[davidcotton]

If you can wait AMP3 will be getting stock in as well.  Eta 23 may at this point.

 

[Pottsy2]

  Hi, does anybody use ODAC?  I love the DAC, it's fantastic to my ears and iems.  Anybody able to compare ODAC to DX90, I would be interested.  
 
Thank you,
SE
 

Interestingly, I just spent a few hours at the desk today listening to my ODAC (via Forza into Meier Quickstep, and W4R). I had previously compared this to the DX90 and found them too close to call. Today I realised that the treble and imaging is better with the DX90 + W4R, so spent 10 minutes moving the music I was listening to into the DX90 and went from there. Did a couple of A/B and you can hear the DX90 is better. However, with my Fidelio X1's, both sound the same, and with my Grado's everything sounds like needles in my ears.
 
Now all we need is the USB driver (to stop me from upgrading the ODAC). And I need some over-ear open cans that sound as good as the W4Rs....

 

[SilverEars]

  Interestingly, I just spent a few hours at the desk today listening to my ODAC (via Forza into Meier Quickstep, and W4R). I had previously compared this to the DX90 and found them too close to call. Today I realised that the treble and imaging is better with the DX90 + W4R, so spent 10 minutes moving the music I was listening to into the DX90 and went from there. Did a couple of A/B and you can hear the DX90 is better. However, with my Fidelio X1's, both sound the same, and with my Grado's everything sounds like needles in my ears.
 
Now all we need is the USB driver (to stop me from upgrading the ODAC). And I need some over-ear open cans that sound as good as the W4Rs....

Thank you.
 

 

[Pottsy2]

NP. But note that my original assessment was at 0 hours on the DX90, and my second assessment was with about 300 hours burn time. In my experience burn time does make positive changes, albeit small ones.

 

[borrego]

One of the things I would like to improve in the next firmware update is enable charging in USB connection mode. It seems the DX90 consume more battery when copying files than actually playing.

 

[robin1990]

Can we actually listen when DX90 is charging?

 

[kkcc]

Can we actually listen when DX90 is charging?

YES - when charging from any USB charger

No - when connected to your computer via USB for file transfer

 

[jamato8]

I prefer to use a charger anyway over a computer as it charges much faster. 

 

[robin1990]

Thanks, no wonder how hard I try I'm stuck at the USB storage.
Btw finger crossed for 64bit driver and Mac driver!

 

[robin1990]

Now I've put this review in another thread, but since this thread response more actively I will post it here again.
 
I've listen to AK100, AK120, owned DX100 and currently happily stay with DX90.
I personally favour (based only on SQ, no other element) 
DX100 > DX90 > AK120
 
Based on other element like UI/ Output provided/ Size and Weight/ Outlook
AK120 > DX90 > DX100
 
Note: 
AMP section is not put into consideration as I cannot get a full size can to test with. I'm more like a portable user. 
 
Short listening review
DX100 is using ES9018 which is very neutral to me, they have widest soundstage, best bass punch, fastest decay, but they are more of a reference DAP IMHO. You can listen to every genre, it brings out almost all kind of headphones.
 
AK120 in comparison does not sounds neutral, some instrument sounds very different from DX100 and DX90, but definitely you would still enjoy it. The player easily make you feel shouty at volume above 60. Maybe it is just me.
 
DX90 sound more like DX100, but they are using the same line of DAC, (ES9018 vs 2 x ES9018K2M), in compare with AK120 which is using Wolfson, they sound totally different. I cannot tell DX90 have a pitch black background like DX100 and AK120, I cannot tell it doesn't have either. DX90 is more like picking up every single element in the recording, including the ambience. That's why sometimes you will listen to the air flowing in the recording studio, giving an impression of airy space.
 
Other element like UI/ Output provided/ Size and Weight/ Outlook
DX100 is not as portable as the other two. AK120 is the smallest, has a nicest UI, most responsive of all, lesser bug in the firmware, longer battery life, nicer look, better build quality, provide dual micro sdcard slot, plays DSD (now or future), usable USB DAC feature, easy and nice to use in conclusion.
 
