New Portable Amp/Dac: iBasso D1 **with updates on the first page**

[NelsonVandal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Today I swapped the 8616 with an 8656 (DAC section amp). I also swapped the AD823 for a 2111, the soundstage is wider and it is easier to detect the instruments. Not night and day but better.

I've said it before, AD823 is not worth the time and money. Don't use it in any amp!
Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight /img/forum/go_quote.gif This evening I tried both the AD8397 and the LM4652 in the buffer sockets. The 4562 sounds better with the 2111, but I like the 8397 better with some of the other opamps. The 2111/4562 appears to be very synergistic! It wasn't until after the meet that we tried the 4562 as a buffer. I was not sure it would work out, as the output power is MUCH less than the 8397, but I misjudged it, apparently. What fun!!!!

So you see, AD8397 is not the new Christ, I've also said this before. And don't stare yourself blind at current capability. It's how it sounds that matters.

AD8397 and LM4562 are really night and day when it comes to sound signature, they're equally good though. LM4562 is very laid back with a smooth and sofisticated treble and overall presentaion, and a bit "loose" in the bass. I find it a bit analytical and "HiFi" as opposed to "music". AD8397 is very forward, a bit rough, harsh and sibilant but warmer (and more musical?). It has an accentuated but very tight bass (and it sounds exactly the same in front of a buffer, so it has nothing to to with high current output). So I can see that you find synergism with different opamps.

If you use LM4562 as "buffers", why not use it as the only amp. What good could the input stage possibly do? Of course you have to find out how the loop(s) are set up. Single loops, multiloop, "Jung multiloop"?

 

[GiR]

Sorry to jump away fromt he opamp questions, but do any of you who got your D1 remeber roughly how long it was in transit? Mine left china 4 days and 5 hours ago, and has not arrived anywhere yet, latest update on tracking is still from 12 sept.
I would assume it should have arrived somewhere by now, not to my door but at least into another country.

 

[dw6928]

The gents that are having such success with their opamps: are you forwarding this information to Ibasso? They strike me as a company that would welcome positive change and might integrate it into the 2nd gen of the D1

 

[HiFlight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruckerJones /img/forum/go_quote.gif HiFlight: Did you manage to try out the AD797 on the D1? I saw in an earlier post that you were waiting to try it out. Though I think it has to be mounted on a single to dual browndog adapter first? How about the OPA627/OPA637? I'm really curious to know if these will work well with the D1. It also requires it to be mounted on the adapter too if I'm not mistaken? jamato8: Will the single-to-dual browndog adapter fit? I took a look at the pictures and it seems like it will be a tight fit, but will probably fit.

I will not be trying the AD797 or OPA627, as I don't think that the improvement in performance will justify trying to fit single to dual adapters in such a limited space. Additionally, I don't think the supply voltage in the D1 is adequate for these 2 opamps. They need a minimum of about 10v.

I am pleased with the sound of some of the current D1 combos that have been tried and proven to be successful in improving the iBasso amp section.

 

[HiFlight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw6928 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The gents that are having such success with their opamps: are you forwarding this information to Ibasso? They strike me as a company that would welcome positive change and might integrate it into the 2nd gen of the D1

I suspect that their engineers are far more knowledgeable than I am regarding the suitability of various opamp applications, however we are only concerned with SQ, they must also be concerned with circuit compatibility, battery life, component availability, and a SQ that will appeal to the most people at the least cost.

I don't think they need my help!

 

[HiFlight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NelsonVandal /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've said it before, AD823 is not worth the time and money. Don't use it in any amp! So you see, AD8397 is not the new Christ, I've also said this before. And don't stare yourself blind at current capability. It's how it sounds that matters. AD8397 and LM4562 are really night and day when it comes to sound signature, they're equally good though. LM4562 is very laid back with a smooth and sofisticated treble and overall presentaion, and a bit "loose" in the bass. I find it a bit analytical and "HiFi" as opposed to "music". AD8397 is very forward, a bit rough, harsh and sibilant but warmer (and more musical?). It has an accentuated but very tight bass (and it sounds exactly the same in front of a buffer, so it has nothing to to with high current output). So I can see that you find synergism with different opamps. If you use LM4562 as "buffers", why not use it as the only amp. What good could the input stage possibly do? Of course you have to find out how the loop(s) are set up. Single loops, multiloop, "Jung multiloop"?

I am not real sure how the AD8397 could be considered rough, harsh and sibilant but still be more musical???? None of the meet participants noted these characteristics, but hey, all ears are different, right??

