Ibasso 1 bit Discrete portable DAC with Resistors Array D16

[easylive]

Smartphone especially Android based will always resample to 48kbs no matter what bit rate the original file is, hence will degrade the sound quality quite a bit.
I feel the difference is quite significant, coax out via a DAP is better sounding than USB out via a smartphone.

If you use for example UAPP app (Im using it with Tidal implemented) then the usb out from andrid phone is bitperfect.. So do you think, that I will upgrade the SQ from my D16 by using coax out from DX180 into D16 instead the android phone with UAPP? I consider to buy DX180 for this purpose, but Im not sure, that there will be some difference to hear...

 

[Bengkia369]

If you use for example UAPP app (Im using it with Tidal implemented) then the usb out from andrid phone is bitperfect.. So do you think, that I will upgrade the SQ from my D16 by using coax out from DX180 into D16 instead the android phone with UAPP? I consider to buy DX180 for this purpose, but Im not sure, that there will be some difference to hear...

I always using Apple music and Android smartphones always resample to 48kbs using USB out. So the sound quality degraded.
Not too sure about your case, I think it's best to try it out if possible before you purchase DX180.

 

[CosmicSheep]

Smartphone especially Android based will always resample to 48kbs no matter what bit rate the original file is, hence will degrade the sound quality quite a bit.
I feel the difference is quite significant, coax out via a DAP is better sounding than USB out via a smartphone.

I feel I should mention modern androids like my Pixel 6a don't have the issue anymore. Tested with all my DACs. I run it direct into my D16 USB-C and bitrate switches per track just fine and I love it. Can't really imagine what I'd be missing.

 

[FooFighter]

If you use for example UAPP app (Im using it with Tidal implemented) then the usb out from andrid phone is bitperfect.. So do you think, that I will upgrade the SQ from my D16 by using coax out from DX180 into D16 instead the android phone with UAPP? I consider to buy DX180 for this purpose, but Im not sure, that there will be some difference to hear...

Imho if you are strictly using UApp only and are happy with what you hear now then I see no reason buying DX180.
As mentioned before depending on your smartphone OS architecture apps like Apple Music might still have the resampling issue but as long as you re using UApp with included Qobuz or Tidal interface you should be fine.
DX180 is still fantastic if you want to have a dedicated device for music only and not having distracting and system resource consuming non music apps and you indeed have more variety experimenting with different options like the Coax output though I am personally not sure if that will give you a significant SQ boost over UAPP-USB

 

[easylive]

Imho if you are strictly using UApp only and are happy with what you hear now then I see no reason buying DX180.
As mentioned before depending on your smartphone OS architecture apps like Apple Music might still have the resampling issue but as long as you re using UApp with included Qobuz or Tidal interface you should be fine.
DX180 is still fantastic if you want to have a dedicated device for music only and not having distracting and system resource consuming non music apps and you indeed have more variety experimenting with different options like the Coax output though I am personally not sure if that will give you a significant SQ boost over UAPP-USB

Many thanks man for your experience , yeah, I dont have any DAP now, so probably I will buy the DX180 and use it not only as a source for D16 (added SQ is discutable) but also around the house and outside, instead phone plus dongle..

 

[Bengkia369]

Many thanks man for your experience , yeah, I dont have any DAP now, so probably I will buy the DX180 and use it not only as a source for D16 (added SQ is discutable) but also around the house and outside, instead phone plus dongle..

If you buy DX180, you can sell the dongle already
DX180 can use for standalone outside & use it with D16 for bedside listening.
My bedside listening setup...me using a DX260 instead of DX180.

 

[easylive]

If you buy DX180, you can sell the dongle already
DX180 can use for standalone outside & use it with D16 for bedside listening.
My bedside listening setup...me using a DX260 instead of DX180.

Nice setup

 

[Maximiliano Campo]

Many thanks, very good and objective review. Thank you for testing out iPhone to D16, not all of us have unlimited funds to buy an expensive DAP as well as D16/PB5 and your comments seem to point out that the result is pretty good with a simple iPhone.

If you have some info (or maybe a followup on your review), it would be great to have your opinion on the sound signature of the DAC in the D16 versus others 1bit, R2R or chip based, N7, RS8... Thanks again, we are lucky to have you in our community.

I would like to read a comparison between iBasso D16 Taipan and HiBy RS8. Has anyone compared the two? If so, what are the differences in sound ? Thank you

 

[Bengkia369]

I would like to read a comparison between iBasso D16 Taipan and HiBy RS8. Has anyone compared the two? If so, what are the differences in sound ? Thank you

I had a brief listen to RS8 quite some time ago. RS8 is slightly warmer & D16 is neutral sounding.

 

[chaotic_angel]

hello all, wondering if D16 when plugged to charging adapter will:

1. increase the power of the headphone outs?
2. acts like Mojo 2, it can be plugged without damaging the battery?

 

[FooFighter]

hello all, wondering if D16 when plugged to charging adapter will:

1. increase the power of the headphone outs?
2. acts like Mojo 2, it can be plugged without damaging the battery?

1. No
2. It's switching off once full (battery protection) but there's no battery management in there like PB5 where it's charging only after being emptied below certain percentage

 

[Badlands]

POSTED YESTERDAY IN WATERCOOLER THREAD

As I’ve opined in the past, I value versatile products that are equally adept at performing in a transportable and desktop scenario. The D16 Taipan suits my use case as transportable DAC/Amp for IEM’s and as a dedicated DAC feeding the Kenzie 2/Atrium open. This is my first foray into the realm of iBasso audio and what an amazing pairing with Trifecta. (Spartacus as well.) Dead silent. Notes float effortlessly from of a pitch black background. Excellent layering/positioning of instruments and vocals. It imbues such a sense of detail, smoothness and refinement into the gear you’re connecting to it, whether it’s an amp, IEM or full size headphone.

