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iBasso DC04PRO Review

SeanG

iBasso DC04Pro

Introduction:

As a known brand in the CHI-FI audio industry, iBasso continues to impress with the DC04PRO. Building upon the success of its predecessors, the DC03PRO. The DC04PRO represents the pinnacle of innovation and performance in the world of dongle DACs.

With great attention to detail and cutting edge technology, iBasso has crafted a device that seamlessly blends exceptional sound quality, versatility, and efficiency into a compact and elegant form factor, all of this for 119 US dollars.

Technical Specs:

4.4mm Balanced Output

3.5mm SE Output

General

What’s in the box:

Upon unboxing, the iBasso DC04PRO reveals a greatly crafted device housed within a quite simple plastic box. Inside the box, users will find the DC04PRO dongle DAC, a short USB C to USB C cable, a full size USB adapter, and for iPhone users, an included lightning cable attached to the side of the box and a user manual.

Design and build quality:

The DC04PRO shows great craftsmanship, featuring a precision CNC milled aluminum case accented by tempered glass panels on both sides. Available in sleek grey or vibrant blue, the device is very beautiful and complements any audio setup with its design. The cable is very simple, nothing extraordinary, and could have been more premium for the asking price.

Despite having 3.5mm + 4.4mm outputs, the DC04PRO is quite small, measuring 59mm x 23.4mm x 12.1mm and weighting only 21 grams, making it lightweight and portable, ensuring effortless integration into any listening environment.

Its features:

The iBasso DC04PRO offers a great engineering and technology. Featuring dual Cirrus Logic flagship DAC chips (CS43131), equipped with Master HiFiT technology, the DC04PRO ensures great performance and sound quality.

These DAC chips, in conjunction with a synchronous DC DC converter and a low noise, high speed LDO boasting a 100dB power supply rejection ratio, contribute to a remarkable sound experience with an exceptionally silent background. The iBasso DC04Pro supports PCM decoding up to 32-bit/384 kHz, employing a 32 bit oversampled multi bit modulator with mismatch shaping technology.

Furthermore, the DC04PRO integrates an iBasso in house developed FPGA algorithm, a first of its kind feature in a dongle DAC. This innovative algorithm, combined with a KDS femtosecond oscillator for jitter control, ensures distortion-free sound reproduction, elevating the listening experience to unprecedented levels of clarity and precision.

Complementing the DAC chips are dual RT6863 OPAMP chips, facilitating a 4 way fully balanced amp with ultra low distortion. These OPAMP chips deliver an output current of up to 100mA and operate at a 10v swing, enabling the DC04PRO to achieve an output of 280mW at 32Ω.

In terms of power consumption, the DC04PRO exhibits remarkable efficiency, consuming only 650mW in balanced mode and 550mW in single ended mode. Moreover, the device offers a power-saving mode option, reducing power consumption to as low as 410mW while maintaining optimal performance.

With top measurements boasting a signal to noise ratio of 131dB, a THD+N of 0.00013%, and a noise floor of 900nV or 0.9μV, the iBasso DC04PRO sets a new standard for accuracy, fidelity, and performance in its category, which is very hard to beat.

The DC04Pro also has LED indicators displaying sampling frequencies of music files: green (PCM), blue (DSD), and red (standby mode).

iBasso UAC APP:

The UAC app is very simple to use and very straight-forward, with a quick response. The APP is giving you: 100 steps of hardware volume, 3 gain levels, 2 output modes, 20 steps of L/R balance, a power-saving mode, and 5 digital filters:
1 (Fast Roll Off): This setting delivers a deep sub-bass rumble, complemented by natural and detailed mids and crisp treble. It maintains a balanced presentation with a focus on clarity and precision.

2 (Short Delay, Slow Roll Off): With this option, you can expect an emphasis on sub bass rumble, accompanied by a slightly thicker body in the lower mids. The treble retains its sparkle, this setting is giving it more warmth.

