Ibasso 1 bit Discrete portable DAC with Resistors Array D16

[LWR999]

You can use the DAC volume instead of the Phone Volume. That way you won't use the headphone amplifier.
Just make sure to start with a very low DAC volume and DAC Gain Low. As the DAC volume is 32 bit internally, the quality should be fine even at a very low volume.
I just tried the D16 with a Cayin C9ii as amplifier, and line out sounded much better than phone out to me (more staging, resolution and sparkle).

I tried that but I couldn't get the DAC gain low enough to attenuate the speaker volume properly

With my Cayin C9, I ALWAYS use line out with a DAC volume of around 60 and it sounds great. But for my speakers this just doesn't work - too loud

 

[TRHH]

Is there a iBasso support email address?

There are some problems with their USB driver (Win OS USB-DAC Driver for D16 (TAIPAN) V1.20,Jan 20th, 2025, (9.86M)

THX

 

[Nightshifter]

Is there a iBasso support email address?

There are some problems with their USB driver (Win OS USB-DAC Driver for D16 (TAIPAN) V1.20,Jan 20th, 2025, (9.86M)

THX

service@ibasso.com

Edit: or maybe ask @Paul - iBasso directly he has a mail adress in his profile.

 

[Daniel59]

I tried that but I couldn't get the DAC gain low enough to attenuate the speaker volume properly

With my Cayin C9, I ALWAYS use line out with a DAC volume of around 60 and it sounds great. But for my speakers this just doesn't work - too loud

I read all your posts/replies and @Mungam replies, and I am in full agreement with his synopsis. You must have overlooked some setting (on D16 or your Genelecs) to properly utilize the D16’s “Line Out” operation to your active monitors while keeping your sound pressure levels comfortable and still attain a high fidelity sound.

Before I focus on the D16’s Line Output, did you try adjusting your active monitors’ input sensitivity dials? The dial goes from +6dBu to -6dBu. That dial will allow for a fairly large range of input voltages from your source (D16). A quick search online says you need to adjust the dial with a screwdriver?

I also read above that you couldn’t decrease your D16’s line output “low enough” to maintain comfortable sound pressure levels on your Genelec’s. If your D16 is in “Line Out” mode (shown on its display), you can reduce with the small DAC vol knob “only”, the output voltage to 0 volts if you so desire lol. So when you say you couldn’t reduce the line out of the D16 low enough, you must be confused or missed a setting/mode/adjustment on your D16.

Double amping the D16 sounds waaay too warm/muffled…I tried it once, and only because I thought I was in Line Out mode, but was in Phone Out instead…never again. Line out to an amp/active monitors will produce the best fidelity.

 

[LWR999]

I read all your posts/replies and @Mungam replies, and I am in full agreement with his synopsis. You must have overlooked some setting (on D16 or your Genelecs) to properly utilize the D16’s “Line Out” operation to your active monitors while keeping your sound pressure levels comfortable and still attain a high fidelity sound.

Before I focus on the D16’s Line Output, did you try adjusting your active monitors’ input sensitivity dials? The dial goes from +6dBu to -6dBu. That dial will allow for a fairly large range of input voltages from your source (D16). A quick search online says you need to adjust the dial with a screwdriver?

I also read above that you couldn’t decrease your D16’s line output “low enough” to maintain comfortable sound pressure levels on your Genelec’s. If your D16 is in “Line Out” mode (shown on its display), you can reduce with the small DAC vol knob “only”, the output voltage to 0 volts if you so desire lol. So when you say you couldn’t reduce the line out of the D16 low enough, you must be confused or missed a setting/mode/adjustment on your D16.

Double amping the D16 sounds waaay too warm/muffled…I tried it once, and only because I thought I was in Line Out mode, but was in Phone Out instead…never again. Line out to an amp/active monitors will produce the best fidelity.

We're all aligned - Line Out mode, Amp attenuator 0, DAC volume 0, no sound. DAC volume ramps up way to quickly for the speakers. Sorry - it's true! No issues with using the D16 with other amps. Not sure why people are trying to create an alternate reality here

 

[Daniel59]

We're all aligned - Line Out mode, Amp attenuator 0, DAC volume 0, no sound. DAC volume ramps up way too quickly for the speakers. Sorry - it's true! No issues with using the D16 with other amps. Not sure why people are trying to create an alternate reality here

What’s the input sensitivity on your Genelecs set to?

Each Volume click adjustment on the D16 is only 1/2 dB…that’s fairly standard operation for audio attenuation.

 

[LWR999]

This is pretty special. (Line Out mode of course )

 

[TRHH]

service@ibasso.com

Edit: or maybe ask @Paul - iBasso directly he has a mail adress in his profile.

Thanks Have send support an email.

When using Win OS USB-DAC Driver for D16 (TAIPAN) V1.20 ( ASIO) and sample rate coversion, the sound is choppy and noisy. When disabling the sample rate conversion it goes away. When using WASAPI and the same settings there is no problem. Only problems with the ASIO driver.

 

[Whitigir]

Newer internal connections for D16 which were made with UPOCC Silver/Gold alloys and the largest 28AWG possible

This is the hardest to make, also is the best sounding I have had yet.

 

[Mungam]

I don't really understand which board does what: In the picture left side DAC and right side FPGA, so far so good. But which signals are routed through the interconnects? Power supply for the DAC, DAC volume setting to the FPGA and the Digital Audio Signal, but in which form? Can you help me with that?

 

[Whitigir]

I don't really understand which board does what: In the picture left side DAC and right side FPGA, so far so good. But which signals are routed through the interconnects? Power supply for the DAC, DAC volume setting to the FPGA and the Digital Audio Signal, but in which form? Can you help me with that?

Uhm, they are exactly as what the boards said. The smaller board hosts battery, power supplies, and FPGA, together with DSP. The larger board hosts the 1 bit signals laddering down by Fir filter (multi phases), the final processing of 1 bit signals, so it is still a part of the DAC conversion steps. The larger board also hosts amplifications and line out analog components as well

The Interconnects have multiple connections. Features selections, 1 bit signals and power signals.

 

[Mungam]

Thank you for your explanation!

 

[BJPromo]

Forgot to switch back from LO to PO before plugging in my IEMs. What's worse is that I only tend to use my D16 for my most sensitive IEMs because of the dead silence.

I would love a separate LO output for this DAC...

 

[m3lover1]

Forgot to switch back from LO to PO before plugging in my IEMs. What's worse is that I only tend to use my D16 for my most sensitive IEMs because of the dead silence.

I would love a separate LO output for this DAC...

I have done that once with my d16. And recently on my dap I somehow accidentally changed the volume to super high on accident. Not fun

 

[BJPromo]

I also prefer to use DX180 with a 3.5mm Coax out to drive my D16 review unit.

OK I'm one step closer to iBasso DAP to D16 via coax bliss. Now just need a good coax cable (had foolishly assumed that the coax cable that comes with the DAP is 3.5mm to 3.5mm).

Anyone have any recommendations, or can ID the cable in Twister6's photo?

Edit: scratch that! Just remembered that the D16 comes with at least one of these. (I think - my box is in the office so I can't check till tomorrow.) Upgrade recommendations still welcome