Ibasso D4 / T3 Review Thread

[cooperpwc]

Quote:

The T3 doesnt have a bass boost switch T4 does.

So they say officially. However in my brief experience with the T3D, the right switch did not seem to increase overall volume but did increase bass a bit. (Perhaps this is different than the T3 but the specs do not announce that.)

 

[shigzeo]

This is pretty easy to test with any square wave output.

 

[cooperpwc]

No doubt. However I don't have the T3D anymore.
 
I have to say that while that amp didn't fit my particular needs, iBasso customer service is amazing. The communication and speed of refund on their no-questions return policy was really impressive. I would buy from them again without hesitation.

 

[soviet911]

Quote:

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but I am fairly new to portable amps. What is the difference between gain switches and bass switches? Will the T3 gain switches increase the bass anyways? Also, it says these are for IEM's, will they work fine for my full-sized Crossfades?
 

Thankyou. This leads me to believe even though they aren't bass boost switches, each gain switch still improves the bass quantity... correct?
 

 

Gain Switches increase the voltage multiplier in an amp wich increases the preceived volume (so gain of 0 increases the volume from the source by 0 times, gain of ten will increase volume but not necesarrly by ten fold it depends on headphones. All gain does is increase voltage multiplier and does not affect the bass in any way. there is always an Ideal gain level, if gain is too high then u will have the AMP turned too low and in can introudce channel inbalance (left vs right) but too low of a gain wont allow you to have high enough volume.
 


Quote:

Quote:

So they say officially. However in my brief experience with the T3D, the right switch did not seem to increase overall volume but did increase bass a bit. (Perhaps this is different than the T3 but the specs do not announce that.)

 
I have taken apart the T3 no need to check the square wave both switches adjust the gain. Any bass increases is most likely a placebo effect, I ABed at volume matched with different gains (0gain vs 3gain vs 8gain vs 10gain) and didn't notice any difference (zune HD as source at max volume to T3 to HD25-1) at any volume below setting 2 there is a significant imbalance of right been louder then left.
 
S911 
 

 

[cooperpwc]

Quote:

there is always an Ideal gain level, if gain is too high then u will have the AMP turned too low and in can introudce channel inbalance (left vs right) but too low of a gain wont allow you to have high enough volume. 

Yes, and channel balance aside (actually not an issue with digital stepped attenuators), there often are also less and more ideal gain levels for sound quality. This is because different resistors are used to set the different gain settings and this affects sound. For example, many of us are finding that the Stepdance sounds materially better in low gain mode over high, even with full size cans. I have also heard similar observations on here regarding certain gain settings being preferred for SQ with some iBasso and RSA amps.

 

[estreeter]

With the possible exception of the K601, I haven't owned a pair of cans that benefited in sonic terms from the higher gain setting on the D4 - YMMV.

 

[s0lar]

Quote:

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but I am fairly new to portable amps. What is the difference between gain switches and bass switches? Will the T3 gain switches increase the bass anyways? Also, it says these are for IEM's, will they work fine for my full-sized Crossfades?

 


 

Thankyou. This leads me to believe even though they aren't bass boost switches, each gain switch still improves the bass quantity... correct?
 

 

The amp itself, regardless of gain setting will make the bass punchier and better overall. The T4's bass boost switch is about 3dB for lower frequencies, can't remember where exactly it was, guess around 60Hz. It's noticable but I haven't used it longer then a few minutes because I don't feel it makes that much of a difference and I preferer to listen to the IEM's signature instead.
 
 

 

[HiFlight]

Bass boost increases the lower frequencies with the greatest boost at the very lowest end of the range, gradually tapering off as the frequencies near about the level of the male voice.    The 4 gain settings on the T3 will increase the output equally across the entire audio band with each setting progressively increasing the apparent volume over that of the previous setting.

 

[Ultrainferno]

My T3 is up for sale if anyone's interested

 

[ffdpmaggot]

Does the mamba have 1/8th inch or 1/4 inch sockets?

 

[mrarroyo]

1/8", not many portable amps have 1/4" input.

 

[ffdpmaggot]

Seriously? It looked like a quarter on the pic, do you know anything about the audinst hud mx1? I need something that can be used as a standalone amp, standalone dac, or combo with a quarter inch output and usb in. Does anyone know if the audinst would work?

 

[Cortlendt]

I have a question about ordering and shipping of D4.
 
Ordered it yday (from China to California) and it has one week and one day still to reach its recipient, a day later and the recipient will move.
 
I'm worried there is not enough time, shall I cancel or give it a try?
 
Many thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

[estreeter]

Quote:

I have a question about ordering and shipping of D4.
 
Ordered it yday (from China to California) and it has one week and one day still to reach its recipient, a day later and the recipient will move.
 
I'm worried there is not enough time, shall I cancel or give it a try?
 
Many thanks in advance for the feedback.

 
Based on my experience with EMS, iBasso's courier of choice from memory, you should be fine. The worst holdup will probably be in US Customs, but there is nothing they can do about that. Of all the kit I have ordered, including stuff from Perth right here in Oz, the iBasso gear is the only gear that I can order on a Monday and have in my hands by Friday. Sensational.
 
 

 

[caracara08]

Quote:

I have a question about ordering and shipping of D4.
 
Ordered it yday (from China to California) and it has one week and one day still to reach its recipient, a day later and the recipient will move.
 
I'm worried there is not enough time, shall I cancel or give it a try?
 
Many thanks in advance for the feedback.

now this is my experience only, id get packages from them in 3 days from china to california. its been a while since i ordered from them though.