iBasso DX300 Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Octa-core 6GB RAM ******NEW Firmware 2.00 Android 11******

[KevP]

Any music specifically do you want me to try with DX300 and ODIN?

70s soul; The Stones; The Band; 70s blues/R&B?

 

[Combover Grover]

I actually prefer the android mango player .. I don’t know .

Don't feel pushed by critical comments.
It's all up to your personal liking and you can also go to bed with this pairing if you enjoy it
I checked your Andro V2 specs: it has 12.8 Ohm. My Andro Gold has 7 Ohm!
That can also make a difference...
I have quickly compared my Qudelix 5k and the Dx300 with the Andro Gold both balanced low gain
Will need more time to give serious impressions.
In short:
- Qudelix has a little less bass, less stage and details but is dead silent regarding "steam kettle" symptoms.
- dx300 has more prominent bass, depending on the track it's like a...kicking, even more than my full size Denons which are told to belong to bass queen category but it's to my feeling not sounding right but a bit muddy.
I will need to find some song examples regarding the mentioned bleeding into midrange
If the song mix is different it's like a disco machine.
There are songs where I feel like it's perfect on the DX300 also on my Andros, e.g. Summer Day Green by Wa'el, TOVE.
Immersive atmospheric holografic stage, warm tuning
Guitar notes vibrant.
Sigh...
"Stuck" by "Mira Lu Kovacs", also perfect on the Andros
Guys, I wanted to do some sports and am stuck listening here

Is this on Mango OS or Android?

 

[horatiu]

When I had my wm1z modified with Romi caps, it took me 1800 hours of burn in to open the BJ caps cause they been sleeping for 20 years on the shelf!
Yes its a huge paine in the ass, imagine your dap playing music 24/7 for 2 months !

Will you dare take the burn in challenge?

I dare you to burn it in for 10.000h.

 

[FooFighter]

Is this on Mango OS or Android?

Sorry, should have added that: Android, Tidal

 

[DarginMahkum]

I dare you to burn it in for 10.000h.

Looks like this is how you socialize.

 

[jamato8]

Listening to Benny Carter. Great stuff. Some people just need to listen to some music.

 

[Whitigir]

Also, you may think that Amp11 (stock amp) is just your typical and general Amp
Module.
It is an improved Discrete amp architecture with high voltage swing and high current handling. It is not only an improved architecture from AMPMAX (Amp inside the Max) but it also has specific tuning to voice up with the DX300.

There is no reason why if you like Max or Amp8EX, you should underestimate the Amp11 Stock.

However, as much as I know Ibasso, they will always strive to improve. So who know what kinda crazy technologies they have in hatching for us ? The keywords is “Modular amp”

Tell me, how many other DAP have you seen a dedicated Truly Balanced Discrete Class A amplification ? Except Ibasso

 

[Combover Grover]

Sorry, should have added that: Android, Tidal

FWIW, The few times I’ve listened to tidal, I’ve found it muddy compared to qobuz (and everything else). But maybe that was a MQA thing I wasn’t doing right.

Sorry, should have added that: Android, Tidal

I’ve found the sound signature varies a bit depending on the app (and OS). To me Mango OS is warmer and fuller sounding. I’m not using Tidal, but qobuz’s native app sounds a little more U shaped compared to qobuz on USB audio player pro.

 

[sorrick]

To provide another perspective, I’ve been using my DX300 with EE Odins and find I am so far enjoying it more than my sp1000m. It is not even close in terms of general speediness and user experience, the DX300 wins by a mile there. The SP1000m does have an advantage in terms of being more pocketable and once I am back to commuting this may turn into more of a consideration, but for now it’s a wash because the advantages of the DX300’s beautiful, large screen out way the inconveniences of the larger size. Particularly when needing to use a keyboard to search for things, the the SP1000m’s screen has always felt a little cramped, which is definitely not the case on the DX300.

