Where to buy iBasso D10 in Malaysia?
If I order it online, is there import duty impossed?

First thing first.
I do need a decent DAC/AMP, because my Thinkpad T61 soundcard is not quite good to drive my PFEs. I need more power and SQ too. So I decided to by the D10, based on reviews from head-fi gurus. The price is quite reasonable and the main feature which I like is the 'SPDIF optical/coax' Digital input, where I can use it with my cheap DVD player and my desktop PC's optical out.

The sound.
1) Generally, this amp is a WARM amp, where you may find it's bass and treble are boosted a little.
2) I read somewhere, that iBasso create the amp based on ER4 as a reference. I might be wrong.
3) This warm sound do match very well with PFEs
4) With PFEs, it sound more fuller and cleaner
5) The detail or resolution is superb, magnificent. No DAP can challenge this yet
6) The high, is sparkling and detailed
7) Due to the warm sound signature, you may find it, much BIGGER soundstage. Or, you may find it you are listening a bit back from the front row. With UM3X, it is definitely an awesome 3D imaging. Very good for classical and jazz.
8) The main thing is the POWER to drive PFEs. I found it, the sound signature changes accordingly with the volume level. Even with the high volume level, it is still very nice and easy to your ears, compared to the 'LOUD' sound from full volume of the Touch 2G. But,please don't do this often

Cons .
1) It picks up GSM noise excellently .
2) With UM3X, you can hear hissing (when connected with USB) or hum when I touch the volume knob. Wow, UM3X is very sensitive.

Overall it is a very good performance DAC/AMP.

BTW, I never tried the analog line line (amp mode) yet. So no comment.

Thank you

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 18 2009, 11:16 PM

Yup, directly from D10's headphone jack. Also I am not rich to get Predator, Pico, P51, SR-71a ... just to amp the other amp

Ehem, yup. I think Headphoneaddict (HPA) listening taste is similar to mine, might be because of age

Yup, the UM3X is very sensitive, but once the music flows.... no noise can stop it he heh he he. The classical, do sound more realistic with UM3X. BTW, you can op-amp rolling the D10 to get different sound signature... which I don't have time yet to try out.

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 18 2009, 11:34 PM

Yes, I know that ... FYI, I started listening via full digital link since 20 years ago ... But, I really lwant to enjoy my listening without being to fussy or too demanding So, a little noise ... not 'hal' lah... For accurate listening, PFEs is the best to my ears .

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 18 2009, 11:41 PM

Ala ... don't be so formal lah.... Just treat me, as your close friend. I am still learning ...
I registered on headwize.com BEFORE head-fi.org

But, even with higher impedance, the sensitivity is still 124 dB/mW@1kHz. So,refer dB/mW the sensitivity, not the impedance.

Ye la... W3's sensitvity is 107dB/mW@1kHx.. similar to PFEs... but, PFEs sound 'thin' without amp, but W3 are much more fuller, because of 3 drivers.

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 18 2009, 11:50 PM

SPDIF = Sony Phillips Digital Interface, is a digital Protocol. Optical / coax is a MEDIUM. Both are diferent things, because with optical medium, you can carry different type of protocol such as, Ethernet, Fiber channel,... . If we said optical in audio, it is referes to SPDIF data format with TOSLINK connection using fiber optic medium . SPDIF also can be carried using cable which normally we called COAX.

Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK

Why? you think female cannot be an audiophile kah ? he heh he he...

Care to tell us, what headphone is that?

Wow, your taste is very high . Congratulation.... I only tried my friend's Senn 595, and if you likes the Senn sound signature, than you may like PFE too

Errr... actually I knew her . AND... I mistakenly/accidentally posted the message with her ID hhe heh he he .. sorry for the confusion... he heh he he... But, you may still have chance to 'ngorat' her, ... but .....

ok ok ok .. Back to topic ... Wait.. what amp are you using ?


The cable is just simple 3.5 mm mini jack to standard RCA. You can DIY it for less than RM10.
http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/.../prodSPDIF.html



This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 19 2009, 07:07 PM

Make it simple.
Your laptop has SPDIF in mini jack format. Your amp has spdif RCA or TOSLINK (optical) ?
If your amp only has TOSLINK interface so ... use the minijack -> TOSLINK interface la,,

Here is a simple explanation about DAC.

Source -> (Digital Data) -> DAC -> (Analog Signal)-> AMP -> Headphones

1) All digital players MUST have DAC.
2) DAC performance varies due to cost saving and size.

So, a separate DAC/AMP do sound better due to better power supply, better electronic design (less noise, high dynamic range) and better components quality. Sometime you can hear hiss noise, distorted or underpowered sound with standard mp3 player or laptop. But with external DAC and AMP, you may get a better sound detail (resolution), more bass umph!!, and deeper bass and more extended treble. You will notice all these with a good ear/headphones.

TQ

Nope! my daughter is 3 years old ... the one who are in USM is my wif'e's sister.

I think you got the wrong person, because, she just received the offer letter from USM

Back to topic.
Currently "In Nirvana", listening Diana Krall's album "From This Moment On" with UM3X and D10.. Wow... after 2 weeks, my brain already burn-in with it's sound signature. Now I can appreciate how good are this combinations.

Bass: Wonderful. Secukup rasa. Just nice
Mids/Vocal : No need to say more... Lush... also 'Secukup Rasa'. No exaggeration.
Treble: Eventhough much less sparkle than PFEs, but, it's sound natural. No problem, my brain can adjust it

Overall : Beautiful and well balanced sound.

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 21 2009, 11:08 PM

9-11 oclock @ DAC mode is normal. Eventhough D10 is the headphones amp, but, it is not as powerful as desktop amp, or the silver amp (as jkleekc mentoned). Yes, everything is about voltage and current. You can try few opamps/buffer combinatons to get more output power.