DX260 Digital Audio Player, a New avenue to your music. Preorders have started. Easily replaceable battery. NEW Firmware Update! 2.02

[ipaddy]

This thread has become so depressing. All I want to know is what it sounds like?

And me, I want to know what it sounds like as compared to the DX320.

 

[ipaddy]

It sounds like the CPU and Android could be better.

Could they be better at under $1,000?

 

[Alien HP]

Could they be better at under $1,000?

Where does the under $1,000 requirement come from?

 

[ipaddy]

Where does the under $1,000 requirement come from?

It's not based on any objective criteria, just picked because it tends to be a standard "middling" line between the very expensive (as opposed to the ridiculously expensive over $2500+ daps) and mid-level but good daps, ranging from $5-600 up to close to $1,000. And we see all kinds of truly middling daps in that group, ever-present iterations of FIIO, etc.

And also this one is going for $1,000, while aspiring to $1,000-$2,000 land, based on specs that seem to be moderately better than the DX320, which was, and still is, going for many hundreds of dollars more than $1,000.

And so, while recognizing that technology has advanced since the intro of the DX320, we must still look for compromises, since certainly a $1,000 DAP is not a $1,700 DAP. And these aspects might not be bad as far as compromise, if the sound is actually better than the DX320. Which we will find out, surely we will.

 

[Bondipix]

It's not based on any objective criteria, just picked because it tends to be a standard "middling" line between the very expensive (as opposed to the ridiculously expensive over $2500+ daps) and mid-level but good daps, ranging from $5-600 up to close to $1,000. And we see all kinds of truly middling daps in that group, ever-present iterations of FIIO, etc.

And also this one is going for $1,000, while aspiring to $1,000-$2,000 land, based on specs that seem to be moderately better than the DX320, which was, and still is, going for many hundreds of dollars more than $1,000.

And so, while recognizing that technology has advanced since the intro of the DX320, we must still look for compromises, since certainly a $1,000 DAP is not a $1,700 DAP. And these aspects might not be bad as far as compromise, if the sound is actually better than the DX320. Which we will find out, surely we will.

According to AMP3 in Britain; you can pre-order now for £849; the same price as the DX240. Not unreasonable I’d suggest. I would be surprised if it doesn’t sound exceptional. IBasso are doing great things and not charging the earth for them. I have a DX300 so I won’t be taking the plunge with the 260, at least not in the short term.

 

[KOM66]

Jeez I’ve followed this thread because I was interested in the DX260 but can’t believe all these comments even before the dap is out. I will unfollow and wait until the DX260 is released and can read relevant reviews.

 

[Bondipix]

Jeez I’ve followed this thread because I was interested in the DX260 but can’t believe all these comments even before the dap is out. I will unfollow and wait until the DX260 is released and can read relevant reviews.

This is just the usual pre-release pre-amble. Chill.

 

[buckster666]

According to AMP3 in Britain; you can pre-order now for £849; the same price as the DX240. Not unreasonable I’d suggest. I would be surprised if it doesn’t sound exceptional. IBasso are doing great things and not charging the earth for them. I have a DX300 so I won’t be taking the plunge with the 260, at least not in the short term.

£849 is a great price, was gonna dip my toe into ibasso waters with a DX170, think I'll dive right in to the DX260

 

[Bondipix]

£849 is a great price, was gonna dip my toe into ibasso waters with a DX170, think I'll dive right in to the DX260

I’ll look forward to hearing what you think.

 

[buckster666]

Look I know I overreacted in my last comment. It’s only because I’m tired of certain people who defend the brands no matter what opinions others have. There’s one of them in every thread on this forum. All I wanted to convey there was everyone has a different opinion and there’s nothing wrong with it.

When it comes to DAPs - there are certainly benefits to having some things upgraded.

Android - Sony upgraded their latest DAPs to Android 13. I have the Zx707 and I can tell you it’s much smoother and faster than 12. The UI is also pretty slick and small upgrades like the lock screen preview makes it much cooler when using the DAP day to day.

