DX340 iBasso developed Discret DAC, Easily replaceable batteries, Amp Modules! ***New firmware on 1st page. v1.03 local update. AMP16 NOS Tube amp. Review on the 1st page! 4/6/25

[Senka]

How to replicate this hiss? I want to check if my unit has the same issue.

Good old repetitive in and out

I would come to and from my desk, as i think the 12v is a must when I had the opertunity to use it edit, external battery and LPSU did it too

And

Every so often or up to several times a day when i unplugged the 12v, the hiss would remain and I would need a full restart to stop it

Pozdrav

 

[DAPpower]

@Senka

Same problem except mine randomly hisses playing a track right after boot without plugging 12V first.

For those with the same issue, does it still happen with the newest firmware?

 

[gwompki]

It looks like the 12V hiss is addressed in the new firmware update, but we shall see. So far I have not had that issue thankfully.

 

[vladzakhar]

Is it the proper link to the new FW update?

 

[quaddac]

I guess they didn't hear the hissing on my unit because I reflashed the 2nd firmware and when you do that the hissing goes away for a few days until it comes back again.

I have yet to receive my unit back from Bloom Audio but that is what Bloom told me too as a one time courtesy (since I've bought lots of things from them and never returned anything), they could send me a final sale replacement unit if I wanted to wait a few weeks for their new stock to arrive. The offer will still stand until then.

I talk to Paul quite often, he recommended that I compare my unit with another one from the distributor.

I told him that I have no interference with the AMP14 module, and the background noise at volume level 0 during playback is also 0. Only when setting the high gain amp and dac can you hear the minimal background noise from the AMP14, which can be ignored, because it is much smaller than in the AMP15 and that with the low gain amp and dac setting.

Paul was surprised by this. He said that it should be the other way around.

I flashed QFIL 1.02 and I am waiting to see if the interference in the left channel reappears. The background noise remained unchanged.

Now the most important thing: while changing modules, I noticed that the AMP15 board was not screwed precisely to the front panel on both sides. It was loose and clearly moved under the influence of slight pressure. I tightened both screws, installed the AMP15, listened to music and waited to see what would happen next.

@edit: The noise of frying fat in the left channel is back (local and usb dac mode, wifi off).

 

[Zadboii]

Is there a way to bypass the battery? And use all the power coming from the 12v?

 

[DAPpower]

I talk to Paul quite often, he recommended that I compare my unit with another one from the distributor.

I told him that I have no interference with the AMP14 module, and the background noise at volume level 0 during playback is also 0. Only when setting the high gain amp and dac can you hear the minimal background noise from the AMP14, which can be ignored, because it is much smaller than in the AMP15 and that with the low gain amp and dac setting.

Paul was surprised by this. He said that it should be the other way around.

I flashed QFIL 1.02 and I am waiting to see if the interference in the left channel reappears. The background noise remained unchanged.

Now the most important thing: while changing modules, I noticed that the AMP15 board was not screwed precisely to the front panel on both sides. It was loose and clearly moved under the influence of slight pressure. I tightened both screws, installed the AMP15, listened to music and waited to see what would happen next.

Thanks for that.
Hopefully it's not a case of it coming back after a few days since you flashed a firmware again!

In my case I made my AMP15 right after I reseated it and problem was still not resolved.

 

[quaddac]

Thanks for that.
Hopefully it's not a case of it coming back after a few days since you flashed a firmware again!

In my case I made my AMP15 right after I reseated it and problem was still not resolved.

The problem returned, after 20-30 minutes of correct playback the left channel was humming continuously. It had never been like this before. Previously the humming was intermittent and disappeared after some time. Now it was present even after a restart. Now it is ok again, but I think it is high time to talk to the distributor

 

[holsen]

I guess they didn't hear the hissing on my unit because I reflashed the 2nd firmware and when you do that the hissing goes away for a few days until it comes back again.

I have yet to receive my unit back from Bloom Audio but that is what Bloom told me too as a one time courtesy (since I've bought lots of things from them and never returned anything), they could send me a final sale replacement unit if I wanted to wait a few weeks for their new stock to arrive. The offer will still stand until then.

iBasso is very aware of the issue of the clicking, hissing and intermittent white noise that eventually disappears and randomly reappears. I've had an ongoing dialogue with Paul about the conditions under which it has manifested, the conditions under which it disappeared and the conditions under which it resurfaces. We both acknowledge it is difficult to reproduce and therefore difficult to diagnose and address with permanent fix but I know for sure they are diligently trying to get to the bottom of it using a few units on which it has been reported. They are not denying the issue, they simply so far have not been able to cause it and therefor fix it. Paul / iBasso is committed to getting it solved. I know this because of the dialogue I've had over email. Hang in guys - they'll get it.

