DX340 iBasso developed Discret DAC, Easily replaceable batteries, Amp Modules! ***New firmware on 1st page. v1.04 local update. ***

[rocketron]

I know this is unreasonable, but I love the sound of the DC-Elite. Can anyone compare with the DX340 without laughing.

The Elite is a special sounding dongle

 

[Whitigir]

It’s a great dap, but you should try the HiBy RS8

Now, this is interesting and different than R8ii.

This blocks flow show similarities between hiby and 340. Where Hiby clearly is calling it R2R. Using 2X more resistors as compensations. Not sure of the values but clearly laying out, wording out as analog filters.

It offers NOS and OS which is the true topologies of converters. The Oversampling is stated to be 16X which is a lot. Never seen any DAP that does much in OS.

The amplifications is 6V and turbo racks it up to 7.5V where as 340 typical is 8V and DC in is 12V. Dual batteries on the 340.

As far as what I see, the RS8 is more advances than the 340 in DAC designs, but with modular amps and dual batts, mangoOS, the 340 is more advances in power and amplifications.

Rs8 has DSD1024 capability and pcm1536, which is the most I have seen in any DAP. Sporting dedicated analog volume controls and not digital attenuations. Tanatalum components from Phillips which I have always loved and deemed as equally good as Kemet when I modify stuff.

The price of RS8 is justifiable VIA Titanium chassis, polishes, Goldplating Brass chassis for battery. This must greatly reduce the noises from the batteries itself as a grounding medium and improving feedback signals integrity, which in turns yield improved sound quality.

Overall, I dont think the RS8 has any hisses from @twister6 review. The RS8 must have been released While I was under hibernations. It is mightily impressive, and for the price due to unique designs.

Yes, I agreed with @damascato that one must give RS8 a chance if 340 is lovely. Especially the analogues perfomances as they are similar in built but RS8 took it another notch. Me, personaly, I dont have the leisure to demo, and also dont want to deal with other customer services, especially when I love modifying stuff. Yes, I love modifying stuff @mattclarke18 , where as Ibasso will always sell me even the face plate, and Paul responsive answer to inquiries, I wouldnt want to reach under the hood of something as $3K, playing around, and .... can not find replacement parts, or replacing battery easily

Well, back to loving my new toy and it lovely analogues quality. The first DAP in my experiences that urging me to go and find new collection of organic instruments and modern genres of music!!



Talk about battery, I just helped a friend with 1Z from ancient time! I am still amazed at the copper gold chassis by the Walkman. In battery swapping, the 340 wins!!! Look at those soldering sucker!!! Lol

 

[mattclarke18]

There are many “best” flagship DAPs. In the end it all comes down to the sound signature mostly.
You can see people selling off the Dx340 because of reasons like not enough bass etc. Read/Search comments in different threads and make up your own mind.

If you come to a Dx340 thread and ask for recommendations, of course the answer will be Dx340 or another iBasso DAP.
Same goes for every other thread.

I see your point but I am different. If the 340 was crap I have no issues with calling it crap and posting it in this thread even though people would lash out against me if I had made such a post. I don't follow the herd - goto 64A thread and read what I wrote. I truly think the 340 is the best DAP I have ever heard. I waited to buy one because I thought it would be weak in bass. - I listen to trance and EDM so its important. It was Blooms return policy that finally made me give in and get one. I would only loose 10% if I did not like it. Even with my unit not been used for 100 hours I do NOT find the bass to be lacking. For 1st say 10 hours in just high gain it was lacking. Maybe because I am using Maven IIs that have DD for bass and Wavelet. Like someone else said on here the DAC reveals all the secrets the music has - like the final piece that solves a puzzle. The stage is vast and holographic with female vocals being something special on their own. All other iBasso DAPs have been more on the boring side but this one is so engaging it begs to be used. I have owned Dx320, Dx180 and DX260. IF someone thinks bass is lacking to their tastes they can use some EQ. The IEMs used here are important. Preferences here are what they are and the DX340 meets my preferences and has exceeded my expectations of what is possible in a DAP so much so I bought another one as I do not have any other DAPs - DX260 is being sold and after the 340 I never want to use it again.

 

[Whitigir]

Batteries replacement guide for DX340 with pictures and visuals. Yeah, I know many of you are very interested into this guide. While it is a bit too early to dissect into. But it will give a hint as to what you need to do to replace it.

