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

[mcemce13]

You forgot to mention the most important part: what IEMs are you using? The noise floor will be high if you have sensitive, lower-impedance IEMs. Thus, keep the DAC gain high and drop the Amp gain low, and forget about the DC-in super gain, which will boost the amp gain even higher.

Also, please make sure you are running the latest fw and even after the update, do the factory reset.

Hi

Would you mind telling your opinion between Amp15 and Amp16 in AB mode?

Thanks!

 

[UniJo]

Folks, may I please get some help with some various tests?

Test #1 with AMP15
With the AMP15, could some please see if you could toggle between PO and LO seamlessly both in Android mode and Mango OS mode with firmware 1.03.408? Once you've toggled to LO, then toggle it back to PO, do you get sound on both channels, or only 1 channel?

My results: I get sound only coming from 1 channel when switching back to PO. At the moment, the only way for me to restore proper behaviour is to Factory Reset, but I'll continue to find ways to try to restore normal PO later.

What are your results?

Test #2 (2 parts) AMP16
a) Very first time use of the AMP16 use (before switching any modes) - this one is a little bit more finicky as it requires a factory reset in the test
i) Factory reset the DX340 and you have your AMP16 plugged in
ii) I gather you should be in Output AB mode by default
iii) Do you get any sound?

My results: I don't get any sound (and at first I thought it was something wrong with my 1st AMP16 and Paul sent me another, and the 2nd was also the same.

My workaround/fix:
I have to switch Output Gain from AB mode to Tube then I get sound coming out of the AMP16. It's almost like an initialisation. And thereafter I can toggle back 'n forth between AB Mode and Tube mode. But if I factory reset, I'll end up back with (2a again).

If you're prepared to try a factory reset, what are your results?

Observations after I do get sound out of the AMP16: I noticed AB mode is a lot softer in volume than Tube mode. And this leads to part b of Test #2 below.

b) AMP16 Amp Gain settings without SuperGain (i.e. without 12VDC-In)
i) can you try switching between the AMP Gain modes L->M->H
ii) do you get the gain increasing in order as expected? i.e. lower volume, medium volume higher volume with L/M/H gains?

My results: I find my volumes from the AMP Gain L/M/H result more like L/H/M instead - i.e. Low Gain -> low volume (OK), Medium Gain -> high volume (not OK), High Gain -> medium volume (not OK). This is irrespective of AB or Tube mode (just that AB is a softer range than Tube range), and it doesn't matter if it's MangoOS or Android.

If SuperGain is enabled (whilst 12VDCIn plugged in, then unplugged), the AMP Gain L/M/H behaves as expected in increasing Gain. But disabling SuperGain (whilst 12VDCIn plugged in, then unplugged), then the AMP Gain L/M/H again misbehaves with as L/H/M.

What are your results?

P.S. I'm trying to differentiate between user error (i.e. my stupidity) vs bug in firmware (i.e. others can replicate) vs my specific DX340 or AMP unit issu

Folks, may I please get some help with some various tests?

Test #1 with AMP15
With the AMP15, could some please see if you could toggle between PO and LO seamlessly both in Android mode and Mango OS mode with firmware 1.03.408? Once you've toggled to LO, then toggle it back to PO, do you get sound on both channels, or only 1 channel?

My results: I get sound only coming from 1 channel when switching back to PO. At the moment, the only way for me to restore proper behaviour is to Factory Reset, but I'll continue to find ways to try to restore normal PO later.

What are your results?

Test #2 (2 parts) AMP16
a) Very first time use of the AMP16 use (before switching any modes) - this one is a little bit more finicky as it requires a factory reset in the test
i) Factory reset the DX340 and you have your AMP16 plugged in
ii) I gather you should be in Output AB mode by default
iii) Do you get any sound?

My results: I don't get any sound (and at first I thought it was something wrong with my 1st AMP16 and Paul sent me another, and the 2nd was also the same.

My workaround/fix:
I have to switch Output Gain from AB mode to Tube then I get sound coming out of the AMP16. It's almost like an initialisation. And thereafter I can toggle back 'n forth between AB Mode and Tube mode. But if I factory reset, I'll end up back with (2a again).

If you're prepared to try a factory reset, what are your results?

Observations after I do get sound out of the AMP16: I noticed AB mode is a lot softer in volume than Tube mode. And this leads to part b of Test #2 below.

b) AMP16 Amp Gain settings without SuperGain (i.e. without 12VDC-In)
i) can you try switching between the AMP Gain modes L->M->H
ii) do you get the gain increasing in order as expected? i.e. lower volume, medium volume higher volume with L/M/H gains?

