iBasso DX160 - The listening experience only gets better and better. ******NEW FW 1.09 - link 1st page.******

[silvahr]

OK, so here are 2 screenshots of an MQA file on Tidal playing on Tidal App and Tidal on UApp. As seen the Tidal app does full unfolding as seen on the top of the screen while UApp does only partial unfolding.

So you can use Tidal app on DX160 without issues?
Sorry for all my questions but I’m trying to decide if I buy a dedicated DAP to use with Tidal.

 

[SubSTI]

OK, so here are 2 screenshots of an MQA file on Tidal playing on Tidal App and Tidal on UApp. As seen the Tidal app does full unfolding as seen on the top of the screen while UApp does only partial unfolding.

Exactly, same on mine. So this does mean UAPP is not able to utilize the hardware MQA unfolding capabilities of the DX160, which is a shame.

 

[SubSTI]

So you can use Tidal app on DX160 without issues?
Sorry for all my questions but I’m trying to decide if I buy a dedicated DAP to use with Tidal.

Technically yes, but the DX160 struggles with WiFi reception, causing network connection errors while streaming. Better download and go offline when playing Master tracks.
This is unfortunate when exploring new music, you don't want or can't download everything first.

 

[superuser1]

Thank you for purchasing and testing the MQA add on for UAPP. Hmm...I'm still not sure which one to choose. Maybe I will just stick with the Mango player for now haha. I'm pretty satisfied with it. I was just curious before on if there were any audible differences between other players. I usually just listen to 16-bit anyway. Sometimes 24-bit. But not too much MQA or Tidal offline to be honest. No worries.

You can download and try UAPP trial version from their website and decide which sound you like better.

 

[SubSTI]

You can download and try UAPP trial version from their website and decide which sound you like better.

True, but unfortunately this isn't possible for the UAPP MQA plug-in, that is an in-app purchase

 

[superuser1]

True, but unfortunately this isn't possible for the UAPP MQA plug-in, that is an in-app purchase

Ideally they should have a trial for that too

 

[Tommy34]

You can download and try UAPP trial version from their website and decide which sound you like better.

You know what, that's a good idea. I think I may try them out first and see for myself. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[DJ Core]

There is a difference heard between mango player vs basic UAPP when playing MQA files. Unfortunately, I do not have the MQA plugin for UAPP. I hope someone that does have access to both can test and share insights.

I have UAPP MQA Plugin on my DX160.

I can confirm UAPP only does software unfold. I Tested with Nora Jones and 2-Chainz MQA albums (24Bit/48kHz).
They only unfold to 24bit/96 kHz on UAPP

Mango Player will do full software and hardware unfold making it 24bit/192 kHz.

Mango Player sounds fuller and wider than UAPP.

 

[mayurs]

So you can use Tidal app on DX160 without issues?
Sorry for all my questions but I’m trying to decide if I buy a dedicated DAP to use with Tidal.

Yes the distance from your router will determine how well your streaming apps, especially Tidal will work. Unfortunately the antenna on the DX160 is not very powerful, so it needs to be much closer than all my other devices to work well. I usually use the hotspot on my phone to stream and with a good LTE network, Tidal works well without any problems in close proximity to phone.

 

[mayurs]

The MQA unfold on UApp worked well when I had it on my phone and had a iFI Nano BL MQA renderer for the second unfold. But with the DX160 it's quite useless as the DX160 does a great job with MQA on both the Mango as well as the Tidal app. Best to stick to these for MQA duties.

 

[silvahr]

The MQA unfold on UApp worked well when I had it on my phone and had a iFI Nano BL MQA renderer for the second unfold. But with the DX160 it's quite useless as the DX160 does a great job with MQA on both the Mango as well as the Tidal app. Best to stick to these for MQA duties.

It’s funny because I was thinking in iFi nano iDsd with my iPhone as an alternative to a dedicated DAP.
Maybe is the way to go.

 

[mayurs]

It’s funny because I was thinking in iFi nano iDsd with my iPhone as an alternative to a dedicated DAP.
Maybe is the way to go.

The DX160 sounds way better so I would not recommend that setup.

 

[silvahr]

The DX160 sounds way better so I would not recommend that setup.

Thank you!

 

[Tommy34]

I have UAPP MQA Plugin on my DX160.

I can confirm UAPP only does software unfold. I Tested with Nora Jones and 2-Chainz MQA albums (24Bit/48kHz).
They only unfold to 24bit/96 kHz on UAPP

Mango Player will do full software and hardware unfold making it 24bit/192 kHz.

Mango Player sounds fuller and wider than UAPP.

What you just wrote is the explanation we've wanted all along haha

Something simple, straight to the point, and backed up with evidence. Great job!

 

[DJ Core]

What you just wrote is the explanation we've wanted all along haha

Something simple, straight to the point, and backed up with evidence. Great job!

From what we know about MQA, it seems UAPP just needs to code the DX160 DAC info in their software so we can have full unfold.

MQA needs that info to fully unfold. If Neutron did it, UAPP can do it.

So whoever said iBasso lied up there just needs to understand how MQA works.