Ibasso 1 bit Discrete portable DAC with Resistors Array D16

[whattodo]

No
DX260 is the same.
D16 is not an amplifier but a DAC with built in amplifier for its own converted audio.
Therefore you can connect it via USB or Coax from compatible sources.
For amplifying line out signals you need an amplifier like PB5

Thanks for the answer
Finally, pulled the trigger and ordered D16 and PB5. They will arrive tomorrow.
But still confused with connections.
There are several types of connections:
LO
Coax
Coax digital
Coax RCA
Optical
USB
....
My DAPs are AR-M2, Wm1am2 and SP3000

I am lost which output should be connected to D16 and PB5.

 

[dpeterfy32]

Could you please recommend me something, for about 1600-1800 Euro?
Thank you

gustard r2r

 

[TRHH]

gustard r2r

d16 is just one of the best among portables.

What other DAC/AMP - not DAP - can be compared with D16?
I have until now not found any, so I really would like to know.

Torben

 

[meomap]

Thanks for the answer
Finally, pulled the trigger and ordered D16 and PB5. They will arrive tomorrow.
But still confused with connections.
There are several types of connections:
LO
Coax
Coax digital
Coax RCA
Optical
USB
....
My DAPs are AR-M2, Wm1am2 and SP3000

I am lost which output should be connected to D16 and PB5.

Should be SP3000 USB C output to D16 USB C input...Tried with my SR35 and S24 Ultra as well.....work perfectly
Don't know your others.....

 

[bluex]

gustard r2r

Better than IBasso D16??

 

[dpeterfy32]

it's a simple question, what's better? the sound of a system consists of many components.

 

[bluex]

We compare here iBasso D16 with Gustard R2R
Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[jamato8]

Better than IBasso D16??

I don't, IMO, think many are better, just different, as they are different from each other. What surprises me about the D16 is its speed, transient speed, in comparison to others. And it doesn't distort the sound due to the speed but captures something like a piano strike like others can not. The rise of the dynamics is like a 7 tipped over. Whereas a lot of dacs the top of the 7 is more slanted on the exact same music. It still sounds good but the D16 is more realistic. Also the D16 portrays with size and depth of a musical event and has excellent imaging. I think if they had charged more it would still be easily worth it. I am still working on appreciating the scope of what the D16 can do. Oh, and I use COAX most all the time. The coax cable I use is a special design cable by Whiplash, from when they were still in business, the original company owned by Craig. The cable is also important.

 

[Death_Block]

I don't, IMO, think many are better, just different, as they are different from each other. What surprises me about the D16 is its speed, transient speed, in comparison to others. And it doesn't distort the sound due to the speed but captures something like a piano strike like others can not. The rise of the dynamics is like a 7 tipped over. Whereas a lot of dacs the top of the 7 is more slanted on the exact same music. It still sounds good but the D16 is more realistic. Also the D16 portrays with size and depth of a musical event and has excellent imaging. I think if they had charged more it would still be easily worth it. I am still working on appreciating the scope of what the D16 can do. Oh, and I use COAX most all the time. The coax cable I use is a special design cable by Whiplash, from when they were still in business, the original company owned by Craig. The cable is also important.

Lol I chuckled wen you said 'still working on appreciating the scope'. Whilst I think it sounds really good, there feels an x factor that somehow makes the sound fit together perfectly, in all frequencies. Nothing is more than anything else. The songs feel 'whole' in a kind of way to explain it. And I don't think I appreciate it as fully as to a more experienced ear. I'm strictly talking my experience with portable gear. I've not the space yet to have a stationary setup. But at as high level these portable gear brings these days, I can't expect to be missing out in too much. All within reason that is.

 

[dpeterfy32]

We compare here iBasso D16 with Gustard R2R
Correct me if I'm wrong

technically, you won't miss Gustard, don't worry.

 

[taipan254]

Has anyone compared chord DACs to the D16?