 

[yuheng]

here come to a question on my forum. i know i might have ask wrong thing here but i jz wan to have a try..

guys, do u ever try to connect this D1 to ur speakers, say multimedia speaker-altec lansing....as it can be functions as a standalone DAC, which mean computer sound card.....i m using AEGO M, wonder how was the sound like...

and do u guys ever try to use it as DAC for CDP, say pioonner CDP>D1>speaker AMP>HI-FI speakers..

if u guys felt my question is out from this HEAD-FI forum. pls ignore...

thks.

 

[mapstec]

@yuheng: I have not tried to use the D1 as a preamp, but will do so and let you know what I think.

@all: since I had a few of them here I couldn't resist and I put three AD4562 into the amp part, and I have to say I am loving it!

With the stock Opamps I could't listen to my DT880. It is either late 70's or early 80's (I bought it used not knowing what I did ca 1985

), I do not know the Ohms on this beast.
In stock configuration the D1 could not drive it, I had to almost use 100% volume to get reasonable output, but this still sounded flat and liveless.

With the three AD4562 (not burned in!) I now sit here a happy camper listening to some Manfred Mann's Earth Band and have trouble writing since I just want to sit back and enjoy....

So,

 

[yuheng]

it may used as an external DAC for CDP of hi-fi setup, and act as an soundcard for speakers, i wonder how was the performances.

 

[Sieg9198]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NelsonVandal /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've said it before, AD823 is not worth the time and money. Don't use it in any amp! So you see, AD8397 is not the new Christ, I've also said this before. And don't stare yourself blind at current capability. It's how it sounds that matters. AD8397 and LM4562 are really night and day when it comes to sound signature, they're equally good though. LM4562 is very laid back with a smooth and sofisticated treble and overall presentaion, and a bit "loose" in the bass. I find it a bit analytical and "HiFi" as opposed to "music". AD8397 is very forward, a bit rough, harsh and sibilant but warmer (and more musical?). It has an accentuated but very tight bass (and it sounds exactly the same in front of a buffer, so it has nothing to to with high current output). So I can see that you find synergism with different opamps. If you use LM4562 as "buffers", why not use it as the only amp. What good could the input stage possibly do? Of course you have to find out how the loop(s) are set up. Single loops, multiloop, "Jung multiloop"?

If the LM4562 does have the characteristic you mentioned, I might love it, cause I like detail

 

[StevieDvd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiR /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry to jump away fromt he opamp questions, but do any of you who got your D1 remeber roughly how long it was in transit? Mine left china 4 days and 5 hours ago, and has not arrived anywhere yet, latest update on tracking is still from 12 sept. I would assume it should have arrived somewhere by now, not to my door but at least into another country.

Mine was ordered on 1 Sept, sent 4 Sept and arrived in UK and delivered on 7 Sept. The tracking showed it leaving China until the early morning of the 7 Sept, the parcelforce van drove into my road as I left for work - he made me swerve. I wondered whether he had my D1 onboard so I checked the tracking when I arrived at work and it had been delivered so it was on that van.

 

[GiR]

Hmm, thats kinda weird then. Ah well, not much I can do about it but wait

 

[NelsonVandal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am not real sure how the AD8397 could be considered rough, harsh and sibilant but still be more musical???? None of the meet participants noted these characteristics, but hey, all ears are different, right??

OK, we disagree, but tell me what the major SQ problem with this opamp is, if it's not the above. It does have an increadible soundstage or imaging, it is detailed, it has lots and lots of energy, the bass is like no other with great slam and control and it has a warm mid. Since you find LM4562 better in certain ways, AD8397 can't be regarded as the perfect opamp, but what is lacking?

 

[HiFlight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NelsonVandal /img/forum/go_quote.gif OK, we disagree, but tell me what the major SQ problem with this opamp is, if it's not the above. It does have an increadible soundstage or imaging, it is detailed, it has lots and lots of energy, the bass is like no other with great slam and control and it has a warm mid. Since you find LM4562 better in certain ways, AD8397 can't be regarded as the perfect opamp, but what is lacking?

Clearly, there is no "perfect" opamp, but I find nothing lacking in the characteristics of the AD8397 that would preclude me from using it as a buffer. Some opamps sound better with it whereas others sound better with different buffers. Often the sonic characteristics of an opamp differ when using it as a buffer as opposed to the primary amplification.

It has also been my experience that opamps often sound different when used in different amps, so it is impossible to classify any device as the best in all applications. So much of our listening preferences are influenced by physiological and psychological factors that are very individual in nature, hence everyone perceives the sound of a given device in varying degrees of realism.

I cannot, however, think of any more enjoyable way to pass time than to continue to search for that elusive goal called "perfect sound"!!

 

[Sieg9198]

One question, does LM4562 need soldering??

I did some search and it seems like they have different packaging type(SOIC,DIP) are they all the same??