RIGATIO
Headphoneus Supremus
Thats pity that youre having so many bugs with your 323. In my case, latest update fixed literally every single issue. Even rapid charging from my standard samsung charger!My first impressions about the Amp13 with Dx320 is actually….it is full of bugs , which is related to the firmware level, LOL!
Sound performances wises, the Amp13 is amazing with DX300. There are still bugs , but with the latest firmware, it was resolved mostly.
There is no distortions , no reverse volumes, and no weird power distributions On Dx300.
Now, I have burned in with Dx300 most of the time. It is also most comfortably working with Dx300. Therefore, sound impressions is based on Dx300 for now
Driving power, there is actually no lacking in driving power here as opposed to Dx320. I am using Lower gain port, which is first stage amplifying with Tube as the output if I am not mistaken. The clarity and airiness is top notch. It is unlike the feelings from N8ii, the Korg tubes here is more liquid, the tubes harmonic is full, satisfying, not too thin, neither is it too thick, but the dynamic that it Carrie’s with each notes and timbres are amazingly done. The performances can be expressed by having a very liquid pre-amp + a high end desktop amplifier. If the N8ii reminds me of how a great WE-300B sounds like. The Amp13 reminds me of the fluidity, lushness of the sophisticated 2A3 Tubes. It is very engaging, full of emotions, great dynamic.
Soundstage is focused, intimidating, but not lacking of even the nuances details, and within it field of presentations, the imagines are vivid and amazing. I always prefer 2A3 over 300B in tubes amplifiers. The only time I enjoy the 300B is when I paired it with liquid DAC/Preamp as the last picture, the Sony TA-ZH1ES and S-Master.
Needless to say, I love the Amp13 more than the Korg tubes done on N8ii. No questions about it. Now….only if there is less bugs on the Dx320 LOL! It feels to me that the latest firmware on dx320 only addressing the sound signatures from the last one , but that is just me
Yes, you don’t need balanced to be able to fully enjoying the Dx300 and Amp13. Ibasso has engineered an amazing tubes module!
And the sound.. well what to say. Thats the most musical experience ive ever had from any dap to date. I actually have no idea how they managed to push all the detailes from the stock amp, exceed them even farther in hights but still keep this beautiful, musical and organic timbre. Im actually listening the whole library with my Xelentos right now and they sound flawless, emotional, engaging. I couldnt stand them with dx300. The Monarchs sound FANTASTIC but even more engaging and beautifull, thats why i keep them for evenings, to sit and get lost. All my iems, headphones sound flawless, there is nothing i would change.
And the staging.. damn. These reverbs, huge amount of air, combined with liquid/crunchy, realistic timbre. Im melting.