But I am sure the development will not go to waste. I can’t imagine it being wasted, if Ibasso can have it done this good already, then there will be more to come. This is not the end of it, but is a beginning of something more, just wait for it
Unfortunately, this will be the last ibasso implementation of arguably the best Delta Sigma chip. That means they either go the Chord/Sony route for dac section, or R2R...
Maybe settle for the more power hungry ESS chip.
? 3Max SS is $1.1K cheaper
On that note, you could prob have the SS audio board upgraded for less than $1.1k
If I had a product that I knew was superior and I could manufacture at a cheaper price than the competition, AND people would buy it then I would make the hell out of them. I just don't get it. Something is missing in this equation
Yes, the AKM dac chip is missing.
Arguably the best DS chip made.
Missing? the chips! Even car manufactures are putting off releases. Try to find a mid engine corvette. No chips, no car. No chips, no dap.
With past burned down chip factories, looks like chip shortage won't go away anytime soon.
Beyond that, the 3M/Ti, or even the DMP-Z1, cannot compete in the realm of desktops.
First you need to try for yourself.
Once you have your dap returned from repair, and burned it in properly for about 200hrs, and then test that line out into your system...
Then you can tell us what you think.
I didn’t mean to bring another DAP to devalue the 3Maxes (3M/Ti) here
Don't worry there is no other dap that can devalue the sound. Only the portability, but this was always viewed as a "transportable" dap, not so much a portable one.
numerous break downs reported of the 3M/Ti.
Sorry for your misfortune experience, but it is a common misconception to read 4-5 owners complain and think that way. In reality, if you take those (maybe 5 ) owners, and view it in contrast to 500units, then it's one unit for every hundred. In actuality, no one knows the actual percentage, when you factor in possible user error or mishandling. Like any product.
Does this make the 3M/Ti an end game DAP? Not by a long country mile.
Why not? Based on what criteria? Looks? Size? It is easily an end game dap if we consider what you already stated it superior sounding.
I understand you may feel an "end game" dap needs to be perfect in every way? Other than sonically?
Since when has anyone owned any "end-game" desktop item that was "perfect"?
I Know if you plug in the 3Max from the balance out, you actually have a superior source for your desktop.
You have
eliminated countless issues in the chain. From storage, to OS, to software, to player, to connection methods (usb/optical/etc), to adapters, to dac unit. HUGE amount of problems just bypassed and avoided!
That's what the dap can do.
Minimizing components in the chain is the main advantage and key why I see the Dap having advantages over "desktop source" systems. Not amp or speakers, but the source.
The windows laptop(!) issues alone is huge.
Here is some of the computer issues, which I had accumulated from other posters:
"The issues with a computer can vary.
Because Windows (by default) does not reserve enough processing power for Audio, it needs ASIO and WASAPI Exclusive Mode, which is better because Windows won't corrupt it like it sometimes does in ASIO, despite any efforts to prevent it.
So Windows may occasionally switch detected dac as Default Sound & communications Device, in which case windows will resample PCM for sure, insidiously resampling the audio stream, having damaged sound of Windows resampling algorithms.
Even if you reassign the "Default Devices" to some other unused sound device, (unused/spare dac interface), Windows may occasionally switch back without warning to the dac you are trying to protect.
Whatever the OS Generation of Windows, there is always disk swaps during process, and windows services/applications, and background processes, which is how windows natively works. Even if you try fix into the OS with no Swap and big Ram, it somewhere needs it !
There is embeded smps and noise, complex path of the signal, pipes process latency, CPU energy saving controls, USB power noise. SPDIF/Optical transmission/jitter issues"
So for me, I was satisfied to go the "Dap as source" route. In that sense, it can play with desktop, and win.
Again, I am not slamming the 3M/Ti;
Actually, as read your post was both positive and negative, back and forth.
End result seemed a bit disgruntled but of course thats understandable and I hope you can still enjoy your unit once all said & done.
. And does it compare with some desktop units that are very good yes without a question. In my opinion
Me too. Without question, most easily.
With the right headphone/IEM of choice. The requirement is only to have a headphone/IEM that is capable.
if you seriously think that the 3M/Ti compares with desktop rigs, even just decent ones, you. have. no. clue. Enjoy the good life in that little bubble
Come-on , we all have had experience with great desktop rigs, no doubt.
I have some great memories with these sources:
And they were all fantastic
sources.
I'm sure you guys been thru similar and better. I just wanted excuse to post pics lol. But seriously,
The experience of speakers to headphones is different, yet actually not lesser than the other. We can focus on the recording more with headphones IMO.
No room ambiance to add into the mix.
Dude, I don't want to get into spitting match with you but you don’t put up any arguments to back your opinions
No problem we can understand choices can also be personal.
Also, the position can go both ways. We would also need arguments, to back up that existing Daps "still*(?) cannot reach desktop status.
I believe not only this 3Max, but quite a few other top Daps have already done so, and people are slowly waking up to this.
This is a Huge threat to the desktop market, if all you need is a top Dap with balanced line out to your rig/system.
Thats how I do it now, with my tube amps. Easy-peasy end game sound.
Did it with the Sony WM1Z, then the ibasso 220max. Now with this 300max. Great sound.
Maybe all we need now, is some side-by-side tests(!)