However, I’ll note that I prefer Atrium through the D16/Kenzie combo in lieu of the Atrium directly connected to the D16. Kenzie’s organic tube warmth adds a touch of body and texture that marries so well with Atrium.

I wish iBasso included a desktop mode like Mojo 2 and the volume knob was a bit larger but those are minor issues in an otherwise fantastic DAC/Amp. D16 Taipan blurs the line between flagship portable and desktop gear while providing the most immersive and fatigue free listening experience I’ve enjoyed in this hobby.

 

[Loftprojection]

POSTED YESTERDAY IN WATERCOOLER THREAD

As I’ve opined in the past, I value versatile products that are equally adept at performing in a transportable and desktop scenario. The D16 Taipan suits my use case as transportable DAC/Amp for IEM’s and as a dedicated DAC feeding the Kenzie 2/Atrium open. This is my first foray into the realm of iBasso audio and what an amazing pairing with Trifecta. (Spartacus as well.) Dead silent. Notes float effortlessly from of a pitch black background. Excellent layering/positioning of instruments and vocals. It imbues such a sense of detail, smoothness and refinement into the gear you’re connecting to it, whether it’s an amp, IEM or full size headphone.

However, I’ll note that I prefer Atrium through the D16/Kenzie combo in lieu of the Atrium directly connected to the D16. Kenzie’s organic tube warmth adds a touch of body and texture that marries so well with Atrium.

I wish iBasso included a desktop mode like Mojo 2 and the volume knob was a bit larger but those are minor issues in an otherwise fantastic DAC/Amp. D16 Taipan blurs the line between flagship portable and desktop gear while providing the most immersive and fatigue free listening experience I’ve enjoyed in this hobby.

Interesting info. How would you compare D16 to other DACs you've tried with Kenzie/Atrium? I personally use iDSD Finale/Woo WA8/IEMs with great sound for transportable or bed side but at my desk with my big cans (Meze Empy) the iDSD Finale is no match against a similarly D16 priced desktop dac (MHDT Orchid) feeding my desktop tube amp. I wonder what D16 can do against similarly priced desktop DACs, specially R2R DACs.

 

[Badlands]

Interesting info. How would you compare D16 to other DACs you've tried with Kenzie/Atrium? I personally use iDSD Finale/Woo WA8/IEMs with great sound for transportable or bed side but at my desk with my big cans (Meze Empy) the iDSD Finale is no match against a similarly D16 priced desktop dac (MHDT Orchid) feeding my desktop tube amp. I wonder what D16 can do against similarly priced desktop DACs, specially R2R DACs.

The DACs I’ve owned have all been in the mid-tier range, SMSL M400/Mojo 2, with D16 being the highest level among them. I sold the M400 because I preferred the Chord house sound over the Delta Sigma M400. Mojo 2 pairs extremely well with Atrium on its own and also is excellent with Kenzie. However, the D16 has better layering, the backer background with IEMs, and most interestingly, mitigates the low level tube hum/noise from the Kenzie. Not sure why D16 is quieter than Mojo 2 but it has been constantly quieter in the two weeks I’ve had both amps. I haven’t heard desktop R2R DACs so I can’t provide “hands on” perspective but based on what I’ve read, D16 would be more nuetral than Orchid with Orchid having that richer tonal quality associated the R2R. It’s funny that one of the DACs I’m interested in is Border Patrol which would provide an alternate sound signature to D16. I enjoy those nuanced differences that provide a refreshing listening experience with music you're familiar with. I’m sorry I couldn’t really answer your question but hoping the background I provided would be helpful in some way.

 

[Loftprojection]

The DACs I’ve owned have all been in the mid-tier range, SMSL M400/Mojo 2, with D16 being the highest level among them. I sold the M400 because I preferred the Chord house sound over the Delta Sigma M400. Mojo 2 pairs extremely well with Atrium on its own and also is excellent with Kenzie. However, the D16 has better layering, the backer background with IEMs, and most interestingly, mitigates the low level tube hum/noise from the Kenzie. Not sure why D16 is quieter than Mojo 2 but it has been constantly quieter in the two weeks I’ve had both amps. I haven’t heard desktop R2R DACs so I can’t provide “hands on” perspective but based on what I’ve read, D16 would be more nuetral than Orchid with Orchid having that richer tonal quality associated the R2R. It’s funny that one of the DACs I’m interested in is Border Patrol which would provide an alternate sound signature to D16. I enjoy those nuanced differences that provide a refreshing listening experience with music you're familiar with. I’m sorry I couldn’t really answer your question but hoping the background I provided would be helpful in some way.

Hey thanks a lot, very nice read and yes, informative for me. If you have the budget, don't hesitate to try out a NOS DAC like Border Patrol. I've tried a few ESS based DACs as well as the Mojo. All can sound very nice but have that "digital" twist to the music that I don't have with the Orchid. The BurrBrown based iDSD Signature feeding WA8 tube amp is the less "digital" I've heard to date. Based on the really nice feedback people are giving here, I think D16 is also an incredible sounding DAC that doesn't sound too "digital", whatever that word means! hahaha