DX320MAX Ti The musical event worth the wait. ROHM X 4. !! NEW Firmware: 2.03 !!

[Doug2507]

I've got a similar case for mine, think it's a tom tom case (?). Only use it for packing away, bought a case off of etsy (?) that's got a flip screen cover on it, great for just shoving it in a cargo pocket etc and not worrying about any damage to the screen.

Well worth playing about with gain, DAC volume, filters as well. All are reactive, quite easy to find the sweet spot for xyz iem. General rule of thumb, lower gain, mellower sound and you can adjust DAC volume to suit lib. I've usually got DAC around 92. May or may not want to try UAPP if using the streaming services, can make a difference to SQ with bit-perfect enabled to avoid android processing.

 

[marcus2704]

I have bought myself one of these, arriving next week, looking forward to how well it pairs with Duality IEMs. Thanks all for your help and responses today

 

[swedishpat]

I prefer MAX vs Hugo, and yes, it'll drive any IEM with ease.

What’s EXN+ if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Doug2507]

What’s EXN+ if you don’t mind me asking?

It's a mod offered by NP Audio. EXN is the main part of the mod and the "+" part is more focused on the analogue stage (available as an additional "upgrade"). It makes quite a difference top to bottom tbh. I had the EXN mod first, wasn't quite sure if i'd done the right thing but it's a long burn in due to new caps and it definitely comes to life around the 150-200hr mark. Sent it back for "+" mod, again ended up on the fence if it was the right thing to do but I've had MAX / Storm playing solid for the past 6hrs or so and can't pick fault with it (again after a good 100hrs put on it). Probably need to listen to fugaku to see if there's something "different" to compete with it.

For the record, that's a complete blind listen between fresh mod and hrs on it. Check in for a minute here and there but any critical is done pre / post burn.

 

[swedishpat]

It's a mod offered by NP Audio. EXN is the main part of the mod and the "+" part is more focused on the analogue stage (available as an additional "upgrade"). It makes quite a difference top to bottom tbh. I had the EXN mod first, wasn't quite sure if i'd done the right thing but it's a long burn in due to new caps and it definitely comes to life around the 150-200hr mark. Sent it back for "+" mod, again ended up on the fence if it was the right thing to do but I've had MAX / Storm playing solid for the past 6hrs or so and can't pick fault with it (again after a good 100hrs put on it). Probably need to listen to fugaku to see if there's something "different" to compete with it.

For the record, that's a complete blind listen between fresh mod and hrs on it. Check in for a minute here and there but any critical is done pre / post burn.

Thanks for the info. I’ve heard people say good things about NP mods. Maybe I’ll try it one day

 

[Doug2507]

If MAX is about as good as it gets for you, i can whole heartedly recommend sending it to NP.....The thought of 340 really doesn't excite me now....

 

[gentzen]

General rule of thumb, lower gain, mellower sound and you can adjust DAC volume to suit lib. I've usually got DAC around 92.

I find the same on Gain1, Dac 93, on all Pot positions except the highest. When there, it's like both stage and note weight increase, like you're on Gain 3, for example. A funny thing.

I think when I'm back to the UK, I'll give Steve's mods a go (bought my own device from him). I think we're probably another year away from 340Max anyway, plus however long it takes to establish a reliable impression about it's capabilities v. the 320Max from various opinions.

 

[phiemon]

I find the same on Gain1, Dac 93, on all Pot positions except the highest. When there, it's like both stage and note weight increase, like you're on Gain 3, for example. A funny thing.

I think when I'm back to the UK, I'll give Steve's mods a go (bought my own device from him). I think we're probably another year away from 340Max anyway, plus however long it takes to establish a reliable impression about it's capabilities v. the 320Max from various opinions.

Just yesterday I realized once again how much a wrong gain level influences the sound in a negative way. I had heard the Rn6, which is very easy to drive. Gain level 3 and I thought the whole time that something was wrong with the sound. The sound was too... disconnected and thin. Then gain level 1 as usual and everything was great.

So always think carefully about when which gain level makes sense.

 

[boodi]

It's a mod offered by NP Audio. EXN is the main part of the mod and the "+" part is more focused on the analogue stage (available as an additional "upgrade"). It makes quite a difference top to bottom tbh. I had the EXN mod first, wasn't quite sure if i'd done the right thing but it's a long burn in due to new caps and it definitely comes to life around the 150-200hr mark. Sent it back for "+" mod, again ended up on the fence if it was the right thing to do but I've had MAX / Storm playing solid for the past 6hrs or so and can't pick fault with it (again after a good 100hrs put on it). Probably need to listen to fugaku to see if there's something "different" to compete with it.