The 340 batteries is more delicate and complicated than other ibasso products. Therefore, the level requires is a bit....advanced. First of all, you will need a laptop repair kit. Grab it, because you will need many of these bits.

1/ Turn off!! Always turning off regardless of you swapping amp module or whatever

2/ Take off 2 screws from amp module. Removing the module.

3/ Then look into the Amp module socket. Find 2 steel screws, remove both

4/ Turn to the back of 340 matted glass, find 2 screws at the sharp corners. Pay attentions, they are differrnt sizes. The smaller one and the larger one on the Drives, which indicates Lengths!! The smaller one is on the top (toward SD slot), and is the longer one the shorter and larger is on the bottom (toward amp module) T5

5/ Turn 340 screen face up, utilize gravity and a few hand taps if needed to take out the securing back Corner Cap. Only use gravity, no tools!!! It will fall out. Pictures not provided.

6/ Turn to the back side, with Usb and microSD port toward your chest. The amp socket facing outward. Use both Thumbs, grab on the back matted glass. Then push it a nudges outward (toward amp module socket direction). Once that nudged a knot and stopped moving. Use fingers, grab on at the bottom of the matt glass (amp module side), lift it up slowly. There is Wireless antenna attaching to this GLASS, Do Not Separate, from chassis.

7/ the 340 and the back glass should still be in 1 piece. Find a foam block or something to elevate the backglass once it is LIFTED from the chassis grooves. Onward and Toward the USB port (direction). Rest on foam block, you will see atenna wires attached. Do not touch it.

8/ You will find the circled red at the bottom corner of the battery. It has a securing steel clip which is screwed safely onto the inner plastic chassis. Remove this screw. Use tweezer to grab the clip and lift away!

9/ use only plastic pronges or L tounges to lift this Battery connection Tap out. The battery should be easily lifting away.

10/ Replace with new packs. Reverses the processes.

 

[quaddac]

There are many “best” flagship DAPs.

I agree 100%.

In the end it all comes down to the sound signature mostly.

It's hard to disagree with this.

You can see people selling off the Dx340 because of reasons like not enough bass etc.

I disagree with this 100% - even if everyone sold it.

If you come to a Dx340 thread and ask for recommendations, of course the answer will be Dx340 or another iBasso DAP.

That's what we're here for.

You can agree or disagree - I always try to understand other users.
These are very individual and subjective issues.

But the most important thing:

Have you listened to the DX340 yourself?

 

[mattclarke18]

Matt, this is exactly what we need. The only way to accurately do A/B comparisons. I wanted to do this for my DAP reviews, but getting two costly DAPs is big $. I was lucky enough to have two iBasso SR2 headphones, which allowed me to do various A/B comparisons, including the difference in sound when using different pads. You are already of immense value to this thread and community, and once your second DX340 arrives... Expect us to rely on your comparisons!


I haven't given the DX340 a listen yet. Am still burning it in. I only tried its Line Out, and it was audibly different. Line Out is a story of its own. DX340 and DX320MAX Ti have two completely different DAC architectures.

I would be seriously surprised if the DX320MAX did not beat the DX340 in all configurations (except for that AMP18 monstrosity). What sets the DX320MAX from any other DAP ever created is how puristic its hardware design is, how pure the signal path is. I won't go over all details, but it uses a stepped attenuator for volume control. DX340 has a readily-available setting and design called Super Gain. However, DX320MAX Ti has a secret setting [analog, not software], when you put the volume knob [stepped attenuator] on max. position, allowing the signal path to omit ALL resistors.

This is the diagram I created for my DX320MAX Ti review. I hope it explains what I am talking about. When the volume wheel is at maximum position, it's at position 1 in the diagram. As you can see, no resistor is in the signal path (the resistor you see will only be activated at position 2).

This unlocks the true beast that the DX320MAX Ti is.

Wait for DX340Max. The DAC itself is something special. Maybe the Max beats it because of its amp etc. I think iBasso didn't include all this in DX340 to keep the price near the old boring DX320. Rohm vs D16 DAC. Try 340 in super gain! I don't have a LPSU yet and that will have to wait a bit because I chose to buy another DX340 which was not cheap - spending a little over $3k in the same week. I did sell some gear that covers some of the cost and if use the funds I got from my 320 sale and sale of DX260 I have it all covered. I wasted money trying all the iBasso DAPs except Max and Cayin and a Sony until I found the one for me - DX340. Thanks for your compliments. To compare direct head to head I will have to use the stock cable of Maven II or Ares SIs since I do not have 2 Silver Dragons 2's but have 2 Maven II sets.

