iBasso D1 Portable USB DAC/AMP combo





iBasso portable DAC/AMP combo D1 is a high performance mobile audio solution. It is a Self powered DAC and Hi-Definition headphone amplifier with many input options, which includes digital inputs from optical, coaxial, USB, and analog input from AUX IN/OUT. It not only works as DAC/AMP combo, but also works as a stand-alone AMP, DAC, or USB soundcard.

The DAC function in the small D1 is as good as some full size DAC. D1 has PCM2906 made by Texas Instruments to convert USB into S/PDIF signal. It uses CS8416 as a DA-receiver chip, which is known as a best DA-receiver chip, and has sampling rate from 32 to 192 KHz ability. The D/A chip is CS4398, to convert the signal to analog signal, up to 24bit/192KHz. It is Cirrus Logic's top of the line product and used in lot of high end equipments. The USB-DAC function in D1 is standout. It is a perfect gift for your computer. In the amplification part, D1 has op AD823 + BUF two NE5532 structure to ensure high quality music playback with 6dB gain. Also, there is DIP sockets design for opamp rolling.

D1 has its dedicated MCU (Micro Controller Unit) to manager its inputs, outputs, and functions. This is an innovation on Portable DAC or Amp device. When D1 is turned on, the MCU will automatically search the inputs one by one, in sequence of (1st optical, 2nd coaxial, 3rd USB, and 4th AUX IN/OUT). Then, let the locked inputting signal goes to the chips for decoding or amplification, and the MCU will turn into sleep status at the same time. Benefit from the MCU, the port AUX IN/OUT on the front panel can have multi-function. When there is S/PDIF signal inputting, this port is Line Out, otherwise, it is Line In.

Other than the DAC and AMP design, D1 still has many standout features. D1 has two built-in 2000mAh rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Even for the high power consumption DAC and AMP design, D1 still can work approximate to 20 hours for the combo, or 40 hours for the stand-alone amplification. D1 has built-in current and charge management chip to protect batteries, and have fast charger ability. Only 5 hours is needed to charge the 2000 mAh batteries. Low voltage indicator technology, power lamp will flash when the battery needs to be charged. Also, D1 has high quality aluminum case with 4mm thick front panel, countersinking, and laser printing.


The following are some main specifications of D1.
- PCM2906, convert USB into a S/PDIF signal
- CS8416, DA-receiver chip
- CS4398, D/A chip, one of Cirrus Logic's Flagship Chips
- OP+BUF structure for amplification, AD823+Two NE5532
- Dedicated MCU (Micro Controller Unit) to manager inputs, outputs, and functions.
- Flexible input and output compatibility. It has USB, optical, coaxial, stereo input, line out, and stereo output
- Works as a combo or a dedicated AMP, dedicated DAC, USB soundcard
- Built-in two 2A rechargeable Li-ion batteries, plays up to 40 hours (40 hrs for AMP, or 20hrs for combo)
- Measures 78*32*120mm, and weights only 320g
Comes with: genuine leather case, high quality optical cable, USB cable, coaxial cable, AC adapter (110V~240V).

prices: RM850 second bulk promotion prices (excluded shipping) with MOQ 10 unit per-order. , It is lowest in the world

guy, i dont know whether u do this calculation or not...the international prices will be USD249+30(shipping)=RM985+TAX( should be 20%)....so i m not sure whether my prices RM850 is attractive or not...


the second batch have slightly increase in prices due to increase if prices/cost from ibasso...this batch of D1 is built with upgraded opamp version
pls refer to ibasso

This is the new version of D1. We changed the L/R opamp to LT1364, and BUF is LMH6643. Also, the We use the LTC6241 to be the LPF of DAC. This combination has greater output power and less THD. In sum, the sound is better than before.

the international prices is USD249, after conversion my prices still remain as low like RM30 off from retails prices(same as batch 1)




This post has been edited by yuheng: Nov 12 2007, 05:39 PM

1st impression of audition the iBasso D1(just 15 minutes audition):

I was so lucky that i have this chances to test the iBasso before my demo unit arrived, it is in s'pore where we found that we miss the road to the causeway point and so accidently we come to the right position again, thks a lot to my sister (walabies gf) where he has the great ability to guide us to the destination.

