As I have mentioned before that I planned to upgrade my setup, and I wished to start with DAC. Since I'm not a portable guy, I opt for desktop DAC but there is just not much option of desktop DAC in the market.
My budget for DAC is within RM1000 so there isn't really much options left. After searched through the forum and Internet, I've narrowed down my choice to Maverick Audio Tube Magic D1. Then I gave Jaben PG a call and they confirmed me that they have ready stock.
Thus, I paid a visit to Jaben PG last Sunday to audit the DAC. But it seemed they made a mistake as the one they had was A1. Seriously, I was kinda down at that moment.
Still, I asked for their suggestions since I was already there. The first they recommended me was iBasso D6. Tried it out with my headphone and different amps available in the store in order to find out how the DAC part performs.
After spending around 3 hours there tried out lots of different combinations, I pulled the trigger and bought iBasso D6 Fer-de-Lance.
So here's my very first and personal review; of iBasso D6.
Note that I'm auditing the DAC/AMP with the music (320kbps MP3 & FLAC) of
- Ken Hirai, Utada Hikaru, Josh Groban, Norah Jones, Zee Avi, LoTR and anime OST for ATH-AD900
- Basshunter, Beatmania IIDX 14th Gold, Groove Coverage for ATH-Pro700 MK2
DAC Part
The SQ is very clear and transparent. It's also a very natural sounding DAC, compared to GoVibe USB DAC which is quite warm.
Due to the reason that I've been using GoVibe USB DAC for few months already, I find the SQ of D6 DAC part a lil' bit too bright. I think the word can also be replaced with 'CLEAR' sounding for most people.
However, my AD900 hisses quite a lot with D6's DAC. *I've a few songs which I use for hissing test when I'm A/B-ing headphones or amps.* What I have noticed is that the hissing become more obvious than usual, might be due to the bright signature. I think some call it 'treble', but I would call it 'ear-piercing' to a certain extent.
I've tried pairing the DAC with lots of different amps(in Jaben when I audit it) and the hissing sound is still there. With brighter and more forwarded amps, the combination can be quite disastrous for 'hissing haters.' Yes, I'm referring to myself.
Soundstage, can hear/visualize the position of almost all instruments played in the music/song. But the separation is not really good as it sounds a bit muddy. Sometimes, the intruments just sound like they are being 'connected', not all mix up but kind of like overlapping with each others.
The bass, has been improved slightly, it becomes a lil' bit punchier. For AD900, this can be considered a good boost of bass. Heh...
Although the DAC supports up to 24-Bit/96KHz, I don't have any FLAC with that bitrate. So can't say anything about it.
AMP Part
Erm... It's kind of tough for me to audit and review only the AMP part as I will have to be really clear and know very well the DAC I'm using. So I will skip for the review on AMP part. Sorry.
DAC+AMP
Wider soundstage, can hear the direction of the instruments very clearly. But only applies to soundtrack or music without vocal. When there is vocal, the intruments' sound is sort of sunk and overtaken by the vocal.(Well, this is quite subjective as it depends on the genre of ur music)
Instrument separation is good and better than when it's just DAC, can really hear the different instruments without having to focus on the music, yah almost every single instrument.
If try harder to focus and pay more attention, u may find out/visualize the distance/position of each instrument.
Vocal: Quite suitable for male vocal as it's not warm and lush, not too bright nor too forward as well, just nice in the middle. I think the amp part has soften down the treble or the hissing sound a bit as it become less 'ear-piercing.'
I personally feel that the AMP part really compensates for the DAC part, or the other way round perhaps? As the DAC part being bright and forward, the AMP part makes the SQ a bit muddy(while maintaining the clarity of course) and reduces the hissing. The hissing for most of the songs are minimal, except for Ken Hirai's songs. He hisses way too much in his songs.
Another thing is that the high isn't really performing for this combination, which is the reason I find female vocal wouldn't shine with this combination. It sounds sort of weird if u ask me.
I've also tried it out with ATH Pro700 MK2 and I feel that D6 is very suitable to closed-can. I've never really enjoyed my Pro700 MK2 to the full since I've gotten it, not until I pair it with D6.
Pro700 MK2 always sounds muffle and gives me a feeling of congested, being a closed-can is supposed to sound like that I guess?
After pairing with D6, the can has improved so much in almost every aspect, especially soundstage. It has become tremendously wider than before. It's like the can suddenly 'open up' when I pair it with D6.
Moreover, Pro700 MK2 which is (in)famous for being overly bassy, has a much much tighter bass after pairing with D6. And it just sounds so nice now. I can enjoy my techno and dance music more with the improvement.
I used to experience listening fatigue with this can before, but now I can listen to it for quite a long period.
Things most satisfying(most significant improvement) when pairing D6 with:
AD900 - The overall SQ, mainly for being transparent enough. Soundstage and instrument separation is just superb.
Pro700 MK2 - The overall SQ, way better soundstage and much much tighter bass.
Just for the readers to know, I haven't read any review regarding iBasso D6 as I would like to keep my ears/view/opinions subjective and not being affected by other reviewers.
Please forgive me for my ignorance and last from me, thank you for your time.
Oh ya, also thanks to the Kenneth who works there for explaining and sharing quite a lot with me. Not forgetting the tauke of Jaben PG(if what I heard is true) for explaining more technical stuff to me.
Some pictures of D6.
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This post has been edited by sheenho: Aug 30 2011, 05:51 PM