Ibasso 1 bit Discrete portable DAC with Resistors Array D16

[jamato8]

Remember, chicken poops in, no chicken noodles out, even if your amplifier is chef Gordon Ramsey by himself

LOL

 

[Loftprojection]

The amp is like the heart and the DAC as an analog source is like the blood. The amp can be powerful and great sounding, but without a good source of blood to keep it pumping, then it wouldn’t be as good as it can be.

What I am trying to say is that The amp is the last of the chain, and shouldn’t be the one that decide everything as a result. The most important piece of your system should always be

1/ the recordings (digital files or LP)
2/ The converters DAC for digital and the Mechanical systems for LP

The amp job is simple, to amplify what taken in and putting out with multiplicative factors

Remember, chicken poops in, no chicken noodles out, even if your amplifier is chef Gordon Ramsey by himself

I know, I'm with you Vice, that's why I'm looking for the best transportable DAC on the market. I've got 2 DACs right now that are pretty satisfying (one NOS tube desktop and one transportable BurrBrown chip based). The D16 will probably be the one to empty my wallet again as soon as I've replenished it with fresh bills.

 

[purk]

The amp is like the heart and the DAC as an analog source is like the blood. The amp can be powerful and great sounding, but without a good source of blood to keep it pumping, then it wouldn’t be as good as it can be.

What I am trying to say is that The amp is the last of the chain, and shouldn’t be the one that decide everything as a result. The most important piece of your system should always be

1/ the recordings (digital files or LP)
2/ The converters DAC for digital and the Mechanical systems for LP

The amp job is simple, to amplify what taken in and putting out with multiplicative factors

Remember, chicken poops in, no chicken noodles out, even if your amplifier is chef Gordon Ramsey by himself

You are absolutely correct that the DAC on the D16 is really stellar, still the amp is also very good sounding making the unit a good deal for the money.

 

[Whitigir]

Just a quick update between digital attenuation vs analog. After all weekends critical listening, it turned out that the analog attenuations has cleaner and more defined nuances details with more vividity. However, they are less of a problem when I listened to it at very low volume. For some reasons, I do enjoy the D16 or the stack with PB5 at very low volumes.

It must be due to the reason that the D16 ability to retrieve dynamic and timbres balances are so well done, that I no longer have to crank up the volume and focus into the listening to enjoy the music anymore. It has come to the point that when I listened to lower volume like this, my sensory systems relaxed more, and I was able to hear/witness the performances about as good as if I was listening at louder volume.

Together with the unity gain from the D16 design as @Z_Showmaster mentioned. It must also be one of the reason why there is such a huge differences between the products that has OpAmps and open loops gain at the line out buffers stage, even the Dx320M when compared to the D16, and also must be one of the main major why the D16 is so good at what it does.

This has proven to me yet and again, when things have done right, we as the enthusiasts will forget to analyze it, but rather to just be enjoying it instead. Also, for a discrete FPGA based DAC, Ibasso has done a wonderful job in digital attenuations that I had a hard time to pick at. Therefore, when you “must”, you don’t have to worry about the D16 and digital attenuation to degrade your sounds, in fact it does, but only when you really analyze it

Once again, thank you Ibasso for a wonderful custom miniaturized stepped attenuator. Once I found the differences, even if little and negligible, I just stick to the better option as I always try to squeeze every sweat out of my system

Now, I was told that Dx260 is even a better source to D16 with both Coax/USB…thanks @purk , my wallet cries to have friends like you

 

[Whitigir]

Removed

 

[jamato8]

I have great success to making upgraded cables for internal connection between boards.

Before people start bashing Ibasso for why not using better cables for IC. Ibasso already did, very high purity cables internally and of large sizes. That is why the D16 has amazing performances.

We are all having more fun by swapping cables . These are Pure Silver solid cores. There are option atm for Neotech silver/gold alloy stranded as well, and pure 4N gold solid core may also be an option

What I am seeking here is for different signatures and possible upgrades depends on how people is looking at it. This is the first time I venture into this and I need equipments/supplies. If anyone would love to contributes toward this fun project, you can PM me, and in return for your support, I will make you a couple IC at the materials of your choices either by your provided materials or options from my side.