I’m intrigued with the d16 given that it has taken the pulse array design chord made famous to an extreme. However, chord DACs also have kick ass, jitter free optical inputs and extremely long linear phase filters. I have seen nothing about the filters employed by Ibasso. Nor have I seen any measurements that illustrate the filters impulse response.

I upsample and use the Mojo2 (though with modifications from Dan Mance / Audiowise dot CA). That takes the filter out of the equation. What’s left is the quality of modulation to DSD (also very hard to do well in a power limited portable model) and pulse array implementation.

 

[bluex]

technically, you won't miss Gustard, don't worry.

What do you mean?

 

[Death_Block]

Has anyone compared chord DACs to the D16?

I’m intrigued with the d16 given that it has taken the pulse array design chord made famous to an extreme. However, chord DACs also have kick ass, jitter free optical inputs and extremely long linear phase filters. I have seen nothing about the filters employed by Ibasso. Nor have I seen any measurements that illustrate the filters impulse response.

I upsample and use the Mojo2 (though with modifications from Dan Mance / Audiowise dot CA). That takes the filter out of the equation. What’s left is the quality of modulation to DSD (also very hard to do well in a power limited portable model) and pulse array implementation.

I bought the Hugo2 and D16 the same time. And this is only my impressions:
The Hugo2 is like a night with a hooooker, the D16 is romantic love.
I found the soundstage on the Hugo2 larger, pbigger bubble around you and more 3D.
The Hugo2 has more bite, and hits harder down low. It's very exciting listen, but I found it wears you out and need a rest after awhile.
The D16, more intimate, with a high precision instrument placing. Not as wide soundstage, but more, what's the word, better instrument separation.
The treble is smoother, though not lacking any less detail. Bass is not enhanced, sounds more accurate. And cleaner. The mids I reckon is clearly better. Its more intimate, not enhanced but just... *Swoon*.
For a quick blast of higher volume and some fast rock, the Hugo2 is awesome.
To sit back and just let the music albums fly by one after the other the D16 is superior to me. I never get to a point after a long day listen and feel exhausted. It's alot more mature.
Hugo2 has more things to play with, filters, cross-fade eg and can power some highly efficient speaker I believe (haven't tried). The D16 is more straightforward. Plug it in, set your volume, and that's it.
Battery is better on the Ibasso and charges in around half the time. Hope that helps.

 

[Golyatx]

I bought the Hugo2 and D16 the same time. And this is only my impressions:
The Hugo2 is like a night with a hooooker, the D16 is romantic love.
I found the soundstage on the Hugo2 larger, pbigger bubble around you and more 3D.
The Hugo2 has more bite, and hits harder down low. It's very exciting listen, but I found it wears you out and need a rest after awhile.
The D16, more intimate, with a high precision instrument placing. Not as wide soundstage, but more, what's the word, better instrument separation.
The treble is smoother, though not lacking any less detail. Bass is not enhanced, sounds more accurate. And cleaner. The mids I reckon is clearly better. Its more intimate, not enhanced but just... *Swoon*.
For a quick blast of higher volume and some fast rock, the Hugo2 is awesome.
To sit back and just let the music albums fly by one after the other the D16 is superior to me. I never get to a point after a long day listen and feel exhausted. It's alot more mature.
Hugo2 has more things to play with, filters, cross-fade eg and can power some highly efficient speaker I believe (haven't tried). The D16 is more straightforward. Plug it in, set your volume, and that's it.
Battery is better on the Ibasso and charges in around half the time. Hope that helps.

Nice write up, thanks.

Worth noting, almost double the price.
Also worth noting, wouldnt mind spending night with a hooker.

edit: well, at least in my country its close to double its price... talking about H2, not H00k

 

[Death_Block]

Picked the Hugo2 for £950 and the D16 for £1100. Hugo2 is plenty older device though. Buying that in 2017 (I think when it was released) would have been astonishing to listen too.