It is still early days (I have ~70 hrs on the DX300), but I am finding myself preferring the DX300’s sound. I do not notice much of a difference in terms of absolute detail retrieval—the SP1000m has always been excellent here and the DX300 matches it at least—but there is definitely a difference in the separation, sounstage, space, texture, and in particular, depth of the sound with the DX300 pulling ahead here. Volume matching and listening to the same tracks on Tidal on both DAPs with my Odins, with both MQA master tracks as well as normal hifi 16-bit/44.1khz “hifi” tracks, the DX300 has a little more space around the notes, a little bit better separation between the instruments, and a noticeable amount more depth to the sounds, which gives an overall more 3-dimensional, holographic sense to the music. By comparison, on the SP1000m, the music, while lovely and detailed, sounds like it is all coming at you from the same plane in space. For example, listening to the intro to the Eagles 1994 live on MTV version of Hotel California (an MQA master track in Tidal), the guitars and particularly the bongos have more depth, space, texture, and overall sense of wholeness to them vs the SP1000m, which sounds much more like you are listening to a recording being reproduced. This overall sense of 3 dimensional out allows for subtle textures to come through and more realistic note decays on the DX300 that are less distinct on the SP1000m. The bass on the DX300 also has the sense of having a little more oomph and gusto, which may be a reflection of both the increased driving power of the DX300 as well as the overall increased sense of space and 3-dimensionality.

The Odins do have a somewhat forward upper midrange, but to my ears, compared to the sp1000m, the added 3-dimensionality of the DX300 generally makes parts that can get closer to the edge in terms of sharpness, less forward comparatively. For me, the Odin’s upper mids have never strayed into the territory of being too sharp, and I’ve never heard the Hiby R8 or Shanling M8, so cannot compare there. However, for me a track that illustrates my point about the difference in the odins upper mids presentation between the SP1000m vs the DX300 is Cyndi Lauper’s “Time after Time”. Listening to a 16-bit/44.1khz (non-MQA) version of the track (version on the Stranger Things soundtrack), around 2:35 in the track, there is a guitar solo, that can get a little close to sounding strident/grating on the SP1000m. On the DX300, because of the more holographic, 3-dimesional presentation, instead of being the most forward sound in the mix, that lead guitar is a bit more contextualized by the bass line, which, while not sounding more forward than the lead guitar, almost buffers the edges of the solo with the depth, drive, and increased spatial “wholeness” of its notes. The actual notes of the lead guitar may have a little more texture on the DX300, but again, these are better contextualized in the space of the soundstage, taking some edge off.

 

[behemothkat]

One explanation for that would be that the developers of the hardware are tuning the final signature with "burned-in" components which is more acceptable for the end user in several parameters you have mentioned. Then again, isn't any of those parameters compromised during that process?

Then how they can design their product? Each iteration, component replacement requires to have another 100 hours of burn in? Until find all burnt-in components matching “in-house” signature?

 

[Shecky504]

To provide another perspective, I’ve been using my DX300 with EE Odins and find I am so far enjoying it more than my sp1000m. It is not even close in terms of general speediness and user experience, the DX300 wins by a mile there. The SP1000m does have an advantage in terms of being more pocketable and once I am back to commuting this may turn into more of a consideration, but for now it’s a wash because the advantages of the DX300’s beautiful, large screen out way the inconveniences of the larger size. Particularly when needing to use a keyboard to search for things, the the SP1000m’s screen has always felt a little cramped, which is definitely not the case on the DX300.

It is still early days (I have ~70 hrs on the DX300), but I am finding myself preferring the DX300’s sound. I do not notice much of a difference in terms of absolute detail retrieval—the SP1000m has always been excellent here and the DX300 matches it at least—but there is definitely a difference in the separation, sounstage, space, texture, and in particular, depth of the sound with the DX300 pulling ahead here. Volume matching and listening to the same tracks on Tidal on both DAPs with my Odins, with both MQA master tracks as well as normal hifi 16-bit/44.1khz “hifi” tracks, the DX300 has a little more space around the notes, a little bit better separation between the instruments, and a noticeable amount more depth to the sounds, which gives an overall more 3-dimensional, holographic sense to the music. By comparison, on the SP1000m, the music, while lovely and detailed, sounds like it is all coming at you from the same plane in space. For example, listening to the intro to the Eagles 1994 live on MTV version of Hotel California (an MQA master track in Tidal), the guitars and particularly the bongos have more depth, space, texture, and overall sense of wholeness to them vs the SP1000m, which sounds much more like you are listening to a recording being reproduced. This overall sense of 3 dimensional out allows for subtle textures to come through and more realistic note decays on the DX300 that are less distinct on the SP1000m. The bass on the DX300 also has the sense of having a little more oomph and gusto, which may be a reflection of both the increased driving power of the DX300 as well as the overall increased sense of space and 3-dimensionality.