So, is the sound better or different? I have not touched the cables internally, except to look at them. They do seem to be a good gauge and I know ibasso used high purity copper for a lot of things like this.

 

[Whitigir]

So, is the sound better or different? I have not touched the cables internally, except to look at them. They do seem to be a good gauge and I know ibasso used high purity copper for a lot of things like this.

Whether it is an upgrades will have to be a subjective matter. Definitely is different for sure. Remember, we will be traveling down the cables path again with this fun project. It isn’t recommended if single digit % differences or upgrades are not your thing. The stock form is as amazing as is. I am just once again, seeking to have fun, and possibly squeezing sweat

Subjectively IMO and IME, I perceived the pure silver IC as an upgrade, and technically it is larger awg/of better material for conductivity

 

[FooFighter]

Whether it is an upgrades will have to be a subjective matter. Definitely is different for sure. Remember, we will be traveling down the cables path again with this fun project.

Subjectively IMO and IME, I perceived the pure silver IC as an upgrade, and technically it is larger awg/of better material for conductivity

IC cables as well as headphone or IEM cables are a rabbit hole topic indeed and have been thoroughly discussed in all other headphone-, IEM- and mobile amp threads so for sure they make a difference also here.
Am using a Satin Audio IC cable I once bought for Tsuranagi and will keep that without further digging down the rabbit hole

 

[Whitigir]

IC cables as well as headphone or IEM cables are a rabbit hole topic indeed and have been thoroughly discussed in all other headphone-, IEM- and mobile amp threads so for sure they make a difference also here.
Am using a Satin Audio IC cable I once bought for Tsuranagi and will keep that without further digging down the rabbit hole

It is a fun place to be, and I am glad Ibasso has the D16 this way, not direct connections, because you can have a lot more options for fun (no options if it was single board and direct connect) , together with the friendliness of serviceable devices, if anything should happened to it.

 

[meomap]

It is a fun place to be, and I am glad Ibasso has the D16 this way, not direct connections, because you can have a lot more options for fun (no options if it was single board and direct connect) , together with the friendliness of serviceable devices, if anything should happened to it.

No Cap replacement this time?

 

[Whitigir]

Removed

 

[FooFighter]

Anyone recognized inconsistencies between D16 displayed sample rates and app sample rates?
Here Tidal is saying 96khz and D16 displaying 88khz...

On another note, D16 is playing wonderfully with IEMs alone.
Currently listening to Anni23.
Wide stage and nice natural tonality

 

[Whitigir]

Anyone recognized inconsistencies between D16 displayed sample rates and app sample rates?
Here Tidal is saying 96khz and D16 displaying 88khz...

If it is MQA, the D16 is not authenticated/certified MQA decoder , so your source will u fold twice from 44.1 into 88.2 and that is it

 

[FooFighter]

If it is MQA, the D16 is not authenticated/certified MQA decoder , so your source will u fold twice from 44.1 into 88.2 and that is it

Guess you are right, must be this MQA mess still though I usually get "MQA" displayed then.
In this case Tidal was saying "Max" and once clicked on that said 24/96.

Going back to the same song it's now saying 96khz

I imagine there can be some hickup from previously played MQA, corrupting the sample rate display and at some point reverting to normal.
Don't remember exactly but I think I ve seen that on other gear too yet.
Anyway not a big deal.
Sound is great.

 

[jamato8]

I am using a USB cable from Whiplash that was terminated in mini and USB A with adapters to USB on both ends. The sound is superb. Listening to some Four Seasons, Rachel Prodgered right now. I have used it for a few years, the USB cable and never in something that would really reveal what it could, or couldn't do. So much air, space and excellent timbre. It is 1 foot long with 4 ferrite rings on the cable. I may re-terminate it to C but I don't want to mess with it right now. It sounds like the hall, you can pick up all the hall reflections of sound. It is like you are about 20 or 25 feet from the stage and listening to a live performance.

DX320MAX to the D16 to the PB5 to the SR3. I need to try the R-10 Sony.

I just noticed I am picking up the overtones and the resonances of the body of the violins, solo violin and other instruments, which is a big part of the live feel to this performance.