[pekingduck]

D5 Hj - A new portable USB DAC/amp from the collaboration of iBasso and Hibino. Looks like it is Japan-only.
 
 
 

Uses AKM DAC chip instead of Wolfson
Can't figure out the highest bit-rate/sampling rate supported, It seems 24/192 mentioned in the article (below) is after upsampling.
Availability: July 15
 
More info: http://www.hibino-intersound.co.jp/information/2672.html  (Google Translate)
 
 

 

[Jonasklam]

It says 24/192 up-sampling on the unit, you can see it if you click the image..

 

[estreeter]

Excellent - I'm posting in an iBasso-related thread before both paulybatz and jamato8 : red-letter day, people.
 
Seriously, the 'Japan-only' thing has me wondering - just how strong is their domestic economy post-tsunami ? AKM DAC ? What ?

 

[Randius]

Quote:

Excellent - I'm posting in an iBasso-related thread before both paulybatz and jamato8 : red-letter day, people.
 
Seriously, the 'Japan-only' thing has me wondering - just how strong is their domestic economy post-tsunami ? AKM DAC ? What ?

There were a few other HJ (For Japan) models prior to D5 - namely D2+ Boa, D12 and T3. But they were released internationally before being made available in Japan. This model may be different... D5 is to mark the first anniversary of Hibino being the importer/distributor for iBasso in Japan. Looks like they chose the DAC produced by local manufacturer AKM
 

 

[Mad Max]

 
Quote:

... AKM DAC ? What ?

You say that like its a bad thing.  =\

 

[Randius]

Yah, sure makes it sound like anything other than Wolfson sucks...

 

[estreeter]

Quote:

Yah, sure makes it sound like anything other than Wolfson sucks...

Not at all - I have had many long and pointless battles with the Wolfson fan club in threads on the various iPod generations and their worth as a source component. My comment was merely a reflection of the fact that you dont see AKM alongside Burr-Brown, Cirrus and others as makers of quality DAC chips - always happy to hear otherwise.
 

 

[pekingduck]

AKM chips are used in some high-end equipment. The Marantz SA7S1 CD Player (USD $6000) comes to mind.

 

[estreeter]

Quote:

AKM chips are used in some high-end equipment. The Marantz SA7S1 CD Player (USD $6000) comes to mind.

I stand corrected - I thought Marantz used Cirrus DACs, but I guess they use whatever they need to for a given component. Personally, I havent heard a speaker amp that I like more than the PM6003, but thats a long way from 6K.

 

[estreeter]

Any updates on this ? I am only seeing pretty pictures at the site.
 
http://www.hibino-intersound.co.jp/ibasso_audio/2675.html

 

[ExpatinJapan]

July 15th release date.
 
hmm D5, D2 with boa , D12 or fiio E11?....
 

 

[estreeter]

D12.

 

[eclipes]

D12 is a great device but its much more strong as a DAC rather than an Amp, its more like 70% DAC and 30% Amp. People looking for a dedicated amp, D12 might not be the choice.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Anyone bought one of these yet?

 

[qusp]

indeed akm is the only chip maker that is giving ESS a run for its money at the moment imo, very good chips