IBasso DC-Elite . . . The no compromise DAC/AMP with a true Stepped Attenuator

[RIGATIO]

How much battery % does the DC Elite consume per hour though when not current limited? I think I prefer a limit and at least a few hours use without a power-bank.

It drained the battery really quick from Samsung s20, like around 15% per hour or something

 

[dialogue]

#ask
dsd filter gain.

2. questions, please answer :

1. General question - Which is yr prefer, DSD filter gain : Low, Medium,High.. for yr default setting ?

2. Specific case : Fromyr experience, if the iem have spec : Impedance: 16Ω and Sensitivity: 105 dB , with bright and too intimate sound signature... which DSD filter gain, you will choose wise for thats iem, to make more balance, bigger soundstage, less intimate, and less bright.. ?

thanks ...

 

[Kukikoki]

Hi all, I’ve scoured the internet and this forum but I haven’t found much in the way of a comparison between the iBasso DC-Elite and the L&P W4. I’m looking for that endgame dongle for my favourite IEMs of the moment, Aful Explorer and Night Oblivion Butastur (yes I know, maybe overkill for these IEMs, but I really love these two, especially the explorer, and I’ve since sold my $1k+ IEMs as I just enjoy these more).

I wonder if anyone has both and has any opinions on the matter? Thanks in advance!

 

[MarkParity]

Hi all, I’ve scoured the internet and this forum but I haven’t found much in the way of a comparison between the iBasso DC-Elite and the L&P W4. I’m looking for that endgame dongle for my favourite IEMs of the moment, Aful Explorer and Night Oblivion Butastur (yes I know, maybe overkill for these IEMs, but I really love these two, especially the explorer, and I’ve since sold my $1k+ IEMs as I just enjoy these more).

I wonder if anyone has both and has any opinions on the matter? Thanks in advance!

Its really down to personal preference, both are great devices, both use a similar amount of power from the source. I switched to the DC Elite but I still have the W2, W4 and E1DA (and plenty of others) at the bottom of my drawer.

I just dug out the E1DA and plugged it into my iPhone and it "sounds" awesome as good as all the above mentioned dongles. I suspect the reason being is that on paper at least they all perform similarly. I've seen stuff like this one is "warmer" than that one, this one is "brighter" than that, more sound-stage etc. I don't really buy into that, the device in your ears on on your head will have a bigger bearing on that.

At the level these DACs are at I bet anyone would be hard pushed to hear a difference between them even if they may try to convince us otherwise.

Unless you specifically want a dongle with stepped attenuation or the Rohm chip, to be honest these were my reasons for getting the Elite, then I'd go with the W4 or even something else, you could even do a lot worse than the E1DA.

 

[JamoBroGuy]

I’ve since sold my $1k+ IEMs as I just enjoy these more.

I love seeing people say stuff like this. Really makes a mockery of those who INSIST that their $3000 IEM is in fact $2800 better than their $200 IEM.

 

[Kukikoki]

I love seeing people say stuff like this. Really makes a mockery of those who INSIST that their $3000 IEM is in fact $2800 better than their $200 IEM.

Well I won’t suggest that the Explorer is technically better than the MEST MKIII, U12T, M5 or others that I’ve owned, but I simply enjoy them more due to the great fit and tuning I love. I do wish the MEST MKIII was vented and had a small nozzle, as I do think it has the great relaxing tuning of the Explorer with end-game tech, it’s just that the Explorer and Butastur are also very very good and fit my tiny ear canals comfortably as well.

Its really down to personal preference, both are great devices, both use a similar amount of power from the source. I switched to the DC Elite but I still have the W2, W4 and E1DA (and plenty of others) at the bottom of my drawer.

I just dug out the E1DA and plugged it into my iPhone and it "sounds" awesome as good as all the above mentioned dongles. I suspect the reason being is that on paper at least they all perform similarly. I've seen stuff like this one is "warmer" than that one, this one is "brighter" than that, more sound-stage etc. I don't really buy into that, the device in your ears on on your head will have a bigger bearing on that.

At the level these DACs are at I bet anyone would be hard pushed to hear a difference between them even if they may try to convince us otherwise.

Unless you specifically want a dongle with stepped attenuation or the Rohm chip, to be honest these were my reasons for getting the Elite, then I'd go with the W4 or even something else, you could even do a lot worse than the E1DA.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[JamoBroGuy]

Well I won’t suggest that the Explorer is technically better than the MEST MKIII, U12T, M5 or others that I’ve owned, but I simply enjoy them more due to the great fit and tuning I love. I do wish the MEST MKIII was vented and had a small nozzle, as I do think it has the great relaxing tuning of the Explorer with end-game tech, it’s just that the Explorer and Butastur are also very very good and fit my tiny ear canals comfortably as well.

Yeah, what I meant was that you don't need to spend an astronomical amount of money to find an IEM you enjoy. In fact, in your case, spending less money actually gives you more enjoyment.

 

[wolfstar76]

Just received mine from another headfier. It came with some quirks: it does not work in the beginning and the firmware update won't recognize the device. After installing the USB driver and update the latest firmware, I have to restart the windows, and still ended up with frozen windows twice.

Now it seems to work. My initial impression is that DC-Elite differs from my RU6 significantly. I guess that difference is typical for R2R vs DS, DC-Elite sounds more resolving, with better controlled bass and more prominent treble.

From my RU6, I almost never feel treble is fatiguing, but from DC-Elite, certain music do feel fatiguing and excessive for me. I am glad that I finally get something with a different taste, and I can use RU6 and DC-Elite in rotation depends on my mood.

With dongle evolving like this, I certainly feel that my desktop DAC/AMP will be no longer used except for full size headphones. With my time spent on full size headphone less and less, I am already thinking if I need to sell all of my desktop setup and headphones.

 

[mekap]

give the DC Elite some time and the highs won't be as fatiguing over time.

From my RU6, I almost never feel treble is fatiguing, but from DC-Elite, certain music do feel fatiguing and excessive for me. I am glad that I finally get something with a different taste, and I can use RU6 and DC-Elite in rotation depends on my mood.

give the DC Elite some time and the highs won't be as fatiguing over time.

 

[ohmusica]

In comparation with the RU7 (is broken). For the Meze 109 pro I find the Elite rather disappointing. I miss emotion, exitement and too clean, is a bit boring. I think it’s the synergy.

 

[wolfstar76]

anyone listen to the IER-Z1R or Traillii with the elite?

I know it is very late reply, but I am doing it now, I would say that DC-Elite gives Z1R a more clean presentation, but it hard for me to say I prefer DC-Elite or my RU6 with Z1R, they are just different. However, for DC-Elite and XE6, there is a clear synergy.

In comparation with the RU7 (is broken). For the Meze 109 pro I find the Elite rather disappointing. I miss emotion, exitement and too clean, is a bit boring. I think it’s the synergy.

Since you mentioned Meze 109 pro, my first reaction is Meze Elite and I am a little confused by your post . Now I can see you are comparing RU7 to DC-Elite. DC-Elite has less coloration, it works better with very colored IEMs, such as XE6. I never try my headphones with dongles, since unfortunately both my two headphones need desktop amp, ZMF Atrium is high impedance DD headphones while my HE6SE is planar that needs huge current to drive.

 

[Zaek]

Guys, iphone doesnt have the ibasso UAC app?

 

[pietro77]

Nope.

 

[jamato8]

Guys, iphone doesnt have the ibasso UAC app?

No. I use the Elite with my iPhone 13 Pro and don't really miss it.

 

[Zaek]

i was using Campfire Solaris OG, which is sensitive. 1 step volume already very loud. Guess i have to get an IEmatch 4.4