Today, we review the iBasso DC07Pro USB DAC/AMP dongle. It is selling for $199 USD.
Disclaimer: iBasso sent us the DC07Pro for this review. As always, I am here to share my honest experience with the product. We thank Paul from iBasso for the opportunity.
iBasso
iBasso Audio is a portable audio equipment manufacturer recognized worldwide for crafting high-quality products since its launch in 2006. It is headquartered in Shenzhen City, China’s global technology hub.
With a dedicated team of R&D sound engineers, iBasso continues to push the boundaries of audio technology, offering a wide range of products including digital audio players, amplifiers, DACs, headphones and IEMs. You can reach their website through this link.
We recently reviewed their D16 Taipan Portable DAC & AMP and the DX180 Digital Audio Player. Check out the rest of our iBasso reviews here.
iBasso DC07Pro – Quad DAC Dongle
The iBasso DC07Pro is essentially a miniaturized version of the DX180. The DX180 was a standout in the DAP market in 2024, with iBasso leaving a solid impression once again. We awarded it for its excellent price-to-performance value. The DC07 Pro features the same Quad CS43131 DAC configuration from Cirrus Logic, regulated and controlled with iBasso’s self-developed FPGA algorithm. The DC07 Pro delivers 430mW of power into a 32Ω load, compared to the DX180’s 690mW@32Ω. It supports DSD512 and PCM 32bit/768kHz decoding capabilities and is quite power-efficient, guaranteeing it won’t drain your phone’s battery too quickly. The DC07 Pro has a competitive price tag of $199. Let’s take a look at the specs and highlights.
Specs & Highlights
Quad DAC Array with x4 Cirrus Logic CS43131
In-House Developed FPGA System Core
Efficient PCB with Low Power Consumption
Power Delivery 430mW@32Ω
134dB DNR, 760nV NF, 120dB SNR
0.96-inch Monochrome OLED
CNC-Machined Chassis
SPDIF
Packaging & Accessories
Starting with the DX260, iBasso has adopted a new packaging design. This updated packaging features a baby blue shade with a rainbow effect film, giving it a simple yet fun appearance. Product names are written in chrome lettering, adding a touch of extravagance to the equation. Just like the DX180, the DC07 Pro also follows this trend, arriving in a slim, stylish box with the same design.
Upon opening the box, you’ll find the product nestled in a dense foam compartment, providing ample protection during transit. Beneath this section, you’ll see two cables: a USB-C to USB-C 4-braid interconnect, and a Lightning to USB-C interconnect for Apple devices. A USB-A to USB-C adapter is also included. Besides these, the box contains a warranty card and a quick start guide.
The cable quality is impressive, with iBasso using high-purity silver-plated copper wiring in its interconnects. The cable length is ideal for most uses, and the 4-braid structure is aesthetically pleasing. Including Apple cables is thoughtful, as many manufacturers ask extra for them. Overall, the package is complete; you get everything you need to start using the device.
Build Quality & Design
The iBasso DC07 Pro features a sleek and high-quality design, with a fully CNC-machined chassis and a CNC-machined volume pot. The front side features tempered glass and a 0.96-inch monochrome OLED display, while the back displays the model name in a shiny font behind the frosted glass—a design element typical of iBasso.
Design-wise, it takes inspiration from the DX260, incorporating angled design elements that add depth and sophistication. The device is available in two colors; our sample is silver with an anodized finish that looks particularly aesthetic. The CNC aluminum processing is flawless, with no visible imperfections. At the bottom, it houses a 4.4mm Pentaconn brand female socket, renowned for being the best quality sockets and plugs on the market, and a 3.5mm socket with a plastic housing. The USB-C socket on the top is slightly recessed, but it hasn’t caused any connectivity issues with various cables.
The DC07 Pro includes a beautiful rotary volume control with 100 steps of digital volume, similar to the DX180. The dongle offers a variety of features accessible through its built-in controls, such as volume adjustment, left/right balance, and filter selection. Its small, full-featured display makes it easy for users to control settings and view information like volume, filter level, and sample rate status. The iBasso DC07 Pro is compact and lightweight, easy to use outdoors.
Usage & Controls
The dongle features a small yet functional 0.96-inch monochrome OLED display, providing clear visibility of essential information such as volume level, active filter, active gain level, and active sampling rate. The screen is easy to read, even in varying lighting conditions, and its integration adds to the overall ease-of-use and functionality of the device.
The DC07 Pro is equipped with a rotary volume pot, which allows for precise volume adjustments with 100 steps of digital volume. This rotary pot doubles as a button, and long pressing it activates the device menu. Within the menu, you have access to filter settings, gain settings, balance adjustment, spdif on/off, rotation settings, backlight/dimmer settings, and version info. Just like the DX180, the DC07 Pro allows you to customize the sound signature up to some extent.
The DC07 Pro supports multiple digital filter options, which can be adjusted using the volume pot. Users can choose from Fast, Slow, Low Latency Fast Filter, Low Latency Slow Filter, and NOS. We’ll take a closer look at these in the sound section.
For Android users, the iBasso UAC app, which can be downloaded from here, enhances the DC07 Pro’s functionality by providing a comprehensive set of controls directly from Android-based smartphones. The app includes features like volume control, balance adjustment, digital filter selection, high-pass filter gain, and backlight settings. Have a look at the settings here.
The review continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: iBasso, DC07Pro, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality, Usage & Controls
Page 2: Sound Impressions, Low, Mid, High, Technical Capability, Comparison, Last Words
Steven
Can you please compare DCO7 Pro to DC-Elite sound wise even though it’s more then twice the price . Thank you
Serhii S.
And please compare DCO7 Pro to Fiio KA17.
Yagiz
Sorry, I don’t have the KA17.
Yagiz
DC-Elite sounds more dynamic with bigger and rounder mid-bass and a more enveloping soundstage. They are similar in terms of technical capabilities, but the overall presentation is quite different. The DC07Pro sounds linear in comparison, the DC-Elite has a more 3-dimensional stage and imaging, with a slightly warmer overall signature. You should take your IEMs into consideration when deciding between the two. If you have warm IEMs, the DC07Pro may help you achieve a more balanced overall presentation. If you already have high-resolution, neutral IEMs, the DC-Elite may add some dynamics and depth, improving the technical aspects of those IEMs.
FisgaPT
When doing your review about the ONIX ALPHA XI1, please take in consideration that’s a portable DAC/AMP, but not every smartphone can power it. I had to return mine because my Samsung A52 couldn’t power it and there’s a lot more smartphones and DAP’s that can’t do it.
If you need to user a power bank to power the ONIX, it’s not portable anymore, at least for me. Other than that, it’s a superb device.