DX90 does not lose much on this aspect, it is small, convenient to bring everywhere, able to give you a long listening hour by letting you replace the battery (Samsung S3 battery), provide 1 micro sdcard slot, not too bad on the look, not fully usable USB DAC (reply from iBasso says that 32-bit driver will be released next week), and a little more buggy UI than AK120. In conclusion more than worth for the 1/3 price tag from AK120 and 1/2 price tag from DX100.
 
Listening Session
Hotel California - The Eagles 24bit/192khz
DX100 - Wide soundstage as you were in their live show. Good instrument separation makes you even more a live show feeling. The guitars in the beginning sounds very dynamic, even make obvious difference on how hard they struck their guitar. When the eagles come in, focus quickly shift to the vocal. The bass doesn't sound boomy at all, fast decay make the clear clarity clearer. The backing singer were not only left behind, they made a very nice harmony chords I've never heard before. Only sometimes I would feel the dap sound too neutral that it miss out some fun it could make on dynamics and all.
 
DX90 - In compare, DX90 sound quite different from DX100 despite of it using two mobile version of ES9018, each for left and right. The soundstage is not to say less, but it make you feel that you're in a different environment. Let say a smaller room. Instrument separation is still good, for the good source I can increase the volume over 200 - 220, it doesnt sound shouty at all but instead you're standing nearer to the singer in the live, but doing so might hurt our ear canal. 
 
AK120 - It sounds most different from DX100 or DX90. The bass and guitar in the beginning of the track sounds as they are using another instrument. Different texture, different dynamic. The bass is a little bit stronger, and stays longer, but guitar decay as fast as the other two dap. Soundstage is near to DX90, and it picking up the ambience quite good. The joy of the audience, the clapping, the shout is so fun as you're together with them. The only drawback is I do not favour how they sound. lol
 
Final Fantasy Soundtrack from Distant World
DX100 and DX90 actually did very well on soundtrack and classical music. Especially while pairing with Roxanne (I've not own it but I've heard about it) or Westone 4.
I like the way they present the instruments and dynamics, it surely as fun as you're watching them in concert hall. Could easily imagine the orchestra players' bow movement, hand clapping, their shout, big thumbs for DX90 for being so close to DX100 in this price tag.
 
In conclusion -
If you need a best price-value portable dap to bring around, travel around, you should go to DX90. If you're picky about the sound quality and how the instrument should sound, go for DX100. If you want a fun dap and have extra budget you can go for AK120.

 

[Kerouac]

 

  Hi, does anybody use ODAC?  I love the DAC, it's fantastic to my ears and iems.  Anybody able to compare ODAC to DX90, I would be interested.  
 
Thank you,
SE
 

Interestingly, I just spent a few hours at the desk today listening to my ODAC (via Forza into Meier Quickstep, and W4R). I had previously compared this to the DX90 and found them too close to call. Today I realised that the treble and imaging is better with the DX90 + W4R, so spent 10 minutes moving the music I was listening to into the DX90 and went from there. Did a couple of A/B and you can hear the DX90 is better. However, with my Fidelio X1's, both sound the same, and with my Grado's everything sounds like needles in my ears.
 
Now all we need is the USB driver (to stop me from upgrading the ODAC). And I need some over-ear open cans that sound as good as the W4Rs....

 
Hi Pottsy2, may I ask wich Grado(s) you use? I expect my DX90 to arrive next week and till now I used my Grado PS500 (+ sometimes GS1000) with DX50/BH2. I love how they match, but got al little worried when I read  ''....and with my Grado's everything sounds like needles in my ears.''
Thanks...

 

[Pudu]

But if your head is made of teak it shouldn't be that uncomfortable.

 

[Kerouac]

But if your head is made of teak it shouldn't be that uncomfortable.

You're completely right! And if it turns out to be uncomfortable, I can always start wearing a helmet under my Grado's...
Problem solved

 

[Pudu]

Buddha bing, Buddha boom.

 

[goodvibes]

  Now I've put this review in another thread, but since this thread response more actively I will post it here again.
 
