Hi everyone,
Based on this thread I thought I would treat myself to one of these for Christmas, as my Arcam rPAC is no longer working via USB OTG since I updated the Firmware and Arcam refuse to answer my technical support tickets (thats loyalty for buying british!).
Anyway, iBASSO have some seriously good customer service, answering email questions swiftly. I ordered on the 18th, confirmation and TNT tracking sent on the 19th, delivered to my door on the 22nd, absolutely brilliant door to door service.
I dont want to do a massive review here, I will save that until I have had more than an hour or so of listening, but I have to say I am most impressed.
Packaging - Nice velvety case, otg cable, charging cable (No instructions, but I am not fussed about that) and all packaged very nicely.
Testing - So far I have only tested the following - Samsung Galaxy Note 3 -> Mini to Micro OTG -> Hifiman Re-400, it does sound fantastic.
Worth noting is that when playing with UAPP (Stock android sounds do work fine with all apps, but I paid for this player months ago and didn't get chance to use it) the D Zero will work at 196k hertz. I sent Billy Joel's Piano Man in 24/176 to it for a laugh and UAPP states that the DAC is running at 196!!!!! Not sure if this is some sort of software misreporting, but I thought I would mention it as that exceeds the manufacturers spec.
The sound is very good, testing on both low gain and high gain, I dont detect any noticeable hiss as some have posted about on this thread, so happy on that score.
Not here is the tricky bit, as I am a novice audiophile. Does it sound better than my rPAC............. yes and no. Some tracks I am hearing new sounds and sitting there in amazement, but on others where I know what sound and where its coming from I feel its not as good, for example listening to The Beatles Love - While my Guitar Gently Weeps, when the cello (I think it is) comes in on the right side, there is more texture and body on the rAC, but the D Zero sounds better for some other tracks, so I think its just slight colouration on the rPAC that pronounces certain sounds.
I've not tested the battery as I plugged it in straight out of th box, but I am not even on half volume using high gain, so I feel it will last as stated (10 hours).
It really is an impressive bit of kit, for £91.50, I cant get anything in the UK that compares as far as I know, especially when you factor in the Android compatibility, its an extremely simple way to improve your music on the go, without breaking the bank.
My friend I am seeing today has a HRT Microstreamer and one of the new Geek DAC's, so I am going to listen to a good combination and update at some point.