[Infoseeker]

For me, my dx220max had a special place in my heart.


dx220max has the imaging and intensity of ESS Sabre dacs, but ibasso managed to implement it with the fluidity of the AKM dacs. Perfectly compensated.

While my dx300max SS, kind of misses out on some niche nuances I would like out of it. It seems to be better suited with only very specific stuff I have around me like my LCD-XC. It just has fluidity and deep bass extension, but without any special imaging aspects to make it stand out; just really clean sound.

For my dx300max, I feel there is more potential to draw out of it. I sent mine to npaudio to be EXN'd. Though I probably did do something unforgivable to such a limited product.

 

[fokta]

Its here...

 

[justanut]

For my dx300max, I feel there is more potential to draw out of it. I sent mine to npaudio to be EXN'd. Though I probably did do something unforgivable to such a limited product.

What are the improvements? Website didn't state what the mods do..

 

[Infoseeker]

What are the improvements? Website didn't state what the mods do..

I haven't received it back yet. But I will try to mention it later when I do. Though, I won't have an unmodded dx300MAX SS anymore for A/Bing. Other than what I had written down before in my personal notes. But there is no ideal way for me to confidently document the changes.

It is ready though. I was sent these pictures:

 

[justanut]

I haven't received it back yet. But I will try to mention it later when I do. Though, I won't have an unmodded dx300MAX anymore for A/Bing. Other than what I had written down before in my personal notes. But there is no ideal way for me to confidently document the changes.

It is ready though. I was sent these pictures:

Wow lots of changes there!

 

[gentzen]

I haven't received it back yet. But I will try to mention it later when I do. Though, I won't have an unmodded dx300MAX anymore for A/Bing. Other than what I had written down before in my personal notes. But there is no ideal way for me to confidently document the changes.

It is ready though. I was sent these pictures:

Worth keeping in mind that modding the Ti Version might be different, due to its having some different (vintage) caps and a different sound signature. I think Steve's EXN mod is for the SS version. If I were to sent my Ti for modding (which I'm contemplating), I would ask him to contemplate the mod afresh, after listening to my device first.

 

[Infoseeker]

Oh, that's right. I forgot to mention I had the SS version. I'll add that above.

 

[fokta]

I haven't received it back yet. But I will try to mention it later when I do. Though, I won't have an unmodded dx300MAX SS anymore for A/Bing. Other than what I had written down before in my personal notes. But there is no ideal way for me to confidently document the changes.

It is ready though. I was sent these pictures:

super envy... well, I alrd like the original tonality of 3Max... even compare to M17, SP2kt, N8ii, even LPGT... IMO
Was denying before, now I am glad, got one in my hand...

It was perfectly match with ZMF VC, Dark yet still detail and large soundstage... as what I want...

 

[Infoseeker]

super envy... well, I alrd like the original tonality of 3Max... even compare to M17, SP2kt, N8ii, even LPGT... IMO
Was denying before, now I am glad, got one in my hand...

It was perfectly match with ZMF VC, Dark yet still detail and large soundstage... as what I want...

Yeah it's amazing for headphones that are already innately sharper/more intense. Similar experience to you, my lcd-XC is amazing off the dx300max.

So much so that I liked the lcd-xc as much as my Focal Utopia & the HE6 off their respective chains. LCD-XC felt like a ToTL flagship (after EQ via neutron player app on the 300maxSS).

 

[bozebuttons]

I haven't received it back yet. But I will try to mention it later when I do. Though, I won't have an unmodded dx300MAX SS anymore for A/Bing. Other than what I had written down before in my personal notes. But there is no ideal way for me to confidently document the changes.

It is ready though. I was sent these pictures:

I am thinking of sending my DX300 maxSS waiting for your impressions What was the turn around time?

 

[efftee]

Worth keeping in mind that modding the Ti Version might be different, due to its having some different (vintage) caps and a different sound signature. I think Steve's EXN mod is for the SS version. If I were to sent my Ti for modding (which I'm contemplating), I would ask him to contemplate the mod afresh, after listening to my device first.

Curious, what would you like improved on the 3MTi?

 

[gentzen]

Curious, what would you like improved on the 3MTi?

Ventilation for one, for using the on the fly conversion PCM to DSD with the screen on (which would require upping the CPU frequency specs to deal with cutoffs, etc.). Then, perhaps making the bass slam a bit deeper, but still fast and accurate. There's nothing really to bother me with how 3Max Ti sounds, at all. However, if it can be improved even a bit (as regards certain of the caps, for instance), why not? Steve has come across to me as somebody who knows his stuff.

 

[efftee]

Ventilation for one, for using the on the fly conversion PCM to DSD with the screen on (which would require upping the CPU frequency specs to deal with cutoffs, etc.). Then, perhaps making the bass slam a bit deeper, but still fast and accurate. There's nothing really to bother me with how 3Max Ti sounds, at all. However, if it can be improved even a bit (as regards certain of the caps, for instance), why not? Steve has come across to me as somebody who knows his stuff.

I have the 3MTi and I like the concept, engineering, build and sound very much, more so than many DAPs including the N8ii. I have tried to improve it though amping but no amps have been able to do it for me. Must say I have not thought about modding, then again, I didn't know there is a mod for the 3Max! This is all very intriguing and I would like to find out more. So have you decided to do it?

 

[gentzen]

I have the 3MTi and I like the concept, engineering, build and sound very much, more so than many DAPs including the N8ii. I have tried to improve it though amping but no amps have been able to do it for me. Must say I have not thought about modding, then again, I didn't know there is a mod for the 3Max! This is all very intriguing and I would like to find out more. So have you decided to do it?

Now, as far as I know, there's no mod for the Ti version, that's the thing. The EXN mod is for SS, different caps and other components altogether. So, if I were to go for it, I'd have to ask Steve to have a listen first and then decide whether the same mod as for SS enhances the Ti as well. That's as far as sound is concerned. I'm definitely in for his enhancements on ventilation (graphite sheet, possibly open vents on back). As @Whitigir and others have reported, the Ti gets far too hot if its CPU is put in performance mode (via SmarPack on my rooted 3Max).

 

[justanut]

Very kind of Steve to reply to my queries:

The mod consists of:
40 capacitors are upgraded and 2 additional added.
Replacing the 22 AVX tantalums (150+ mΩ) with the Kemet ultra low ESR (25 mΩ) high polymer help improve layering and sound stage. Dynamics and detail are improved from the AudioNotes and Elnas. Vishay MKP1837 and Amtrans AMCH bypass caps help smooth out the digitalness leaving a more analogue yet detailed signature. Lows are more textured extending further. 4 of the X7R MLCC caps are replaced with higher grade X8L MLCC, X7R shouldn't really be in the audio path. Some of those original old stock caps in the DX300MAX can be way out of tolerance and not installed as matched pairs :/ eg in one I tested one of the 100uf power caps measured 69uf and the other one 84uf.

22 x Kemet KO 25 mΩ
4 x Audio Note Kaisei
2 x Audio Note Seiryu
6 x Elna Silmic II
2 x Vishay ERO MKP1837
2 x Amtrans AMCH
4 x X8L MLCC
1 x Higher grade heat transfer sheets
Internal shielding
Laser cut brushed stainless steel back plate to help further with shielding and cooling and looks great.

I'm now very curious on the impressions when @Infoseeker gets his back~