Update 1-7-10
> iBasso T3
Info:
iBasso
I received a loaner of the iBasso T3 from Miguel. It was fully broken in when I got it. It’s really designed with IEM’s in mind, but I don’t have any – so I used it with the efficient and low impedance Shure SRH-840’s. The T3 is impossibly small – I actually lost it in the packaging.
Build Quality: A: Nice looking, sturdy metal case. Very little hiss at just the highest volume levels. Not really worrisome though. Only the very slightest of turn-on tick. So overall very good, especially for something so small.
Treble: A-: generally good performance here, in that it is basically transparent and grain free, although it lacks a little sparkle and extension. No fatal flaws, but nothing really special here. Nicely smooth, so will never be bothersome, but better performance can be had – albeit at a price in both $$$ and size.
Midrange: A: Mids were very nice. Vocals rendered cleanly and without coloration. It’s a little below that “wide open window” threshold that defines the very best (including iBasso’s own D4), but still basically excellent performance, again considering size and cost. Signature is just a bit on the warm/forgiving side, which is always a good side to be on.
Bass: A: Tuneful, punchy bass. Not crazy-deep, but full and weighty Lacks the definition and bounciness of the better amps, but again, quite good overall, and almost miraculous here for such a small amp..
Neutrality: A-: Basically neutral, but just a touch warm, and just a little lacking at both frequency extremes, more notably in the treble. But with the Shure 840’s, this was a blessing, and they paired together fairly nicely IMO. I wouldn’t use the T3 with headphones that are already a little rolled off on top though, as things will be too dull.
Soundstaging: A-: The soundstage was reasonably wide, and generally well defined, but it wasn't among the best in terms of either, and was a small notch below that in terms of depth. It’s not bad, but not the king of soundstaging..
Transparency: A-: Here again, very good performance where size and cost are factored into play, but in absolute terms, it lacks transparency versus the best amps, and is not as good as the iBasso D4 in this regard. The T3 has good, but not great, transparency.
There *IS* a price to be paid for a low price and small size. The T3 sounds terrific considering its tiny size and very low price. In its price class, I think it’s the best I have heard. It’s musical and pleasant. But after spending time with its big brother D4, and in comparison to the other top-tier amps I have, it falls short. So I recommend it where price and/or size are a consideration, but it is not state-of-the art performance. For that, the step up to the D4 is needed. If cost is not an issue, but tiny size is, then the RSA P-51 is the way to go. But if you need small AND inexpensive, the T3 will not disappoint – it’s a good sounding little amp.
Conclusions (1-7-10)
OK, so now it’s now 48 amps! Here is my view on how the amps stacked up. Note that the sum of the "Grades" I give does not always tell the whole story in how I rank them, since the whole is sometimes greater or lesser than the sum of the parts, and I am often forced to split hairs here, since the list has gotten so long. Also please note that even if these amps include a DAC, that DAC performance was NOT a factor in these rankings AT ALL. Also, for clarification, this ranking is based on sound quality ONLY, and does not take things like size or battery life into account.
1. Triad Audio Lisa III @ $600.00; Power supply is $350 additional
2. Qables iQube @ $605.00
2. RSA Mustang P-51 (review
here) @ $375.00
2. Larocco Audio Pocket Reference II mk 2 (availability unknown - PLEASE read entire review)
3. Headamp Pico @ $349.00
3. Meier Audio 2MOVE (and the older MOVE) (3MOVE @ $270.00)
3. iBasso Audio D4 Mamba @ $219 (Review
Here )
4. RSA SR71 @ $395.00 (original SR71, not the SR71A)
4. RSA The Predator @ $475.00
5. RSA The Hornet “M” @ $370.00
5. Decware Zenhead @ $295.00
6. Xenos 1HA-EPC (discontinued)
7. RSA Tomahawk @ $295.00
7. Meier Audio XXS / Headsix @ $166.00/187.00
8. TTVJ Portable Millet Hybrid @ $459.00
8. iBasso D3 Python $219.00 (review
here)
9. Xin Reference @ $279.99
9. Meier Audio Porta Corda III (discontinued)
9. Xin SuperMicro IV (current version auditioned 1/22/08) @ $199.99
10. ALO Double Mini3 (review
here) @ $235.00
10. Headamp AE-2 @ $349.00
10. Graham Slee Voyager @ $233.00 + S&H from UK
11. iBasso D2 Boa $165.00 (review
here)
11. Go-Vibe 7
11. Mini3 (Price depends on build) built @ $125.00
12. Leckerton Audio UHA-3 @ $189.00
12. iBasso T3 @ $119.00
13. Portaphile V2^2 @ $275.00
14. mSeed Spirit (discontinued)
14. Mini-Box E @ $229.00
15. Storm 3 (NOT B3) (review
here)
15. Storm Little-2 (review
here)
15. Storm B4
16. Visely HEA-4 @ $149.00 (Review
here
16. iBasso P-1 (discontinued)
17. Visely HEA- 1 @ $135.00
18. Microshar uAmp107 @ $135.00
18. Practical Devices XM4 @ $135.00
18. C&C XO @ $209.00
19 Music Max LT1 $99 (Review
here)
19. iBasso T2 (T4@ $109.00)
20. NuForce $99 (review
here)
20. Go-Vibe 6 (discontinued)
21. Xtra X-1 Pro @ $104.00
22. Xenos 0HA-REP (discontinued)
22. iBasso T1 (discontinued)
23. Xtra X-1 (discontinued)
24. C&C Box V2
25. Storm B3
25. Little Dot Micro+ (discontinued)
As always, this is JUST MY OPINION, but I hope it has been helpful.
