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

[m3lover1]

Yep no luck today. Great job USPS. Amp16 was in a city that is 15 minutes from me since yesterday. Today they decided to move it to another distro center to a city an hour away from me. Delivery pushed to tomorrow now!

 

[gc335]

Yep no luck today. Great job USPS. Amp16 was in a city that is 15 minutes from me since yesterday. Today they decided to move it to another distro center to a city an hour away from me. Delivery pushed to tomorrow now!

Sorry to hear that. UPS took my DX340 from NJ to MD for unknown reasons. It’s coming to RI.

 

[twister6]

So, I received AMP16 a few days ago, well, it was on Thursday, had it on burn-in (over 100hrs now) while switching the playback between solid-state Class AB and dual Raytheon Tubes output modes, and am now starting to listen to it. Just spent a few hours with it. First impressions are very positive. This new amp card is like getting 2 DAPs in one because you get two distinct sound tunings in one card. Relative to IEMs I tested it with, I hear AB output delivers a more powerful, more resolving, more dynamic, faster, punchier sound. On the other hand, Tubes give you a softer and laidback presentation of the sound with more rounded bass, and sweeter textured mids, while the treble remains crisp and detailed, similar to AB treble. From the spec, AB BAL output is 6Vrms (in high gain) while Tubes BAL output is 4.6Vrms (HG), so when switching from AB to Tubes, you do need to raise the volume to match the output level.




With DC-in connected and Super Gain boost on, the mid-bass sounds tighter, more articulate, with faster attack, and shorter decay (better control of bass notes), while the background is blacker, and the perception of the soundstage width expands as well. The improvement with DC-in is similar to how it was with AMP15, except that to my ears, I think I even prefer AMP16 AB over AMP15. Again, this is based on short listening time, but to my ears, AMP16 has a wider soundstage expansion and a more noticeable mid-bass punch in comparison to AMP15, which has more sub-bass rumble and a softer mid-bass punch. AMP16 AB sound is faster, punchier, and more dynamic in comparison to AMP15.



You do need to keep in mind, AMP16 is PO only, doesn’t have LO. Another thing I noticed, you need to restart the DX340 after exchanging the cards; otherwise, the new card is not recognized. Not a big deal, just need to keep in mind this is not plug’n’play. Btw, make sure you run the OTA fw update since you need the latest release to recognize AMP16. Also, with very sensitive iems, lowering the amplifier gain helps to reduce background hissing, but that is expected as well. I tapped a few times on the DAP chassis while in Tubes, and didn’t hear any ringing.



Overall, I’m quite impressed with AMP16, it makes a great addition to DX340

 

[redmonddad]

So, I received AMP16 a few days ago, well, it was on Thursday, had it on burn-in (over 100hrs now) while switching the playback between solid-state Class AB and dual Raytheon Tubes output modes, and am now starting to listen to it. Just spent a few hours with it. First impressions are very positive. This new amp card is like getting 2 DAPs in one because you get two distinct sound tunings in one card. Relative to IEMs I tested it with, I hear AB output delivers a more powerful, more resolving, more dynamic, faster, punchier sound. On the other hand, Tubes give you a softer and laidback presentation of the sound with more rounded bass, and sweeter textured mids, while the treble remains crisp and detailed, similar to AB treble. From the spec, AB BAL output is 6Vrms (in high gain) while Tubes BAL output is 4.6Vrms (HG), so when switching from AB to Tubes, you do need to raise the volume to match the output level.




With DC-in connected and Super Gain boost on, the mid-bass sounds tighter, more articulate, with faster attack, and shorter decay (better control of bass notes), while the background is blacker, and the perception of the soundstage width expands as well. The improvement with DC-in is similar to how it was with AMP15, except that to my ears, I think I even prefer AMP16 AB over AMP15. Again, this is based on short listening time, but to my ears, AMP16 has a wider soundstage expansion and a more noticeable mid-bass punch in comparison to AMP15, which has more sub-bass rumble and a softer mid-bass punch. AMP16 AB sound is faster, punchier, and more dynamic in comparison to AMP15.



You do need to keep in mind, AMP16 is PO only, doesn’t have LO. Another thing I noticed, you need to restart the DX340 after exchanging the cards; otherwise, the new card is not recognized. Not a big deal, just need to keep in mind this is not plug’n’play. Btw, make sure you run the OTA fw update since you need the latest release to recognize AMP16. Also, with very sensitive iems, lowering the amplifier gain helps to reduce background hissing, but that is expected as well. I tapped a few times on the DAP chassis while in Tubes, and didn’t hear any ringing.



Overall, I’m quite impressed with AMP16, it makes a great addition to DX340

Just received my Amp16 today, so no burn-in yet. I do note that the volume (on HG) of the Amp16 (both AB and Tube) seems a bit lower than Amp15 so I have to listen cranked up a little more than I've become accustomed to. As I said, zero burn-in so far but in Tube mode sounds pretty good out of the box. Seems better than the Amp15 out of the box, although that might not be a fair comparison as the rest of my DX340 (i.e., the DAC portion of the signal path) is already well used.

Note: the specific firmware you need for Amp16 support is version 1.02.279. I must have missed one (1.01.something) so it actually took me two updates to get the right version. No issue with having to reboot DX340 because I powered it off to do the amp swap. I'm an old retired EE and I am not going to risk a hot-swap of the amp card with the DX340 in standby mode. Powered up and recognized the Amp16 right away.

 

[m3lover1]

So I guess if I want to use PB5 or another amp we'll need to switch back to amp15?

 

[Bengkia369]

So I guess if I want to use PB5 or another amp we'll need to switch back to amp15?

Amp14 have a real LO too.

 

[F700]

Incoming on Friday

 

[jonmbarlow]

My Amp16 incoming today!!! Evening sorted

 

[virtualnate]

Has anyone had the chance to compare the DX340 to the L&P E7 and the Lotoo PAW GT2?

I'd love to see some comments!

 

[gazzington]

Is there anywhere in the UK selling amp 16?

 

[mRaaghava]

People, I am on the verge of buying a new DAP. Considering M8T, DX340 and HiBy R8ii. Did anyone owned these and compared them? If so, how do these fare against each and which one ended up as better overall? TIA.

 

[jonmbarlow]

Is there anywhere in the UK selling amp 16?

Not just yet, got mine from AliExpress very quick and no custom charge

 

[gazzington]

Not just yet, got mine from AliExpress very quick and no custom charge

Which seller did you use?

 

[jonmbarlow]

Which seller did you use?

https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ex4vNPS

 

[gazzington]

https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ex4vNPS

Thanks, I've just ordered it