once i reached the shop, seen the D1, i found that it is pretty BIG and SMALL, , how can i describe it with two contrast, i have to make myself clear where i felt that is it big to be a portable amp(it is not portable pure amp actually, so i doubt the valid of this judge), but it is small to be a DAC/AMP/soundcard combo.

it is bigger than IPOD, how to describe . it is somehow as big as this:

pic state all..

ok, now we go to the music site.
first we test it as the amp for the mp3 player(meizu,ipod and zen micro), sorry guys i m not able to state the details of it as i jz test it for a short while. I have no references to compare with but i found that the amp is rather same with those middle range portable amp, for instance, go-vibe, xtra, c&c which prices RM400+-, after that, i asked the salesman why the sound of amp is rather medium but not as good as others(hornet, AE-2(high-end portable amp, maybe i was too greedy who wan to pay less but get A LOT), the salesman explain to me that if u wan to pair it with mp3 player as a portable amp, it is good to give u medium-end quality as combo product normally don't really sound nice with single function. but iBasso have actually contrast this slogan and trying to make it as good as possible with it cost constraints.

After that, the salesman ask me to test the sound with DAC+AMP and he said the sound is great with the combination, and this is the main idea/function to use this D1, the salesman tell me, the good for the D1 is to make it portable, u can use it as the soundcard for the computer and it is quite decent soundcard, which is superior than most of the other brand, when the time u spent ur time in lrt, it may act as portable amp which pair to ur mp3 player, after u reach office, u may plug in to ur office computer as soundcard to enjoy music "non-stop". again he give me the chances that to audition it, he use connect to maranzt CDP(model:5001) with coxial output, so i would have the chances to compare Ibasso D1 DAC & Maranzt Built-in DAC.

after testing for 2 songs, with plug in and out for 10 times maybe(inter-change for 5 times),i found that the IBasso combination(DAC+AMP) is much more superior than Maranzt CDP(built-in DAC and AMP). the high & low frequency extension sound nicer, and soundstage wider with better transparency and seperation, it is a very significant improvement from 5001, the feeling of it is so nice and i felt that it might have the chances to be par with Zhaolu or rather better than Zhaolu(this is the MIGHT). i felt that the feeling of it is rather similar with same DAC(CS4398), the vocal is so sweet. , forgot to meantion, the phones to measures is PK1(sound extremely superb),Mylar2.

sooner later, i will have the chances to place the D1 on my desk for comparison as i have booked one from iBasso. i was happy and satisfied with the sound of D1 as the sound is really good for the combination, with RM800+- for the sound, i felt it is good and satisfied, as it is portable and be able to used it in everywhere,every computer and act as portable amp.



other review from head-fi
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=253987

review from HiFlight

Yes, the D1 with dual AD8397s in the buffer slots is a superb performer. I am using the OPA2111 in the LR opamp socket. I tried the AD8066, AD8599, OPA2134, AD8620, LM4562, OP275 as well as the OPA2111. I liked the 2111 best, but all were quite close, with most of the differences being in how the soundstage was presented.

To make it easier to remove the Ad8397 buffers, considering the limited space to grab them, I put a loop of thin nylon thread around them. I can now easily lift them out by locking onto the thread loop with my forceps.

Comparing the D1 to my Move, it clearly sounds much more 3-dimensional, with even better bass than the Move. Very impressive.

Surprisingly, I doubt that I could reliably and consistantly identify when comparing the modified D1 (in the OPA2111 / 2x AD8397 confituration) and my Reference, if it was a blind comparison with equal inputs.

Currently, I would rank my D1 to be about the equal of any amp I have heard. Considering all of the input/output options, and the ability to so effectively tailor the sound signature, this amp is truly a remarkable instrument!

With the above configuration, the current draw thru the new devices is about 38ma compared to the stock setup which draws approx 27 ma.

I am not sure how this will affect the battery life when using the amp section. It will probably decrease it some, but after all my testing, it only took about 45 minutes to recharge to the green

another review quoted from head-fi

I was going to wait to do a comparison of the D1 at the 100 and 400 hours of burn in. Guess I will not and instead I will post a bit of information now.

The D1 I have has about 44 hours of burn in. Today I fed the Dac in th D1 via an optical cable from my coputer (Chaintech AV710). The files are Apple Lossless and I am using iTunes Version 7.3.2.6. The cans I used were the AKG K701.

