iBasso Announces DX160 2020 Version
iBasso’s DX160 has proven to be one of the most popular Android-based music players, and continues to be a strongly recommended product. However, due to changes in the supply of certain components, iBasso has had to announce somewhat of a ‘refreshed’ version, which is called the DX160 2020.
What Has Changed In The DX160 2020?
According to a Facebook post by iBasso’s owner, Paul, what initiated the necessity for this was the supply (or lack thereof) of the display unit used on the original DX160. Other changes have also occurred, including one particular OPAMP, as well as the wiring configuration of the headphone port. His post was as follows:
DX160 2020. Coming very soon to continue, your enjoy of the music!
To our valued customers. We feel there is clarification needed for the change made to the DX160, which we are referring to as the 2020 version now. The only reason any change was made initially was because the screen we were using, the Sharp screen, is we can no longer obtain this screen. To replace this we have purchased the JDI screen. While the resolution is the same, the quality is slightly lower. This isn’t noticeable until comparing side by side but it does not have quite the color impact. To compensate for this we then looked to see if there was any way we could improve the DX160. For this we ran many tests on components. We found one op amp that does improve the dynamics and this is buffer is what we have used. The change to CTIA for monitors with an inline mic, is something we had been asked about many times and we decided to implement this at this time.
We have never and will never use customers as beta testers unless we make this known as we have done with a few past firmware beta versions. We value all of you and have always valued your opinion and desire for enjoyable sound and a meaningful musical experience.
If there are any owners of the DX160 2019 that wish to have their dap updated to the latest buffer we will offer this service for 32 USD. We are charging 10 USD for the buffers, free labor and 22 USD expedited shipping back to you. For Hong Kong, due to the close proximity, the cost is 10 USD for the buffers and 5 USD for the shipping.
Paul
So no, the changes are not particularly dramatic, but it’s great that iBasso are transparent about this supply issue and their response to it.
