I actually rather having separated Chargers. There are reasons for it
1/ if (
big if as I rarely see it happened) the FPGA is utilized like the Dx300, then the batteries may not be triggered charging. Eventhough there is nothing wrong with it, and it could simply be a firmware bug, people wouldn’t be happy. No one would want to wait around for a new firmware if the DAC unit is working and amplifier won’t, which means no sound
Beside, Dx300 is using 1 charger
. So there is an option
2/ If the FPGA isnt utilized for charging purposes. Then it could be completely dedicated toward sound processings. This results in less “back ground processing” for the FPGA, which May results in micro voltages differences tolerances, which May result in voltage errors and trigger errors corrections. That in turn also effect the sound performances signatures
3/ You can charge only the amplifier if you want while leaving the DAC non charging and unhooked for a cleaner Digital processing
The DX300Max is a lot of differences than Dx220Max in the charging circuitry. Together with the FPGA and beefy SOC, the Possibilities are endless
1/ Having FPGA totally dedicated toward one digital sections = more power to process digital signals. It could be utilized for many different purposes including Resample, Upsampled, Sigma Delta modulations….etc. It means you can enjoy all PCM resampled to 768Khz or even DSD256 ?
2/ Powerful SOC can assist in MQA unfolding 16X with FPGA and AK4498EQ x2
The Dx300Max is like a modernized power house with AK4499EQ, where as Dx220Max will be the last generation greatest ESS DAC from Ibasso to date, and Dx300 is like a Portable powerhouse with Zombie like batteries that keeps on going and going with modular amps and quad DAC of cirrus
In the end, if you love Ibasso, you would collect them all. It will be super hard to only decide to get one.