Spend three long days in a cabin to explore fully your iBasso dx180 to realize its full velocity
I spent five to six months researching hard, learning all I could, in order to purchase a d.a.p. to replace my dying iPod (16,000 songs--when it dies, I would have died). I had it narrowed down to a Fiio M21, a Sony Walkman NW-A306, and the iBasso dx180, and I ended up with the latter, a smart choice. The ordering process was easy, it came securely packaged and got here to the Left Coast in under three days.
I cannot exaggerate how helpful Matthew was (and a couple other of his colleagues were) in the process. It began with a 15-minute phone-call from on the road (he called me right back) and ended with him answering probably about six e-mails, always promptly and helpfully.
I have only one complaint: the box that contained the d.a.p. didn't come with a hard-copy exemplar of the owner's manual, only a stiff card-stock little brochure that named/labeled the parts. The manual is available on-line, however, and I hope soon to dedicate those three days in a secluded cabin.
The build is substantial and sturdy, and the protective case with which it came was helpful to strap on immediately. It is rock-solid and attractive. I use it with headphones on but also plug it into a new car-stereo system. With better headphones I'm sure that I will hear even more what I already hear, which is a lot more than from my iPod, which I've now consigned to a home stereo stereo system, plugged into a Yamaha receiver, played through a Bose Acoustimass 5, Series III sub-woofer and two cute, little "cube" speakers that swivel. I cannot wait to plug my new iBasso into the Yamaha and crank it.
The sounds are sharp and crisp, and even with the volume turned down on stereo and device itself, it is uber-powerful, a really pleasing audio experience. No fuzz, no crackle, and all the sounds sound honest and forthright.
I confess not yet to know much about how the iBasso dx180 works but will continue to learn about it. The unit came with the Mango Player software but whose logo/thumbnail is not on the desktop, so I didn't know it was there until being told so. Swiping up and down and left and right is how I'm navigating things, but have managed to go into settings and change some things, for example, how to turn the playing into "gapless" format and change the volume settings. I look forward to learning more about how properly to use it.
I have no complaints, and the fact that I don't yet know how to operate the thing more expertly is all on me. It works just as advertised and has enabled my return to music with joy and pleasure.
I will order next from Bloom Audio, probably some decent headphones. For now, the iBasso dx180 is an extremely powerful little device, handsome, rugged, and well-constructed.
Many thanks again to Matthew for exemplary customer service, too; he is the reason for my purchase.
Sincerely,
Lawrence J. Hammar
