I've tried to use my DX160 in dac mode with my Samsung S21 Ultra, LO at 100 before choosing Dac Mode of course, LO plugged into a Topping A50s but sound is very very very low even at almost the max of the Topping...It's not due to my headphones because they're really easy to drive...I don't know if I've made a mistake...
iBasso DX160 - The listening experience only gets better and better. ******NEW FW 1.09 - link 1st page.******
- Thread starter Paul - iBasso
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Its just that the LO volume is not set to max while its working as DAC. Double check that by exiting out of DAC mode and manually increasing the volume. It sometimes does not set itself to max and continues to be variable. Set that to max and you should be fine.
I'm sure it was at max volume. I double checked that when I heard volume was so low...
My DX160 randomly reduces volume when used as a DAC or when using LO. Another thing to check ensure that your source volume is at max. That could also be a reason for low sound output,
With the DX160, the output volume for LO is always variable. This was intentional by iBasso. Note: it is also this way on the DX300. But you are right insomuch as you can't adjust it AFTER connecting via DAC mode, so it has to be at 100% before connecting to the phone. Maybe a reboot might help?!
That is weird, and have not noticed this before, though admittedly I have used the DX as LO only (not DAC mode AND using LO, normally I will use SPDIF in this scenerio, which is indeed set to 100% at all times).
Good call on the source volume! That could be effecting it for sure, as well as whatever DSP is set (we also all know that using the android stack is NOT bit perfect).
Also, what app are you using on the Samsung phone to play the sound? If it is something like Neutron, or UAPP, check to make sure AGC (automatic gain control) is not effecting the overall volume?! Or even having EQ turned on (on most contemporary music apps) can effect the volume because they tend to turn down the gain to protect against having a FR band turned too high.
You can also check to make sure that some system-wide Samsung app is not limiting it, such as the system-wide EQ, or the hearing compensation app, etc...
It's bit perfect because the UAPP even Tidal recognize the DAC in usb.
Regarding the LO of DX300 , Ibasso told me the only true LO is with Amp12
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If you are using Neutron or UAPP, then yes it is bit perfect, but only if you have bit perfect chosen. By default on both UAPP and Neutron it is turned off, so (as mentioned previously) if you have any DSP on in either (EQ, AGP, etc...) you may experience the volume loss you were describing.
You are right about Amp12 having true LO, but the only thing different about that from the Amp11 is that it is discreet on Amp12. They both bypass the amp section. The good news about this is that (on paper) LO from Amp12 has a more black background. But, you also need to have 4.4mm AND balanced connector to use Amp12. On Amp11 you can use 3.5mm as well as 4.4mm balanced.
Hope you get your low level issue fixed?!
I only chose bit perfect on uapp.
Regarding by pass of the amp on DX300 , Paul told me only amp 12 does.
Low level issue not tested again. Maybe this week. I hope.
Uebelkraehe
500+ Head-Fier
Just trying out the Sendy Peacock with the DX160 and though i'm still miffed that i've got an early model with a lot of Wi-Fi problems (the biggest being automatic disconnects when the screen is turned off) i'm otherwise still very much smitten by this little DAP. Beautiful balance of musicality and detail, quite a bit of power through Pentaconn, bit perfect playback with Qobuz, pretty nice display. Also seems to synergize very nicely with the Peacock.
Since I been using the DX with 5GHz WiFi, I have no more abortions with the screen switched off, neither when playing via BT nor SPDIF.
It's September 2021. Is there any news from the iBasso crystal ball (or Paul@ibasso.com) regarding new firmware?
exile1973
100+ Head-Fier
Haha, none at all! The forgotten dap
weexisttocease
Headphoneus Supremus
Using my Pixel 4 XL as WiFi zone the DX160 works perfectly.
weexisttocease
Headphoneus Supremus
Better wait for the DX170.
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