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iBasso DC-Elite Review – Magic Box

Mahir Efe Falay

Welcome to the iBasso DC-Elite review. 

We have known the iBasso brand since dx50. They make devices that provide good performance for their prices. Over the years, the DX series has continued and diversified. Currently, I have the iBasso DC-Elite which fits the popular dongle trend and is presented as the mini version of the iBasso DX320 MAX TI, which was released recently after the DX320 MAX model, which is partly known for its power and sound quality for its price. Let’s take a quick look at it and experience its performance on a variety of headphones that are notoriously difficult to drive or reach to their fullest.

  1. Truthear Hexa

I must admit that I was shocked. In iBasso DC-Elite, when the analog control wheel for the sound is turned all the way and the phone is turned to a 2/100 volume setting, the sound is loud, the stage is wide, the bass hits solid, and the clarity is very good. The strings are calm and smooth. Texturing is very good. And whatever the headset does, it approaches from neutral angle. From the first few seconds of the track, it is clear whether BA or DD. The resolution that enables this deserves some praise. It does not play hero by separating the instruments according to the size of the source device (DAC off V30).

  1. Letshuoer S12

I chose this one not because it is difficult to drive but because it does not say NO to much power. With this, at the same volume setting, it was literally chirping. So much so that the stage expanded, became more immersive, and came to life, surprising bass came from the 14.8mm planar structure in dubstep. There was a little bit of being there on drum and bass. In other genres, details that contribute to realism, such as the piston pressing of a flute blower, were revealed. Although the S12 is not an extremely good headset, it has received improvements, just like switching it to high-gain mode in the DX320.

  1. AFUL MagicOne

As if denying the single BA structure, it turned into a dark-based but lively superstructure. The trumpet playback also came to life. It was successfully amplified in dupstep like the ones above, and, excluding the thinning electronic treble, it hit the bass with a power that imitates the dynamics. As it was released in live music, it enveloped my entire auditory field and highly amplified the presence. And it also showed that it does not have as clear vocals as the HEXA with the S12 exposed to the ROHMs BD34301EKV DAC amplifier. But the romantic string playback managed to impress.

  1. Letshuoer S15

The S15 3.5mm plug has received very good marks in almost all areas that I have already paid attention to in my review, and despite the source device that is no longer very good compared to today, it flies high with the neutral approach of DC-Elite. The 4.4mm plug brings the DC-Elite sound structure closer to an unbelievably powerful state. Even though he has a single planar, he hits physical bass in dubstep. Electronic trebles, especially in Hexa, move away from the annoying sharp timbre. Flute pistons were audible as in the S12. The rock instruments in the background are also in a separate but harmonious flow. And it was a better companion for Polyphia than just the V30. The whole congestion of differently tuned guitars and the drum is easily audible. In DX320, it is necessary to increase the volume to 75% in L gain. However, while there is more crispy and analog sound in iBasso DC-Elite, a layer of anti-aliased playback is noticeable in DX320.

  1. AKG K240 600oHm

Welcome to the end-game monster headset. In V30, 100/100 volume is barely enough (with almost no technicalities) for 600oHm. But lowering the volume down to 30/100 is enough for a moderate to high sound after DC-Elite is attached to V30. Not to mention the voluminous scene of the semi-closed head. Texturing is at its best. In dubstep, the vocal sings directly to me, and the reference headphone delivers as much bass as the reference headphone without disturbing the treble. If I close my eyes, I can feel like I am at the Pendulum concert in the Brixton Academy field among the masses of fanatics. I feel like volumetric sound is coming from all directions. The string performance is also richer than its predecessors and makes the various instruments playing simultaneously more noticeable. Although it is a little slow on Polyphia, it does its best for clarity and speed with DC-Elite support. The same track would play much more faintly and at a much lower volume on the vanilla V30. DX320 couldn’t managed it like a walk in the park either.

  1. Hifiman Sundara Closed Back

The dark planar is a giant on its own. Being closed back is limiting its soundscape. But with the DC-Elite knob rotated to its maximum, the sound level of 22/100 of the V30 is enough for a high volume level. The club audience is cheering in joy, and the vocalist is near me in one of my testing tracks. The bass guitar’s rhythmic notes are on my left. The bass of the dubstep is hitting hard in the body, and the treble of effects is plenty. Live concerts are where it excels, ironically. I feel inside a very large sphere after I close my eyes and focus. This level of realism is only after the feeding power of DC-Elite. And hearing the musical flow, somehow distanced from me, is fantastic! Plus, hearing the estimated positioning of the vocals and instruments is feeding my reviewer’s perception. Math Rock isn’t falling behind, and the dongle is extracting all the details this planar headphone should have for a forward and detailed playback. I have to admit that this Sundara Closed Back isn’t a 5/5 planar headphone, but the DC-Elite is covering up its missing 1 point. And thanks to DC-Elite helping the Closed Back Sundara show me that great sound is possible without having high technicalities!

Below will contain references to DX320.

