I don't know, twister... Folks in the R5 thread are treating that thing like the second coming of Christ. Edit: For clarification, I'm all for people being hyped when they get new toys, but certain threads have a tendency to go overboard to the point where it physically repels me.
Hey whitigir, i read ur review about M9 pairing. How good is the pairing? Im finding a source that can give warmth and a significant width for my M9.
it is excellent in pairing and synergies. They complement one another very very well. If you are blind tested with this combo and asked to given a price of the “unknown DAP” that is paired with M9, I don’t think anyone would think that it is $399 Dx160. the best pairing so far from what I have heard is the IER Z1R
width and separation is the forte of the Dx160, the vocal however is more focused and forward. There is an obvious class differences between Dx220 amp 8 and Dx160, but that is from my own view. There is a bigger obvious class differences from Dx220 Amp8 and DMP-Z1, which the EX modification may bring the combo a little closer, but still. I do not think it is fair to bring in the DMP-Z1 here. The DMP-Z1 is even better than Chord Dave from my own observations, but I have a different ways to judge those stuff, and at different points. anyone who have heard DX228 and WM1Z or Cayin N8, and compare to the Dx160, must easily spot the timbres tonal body and inner energy accuracy differences. The Dx160 does very very well in rendering those points when using as a Line-Out into a good external Amp. It makes me think that the analog amp out sections of the Dx160 could see improvements, but the $399 may be it end-lines. the only crazy things I am thinking about here is that Ibasso do pay a lot of attentions toward the digital processing and conversion by itself. Judging from the Line-Out performances alone from Dx160, the $399 is already too good of a price for such device.
Whos better or greater for sound quality DX160 or Fiio M11? In my cauntry i can get Fiio M11 around 350€ brand new, its the same price dx160, but dx160 are not aviable in Europe right now, so...
DX160 is still on my list to review soon, and I will compare it to M11 in more details when I get there. But, for example, in my R5 review I mentioned that i found R5 and M11 to sound very close, the only giveaway was more hissing in M11. And from some limited on-and-off listening between DX160 and R5, I prefer a more dynamic sound of DX160. All this based on my personal preference, so take it as a subjective opinion.