 

[mattclarke18]

Batteries replacement guide for DX340 with picturrs and visuals. Yeah, I know many of you are very interested into this guide. While it is a bit too early to dissect into. But it will give a hint as to what you need to do to replace it.

The 340 batteries is more delicate and complicated than other ibasso products. Therefore, the level requires is a bit....advanced. First of all, you will need a laptop repair kit. Grab it, because you will need many of these bits.

1/ Turn off!! Always turning off regardless of you swapping amp module or whatever

2/ Take off 2 screws from amp module. Removing the module.

3/ Then look into the Amp module socket. Find 2 steel screws, remove both

4/ Turn to the back of 340 matted glass, find 2 screws at the sharp corners. Pay attentions, they are differrnt sizes. The smaller one and the larger one on the Drives, which indicates Lengths!! The smaller one is on the top (toward SD slot), and the larger/longer one is on the bottom (toward amp module)

5/ Turn 340 screen face up, utilize gravity and a few hand taps if needed to take out the securing back Corner Cap. Only use gravity, no tools!!! It will fall out. Pictures not provided.

6/ Turn to the back side, with Usb and microSD port toward your chest. The amp socket facing outward. Use both Thumbs, grab on the back matted glass. Then push it a nudges outward (toward amp module socket direction). Once that nudged a knot and stopped moving. Use fingers, grab on at the bottom of the matt glass (amp module side), lift it up slowly. There is Wireless antenna attaching to this GLASS, Do Not Separate, from chassis.

7/ the 340 and the back glass should still be in 1 piece. Find a foam block or something to elevate the backglass once it is LIFTED from the chassis grooves. Onward and Toward the USB port (direction). Rest on foam block, you will see atenna wires attached. Do not touch it.

8/ You will find the circled red at the bottom corner of the battery. It has a securing steel clip which is screwed safely onto the inner plastic chassis. Remove this screw. Use tweezer to grab the clip and lift away!

9/ use only plastic pronges or L tounges to lift this Battery connection Tap out. The battery should be easily lifting away.

10/ Replace with new packs. Reverses the processes.

Please copy and paste this post into Word and print to PDF. One of us needs to create a new thread for the 340 where stuff like this is not lost in pages of posts. I think you should be the one because you are the most knowledgeable. I can add my optimization and Root guides that the DX340 deserves. You have other posts that are already many pages ago. Its a nightmare to go and search for all this.

 

[DingDongMonster]

I politely disagree, I own both and RS8 is better in every single aspects to my ears (maybe losing in speed)

I politely disagree too. I own both as well. The RS8 is different in its rendering, but not better in every regard. I do enjoy the extra treble extension.

The only reason I kept the RS8 is to have variety. Not because it’s superior in any way.

 

[Whitigir]

I politely disagree too. I own both as well. The RS8 is different in its rendering, but not better in every regard. I do enjoy the extra treble extension.

The only reason I kept the RS8 is to have variety. Not because it’s superior in any way.

Thank you for the short and honest comparisons. I can think of the reason why. Therefore I am glad to have confirmations from you . Cheers!

 

[mattclarke18]

my earbuds like the Maven2

LOVE Maven II!! Great synergy with DX340 which is a good thing because I own 2 sets.

 

[Whitigir]

Please copy and paste this post into Word and print to PDF. One of us needs to create a new thread for the 340 where stuff like this is not lost in pages of posts. I think you should be the one because you are the most knowledgeable. I can add my optimization and Root guides that the DX340 deserves. You have other posts that are already many pages ago. Its a nightmare to go and search for all this.

Here is link to the new thread . Few free to joining us

Guides for 340

I politely disagree too. I own both as well. The RS8 is different in its rendering, but not better in every regard. I do enjoy the extra treble extension.

The only reason I kept the RS8 is to have variety. Not because it’s superior in any way.

While I was analyzing RS8 and it DAC built. As I mentioned previously, 1 bit R2R essenses are it FPGA at it heart. I am not surprised that the 340 (may, subjectively outperforming RS8). Due to the very powerful FPGA 3.0 Master. It has 7.5X the processing power from the D16 which was FPGA 2.0 Master.

