šŸ”¶ iBasso DX300 New Flagship DAP

Just saw the amp12 module. I wonder if anyone has tried it.

They said itā€™s a discrete balanced amp module. Iā€™m curious how it would compare with the amp11.

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There is a whole thread on Head-Fi with people comparing the AMP11 MK1, AMP11 MK2, AMP12, and even going as far as comparing it to the DX220 MAX. So, that is definitely a good place to hear how people perceive the differences between those.

My AMP12 is on its way, so I still canā€™t give any input regarding sonic differences.

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Can you share the link for the Head-Fi thread? Would love to read it.

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Itā€™s a huge thread. But I would recommend to read the last 50 or so pages,

If I was you, I would read every page from ~400. However, if you are feeling a bit lazy, from this page on you can see some conclusions being made regarding the MK1, MK2, AMP12, and comparison to the DX220 MAX.

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Thank you so much!

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No problem :wink:

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Are you gonna be getting the AMP12 @Ohmboy ?

No canā€™t see any point for me as I donā€™t need a LO but would be interested if they bring out a Nu-Tube card though :+1:

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Yeah that would be pretty nice, add some more versatility

I couldnā€™t really see much difference in the two modules, the AMP12 just seems to be more powerful with Line out?

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Maybe I should get the Amp 12?..a bit of fun with Dap and simple tube amp shenanigans :crazy_face:

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I just read a review on the AMP 12 on Headphonics. Sounded Really good!

I have no use for a DAP as I am not even using my Sony unit right now. But the more I read about the new Ibassoā€¦ :laughing:

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It did look like it is a good option for an upgrade in sound, at least from that review

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Spent some time A/B testing the AMP11 MK1 and AMP12. So, at first, I was just trying to make out how the SIVGA P-IIā€™s sound performance changes based on the amp module, but I also tested the SR2 (stock pads), and I very quickly noticed a very distinct difference in sound.

The song I was A/B testing with was Yao Si Tingā€™s ā€œSpeak Softly, Loveā€ from her album Eternal Singing Endless Love IV (found out about this masterpiece from Tharbamarā€™s old sound demos). The albumā€™s format is 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC.

The settings were: D5 filter (NOS), Mid gain, 43 volume, Android OS + Mango Player. The settings remained exactly the same for both the AMP11 MK1 and the AMP12. Of course, the balanced 4.4mm output was used on both amp modules.

What did I hear? Well, I immediately noticed that the AMP11 MK1 had more presence of lower frequencies. From around the 0:15 minute mark, there is more weight and depth in the strings (in the beginning panned to the hard left, but shortly after, the same qualities can be heard in the strings panned to the right). The depth and weight is quite pleasant, resulting in a very subtle and delicate rumble which is just ear candy.

On the other hand, the AMP12 is more balanced. I found that the clarity and overall tone in the mid-range is better on the AMP12.

These are just my first impressions and sound differences that my ears easily noticed. I am yet to give them more listening time. I am particularly interested to find out how and if the treble differs on these two amp modules.

Please correct me and let me know if you think there are any factors I overlooked in my testing. I am still questioning whether there is a volume difference that caused these speculations because AMP12 is more powerful than the AMP11 MK1. I am yet to confirm this, but I did try turning up the volume on the AMP12, and what I found is that the lower frequencies remained controlled and balanced. From my initial volume matched A/B tests, I found the AMP11 MK1 to be fuller sounding, especially in the bass region. The mid-range appeared to be clearer, brighter, and more detailed on the AMP12.

What do you think?

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Must be pretty hard a/bā€™ing amp cards? How long does it take to swop them and did you use a db meter to correctly match the volume levels?
Other wise interesting findings :+1: I have no need for the extra power or an LO so Iā€™m waiting to see what other cards they may offer :man_shrugging:t2:

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As you may know, I am a very skeptical person ā€” if I donā€™t hear it, I donā€™t write about it.

I actually found the A/B testing of the cards fairly okay. I would say it takes less than a minute to swap them. However, I am only listening to ~30-40 seconds at a time (I focus on a very specific element, and then I switch and listen to the same element).

What made it easy to recognize the difference is that the SR2 is a very ā€œisolatedā€ headphone. Itā€™s the vacuum-like seal that I wrote about in the review. When it comes to rumble, you can actually feel it through the ear-pads, so it was not hard to notice that this feel was missing. Basically, differences in the lower frequencies are fairly easy to notice, but the rest of the spectrum takes a great amount of focus.

The swapping method is:

  1. Power off DX300
  2. Unplug headphones
  3. Unscrew the amp module
  4. Put in the new amp module
  5. Power on the DX300
  6. Plug headphones in

Unfortunately, I have no dB meter, so I couldnā€™t match the volume levels, making it a very subjective test.

If someone owns a dB meter, SR2 and a DX300 + AMP12 + AMP11 MK1, it would be great to hear if the dB levels are the same if the DX300 volume is the same.

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Still patiently awaiting a Nu Tube card for the dx300ā€¦really donā€™t need a class A/B option like on the C9 soā€¦

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Well you are going to be waiting for awhile, thatā€™s all I can sayā€¦

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Looks like youā€™re gonna have to upgrade to the sp2000tā€¦ :smirk:

Could get the C9 I guess but thatā€™s Ā£1500 I donā€™t really want to spend on a lot of stuff I donā€™t need :man_shrugging:

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