iBasso DX300 Review

Specifications

For the nit-pickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just go to the next page to see how the DAP performs.

Cirrus-Logic DAC + FPGA

The iBasso DX300 uses four Cirrus Logic CS43198QFN DAC, a chip found in the DX160, Astell&Kern’s SR25. We also reviewed two players, embedding the new MasterHifi DAC from Cirrus Logic: the Cowon’s Plenue D2 and R2, both equipped with a dual CS43131 chipset.

If not as popular as Sabre ESS or AKM AK series, the new MasterHifi chips have become increasingly popular in the past months, even more since AKM supply has become absolutely scarce. Numbers?

• 130dBA dynamic range, 
• THD+N rating of -115dB 
• inter-channel isolation of >110 dB
• PCM supports up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD256

The DAC supports ultra-high-resolution files, up to 32bit-384kHz in PCM, and with the new “Advanced 32-bit oversampled multi-bit modulator with mismatch shaping technology”, the iBasso DX300 should outperform the old version by quite a margin. At least on paper.

The brand also developed a new in-house FPGA-Master chip, working as the audio system controller. Working as the brain of the audio circuit, it receives the data from the CPU, synchronizes and generates all audio clocks at the same time using two Accusilicon femtosecond oscillators, then sends it to the quad DAC in I²S, or DSD.

In real world, this means that the player is able to offer bit-perfect playback, with any kind of file, in every situation.

Dual Battery + Replaceable Amp

As I said before, the iBasso DX300 introduces a whole new system with a Dual Battery. The idea behind this is to separate the AMP circuit and the Digital Circuit, to ensure minimal distortion and a consistent level of current, whenever it’s needed. 

Each battery gets its own controller chip, and you can see in the upper right side of the player the remaining level of much power is left. The 2000mAh being dedicated to the amp section, while the 4000mAh one to the digital one (DAC, CPU, FPGA, etc). It’s the same kind of setup, you see in ultra-high-end setup, where the power source is completely separated from the drive, or the amp, but in a (relatively) small player.

And if that was not enough, the DX300 also supports replaceable AMP cards, like the previous generation. By default, the player comes with the AMP11 MK2, which is based on the previous AMP8’s discrete circuit. The output voltage is rated at 7.1Vrms with a maximum output power of 1240mW@32ohms / 168mW@300ohms, thanks to the +/-8V power supply.

The THD in real-world situations, with a 300ohms Load, reaches -109dB while crosstalk remains close to -120dB. Very impressive numbers!

Everyday carry

On a day-to-day basis, the iBasso DX300 is very pleasant to use, but due to its sheer size,  won’t be easy to fit in every pocket. It’s a bit thick and as long as the new iPhone 12 Pro Max, so you better be ready to carry that player with its own pouch.

The iBasso DX300 weighs 300g for 162mm x 77mm x 17mm and the case adds up roughly 1cm overall. So yeah, it’s a big baby, but with everything the brand packed inside, that’s no surprise.

If the DX160 only had 2Gb of ram, the new DX300 got no less than 6Gb of LPDD4X memory. That’s as much as many mid-high end smartphones and on daily use, it makes a real difference: everything feels butter smooth and I never had to wait between two songs, or apps.

Full specs

• Type: Digital Audio Player
• OS: Android 9.0
• CPU: Qualcomm 660
• RAM: 6Gb
• Storage: 128Gb + micro-SD
• DAC: 4x CS43198
• Sample rate: PCM : 8Hz – 396kHz (8/16/24/32bits) native – DSD64/128/256
• System clock: Full synchronization technology with TXCO PPL + FPGA Master
• Outputs: 3.5mm headphone out/line-out / 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced headphone output / 2.5mm TRRS balanced headphone output 
• Input: USB Type-C
• Screen: 6.5″ 2340×1080 LTPS IPS Screen 
• Micro SD: SDHC / SDXC (single slot)
• USB DAC: yes
• WiFi: 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz support (2X2 MIMO)
• DNLA + APK support
• Bluetooth support:  SBC, aptX, LDAC, AAC – BT5.0
• Duplex Bluetooth: the player can emit and receive music
• Battery: 2000mAh Li-Polymer (amp) + 4000mAh (Li-Polymer (DAC)
• Quick Charge: yes (QC 3.0 / PD2.0 / MTK)
• Battery life: 15h in single-ended, 12h in balanced
• Charging time: around 1h30
• Size: 162mm x 77mm x 17mm
• Weight: 300g (325g with the leather case)

4.4mm/2.5mm Headphone out

• Output level: 7.1Vrms (max)
• Output Power: 1240mW@32ohms, 168mW@300ohm
• SNR/Dynamic Range: 125 dB / 125dB
• Crosstalk : – 120dB
• Output impedance: 0.39 ohms
• THD+N: -109dB (300ohms) / -101dB (32ohms)
• Frequency Response: 10Hz – 40kHz

3.5mm Headphone out

• Output level: 3.5Vrms (max)
• Output Power: 350mW@32ohms, 34mW@300ohm
• SNR/Dynamic Range: 123 dB / 122dB
• Crosstalk : – 103dB
• Output impedance: 0.43 ohms
• THD+N: -107dB (300ohms) / -95dB (32ohms)
• Frequency Response: 10Hz – 40kHz

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

Page 1: about the brand

Page 2: Design, bundle

Page 3: UI, Usage

Page 5: Sound performances