Today, we’re reviewing the iBasso DX260 Digital Audio Player, priced at $949 USD.
Disclaimer: iBasso sent us the DX260 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 Audio
Founded in 2006 in Shenzhen, China, iBasso Audio has built a solid reputation as a flag bearer for personal audio around the world. With a dedicated research and development team, the company has been designing, developing, and manufacturing high-performance products tailored to the needs of audiophiles and music enthusiasts since its inception. Their portfolio includes digital audio players, DACs, amplifiers, headphones, and in-ear monitors.
What sets iBasso apart is their R&D team’s ability to incorporate the latest technologies into their designs. I believe that iBasso has had an immense impact on the evolution and acceptance of personal audio worldwide. They are one of those companies that push the industry to do better.
Following the success of the PB5 Osprey, a portable amplifier, we now have a long-overdue review of their DX260. iBasso positions the DX260 at the entrance of their high-end bracket among their DAP lineup, and I’ve been toying with it for the past three months. You can keep up with iBasso’s latest via their Facebook page. Do check out our PB5 review, which features DX260 pair-up details:
iBasso DX260 – Portable Digital Audio Player with Octa DACs
The DX260 is iBasso’s latest addition to their lineup of portable digital audio players, sitting at the gateway to their high-end offerings. It features an advanced Octa-DAC configuration, built around eight Cirrus Logic CS43198 flagship DAC chips, regulated and precisely controlled by iBasso’s in-house FPGA-Master 2.0 architecture, which we’ve seen on the flagship DAC/AMP D16 Taipan.
Powered by the Snapdragon 660 chipset, the DX260 has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, running on Android 11. It comes with Google Play and Aptoide installed and features dual operating systems: the proprietary Mango OS for a traditional audio player experience, and open Android for all your streaming needs. The DX260 sells for 949 USD on iBasso.com. Let’s check out its specs and highlights before going any further.
Specifications and Highlights
• Octa DAC Configuration with 8x CS43198 DACs
• FPGA-Master 2.0 Signal & System Controller
• FIR Filters: X2, X4, and NOS FPGA Filters + 5 DAC Filters
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM
• MicroSD Support up to 2TB
• Bluetooth 5: LDAC, AptX HD, SBC, AAC
• Dual-Boot System with Mango OS and Android 11
• 4.4mm Balanced Output (6Vrms, 1015mW @ 32Ω)
• 3.5mm Single-Ended Output (3Vrms, 280mW @ 32Ω)
• 3.5mm SPDIF Out
• 5-inch 1080p Sharp Touch Display
• Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C 3.1
• Dedicated Chip for USB DAC Mode (WASAPI & ASIO support)
• 4400mAh Battery with approximately 10-14 hours playback
• Aluminum Chassis with Easy-Access Battery
• Coaxial, Line Out, and Phone Out Modes & USB 3.1 with OTG Support
• DNR: 134dB | SNR: 133dB | THD+N: -123dB
• Dimensions: 123mm x 74.5mm x 17.5mm, Weight: 229g
Packaging & Accessories
The iBasso DX260 comes in eye-catching packaging with a rainbow-coated effect and a half-cut cover. Similar to the design we saw with the DC07Pro’s box, the DX260 emerges from a cardboard box with a half cover featuring a rainbow coating in a light blue tone. On the back of the sleeve, we see iBasso’s motto, “In pursuit of perfection.” When we open the cardboard box, we’re immediately greeted by the DX260. The contrast created by the silver color of the device and the black iBasso logo embossed cradle is quite nice.
Below this cradle, there’s a box containing the accessories. Inside, you’ll find four screen protectors, a transparent TPU case, a warranty card, and a card with a QR code linking to the model name and device manual. Additionally, the accessory package includes a 3.5mm to RCA coaxial cable, a 4.4mm burn-in cable, and a USB Type-C to A cable. The quality of the accessories is quite impressive, but at this price point, it would have been great if a leather case came standard, as the transparent case tends to yellow over time and doesn’t do justice to such a beautifully designed device.
Just like with the DX180, while I appreciate the inclusion of protection films, I would have preferred tempered glass instead, as these films, especially non-coated variants, feel plasticky and not very user-friendly. For those who wish to buy a leather case, I believe iBasso is offering one. You could also look at third-party crafters such as EaseCase or
Design & Build Quality
The DX260 is a strikingly designed DAP. iBasso offers the DX260 in silver and black, and to me, the silver looks amazing with its grainy, sandblasted aluminum finish. The player’s aluminum chassis features a frosted back and angular design accents, giving it a modern and sharp aesthetic. iBasso’s designers have skillfully blended modern lines with especially prominent curves near the volume control side.
The volume knob itself has a grippy texture and a radiant swirl in the center that looks elegant. It feels and looks like an Apple Watch crown. The potentiometer is easy to grip and control, allowing precise, quick adjustments. The feedback from the volume knob is tactile; you feel a slight physical resistance with each adjustment.
In addition, the volume knob doubles as a multi-function button, primarily used to lock the device. Holding it down brings up a menu with options to power off or restart the device. Next to it, there are three buttons designed for playback control. These buttons also have a solid, tactile feel, similar to the DX180’s.
As for outputs, there is a 3.5mm unbalanced output and a 4.4mm balanced output. It also has an SPDIF output if you wish to pair it with something like the iBasso D16. Both headphone outputs can be configured as line outputs and deliver 2Vrms, 4Vrms, or 6Vrms of power, depending on the selected output and gain level. Delivering 1015mW into a 32-ohm load is fantastic for a DAP of this compact size.
The DX260 also features a single microSD card slot for storage expansion and a USB-C port that supports the USB 3.1 standard, as well as QC3.0 and PD3.0 fast charging technologies. These ports are conveniently located on the top rather than the bottom. Additionally, the SD card slot is uncapped, allowing the free use of microSD to SD adapters.
Overall, the design and build quality of the iBasso DX260 are impressive. It looks and feels like an excellent piece of equipment. It’s light, too, weighing the same as my iPhone 15 Pro Max at 229 grams.
iBasso Cares
I wanted to point out something about iBasso: they have always been a pro-consumer company. Back in the day, we could use Samsung S3 batteries with the iBasso DX90 DAP, and they let us access the internals. As a tech enthusiast, I’ve always loved accessing the internals of tech devices. For the sake of curiosity, along with easy repairability and battery changes, I appreciate iBasso’s approach. It sets them apart from the rest of the industry. Another important aspect is that iBasso keeps manufacturing batteries even for their older devices, such as the DX100, which is more than 12 years old now. So you’re in good hands; your device won’t go end-of-life (EOL) because of a dead battery in a couple of years.
In the top left corner of the DX260’s backside, we see a small panel held by two screws, which allows easy access to the inside of the chassis, making battery replacement an easy 5-minute task. It’s pretty unusual for a modern DAP to have a replaceable battery, so that’s a huge plus. This design choice extends the device’s lifespan, and you won’t have to send the device back to China for a simple battery swap.
The review continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: iBasso, DX260 DAP, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality, iBasso Cares
Page 2: Audio Circuitry & FPGA-Master 2.0, Software & User Experience, Mango OS, Battery Life, Bluetooth and WiFi Performance
Page 3: iBasso DX260 Sound Impressions, Technical Capability, Comparison, Last Words