  1. 64 Audio Duo

The following sound review will be based on i14pmx and DC-Elite. The analytical face of DC-Elite is showing itself when paired with i14pmx. “They offer a warm, balanced sound, excelling in rendering details across various music genres, including impressive subbass in electronic and hip-hop. Overall, they provide a surprising experience in terms of speed, energy, and clarity, creating a sense of spaciousness in the listening experience.” This statement was my initial listening notes. After the DC and i14pmx: the vocal is served right to my face, with plenty of details behind and around it. And its forward nature isn’t clipping Duo’s realistic 3D imaging, speed, and clarity. However, I can’t hear the DX320’s thick or established vocal playback at i14pmx, despite the DC-Elite. This is probably due to not having a pitch black background, partly because of i14pmx, partly because of DC-Elite. The Black Keys don’t mind it, but David Gilmour does. 

  1. Hisenior MEGA5 Est 

The following sound review will be based on i14pmx and DC-Elite. Testing the Hisenior MEGA5 Est with the iPhone 14 Pro Max and DC-Elite combo, I noticed how the setup maintained the earphones’ strengths while adding its own unique characteristics. The MEGA5 Est, known for playing hectic music with good technical precision, retained its natural sound quality and excellent isolation power. The 3D imaging was particularly impressive, bringing instruments to life and creating an engaging, vibrant listening experience. The efficiency of the iPhone 14 Pro Max and DC-Elite was evident, as I comfortably kept the volume below 80 out of 100, indicating their capability to effectively drive the earphones.

However, I observed some differences in detail retrieval compared to the DX320. While the DC-Elite paired with the iPhone 14 Pro Max delivered a vast and immersive soundstage, perfect for grand orchestral pieces like those by Hans Zimmer, there was a slight shortfall in capturing the most subtle nuances. This suggests that while the DC-Elite is powerful and brings a dynamic quality to the audio, it may not reach the same level of micro-detail projection as the DX320, highlighting a slight variance in performance focused on intricate audio details.

vs Cayin RU7

You know the saying; it’s only a change in flavor beyond a certain point, nothing drastic. My experience with the iBasso DC-Elite and RU7 reveals a distinct character in each device, shaping how I experience music. The RU7 impressed me with its smoothness and reserved nature, offering a sound signature that excels at delivering subtle details thanks to its laid-back timbre. This contrasts with the DC-Elite, which stands out for its more forward approach and neutral to cool timbre, making it particularly strong in vocal playback and 3D imaging. The DC-Elite provides vocals with a palpable sense of body and presence, creating an immersive experience where vocals feel rich and alive, almost as if performed in front of me. While both devices offer admirable soundstages, the RU7 has a slight edge in width, but the DC-Elite’s technical capabilities are noteworthy. It presents a more intricate and nuanced sound that aligns well with analytical listening, focusing on the finer aspects of audio.

On the analog side, the DC-Elite shines with an engaging and dynamic experience, whereas the RU7 stands distant and calmer when compared to the DC-Elite., offering a clean and detailed presentation, albeit lacking the warmer characteristics of the RU6. Each device has its own unique advantages and drawbacks, excelling in different aspects of audio reproduction. It’s not a matter of one being outright better than the other; rather, each contributes distinctively to musical enjoyment. Choosing an absolute winner is challenging, as both devices have secured their place in my audio setup for varying reasons, including listening moods and earphone selection. This diversity in soundscapes enriches my overall listening experience, allowing me to appreciate the unique qualities of each device and the varied auditory landscapes they create.

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That’s it for a sound based review. Throughout the rigorous process, I mostly used 3.5mm, sometimes 4.4mm, inputs. I also compared it with the dx320 in some places. Even though the main source device (V30) is not at the DC-Elite level, it does not get hot like overheating sources and plays better compared to it. It is surprising, sad, and vision-changing at the same time.. It has always been talked about that the need for DAP will decrease with the rise of dongle dac/amps. The DC-Elite is one of the first devices that allows you to get high quality sound when your DAP is a phone. But at the end of the day, other top-tier DAPs, including Ibasso’s, are your ticket to a separate and deeper world thanks to their side benefits and phone-like indistinguishability.  And now let’s examine its boxing, box contents etc.

At first glance, the DC-Elite box may appear unremarkable due to its plain and slightly boring design. But when you take it out of the box, you can see its real beauty. The primary unit is inside, neatly arranged with a variety of cables and documents that are all necessary for the user’s experience. Careful covering of the cords with thick, frosted plastic sheets both protects them and enhances the unboxing experience. Placing the DC-Elite in its designated spot within the box highlights its significance and the attention to detail in its presentation. This careful arrangement serves to protect the device while in transit and makes a captivating initial impression for the user, showcasing iBasso’s care in product design.

Pros:

Cons:

iBasso DC-Elite Review Conclusions

Upon reviewing the effects on various earphones, it’s evident that the iBasso DC-Elite not only marks a significant milestone in the evolution of dongles but also remarkably enhances audio quality, infusing it with an analog essence. Its compatibility with the iPhone, a first for iBasso, broadens its usability, catering to a wider audience, especially those within the Apple ecosystem. This feature significantly elevates the sound quality for iPhone users, a notable advantage given the popularity of Apple products. Moreover, the iBasso DC-Elite’s performance reveals its capability to deliver loud, dynamic, clear sound with wide staging, great technicalities, and solid bass in even low-volume settings. This kind of versatility and quality assurance positions the iBasso DC-Elite as a standout choice for audiophiles seeking a high-end dongle that promises an enriched listening experience across various devices and music genres.​

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