iBasso DX260 Digital Audio Player with Octa CS43198 DAC Chip Matrix - SILVER (Box opened)

The iBasso DX260 is a digital audio player with an Octa DAC Chip Matrix: eight Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, run by iBasso’s second-generation FPGA-Master, which can turn groups of them into a hardware FIR filter. iBasso measured THD+N of −123dB, which it calls the best among portable players. It runs Android 11 and iBasso’s Mango OS on a Snapdragon 660, drives up to 1,015mW per channel into 32Ω from its 4.4mm balanced output and plays for about 14 hours.

Eight CS43198 DACs

The CS43198 is a Cirrus Logic flagship DAC with excellent dynamic range, fine resolution of micro-detail and a very low noise floor. Using eight of them in a matrix, iBasso aimed for both superb sound and leading measurements. On an Audio Precision APX555 it measured a dynamic range of 134dB, a signal-to-noise ratio of 133dB and THD+N of −123dB, against 125dB, 125dB and −114dB for its earlier DX240.

FPGA-Master 2.0 and FIR modes

After years of algorithm development, iBasso’s FPGA-Master is in its second generation. As the audio system controller it requests audio data directly from the processor, which keeps the signal intact, and generates every audio clock from two NDK femtosecond oscillators, so the whole system runs from one fully synchronised clock. It also controls the DAC clock and data with picosecond precision, which makes three ways of running the matrix possible:

• Synchronous parallel output reduces the “discrete distortion” between DACs.
• FIR 2× and FIR 4× delay each DAC’s data stream by a clock cycle or more (“delay parallel”), so four DACs together act as a hardware analogue FIR filter. This averages out the differences between DACs, lowering distortion and bringing out detail and realism.

Android 11 and Mango OS

Android 11 lets you install streaming apps, and the DX260 bypasses Android’s sample rate conversion at the system level, so Mango Player and third-party apps alike play at the recording’s own rate. Mango OS is iBasso’s separate Linux-based system made only for audio playback, with optimised low-level drivers; it runs without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, for lower interference and a purer sound. The Mango Player app has a new, cleaner interface. A Snapdragon 660 with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage keeps everything quick.

USB DAC and outputs

A dedicated USB receiver makes the DX260 a low-latency USB DAC for a computer, with ASIO and WASAPI output on Windows. As well as the 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm headphone outputs, it has 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm line outputs for an amplifier, a 3.5mm coaxial output and a USB OTG output.

Design

iBasso’s new design brings back guards around the volume control for a more industrial look. The back cover is easily removed, with full access to the battery, so replacing it is simple. The 5-inch Sharp 1080p screen has an on-cell touch panel, and the 4,400mAh battery charges in about 2.5 hours with QC3.0 or PD3.0 fast chargers.

Good to know

• This is a single open-box unit in silver, with the full manufacturer warranty; its condition is shown above.
• In the box: DX260, USB-C cable, coaxial cable, TPU case, screen protector, warranty card and quick start guide.
• iBasso no longer makes the DX260. Its newer version is the DX260 MK2.