Stainless Steel tuning is as follow, can’t see the realistic tear down yet, so this is just observations.
*Purple electrolytic Phillips
*Green, brown jacket multi layers film caps and silver jacket electrolytic caps (unknown brands)
*Blue, Radial mounting Axial Siemens Electrolytic ? Non-BiCap
Titanium tuning is as follow
*Purple Phillips Electrolytic. 2 of these swapped for Vishay silver jacket possibly
*Green possibly Vishay Eros new products film caps
*Pink Multi Layer films cap replacing electrolytic Phillips (unknown brand)
*Yellow is Fine Gold Nichicon electrolytic replacing Phillips
*Red, possibly NOS Eros Film Capacitors, due to low capacitances, ****Blue is BiCap Tantalum caps to complete, with Stainless version seeing no BiCap
Conclusion for now
Titanium has exclusively and intentionally utilizing the usages of multi layer film capacitors and pure polyester foils film capacitors (ERO), which differentiate it from
Stainless Steel that uses many electrolytic capacitors. Polyester foils film caps has special attributes that have been known by audiophiles worlds for being the best and optimized for audio performances. It is also known as the real capacitors in E-Engineering, but trade off for low capacity. There will definitely be differences between 2 editions
From my own point of views, I see the Titanium to be somewhat very specials, that I have yet seen such usages of Pure Polyester Foils in a portable of this sizes, nor have I even thought of it. But I would definitely adore using it. Seeing Ibasso to be creative and keep on seeking for the better technical components and great ideas that also preserve sound quality , possibly improving it , this alone is mouth drooling. Honestly , I can’t stop looking and drooling over Titanium amp board.
Is this an upgrade or sidegrade ? In all of my honesty,
it technically is an upgrade from the component usages to the chassis metal, and hence I have been waiting for it. Also carrying the pride of Ibasso 15th anniversary flagship. But sound is subjective, it may not float your boat , and may not be that cup of tea while Stainless Steel is. The only way to know is to listen to both side by side and judge for yourself. Or looking forward to comparison from a few who have owned both
One thing for sure is that Titanium is more exclusive, and that Titanium chassis is worth being jewelry collection.
By far is the largest Titanium device on the market.