The Odins do have a somewhat forward upper midrange, but to my ears, compared to the sp1000m, the added 3-dimensionality of the DX300 generally makes parts that can get closer to the edge in terms of sharpness, less forward comparatively. For me, the Odin’s upper mids have never strayed into the territory of being too sharp, and I’ve never heard the Hiby R8 or Shanling M8, so cannot compare there. However, for me a track that illustrates my point about the difference in the odins upper mids presentation between the SP1000m vs the DX300 is Cyndi Lauper’s “Time after Time”. Listening to a 16-bit/44.1khz (non-MQA) version of the track (version on the Stranger Things soundtrack), around 2:35 in the track, there is a guitar solo, that can get a little close to sounding strident/grating on the SP1000m. On the DX300, because of the more holographic, 3-dimesional presentation, instead of being the most forward sound in the mix, that lead guitar is a bit more contextualized by the bass line, which, while not sounding more forward than the lead guitar, almost buffers the edges of the solo with the depth, drive, and increased spatial “wholeness” of its notes. The actual notes of the lead guitar may have a little more texture on the DX300, but again, these are better contextualized in the space of the soundstage, taking some edge off.

Excellent write-up here. I too am extremely impressed with the sound of the Odins paired with DX300. I also have the R8 but it's currently in for repair but I don't remember being as wowed by the pair up with Odin + R8 (Mid/High Gain + Turbo) vs. Odin + DX300 (High Gain). Not even a hint of sibilance with DX300 and the added warmth balances out the upper midrange spike more to my liking. The R8 has more hiss in turbo from what I recall but it didn't really bother me. Vocals sound fuller and more balanced on the DX300 and the sense of depth and layering is unmatched. Granted I am using UAPP and Neutron with some EQ, I find this really brings the best out of the Odins. With the DX300, the Odins are handling all genres I've thrown at it pretty well vs. not so much with the R8. I'll have to A/B when I get my R8 back though.

 

[DarginMahkum]

Then how they can design their product? Each iteration, component replacement requires to have another 100 hours of burn in? Until find all burnt-in components matching “in-house” signature?

They are the ones to suggest 100-200 hours of burn in time (and even deliver something extra in the box for that purpose), so this suggestion alone "theoretically" demands the existence of a process that assures design is done with settled component behavior.

 

[KevP]

Excellent write-up here. I too am extremely impressed with the sound of the Odins paired with DX300. I also have the R8 but it's currently in for repair but I don't remember being as wowed by the pair up with Odin + R8 (Mid/High Gain + Turbo) vs. Odin + DX300 (High Gain). Not even a hint of sibilance with DX300 and the added warmth balances out the upper midrange spike more to my liking. The R8 has more hiss in turbo from what I recall but it didn't really bother me. Vocals sound fuller and more balanced on the DX300 and the sense of depth and layering is unmatched. Granted I am using UAPP and Neutron with some EQ, I find this really brings the best out of the Odins. With the DX300, the Odins are handling all genres I've thrown at it pretty well vs. not so much with the R8. I'll have to A/B when I get my R8 back though.

Well, what can I say? Thank goodness for subjectivity and diversity of views. I hear it so differently, No right or wrong I know, just different ears, brains and preferences.

 

[Whitigir]

Then how they can design their product? Each iteration, component replacement requires to have another 100 hours of burn in? Until find all burnt-in components matching “in-house” signature?

They spent thousands of hours to tune and tweak, for example , how long did Ibasso take to produce MAX since the very first time it appeared as a rumor, then slowly triggered in ? Take into consideration that it must have been worked on, planned, tuned....etc....before it became a First prototype.

This process can get faster with experienced tuner, who virtually has everything in the book and notes upon each specific brands, parameter, behavior etc....they just need to test, tweak, tune less than inexperienced person, period

for example, even the mocked up pictures do show the ages, differences from when they wer tuning it. Check these pictures below. The first picture is when it was a prototype, and the second picture which took almost a year to surface as the ready to production Beta.

if you look closely enough, the first one has different tuning in the 4 little capacitors on the left hand side, they appears to be yellow jacket (Nichicon gold), but then the Beta is Panasonic and more tweaks/tuning done to it.

 

[Ojisan]

Don't feel pushed by critical comments.
It's all up to your personal liking and you can also go to bed with this pairing if you enjoy it
I checked your Andro V2 specs: it has 12.8 Ohm. My Andro Gold has 7 Ohm!
That can also make a difference...

Thanks, all cool man I have my routine tests for my preferences and hiss happens to be one of them. Honestly, the hiss in DX300 is basically a non-issue, it's about the same as Amp8EX for anybody worried about it from our comments.

Edit: non-issue for me at least YMMV