For the record, that's a complete blind listen between fresh mod and hrs on it. Check in for a minute here and there but any critical is done pre / post burn.

Interesting
Thanks for sharing

@phiemon I use turbo on m9+ ( highest gain set ) and 1 as well on 320max ti , for xe6 ciem , synergies

I absolutely love m9+ , long time love now.. 320max ti is a decent lot more holographic thoughvoices i.e. are the next level here : position , materialization individuation and an added vibrancy on voice textures which is easy to discern

Holography is easier to describe on 320max ti

320max ti is slightly less laid back then m9+ , detail wise is superior , m9+ is not bad at all but it hides something in its musical sauce where 320max feels quite more studio for measures and display , a more balanced reference display

Holography is easier to explain on 320max ti..it is like a silent ringing bell or light spot is associated with one or some tracks of the mix of a song and it s more immediate and precise to see contour definiton a live-place in space stage for that track , usually voices but not only voices.
It is an added dimension , a physical one , elusive usually , but here is not so much
More present then not , when the record allows for it

 

[matafox]

Sorry for the delayed response…I haven’t been able to put down the 320MAX! lol.

I just am hitting around the 100 hour mark…and it sounds do amazing! I’m truly blown away. There was a period up to about the 39 hour mark where I starting questioning if I had made the right decision. It was sounding congested and flat. Then suddenly it started to really open up. Now, I just can’t believe what I’m hearing! Hands down ROHM is my favorite DAC chip now, and iBasso’s implementation here truly is next level.

I was on the fence, too, about getting the MAX, 340, or waiting for a potential 340MAX. I decided on the 320MAX because of the feedback here and all other forums, plus research on the ROHM chip. And, I have zero regrets and would make this decision again in a heartbeat. I honestly don’t understand the big deal that was being made over the volume knob. I love it and actually prefer it!

I love the MAX so much that I went and immediately bought the DC Elite, too, so that I’d have that as a backup while charging the 320MAX. And, the DC Elite is amazing, too!

The only challenge I’m having is the battery on the MAX. It’s a little erratic.
With the battery saver option turned on to allow it to charge only to 80%, it only affects/limits the digital battery, not the analog. If I leave that feature on, the digital battery seems to drain even when powered off. If I turn off the battery saver, and charge both batteries to 100%, they deplete consistently without issue at a fairly even rate.

Does anyone else have this issue?

I haven’t made any mods, yet. I want to get to a full 200 hours of break-in time before going down that path.

Oh man I am so torn apart in deciding between DX340 And 320 MAX Ti... Ideally I would love to listen A/B in one setting. I appreciate your descriptive insights.
I am also looking forward to chat with Steve from NP AUDIO when he is back. Curious to what magic he can perform on both of these Ibasso DAPs.

 

[gentzen]

Afternoon people, anybody that could kindly point me to the website of the NPAudio shop? I can no longer find it on the web, which is bizarre cos I bought my DX320Max from Steve on his shop a few years back. Quicker than messaging Steve on ProBoards. Thanks in advance.

 

[weexisttocease]

Afternoon people, anybody that could kindly point me to the website of the NPAudio shop? I can no longer find it on the web, which is bizarre cos I bought my DX320Max from Steve on his shop a few years back. Quicker than messaging Steve on ProBoards. Thanks in advance.

NPAudio is shutdown right now. It's better to email Steve steve@npaudio.co.uk

 

[gentzen]

NPAudio is shutdown right now. It's better to email Steve steve@npaudio.co.uk

Is the website under reconstruction, do you know, or is the shop wound down completely?

 

[hAbIrAbI]

He had some personal things to take care of the last time I wrote to him. Not sure if that is resolved yet.

 

[marcus2704]

Received my 320 MAX TI today, had about an hour with it. Thing that has struck me most is just how demanding the Duality IEMs are, I am using balanced output and needing to use gain switch 4 and the volume is at 1/2 o'clock and I get decent levels of volume, running it in Ultimate mode. Not sure how long that will drain the battery as yet, but at least I could just leave it plugged into DC I guess. Too early to say too much about the sound, an interesting comparison for me will be this and the Hugo 2, the latter I am very used to and I think the TI will take me some warming to. Tempted to debloat based on posts here, although I really only live inside Tidal so my needs are pretty basic and I may not need to do that.