dx240-review-expatinjapan.html?m=1

<<< DX240 review is finished

 

[seanwee]

Out and about
…whilst Tokyo covid-19 daily numbers are under approx 30 a day or so. Still masked up etc…



DX240/amp8, android mango/D4/G1 & Campfire Audio Andromeda Gold. ddhifi case.

Todays ‘R’ bonus:
https://www.headpie.net/2021/10/ibasso-dx240-review-expatinjapan.html?m=1

<<< DX240 review is finished

Excellent Review !!!

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Excellent Review !!!

Thanks.

Not sure how much more i can add in there. Lol.
It did come together faster than expected.

I did add in a shaky handheld ui video 30 mins back. But i think its finished. One has to stop somewhere.

Best regards
Expt