A quick look with some impressions from ho swapping the amp modules and trying to work out what is hot and what is not
For the technical nerds
Amp1mk3 on left
Then descending
Amp8EX
Amp8
Amp8mk2
DX240 review with some more amp comparisons near the end: https://www.headpie.net/2021/10/ibasso-dx240-review-expatinjapan.html?m=1
On with the show
Spent the morning naughty hot swapping amp modules
Amp8mk2
Amp1mk3
Amp8
Amp8ex
Ended up comfused - so luckily i took notes as i went. Although they started to get blurred also.
After i did the recent firmware update i thought it sounded a little fuller and the highs more controlled. I downloaded the last firmware and put it on the micro sd card (maybe should have put it in the internal memory). I wanted to swap back to check if what i thought was correct.
But it would not downgrade and i could not be bothered getting out the computer again…
Anyways…
Its been a busy last few weeks so time has been precious…
Now this is going to be a bit of ballpark basic impressions bit. So dont expect too much detail.
I found the DX300 amps easier to distern the differences. With the DX240 (after the recent update) it was a bit more difficult than when i did my review.
IEMs on low gain, filter 4, volume 41-53 or so.
Amp8mk2 has 100+ hours on it. I have had it on near constant burn in since it arrived.
Other amps have 200+ hours.
A variety of music was used.
Keep mostly to Campfire Audio Andromeda 2019 as thats what i used in the dx240 review. Also added in a few other Solaris, IT07 etc to check different things- bass/highs etc.
Daps these days tend towards neutral or slightly warm. The good ones anyway. Amplifiers are not meant to color the sound too much, thats the earphone or headphones job really. Dacs also play a slight part.
But of course with swappable amp modules people hope for different signatures and power for different situations.
Amp8mk2
Android: wider, natural, more low end, more holographic
Mango OS: bit lighter, bit more sparkle (digital?), nice height, centered vocal’s , intimate.
Amp8mk2 versus amp1mk3
(single ended)
Android
Amp8mk2: more wider, more holographic, vocals more forward, more in center and outer, not v shaped, mids?
Amp1mk3: pretty clean and even, easy going, light, i thinknit evened out after the last firmware update, more linear.
With Solaris:
Amp8mk2: low end comes in more
Amp1mk3: linear with body.
Mango: i cant read my own handwriting. I dont think i liked it so much. Dunno
Amp8mk2 versus Amp8 (4.4mm).
Amp8mk2: nice low end, more space in the middle, more ‘hifi’, more control, performance is better, more technical points, more subtleties included, better separation.
Amp8: well balanced, more low end lingering(thick?), more density, bass and vocals noticeable, more closed in, bit dark, can lack definition. (Amp8 performs better on DX240 than DX220 - where it is more dark).
Amp8mk2 versus amp1mk3 (4.4 and 2.5mm, used an adapter for quick swap).
Amp8mk2: More space, more texture.
Amp1mk3: ‘Flatter’ than amp8mk2
- they seemed quite close in many ways, and at this time i threw Amp8EX into the mix also and sometimes swapped back to Amp8 also to clarify positioning..ugh…fml
Amp8mk2 versus Amp8EX
Amp8mk2: pretty faithful to recordings, more space, more texture at times
Amp8EX: more natural, density combined with space.
At this point i could say the Amp8 although still great lost out on several points.
Also Amp8mk2 single ended was better than Amp1mk3 single ended.
Amp8mk2 versus Amp1mk3 on balanced was very close. I think the latest firmware update did some magic (reports on the latest DX300 firmware update noted improvements. I have yet to update. I want a quiet few hours to listen to the old firmware before updating but everyday is a busy papa with kids day…
- but Amp8mk2 slightly pulled ahead with further listening.
- if yiu dont have 4.4mm cables maybe stay on the 2.5mm for now…or buy the iBasso 2.5mm to 4.4mm adapter…
Amp8mk2 and Amp8EX seemed to be on fairly even ground with just a few differences in sonic signature. It was a bit hard to pick em apart for a winner. Not that there had to be one.
Already it kind of looking like a dead heat amp8mk2 4.4mm versus amp1mk3 2.5mm versus Amp8EX 4.4mm.
What edged the end result was a emotional reaction.
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. From the soundtrack of ‘A star is born’. The movie has a track ‘Shallow’. Its a pivotal part of the movie and the song rears its head up from the 1.00 minute mark.
The amp module that gave me goosebumps in that moment was Amp8mk2- so for now it stays in the DX240.
Once i get really used to it in a few weeks i will swap back to the Amp8EX or Amp1mk3 and see what i think then also.
I think with any of the three amps (no not you amp8) i could easily forget the gear and just enjoy the music.
*decent earphones are recommended as an assist in that pursuit of course
Additional edits:
- Update to latest firmware for amp8mk2 compatibility.
- Factory reset. Or there about.
- Make sure the amp8mk2 is firmly screwed in (needs a bit more torque than the other amps).
Thank you to iBasso for sending the Amp8mk2 for review.
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