CPU - I use Apple Music on my iPhone and on my DAPs. Sure, I don’t expect iPhone level performance on the DAPs, but it would be good to have better loading and scrolling speeds. Here I must say iBasso is the most optimised of the DAPs I have, it’s fast once everything is loaded (still lags while loading).

Software - iBasso DAPs have barely any Software features worthy of mentioning. Try a Hiby or Sony DAP and you’ll know what I mean. iBasso cannot even do a proper dark theme. If I’m going to use my DAP every day I’d like the experience to be pleasant and that includes the user interface and other customisations to my preference.

DAC - Again a personal opinion. I’d like to see something different for a change. I’m tired of the same CS4131/98, it doesn’t matter if it’s 8x or 16x. Same goes for FiiO who year on year release new DAPs and DACs based on the same ES9038Pro. Why not use the new ES9039Pro (it sounds amazing btw). Sure there’s extra cost involved but like @Ben86 said, add another margin on top of the already premium prices for DAPs and it won’t make a big difference.

AMP - Despite the gigantic sizes of DAPs these days, they don’t perform that great compared to the smaller sized DAPs tbh. Most people use their DAPs with an external amplifier to get the best sound.

You haven't overreacted dude, nothing wrong in wanting innovation and better hardware to ensure a DAP's lifespan is long. The DX260 having replaceable batteries is a major plus for me to invest in it.
Though DAP's use the same Soc as phones they are different markets and go at different speeds, look at the video games industry, you generally get a new console every 5 or 6 years, and people are more than with their Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo.
As long as my DAP plays music I'm happy, it's IEM's that you can experiment with to get a pairing that plays the music you like well.

 

[purk]

Basic question: How does this compare to the DX320?

Can only speculate at this point in time. I doubt it will be as good sound wise as the DX320 with less room for parts. There is always going to be a limitatiom just how the DX320 can never reach the performance of the DX320 or DX300 Max regardless of the modification.

 

[jamato8]

It's not based on any objective criteria, just picked because it tends to be a standard "middling" line between the very expensive (as opposed to the ridiculously expensive over $2500+ daps) and mid-level but good daps, ranging from $5-600 up to close to $1,000. And we see all kinds of truly middling daps in that group, ever-present iterations of FIIO, etc.

And also this one is going for $1,000, while aspiring to $1,000-$2,000 land, based on specs that seem to be moderately better than the DX320, which was, and still is, going for many hundreds of dollars more than $1,000.

And so, while recognizing that technology has advanced since the intro of the DX320, we must still look for compromises, since certainly a $1,000 DAP is not a $1,700 DAP. And these aspects might not be bad as far as compromise, if the sound is actually better than the DX320. Which we will find out, surely we will.

And there are times that a dap of over 2000 dollars is not as good as one costing less than 1000. And the parts aren't all that great either. People are too fixated on price. IMO

 

[ipaddy]

According to AMP3 in Britain; you can pre-order now for £849; the same price as the DX240. Not unreasonable I’d suggest. I would be surprised if it doesn’t sound exceptional. IBasso are doing great things and not charging the earth for them. I have a DX300 so I won’t be taking the plunge with the 260, at least not in the short term.

Jeez I’ve followed this thread because I was interested in the DX260 but can’t believe all these comments even before the dap is out. I will unfollow and wait until the DX260 is released and can read relevant reviews.

Ok. We will miss your inputs but do let us know when you are back.

 

[ipaddy]

£849 is a great price, was gonna dip my toe into ibasso waters with a DX170, think I'll dive right in to the DX260

I have the DX170 as well. Fine small unit. But if this one is much bigger, closer to the DX320 (which, sadly, actually *is* pretty big, a small brick) you may want to hold off a bit.

 

[ipaddy]

Can only speculate at this point in time. I doubt it will be as good sound wise as the DX320 with less room for parts. There is always going to be a limitatiom just how the DX320 can never reach the performance of the DX320 or DX300 Max regardless of the modification.

And yet I compared the specs for the 320 vs. this, and this one shows better specs....