 

[DAPpower]

iBasso is very aware of the issue of the clicking, hissing and intermittent white noise that eventually disappears and randomly reappears. I've had an ongoing dialogue with Paul about the conditions under which it has manifested, the conditions under which it disappeared and the conditions under which it resurfaces. We both acknowledge it is difficult to reproduce and therefore difficult to diagnose and address with permanent fix but I know for sure they are diligently trying to get to the bottom of it using a few units on which it has been reported. They are not denying the issue, they simply so far have not been able to cause it and therefor fix it. Paul / iBasso is committed to getting it solved. I know this because of the dialogue I've had over email. Hang in guys - they'll get it.

I didn't realize iBasso was aware of this, they've been a bit quiet addressing these problems on the thread but I guess that is what the direct contact email conversations are for.
As long as iBasso is aware I'm relieved.
It could be something as simple as a software glitch or a fault in the AMP15 module or something more complicated such as a faulty amp module reciever/reader port or even the DAC. Only time will tell.

 

[Daniel59]

The noise of frying fat in the left channel is back (local and usb dac mode, wifi off).

Never thought I’d hear those words to describe any sound coming from an iBasso product. I guess there’s always a first time for everything. Firmware, hardware, a little of both….anything is possible. The only thing I wouldn’t accept is a “patch” of the problem rather than a real solution. It kinda sounded like after Matt compared the latest 340 firmware to the previous version, the sound profile was modified to try and remedy the 12V super gain hiss, but in his view it worsened the overall fidelity of that mode….patience is a virtue here.

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

I will come out of hiding to post this:

https://ibasso.com/uploadfiles/download/DX340_20250218_1.02.279_256G_img.zip

For those that want to update the RIGHT way

Now back into hiding

The Newest FW is a disaster for 12VDC IN. They have changed tuning to address a problem that only exists when you are in grid power. ITs almost muffled and micro-details are not nearly as present and stage is also much more compressed. I can't even stand to listen to it. Upgrade at your own risk. For those of you who are new I own 2 340s. One on last FW and now one on newest FW so VERY easy to compare the 2.

Is it possible to downgrade the firmware in this case?

 

[DAPpower]

Is it possible to downgrade the firmware in this case?

You have to flash the fire hose image of the firmware versions using QFIL program.

But before you do that it's probably best to get to the Bootloader (shut off your DX340 and when you turn on again, hold power and volume up button) and go to Recovery Mode for Factory wipe your DX340 first before you flash it.


*Important* Flashing any firehose file will wipe all the data on your DX340 anyways.
The firehose image for the second firmware is in the link of the guide, I can't find the link post for the stock firmware firehose image but I also have it on my PC.

 

[mattclarke18]

Never thought I’d hear those words to describe any sound coming from an iBasso product. I guess there’s always a first time for everything. Firmware, hardware, a little of both….anything is possible. The only thing I wouldn’t accept is a “patch” of the problem rather than a real solution. It kinda sounded like after Matt compared the latest 340 firmware to the previous version, the sound profile was modified to try and remedy the 12V super gain hiss, but in his view it worsened the overall fidelity of that mode….patience is a virtue here.

To my ears the newest FW ruined the 340 for me. I only used 12V DC IN super gain, DAC high gain, with Swissbit same track, iem, cable and even same apps enabled and disabled so it was a fair comparison. Thankfully I only flashed one of my 340s which saved me some work. I have one 340 bought 12-12-24 by the seller I bought from on here and I assume the next batch with corrected sticker I bought new from Bloom in Jan 2025, who is one fantastic company, and I have only heard noise when using that cheap AC adapter connected into the grid. Don't use at all! IF you want best SQ get a LPSU. I am going to have one of my 340's modded by Steve at NpAudio who will fix the thermal issues, mod AMP15, and make a plug in directly to AMP battery solution to 12 V DC IN if I do not want to use a power bank for everything. My future funds will go toward this instead of more amp cards. Other 340 will be left stock for development purposes.