I've listen to AK100, AK120, owned DX100 and currently happily stay with DX90.
I personally favour (based only on SQ, no other element) 
DX100 > DX90 > AK120
 
Based on other element like UI/ Output provided/ Size and Weight/ Outlook
AK120 > DX90 > DX100
 
Note: 
AMP section is not put into consideration as I cannot get a full size can to test with. I'm more like a portable user. 
 
Short listening review
DX100 is using ES9018 which is very neutral to me, they have widest soundstage, best bass punch, fastest decay, but they are more of a reference DAP IMHO. You can listen to every genre, it brings out almost all kind of headphones.
 
AK120 in comparison does not sounds neutral, some instrument sounds very different from DX100 and DX90, but definitely you would still enjoy it. The player easily make you feel shouty at volume above 60. Maybe it is just me.
 
DX90 sound more like DX100, but they are using the same line of DAC, (ES9018 vs 2 x ES9018K2M), in compare with AK120 which is using Wolfson, they sound totally different. I cannot tell DX90 have a pitch black background like DX100 and AK120, I cannot tell it doesn't have either. DX90 is more like picking up every single element in the recording, including the ambience. That's why sometimes you will listen to the air flowing in the recording studio, giving an impression of airy space.
 
Other element like UI/ Output provided/ Size and Weight/ Outlook
DX100 is not as portable as the other two. AK120 is the smallest, has a nicest UI, most responsive of all, lesser bug in the firmware, longer battery life, nicer look, better build quality, provide dual micro sdcard slot, plays DSD (now or future), usable USB DAC feature, easy and nice to use in conclusion.
 
DX90 does not lose much on this aspect, it is small, convenient to bring everywhere, able to give you a long listening hour by letting you replace the battery (Samsung S3 battery), provide 1 micro sdcard slot, not too bad on the look, not fully usable USB DAC (reply from iBasso says that 32-bit driver will be released next week), and a little more buggy UI than AK120. In conclusion more than worth for the 1/3 price tag from AK120 and 1/2 price tag from DX100.
 
Listening Session
Hotel California - The Eagles 24bit/192khz
DX100 - Wide soundstage as you were in their live show. Good instrument separation makes you even more a live show feeling. The guitars in the beginning sounds very dynamic, even make obvious difference on how hard they struck their guitar. When the eagles come in, focus quickly shift to the vocal. The bass doesn't sound boomy at all, fast decay make the clear clarity clearer. The backing singer were not only left behind, they made a very nice harmony chords I've never heard before. Only sometimes I would feel the dap sound too neutral that it miss out some fun it could make on dynamics and all.
 
DX90 - In compare, DX90 sound quite different from DX100 despite of it using two mobile version of ES9018, each for left and right. The soundstage is not to say less, but it make you feel that you're in a different environment. Let say a smaller room. Instrument separation is still good, for the good source I can increase the volume over 200 - 220, it doesnt sound shouty at all but instead you're standing nearer to the singer in the live, but doing so might hurt our ear canal. 
 
AK120 - It sounds most different from DX100 or DX90. The bass and guitar in the beginning of the track sounds as they are using another instrument. Different texture, different dynamic. The bass is a little bit stronger, and stays longer, but guitar decay as fast as the other two dap. Soundstage is near to DX90, and it picking up the ambience quite good. The joy of the audience, the clapping, the shout is so fun as you're together with them. The only drawback is I do not favour how they sound. lol
 
Final Fantasy Soundtrack from Distant World
DX100 and DX90 actually did very well on soundtrack and classical music. Especially while pairing with Roxanne (I've not own it but I've heard about it) or Westone 4.
I like the way they present the instruments and dynamics, it surely as fun as you're watching them in concert hall. Could easily imagine the orchestra players' bow movement, hand clapping, their shout, big thumbs for DX90 for being so close to DX100 in this price tag.
 
In conclusion -
If you need a best price-value portable dap to bring around, travel around, you should go to DX90. If you're picky about the sound quality and how the instrument should sound, go for DX100. If you want a fun dap and have extra budget you can go for AK120.

Thanks. How much time on your dx90 and at which gain setting?