My results: I find my volumes from the AMP Gain L/M/H result more like L/H/M instead - i.e. Low Gain -> low volume (OK), Medium Gain -> high volume (not OK), High Gain -> medium volume (not OK). This is irrespective of AB or Tube mode (just that AB is a softer range than Tube range), and it doesn't matter if it's MangoOS or Android.

If SuperGain is enabled (whilst 12VDCIn plugged in, then unplugged), the AMP Gain L/M/H behaves as expected in increasing Gain. But disabling SuperGain (whilst 12VDCIn plugged in, then unplugged), then the AMP Gain L/M/H again misbehaves with as L/H/M.

What are your results?

P.S. I'm trying to differentiate between user error (i.e. my stupidity) vs bug in firmware (i.e. others can replicate) vs my specific DX340 or AMP unit issue

Test#1 Mango OS. AMP 15. LO - sound on both channel. Slides to PO - sound on both channel too. Switching on the fly is seamless, not losing any channel. In Android mode, Mango, it's the same. Sound on both channel, in LO and PO. Though I found LO in Android mode Mango is much louder than PO, but about the same in Mango OS.

On another note, first time first impression AB on a 24/192 track, I found vocal in Mango player is sharper and clearer than UAPP. I usually listen to Qobuz with UAPP and am lazy to switch to Mango even when playing from SD card. Perhaps this will change.

On another note, I did feel for the first time，first impression，Mango player has better vocal clarity than UAPP.

My Amp16 and 14 are OTW...

 

[twister6]

Hi

Would you mind telling your opinion between Amp15 and Amp16 in AB mode?

Thanks!

I will include that in my amp16 review, and I also want to mention that such a comparison will vary from IEM to IEM; thus, I usually go through multiple sets to draw a common difference. To my ears and without DC-in, AMP16 (AB) has a faster and tighter mid-bass punch than AMP15, which offers more sub-bass rumble and a softer mid-bass punch (AMP15). The sound of AMP16 is quicker and punchier, and has fuller body mids with a bit more coloring than AMP15, which is a bit more laid-back in sound presentation and less colored in mids (AMP15). By the way, I keep both AMP15 and AMP16 in the H2 harmonics setting, which is the best setting, in my opinion. I think I read some impressions of people referring to AMP15 sounding more neutral, and that would be true relative to AMP16 (AB mode). Regarding soundstage expansion, AMP15 has a slightly wider left/right expansion, whereas AMP16 has more depth and height.

 

[UniJo]

BTW fw is the latest 1.03.408

 

[Silverlinings]

I will include that in my amp16 review, and I also want to mention that such a comparison will vary from IEM to IEM; thus, I usually go through multiple sets to draw a common difference. To my ears and without DC-in, AMP16 (AB) has a faster and tighter mid-bass punch than AMP15, which offers more sub-bass rumble and a softer mid-bass punch (AMP15). The sound of AMP16 is quicker and punchier, and has fuller body mids with a bit more coloring than AMP15, which is a bit more laid-back in sound presentation and less colored in mids (AMP15). By the way, I keep both AMP15 and AMP16 in the H2 harmonics setting, which is the best setting, in my opinion. I think I read some impressions of people referring to AMP15 sounding more neutral, and that would be true relative to AMP16 (AB mode). Regarding soundstage expansion, AMP15 has a slightly wider left/right expansion, whereas AMP16 has more depth and height.

I guess I really have to give Amp 16 a try again. I was quick to dismiss it but I noticed the expanded soundstage of 15 and put it aside since. With the Clara Ti I really like amp 15.

 

[slim.a]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share that I ordered what seems to be the last DX340 in stock in Europe from Muzix.eu and should be receiving it early this week. I’ll be pairing it with my Final Audio A8000 and will post impressions once I get some proper listening time.

I also want to give a huge shout-out to Szabolcs from Muzix — his service was absolutely world-class. Despite a public holiday weekend, he personally arranged guaranteed express delivery, kept me updated throughout the process, and made sure everything went smoothly. Truly one of the best customer experiences I’ve had when buying audio gear.

Looking forward to putting the DX340 (AMP15) through its paces — will report back soon!

 

[vonBaron]

You forgot to mention the most important part: what IEMs are you using? The noise floor will be high if you have sensitive, lower-impedance IEMs. Thus, keep the DAC gain high and drop the Amp gain low, and forget about the DC-in super gain, which will boost the amp gain even higher.

Also, please make sure you are running the latest fw and even after the update, do the factory reset.

I know that, i only have noise on high gain or with DC in. I'm using ISN EBC80, AuR Audio Neon Pro and AuR Audio Aehta.

