Imod vs. H140 optical out to iBasso D1 which has best SQ?

Aug 29, 2007 at 2:37 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 51
robster

robster

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Hey will someone please in the near future A/B a 5.5G Imod with the new ALO V2 dock using a amp such as a Xin Reference or RSA Hornet to a iRiver H120 using optical out to a iBasso D1 with headphones like the AKG 701's..

Snagging a H120 on Ebay for $150 and the $250 Ibasso is a very attractive $ package. Too bad I can't spend the bones for it now.


Cheers,
Robert
 
Aug 29, 2007 at 3:07 AM Post #3 of 51
lol I snagged one too and plan on getting a D1.

I don't have an official RWA imod (yet) but did mod a 4g ipod on my own. But I am waiting on the caps for it.

Don't expect a review anytime soon as I still need a few items to make it complete. And I would have to compare both using the D1 as the only other amp I have is a misterx xp (unless someone is willing to loan me a amp when the time comes).

EDIT:

I am in the chicago area and there is a meet coming up in a few months, seems long off but it would be the only time I could compare it with other rigs/ext.

Plus I don't think I can make it if it's early in the day because I have class that morning.
 
Aug 29, 2007 at 1:30 PM Post #5 of 51
Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaddy /img/forum/go_quote.gif
you lucky thing being able to compare them side by side !


Hmmm...Being stuck with a mediocre internal DAC, or being able to use any DAC at all? You're right, it's foolish of me to recommend the iRiver. I'm so dumb. Thank you so much for correcting me!
rolleyes.gif
 
Aug 29, 2007 at 2:57 PM Post #7 of 51
Quote:

Originally Posted by OverlordXenu /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Hmmm...Being stuck with a mediocre internal DAC, or being able to use any DAC at all? You're right, it's foolish of me to recommend the iRiver. I'm so dumb. Thank you so much for correcting me!
rolleyes.gif



well i am far too stupid to understand modern sarcastic humour, seriously, i am not too sure what you mean, whether you are being funny.

i wasnt being sarcastic, i was dead serious saying you are lucky to have been able to compare the two to give your opinion, cause in my books they are the two big boys in audio out quality irver h1xx and the imod.

i would love to give them a side by side comparro :-)
 
Aug 29, 2007 at 4:57 PM Post #9 of 51
Quote:

Originally Posted by OverlordXenu /img/forum/go_quote.gif
That wouldn't be a fair comparison. Let's say the only DAC I had laying around was a Benchmark DAC1. Which would win, an iMod (Imod?), or an iRiver hooked up to the DAC1?


In other threads where this comes up, that has been my contention all along. The more accurate comparison would be "Is the imod better than a MicroDac (or insert other DAC here)?".

The iriver as a transport is by definition automatically better....but how it compares to an imod depends 100% upon which DAC you choose (with both devices using the same amp).

Since I'm sure many of the greatest DAC's have yet to be invented/marketed, whether an iriver is better or worse than an imod will not be answered any time soon.
 
Aug 29, 2007 at 5:03 PM Post #10 of 51
Quote:

Originally Posted by OverlordXenu /img/forum/go_quote.gif
That wouldn't be a fair comparison. Let's say the only DAC I had laying around was a Benchmark DAC1. Which would win, an iMod (Imod?), or an iRiver hooked up to the DAC1?


You will never know if you keep speculating. I have heard DAC1 with Marantz Transport and I have heard iMods. Sure enuff, with stock iMod configuration (with BG caps), the DAC1 is superior in all areas - but how far? just a couple of steps and not more. DAC1 has very analytical and wide characteristic.

BUT, with the right caps matching - in my case a Mundorf M-Cap ZN, the gaps between iMod and DAC1 is quickly diminished. DAC1 remained the more analytical one of the two (super for those wanting to analyze music), but the width, depth, dynamic manifestation, micro nuances are strikingly similar - iMod + M-Cap offering velvety smoothness (super for those wanting to enjoy relaxing music).

So if you want to know for sure. Get both and let your ear be the judge.
biggrin.gif
 
Aug 29, 2007 at 5:21 PM Post #12 of 51
Howdy- I just picked the iBasso D1 cause it is smallish and paired with the H140 using optical out ..I'm guessing it would be portable?
At one time I did own a H140/Microdac/LaRocco PRII combo and at the same time a 4G Imod and Hornet amp. The H140 rig sounded best to my ears,but was only transportable and not portable unless I wanted to carry it in a largish bag.
Now I'm using a Imod and xin amp for portable use inside a Headroom mini bag.
But hey since the iBasso is out.. paired with a H140 could it be small enough a rig to go portable?... I just don't have $400 now to spend.
of course I want someone else to spend the $ and do a A/B comparison.
Cheers,
Robert
 
Aug 29, 2007 at 7:44 PM Post #13 of 51
Aug 29, 2007 at 7:53 PM Post #14 of 51
Quote:

Originally Posted by robster /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Howdy- I just picked the iBasso D1 cause it is smallish and paired with the H140 using optical out ..I'm guessing it would be portable?
At one time I did own a H140/Microdac/LaRocco PRII combo and at the same time a 4G Imod and Hornet amp. The H140 rig sounded best to my ears,but was only transportable and not portable unless I wanted to carry it in a largish bag.
Now I'm using a Imod and xin amp for portable use inside a Headroom mini bag.
But hey since the iBasso is out.. paired with a H140 could it be small enough a rig to go portable?... I just don't have $400 now to spend.
of course I want someone else to spend the $ and do a A/B comparison.
Cheers,
Robert


Have you listened the H140 + MicroDAC only with the LaRocco or with the Hornet too? If so, can you compare this setup with the Imod + Hornet?
I'm using a H120 -> MicroDAC -> "M" Hornet and would like to know how does it compares to an Imod -> Hornet ...
 
Aug 29, 2007 at 10:17 PM Post #15 of 51
Quote:

Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Have you listened the H140 + MicroDAC only with the LaRocco or with the Hornet too? If so, can you compare this setup with the Imod + Hornet?
I'm using a H120 -> MicroDAC -> "M" Hornet and would like to know how does it compares to an Imod -> Hornet ...



I sold my H140 rig last winter. I was using a H140/microdac/Larocco PRII with AD744BQ op amps and AKG 701 phones. But it did sound better than the 4G Imod/Hornet "M" rig I also had at the same time. Not leaps and bounds better but more 3D sounding.
The Larocco PRII with AD744BQ opamps bested the Hornet "M" when using the H140 optical out to the Headroom Microdac when I had all that $$$ gear at one time. The PRII was amazing with AKG 701's. But hey the Lisa III may be the ticket today.. I bought the PRII used and didn't deal directly with larry.

I bet the H140 with a Microdac and Lisa III amp would be killer.

I'm happy with my current "keeper" rig 5.5G Imod and Xin "beta version" Reference amp-it meets my portable needs.

I would love to try out a H120/iBasso D1 combo! But I'm guessing it may be a tad bulky for portable,since I've read the D1 dac/amp is about the same size of a RSA RS-71 amp,right-?

I'm strickly a portable "on the go" listener now.
Plus I get over 200 hours battery life on the Xin Reference.


Cheers,
Robert
 
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