iBasso DX240 Review

Design & Build Quality

Casing

Unlike the DX220, which was a simple revamp of the DX200, the iBasso DX240 gets a whole new design. Yet, that’s not entirely true as the brand simply took the DX160 casing, and fit the current DX240 inside.

Gone is the bulky aluminum case. If the frame is still made of CNC-carved aluminum, both sides are now covered by a beautiful bonded glass, like Shanling’s player. More than a simple revamp, it gives a totally different vibe to the player, magnifying the screen almost like a pop design. 

If available in two colors (black, green), the brand sent me the green version. The tones are as vibrant as the one displayed by my DX160, even if the player – in my opinion – cannot match the DX300 appeal. If the latter really gives a high-end impression, the new one falls in the premium category, which is nice already.

The screen ratio is excellent, and the front panel is almost entirely covered by the display. The only bezel you’ll be able to spot sit on the lower end, but all the other sides are completely covered by glasses. The main difference with the DX160 here is the slight curve, due to the bigger battery and the frosted glass covering the back panel. That and the sheer size of the player of course.

Once again, don’t be fooled by the pictures, the iBasso DX240 remains a big player. Thicker and taller, thankfully it’s just marginally wider, so you can still fit the player in a pocket. Think of it as a bigger DX160 and you get the idea. Yet, next to the FiiO M11 Plus LTD , its direct competitor, the iBasso 240 remains much more easier to carry on a travel.

A very nice player overall.

Layout

The iBasso DX240 layout is quite different from the DX220 and, again, mimics the DX160

First and foremost, the player supports the previous-generation amps modules. The good news – the AMP7 and AMP9 really sounded great on my DX220 – since the DX300 didn’t come with the same compatibility. Sadly, the stock one only supports 2.5mm TRRS and 3.5mm outputs, so no 4.4mm Pentaconn. 

The gold-plated scroll wheel is still there but the new one looks way better than the previous one. If not as cool as a real mechanical knob, the wheel just “clicks” and allows precise volume change. Just under, you’ll find the usual three buttons to control the playback: play/pause, next song, previous song. 

This makes the player a little more easy to control in blind mode, and iBasso already offered that option on previous models. It feels clicky and the height was just perfect in my daily usage, even if some might prefer the old round design.

On the opposite side, you get the micro-SD port. Not sealed with a rubber cover (ohhh) but still avoiding the tray-cart (yees) so you can easily change your card on the go. Sadly, there is only one port, but now that micro-SD cards are available in ultra-high capacity, this doesn’t feel like a problem anymore.

Finally, the USB-C port can be found on the upper side of the player, to connect the DX240 to your computer, followed by a SPDIF port to pair your DAC.

So far, so good. Let’s take a look at the screen now.

Screen

The iBasso DX300 boasted a massive 6.5” 2340×1080 LTPS IPS screen, one of the best I’ve seen on any player. And the DX240, if not as good, enjoys a very nice screen too.

It’s a high definition (445ppi), 5” Full-HD screen with pleasant colors and improved brightness compared to the DX160. Add to that tapered glass, almost bezel-free design, a new UI with Android 9.0, and everything from Album covers to fonts will look crisp and vibrant.

Head to head with the DX160, the screen difference is striking, especially the contrast ratio, and the smaller one suddenly looks a lot paler, even washed out. On that good note, let’s check the bundle, and we’ll be able to look at the spec sheets then.

Bundle

Inside the box

The iBasso DX240 bundle is good but not amazing either :

• the iBasso DX240
• the AMP1 MK3 amp card
• an USB-C cable
• a coaxial adapter
• a quick-start manual
• a silicon case
• some plate for your amp modules
• the famous… you know what

It’s nice to finally have a high-end player with a case, straight out of the factory! I still have to pack my FiiO M15 in a sock, as I couldn’t get the leather case, so thank you for that iBasso!  The plate are a good idea, as they allow you to fit the old modules and keep the new design.

The review continues on Page Three, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.

Page 1: iBasso, iBasso DAP series

Page 2: Design, bundle

Page 3: UI, Usage

Page 4: Technical specifications

Page 5: Sound performances