 

[Raymondthebaba]

After the firmware upgrade, swapped back to amp 15, noticed that when running PO on H gain, I’m getting static and noise only when I plug up my chain through sound tiger amps.
Tried with both the Potenza Classical and Sinfonia amps.
Both gave similar static & noise outcomes.

When I switch to L or M gain, through sound tigers, no noise
When I switch to LO, L/M/H gain, through sound tigers no noise as well.

Minus the sound tigers, balanced PO all gains are clean, tried with the Soranik mems energizer, also clean.

Will try to swap to amp 14 later to see if the static and noise affects

Anyone else running external amp experiencing similar issues?

@Paul - iBasso, bumping up on this again, maybe not many here own soundtiger amps?
Local store zepp and co experienced this too just today. Static noise is across all PO gain stages. I’ve asked them to reach out directly you. Hope to hear your response too.

 

[Stouthart]

@Paul - iBasso, bumping up on this again, maybe not many here own soundtiger amps?
Local store zepp and co experienced this too just today. Static noise is across all PO gain stages. I’ve asked them to reach out directly you. Hope to hear your response too.

I noticed this morning that – since I installed the most recent firmware update (1.03.408) – I don't enjoy my DX340 as much as before. The sound is a bit "harsh" and the soundstage less wide. After listening carefully to a few quiet songs it was immediately clear: static noise, as others experienced. Most of you know, that my Android version has been heavily modified. So – to rule that out – I just did a full factory reset. Same result; even when playing local files with airplane mode enabled, I can still hear static noise. I also tried downgrading to an earlier version, but got a message that the updater (from recovery mode) expects a newer timestamp. Hopefully @Paul - iBasso can shed some light on this.

Addition: It goes without saying that I'm comparing apples to apples: same headphones and IEMs, same cables, same settings, etc. Static noise is audible with both the AMP14 and AMP15.

 

[Ichos]

Did an OTA update. Everything is working just fine. Listening to some Chopin nocturnes with AMP16, tube mode, and the Meze Poet. Amazing sound.

 

[lairpost]

I noticed this morning that – since I installed the most recent firmware update (1.03.408) – I don't enjoy my DX340 as much as before. The sound is a bit "harsh" and the soundstage less wide. After listening carefully to a few quiet songs it was immediately clear: static noise, as others experienced. Most of you know, that my Android version has been heavily modified. So – to rule that out – I just did a full factory reset. Same result; even when playing local files with airplane mode enabled, I can still hear static noise. I also tried downgrading to an earlier version, but got a message that the updater (from recovery mode) expects a newer timestamp. Hopefully @Paul - iBasso can shed some light on this.

Addition: needless to say, I am comparing apples with apples, same Headphone and IEMs, same cables, same settings, etc. Static noise is audible both with AMP14 & AMP15.

After 35 years (retired last Nov) managing networks and cybersecurity systems for a $10B US company - it can be a hard lesson to learn that newer isn't always better. If it doesn't contain a known security patch (not really applicable here) or it only has features or fixes you don't need...don't update firmware. Or let others be first.

 

[Stouthart]

After 35 years (retired last Nov) managing networks and cybersecurity systems for a $10B US company - it can be a hard lesson to learn that newer isn't always better. If it doesn't contain a known security patch (not really applicable here) or it only has features or fixes you don't need...don't update firmware. Or let others be first.

I totally agree with you. However, since I maintain the iBasso DX340 Debloating & Tweaking Playbook, I felt obligated to upgrade and check for compatibility issues.

 

[lairpost]

I totally agree with you. However, since I maintain the iBasso DX340 Debloating & Tweaking Playbook, I felt obligated to upgrade and check for compatibility issues.

And we all thank you for letting us know about the issue you encountered. My post was not directed to you as I know you already know this but to others that may be less experienced dealing with the firmware update pickle scenario, especially when the goal should be music playback...

 

[mattclarke18]

I upgraded to latest FW recently. I do not hear any static noise. Sounds as great as it was before - Amp15 with Super Gain - same IEMs cable etc. I did a flash per my guide not OTA or local. If you wish to downgrade you have to flash using IMG. OTA seems to be hit or miss. Bloom has fixed some 340s following my flash guide that presented with static noises etc. For those with Linux maybe a Windows VM would allow you to use Qfil. You can find used laptops on Ebay for under $200.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=15Fzf8U1YbBecVIcsOP35qu2iupTHoZQq&usp=drive_fs

 

[twister6]

I know that, i only have noise on high gain or with DC in. I'm using ISN EBC80, AuR Audio Neon Pro and AuR Audio Aehta.

While I don't have the same IEMs to test and confirm, that is precisely what I found with some of my other more sensitive IEMs, where I had to drop the DX340 amp gain to low or medium to lower the noise floor. It is what it is.