I did a quick comparison with my fully burnt in SR-71 using the line out on the front panel of the D1 to feed the SR-71. I honestly expected the SR-71 to trounce the D1. Well, I was wrong and the D1 has deeper bass, higher highs, and a better soundstage. Thinking I had my ears plugged I asked my wife to listen in and tell me which she prefered. She chose the D1 as well.

This is by not means a full test nor the final word. I do plan to evaluate at the 100 and the 400 hour mark. But based on the quick listen we did the D1 is a heck of an unit.
__________________

It sound superb! The Reference is truly the "reference" of portable amps.
With opamp changes, the D1 amp section is VERY close to the Reference. One isn't necessarily better than the other, just a little bit of difference in imaging and soundstage.

The D1 and Reference are complementary to each other, I would hate to have to choose between the 2.

There seems to be a very fine compliment between the D1 dac and the Xin Reference. The sound is very open, natural and free flowing. I enjoy the amp section in the D1 very much but the Reference, to me, is just a little more open and has qualities all unto itself of being a true reference, like a fine intrument. One amp may please others more than the other. I find that the D1 amp is also a very fine amp, as stated in the past in this thread and is more like a good home amp than a portable.


This post has been edited by yuheng: Sep 11 2007, 10:22 AM

1st Bulk
1. yuheng
2. vahn87(voted for postage)(paid)(posted)(received)
3. March05(voted for COD)(received)
4. easirider(voted for postage)(paid)(posted)(received)
5. tailtwist(voted for COD)(received)
6. LIW(voted for postage)(paid)
7. Sony Ericsson(voted for COD)(received)
8. miuk(voted for COD)(received)
9. Sieg(voted for COD)(received)
10. truckerjones(voted for COD)(received)

upgrade kits
1. yuheng
2. easirider(paid)(posted)
3. March05(CODED)
4. Sieg(CODED)
5. vahn87(paid)(posted)
6. Sony Ericsson(CODED)
7. LIW
8. miuk
9. tailtwist(CODED)


2nd bulk
1. Manic Maverick(C)(CODED)
2. SYAMiLLiON(C)(paid)
3. spacecopgaban(C)(CODED)
4. loontay(paid)
5. zhiyung(C)(CODED)
6. Kennyv(C)(CODED)
7. superdav007(C)(CODED)
8. gohyp88(C)(CODED)
9. xjian1985(C)(CODED)
10. truckerjones(C)(CODED)

3rd bulk
1. tjuan
2. walabies
3. dungkid
4. metalmania
5. neohardcore
6.

This post has been edited by yuheng: Mar 8 2008, 08:52 PM

If we reached 4 MOQ, consider take one as audition unit?

Hey, great stuff yuheng. Waiting for more impressions/reviews on this DAC/AMP.

yeah. this is my thought as well.

this is only meant for mobile?
can use fro speaker?

yeah, it is a soundcard
can be used in speaker or headphone, but not passive speaker(bookselves)

i wonder this one better or the ZL D2 better?
i ald own the ZL.
and the size?

yeah, this is my doubt as well, no worries, i think i might get one for myself and compare with zl.
but this is pretty good as portable and the amp for this should be better than zl stock amp

yuheng,
I am interested...

Should I put you in interest list?
The price should be lower than RM850.

yeah, added u in the lists. i will give u a good prices for 1st bulk

means 1st batch get discounted price?

and one more thing, the im716 is white color only?

IM716 only comes in white color.

yeah, 1st prices i will give a super prices, should be lower than US retail prices.

Hmm..this one interesting.... Should wait for the review first.... But the question is how it is compare to i.e. PCDP -> Amp -> HP and PCDP -> Ibasso -> Amp....?? now I'm confuse what is the use of DAC here if the source is from PCDP or any portable player...

hehe quite a rave in headfi though, if I am not saving for a real CDP, I would probably signed up for one now Kudos to Yuheng and Wallabie for bringing in yet another surprise to LYN audiophile.

THANK YOU!

Yup, we are going to give a VERY shocking price to all of you. And you guys could do a comparo with the head-fi price.



The signal will be processed by Ibasso and the pure processed signal will be transported to the amp. Which means you get a better signal for the amplifier to work for. But hey Ibasso is a DAC and amp combo...



If you are going to pick a CDP under 1.5k or I can savely say... 1k, I would pick the Ipod with gmod with no hesitation. Easy and it's just plain better for a DAC.
So here's another DAC besides Ipod, who knows it will do well?
Anyhow, waiting for reviews.