ibasso DX180: Initial impressions | walkthrough

I like the size, ergonomics and form factor of the ibasso dx180. Sound is pretty much the same as other DAPs I have heard and reviewed previously. The only noticeably audible difference in sound between these devices is the Sony NW-WM1AM2 and Fiio M23 both have a wider soundstage. All Sony devices I have tried have a noise floor.

Mango Player is decent but ibasso really need to improve the navigation, layout on that app. It has poor functionality and is not intuitive, despite looking quite clean.

DAPs I have heard/owned:
Fiio M23
Hiby R6 Pro II
Hiby R3 II
Hiby M300
Hiby R5 II
Hiby RS6
Sony A55
Sony NW-WM1AM2 (Japanese uncapped)
Sony A306 (Japanese uncapped)

[MARYOLIONHEART]

I just can't wait to receive mine, in just 2-3 days at my home, finaly...after a long month waiting, i am so excited to get this 😊

[iamvovashvets]

Thanks for the review and comparison. This video is exactly what I was looking for.

[Rezzznr]

Nice review, thank you for being honest about the sound quality. If you have a chance some day try Hiby R8 II. I know it's crazy expensive but I am sure you will hear sound difference on that device ;)

[mervinfernandes]

The DX180 is an amazing-sounding device! It pairs beautifully with the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite and Simgot EA500. Plus, the battery life is solid. Highly recommend this setup!"

[cubancigars]

Excellent review with unique talking points. Sadly, I would have liked to hear your thoughts on the Poweramp audio player for a comparative opinion. Keep up the good work

[The_Crayon_God]

Nice review man I watched your other video where you were reviewing the Fiio M23 and talking about whether or not you were going to buy the iBasso DX180 glad to see you made the jump 💯. I have recently bought one myself and it's my first ever DAP and I'm 27 but I gotta say it's such a gorgeous looking device and really an aesthetic treat for the eyes especially that beautiful SHARP screen the colours absolutely POP! and of course the sound performance is literally the best I've ever heard from a piece of high end audio equipment I love mine very much 😁. Hope you will enjoy yours too and stick with it 😎🔥.

[Alannah-jw]

Could you please advise on sources for obtaining AIFF files? I've found a website offering them but downloaded files aren't permitted post-purchase; access is limited to their online platform. Thank you!

[tamersosman]

Can it be u used as a streamer only while by passing its internal dac, by connecting it via USB C to more high end external dac?

[karolkedzierski]

I think there will never be a huge difference between sources, no matter if you compare a good dongle to a flagship dap, especially if both deliver sufficient power to drive your iems. The most differences ive heard were when i was comparing R2R dac to a delta sigma and also when i was comparing a source powered with a class A amp to a AB or B class amp. But they were subtle at most. In the most extreme cases i would give the source maximum 10% of making a difference. The rest is iem, tips/headphone, pads.

[tamersosman]

Can it be connected to external dac via USB C to be used as a streamer only and bypass it's internal dac?

[FIxtl]

Thanks! Does it best LG V60, is the sound much better?

[kvbrb]

The album art issue is exactly what I'm facing on the NW-A306... Did you manage to fix this?

[PlanetJASON]

The removable battery is such an attractive capability of this player, but the way the OS environment has been configured with Mango player and some of the Android settings being made inaccessible is deal breaker for me, which is unfortunate. Otherwise it seems like a player that could potentially last for a very long time with battery changes.

Thanks for your detailed review on players, Luke.

[ANOLE_VX]

Is it worth buying the DX180 over the Hiby R4 ? Considering the huge price gap ?

[pistoriuspuledro]

caps for this video would have been a better options, i think )..thanks

[BeLoMoR_]

Шама брат, че как он в работе ле, у меня Hiby r6 pro II и уляхаймдулюля он хорошо звучит, но габариты и форма чуток туда суда вай, поэтому думаю поменять на айбаласо 180, че ты как ты думаешь? Стоит у тебя или нет?

[killaforma]

I have the Hiby R6III very happy with it, I think it compares with the DX180.
The Sony music app is crap, on my A306 (EU cap version) the app resets every time the dap turns off, and will not resume playback from where it stopped, not even the track it was playing as it restarts from the very beginning just like if it was the first time playing player was turned on, the only nice thing about it is the cassette screen saver!

[imosolar]

Good review but I can tell the difference between DAP such as my ibasso Dx260 after burn in 200 hours sounds different. Also LG touch has a darker background compared to mine.😎

[trubadyr]

You have a special talent: it's very difficult to follow your line of speech! You speak in long and very monotonous sentences. Plus: you are making your videos about three times longer than they are tolerable to watch. Google: how to create a great speech or something of the sort.