3 (Short Delay, Fast Roll Off): This configuration strikes with a bit less sub bass rumble and more transparency in the lower mids. The treble exhibits a touch more sparkle.

4 (Slow Roll Off): Similar to 3, this setting offers a little less sub bass rumble and more transparent lower mids. This time, the treble maintains its original sparkle.

5 (NOS, No Oversampling): With this option, you will experience a deeper sub bass rumble, accompanied by organic and smooth mids. The treble takes on a smoother character, reminiscent of analog warmth, providing a laidback yet immersive listening experience.

The big downside is that there is no internal storage for the sound profile. Furthermore, there are no filter options on the computer, meaning that you will have to stick with the default setting, which is filter number 1.

Sound Performance:

The iBasso DC04PRO delivers an exceptional sound performance, characterized by its musicality, transparency, and engaging presentation.

Bass:

I would describe the bass as deep, tight and punchy, with plenty of impact without being overwhelming. It feels controlled and works very well with many different types of music. The bass has a nice balance and it gives the music strong low end without overpowering the mids or highs.

Midrange:

Now the mids are super clear and natural which makes the vocals and instruments sound really lifelike. There is a richness and depth to the midrange that adds a lot of emotion to the music. Both male and female vocals sound great, with every detail coming through nicely and it makes the overall sound very expressive, and I like it a lot!

Treble:

The treble is crisp and detailed, without being too sharp or harsh. It brings out the finer details in the music, like the sparkle of cymbals or high-pitched instruments, but in a way that’s still smooth and not tiring on the ears.

Technicalities:

Where the DC04PRO really shines is in its technicalities. The imaging makes it easy to tell exactly where each instrument is placed in the mix. The soundstage feels spacious, with great depth and layering, which makes the music feel more three-dimensional and captivating.

Comparison:

Truthear Shio

The Truthear Shio offers a warm sound signature with deep and controlled bass, natural midrange, and crisp treble, providing a smooth and organic listening experience.

In comparison, the iBasso DC04PRO delivers a balanced and transparent sound with deep sub bass rumble, engaging midrange, and revealing treble, ensuring excellent clarity and technical performance.

While the Shio excels in warmth and organic sound, the DC04PRO focuses on transparency, clarity, and technical excellence, catering to different preferences in sound signature.

Tanchjim Space

The iBasso DC04PRO and Tanchjim Space dongles offer contrasting yet equally impressive audio experiences.

The DC04PRO excels in delivering a rich and musical sound, with excellent bass slam and instrument definition, in addition to the holographic soundstage. Meanwhile, the Tanchjim Space stands out for its clean and spacious sound signature, exceptional imaging, and separation.

The DC04PRO, coupled with its customizable settings through the iBasso UAC application, makes it a versatile option for immersive listening.

In contrast, the Tanchjim Space prioritizes reference class sound quality and ensures a pitch black and clean background for an optimal listening experience.

Ultimately, users can choose between the engaging musicality of the DC04PRO and the reference class sound quality of the Tanchjim Space based on their preferences and priorities.

Final thoughts:

The iBasso DC04PRO really impressed me as a versatile and high-performing DAC dongle. It’s got a sleek and well built design and is super compact, which makes it a great option for anyone who wants better sound on the go. With dual Cirrus Logic DAC chips and RT6863 OPAMP chips inside, the sound is very clear and detailed no matter what kind of music you are into.

Whether you are looking for deep bass, detailed mids, or crisp highs, I have to say that the DC04PRO has customizable sound settings to match your taste. Plus, it comes with nice features like a power saving mode, so you get great sound without draining your battery too quickly.

What really stood out to me was iBasso’s in house tech, like their FPGA algorithm and femtosecond oscillator, which keep the sound clean and free of distortion.
So overall, the DC04PRO really offers a great and enjoyable sound which makes it a solid pick for audiophiles who want both great performance and portability in a DAC dongle.

Pros:
Cons:

Where to buy:

https://ibasso.com/product/dc04pro/

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