The soul of the 1 bit R2R is the algorithms behind the FPGA and it corelated DSP processing. Both the heart and the sould combined as the main essenses of Life. Ibasso has MangoOS, and advanced algorithms, which we dont know (but clarified by @Paul - iBasso that is Ibasso very own unique development team which is not interchanged or shared with anyone else) including the unique Linux MangoOS dedicated OS. There are currently only 2 players that have their own Linux based OS. The walkman MKI not II, and Ibasso MangoOS. Just think of the algorithms as your language, you can be Thomas Edison, but if you spoke english and was put in China, your talents would have been buried

The 1 bit R2R arrays is the skeletons of the design. The technical electrical engineerings relating to components and architecturals are flesh. With Ibasso, we have a completely dedicated battery and PSU for DAC/SOC alone!!! Pattented design by Ibasso

Everything, together, gives life to a device, allowing it to sing and perform! Subjectively, we are all here to share all of those views, impressions, comparisons! That is why I love headfi. A dedicated place where our enthusiasms can be voiced up!!

Subjectively, personally, the 340 is my best DAP yet! Loving every minute with it!! We all know that, the best now, can be surpassed by another tomorrow . Please dont take it too harshly

 

[Takeda`1537]

Batteries replacement guide for DX340 with picturrs and visuals. Yeah, I know many of you are very interested into this guide. While it is a bit too early to dissect into. But it will give a hint as to what you need to do to replace it.

The 340 batteries is more delicate and complicated than other ibasso products. Therefore, the level requires is a bit....advanced. First of all, you will need a laptop repair kit. Grab it, because you will need many of these bits.

1/ Turn off!! Always turning off regardless of you swapping amp module or whatever

2/ Take off 2 screws from amp module. Removing the module.

3/ Then look into the Amp module socket. Find 2 steel screws, remove both

4/ Turn to the back of 340 matted glass, find 2 screws at the sharp corners. Pay attentions, they are differrnt sizes. The smaller one and the larger one on the Drives, which indicates Lengths!! The smaller one is on the top (toward SD slot), and the larger/longer one is on the bottom (toward amp module)

5/ Turn 340 screen face up, utilize gravity and a few hand taps if needed to take out the securing back Corner Cap. Only use gravity, no tools!!! It will fall out. Pictures not provided.

6/ Turn to the back side, with Usb and microSD port toward your chest. The amp socket facing outward. Use both Thumbs, grab on the back matted glass. Then push it a nudges outward (toward amp module socket direction). Once that nudged a knot and stopped moving. Use fingers, grab on at the bottom of the matt glass (amp module side), lift it up slowly. There is Wireless antenna attaching to this GLASS, Do Not Separate, from chassis.

7/ the 340 and the back glass should still be in 1 piece. Find a foam block or something to elevate the backglass once it is LIFTED from the chassis grooves. Onward and Toward the USB port (direction). Rest on foam block, you will see atenna wires attached. Do not touch it.

8/ You will find the circled red at the bottom corner of the battery. It has a securing steel clip which is screwed safely onto the inner plastic chassis. Remove this screw. Use tweezer to grab the clip and lift away!

9/ use only plastic pronges or L tounges to lift this Battery connection Tap out. The battery should be easily lifting away.

10/ Replace with new packs. Reverses the processes.

Do you burn in again after changing the battery?

 

[reuben3]

The DX340 is amazing. Well done Ibasso! It reminds me a bit of the Chord Qutest which was my very first dac 5-6 years ago. The bad news it's on backorder and I have wait until CNY holidays are over. Realistically it'll take a couple of weeks before everyone returns to work. Meanwhile, I'm excited following this thread, it's packed full of information from really enthusiastic owners!

 

[Whitigir]

Do you burn in again after changing the battery?

Nope! Burn in will affects the operations of other components. Once that period is over, the battery alone do not require additional burn in. However, it requires "recalibrations" which is automatically done by the BMS (Battery Management Systems) from within. Just charge up and use as normal. For the first week or few days, the reported battery % may not be as accurate as the old one as the calibrations are taking places

 

[Takeda`1537]

Nope! Burn in will affects the operatipns of other components. Once that period is over, the battery alone do not require additional burn in. However, it requires "recalibrations" which is automatically done by the BMS (Battery Management Systems) from within. Just charge up and use as normal. For the first week or few days, the reported battery % may not be as accurate as the old one as the calibrations are taking places

I have to say that I burn in as duly suggested by you an others on here but I cannot hear any difference ... may be my IEMs (or more likely my ears) are not good enough to hear any difference? Brain burn?