Cheap solution that gives good SQ for 12V DC IN: (No hissing or noises, black back grounds)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CB1DTFT6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGFC77M6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1'

@Whitigir Never had an issue with V changing. You have to really hold button for a bit to change setting. Easy to make something to cover to prevent this if you wish.
@Sonywalkmanuser Yes FW can be flashed to any available version. I already flashed back to the 2nd FW release

I have been in IT for over 25 years and from my experience the handful of units that are having this noise issue is hardware, not software. IF it was software there would be tons of people having this issue. 2 units from 2 different batches no random noise issues. From this thread it seems very isolated. All those units should be replaced instead of a "software fix" that really messes up the SQ of the 340. If iBasso had taken me up on my free offer to beta test this new FW for even 1 day I could have prevented its release and no one would have known about it and it could have been addressed before general release.

IF you want to help them do the following:
1. Download and install CPU-Z - take note of the temps of batteries, device stats that include available RAM, Core frequencies, all battery stats, All thermal stats (easiest to use cell phone to take pics)
2. Use iBasso Bug nabber tool to take snapshot of everything when noise is heard
3. Note what track and app and exact time in track issue is happening
4. Make list of all apps open at time
5. Note all settings - volume, Gain, 12VDC IN or not, battery charge status etc - more data the better
6. If using a MicroSD card - Use internal memory only for tracks for testing this issue. More variables that are controlled the better.
7. email all to Paul@ibasso.com

Before testing wipe data with Qfil

Then you may do your flash of the firmware version of your choice. This will remove 100% of anything in flash so its factory fresh. For extra measures you can go into Recovery Mode and do a wipe data 3 times in a row after flash is done. I do this after every flash even though it is not necessary. I should send Paul a bill, lol

 

[Silverlinings]

To my ears the newest FW ruined the 340 for me. I only used 12V DC IN super gain, DAC high gain, with Swissbit same track, iem, cable and even same apps enabled and disabled so it was a fair comparison. Thankfully I only flashed one of my 340s which saved me some work. I have one 340 bought 12-12-24 by the seller I bought from on here and I assume the next batch with corrected sticker I bought new from Bloom in Jan 2025, who is one fantastic company, and I have only heard noise when using that cheap AC adapter connected into the grid. Don't use at all! IF you want best SQ get a LPSU. I am going to have one of my 340's modded by Steve at NpAudio who will fix the thermal issues, mod AMP15, and make a plug in directly to AMP battery solution to 12 V DC IN if I do not want to use a power bank for everything. My future funds will go toward this instead of more amp cards. Other 340 will be left stock for development purposes.

Cheap solution that gives good SQ for 12V DC IN: (No hissing or noises, black back grounds)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CB1DTFT6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGFC77M6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1'

@Whitigir Never had an issue with V changing. You have to really hold button for a bit to change setting. Easy to make something to cover to prevent this if you wish.
@Sonywalkmanuser Yes FW can be flashed to any available version. I already flashed back to the 2nd FW release

I have been in IT for over 25 years and from my experience the handful of units that are having this noise issue is hardware, not software. IF it was software there would be tons of people having this issue. 2 units from 2 different batches no random noise issues. From this thread it seems very isolated. All those units should be replaced instead of a "software fix" that really messes up the SQ of the 340. If iBasso had taken me up on my free offer to beta test this new FW for even 1 day I could have prevented its release and no one would have known about it and it could have been addressed before general release.

IF you want to help them do the following:
1. Download and install CPU-Z - take note of the temps of batteries, device stats that include available RAM, Core frequencies, all battery stats, All thermal stats (easiest to use cell phone to take pics)
2. Use iBasso Bug nabber tool to take snapshot of everything when noise is heard
3. Note what track and app and exact time in track issue is happening
4. Make list of all apps open at time
5. Note all settings - volume, Gain, 12VDC IN or not, battery charge status etc - more data the better
6. If using a MicroSD card - Use internal memory only for tracks for testing this issue. More variables that are controlled the better.
7. email all to Paul@ibasso.com

Before testing wipe data with Qfil





Then you may do your flash of the firmware version of your choice. This will remove 100% of anything in flash so its factory fresh. For extra measures you can go into Recovery Mode and do a wipe data 3 times in a row after flash is done. I do this after every flash even though it is not necessary. I should send Paul a bill, lol

I just listen to music with my 340 and it sounds good to me.