What will replace ipod for quality portable music. ?

[Beef Oven!]

On the road I'm using RHA earbuds, MA600 I think is the model number. At home I use AKG K702s.

Is it better than a DX7? well its piano sounds are a lot better...

A replaceable battery IS a good thing! but it isn't the kind of thing Apple do these days.

Thanks.

The RHA MA600 seem well constructed and users report very good sonics.

I need some new headphones and I'm toying with the idea of open back. Slightly concerned with leakage affecting those close by and ambient nose if I go out with them. AKG K702s look superb. But will the DX50 be able to drive them properly?

[Richard Barrett]

AKG K702s look superb. But will the DX50 be able to drive them properly?

I don't know yet, but I think so since it has three different gain settings (separate from the volume control) of which at the moment I'm using the lowest. It won't bother me that much if it can't, because the AKGs are really for work, and I don't expect I'd use them with it very much.

I'm quite happy with the RHA earbuds. I used to have a rather expensive pair from Etymotic Research which cancelled more external noise than noise-cancelling headphones do, but they were stolen from my stage setup when I wasn't looking for a few minutes after which I decided I would stay with cheaper alternatives from then on.

[Beef Oven!]

I don't know yet, but I think so since it has three different gain settings (separate from the volume control) of which at the moment I'm using the lowest. It won't bother me that much if it can't, because the AKGs are really for work, and I don't expect I'd use them with it very much.

I'm quite happy with the RHA earbuds. I used to have a rather expensive pair from Etymotic Research which cancelled more external noise than noise-cancelling headphones do, but they were stolen from my stage setup when I wasn't looking for a few minutes after which I decided I would stay with cheaper alternatives from then on.

Don't think the Fiio has a gain control, so I'll need to go for low impedance cans.

For the guy/gal who stole your Etymotic Research earbuds, it might not have been instant, but karma will get him/her.

[Richard Barrett]

One more thing. After my initial tests, I loaded a few dozen CDs' worth of material into the SD card of this DX50, and found that it seemed not to be able to read .cue files, so that whenever one was present the unit would simply keep repeating the first track. I wrote to iBasso about this today and received a reply about two hours later, saying that this was a problem with the latest firmware and would be sorted in a forthcoming release (they seem to bring out new firmware every couple of months), but that in the meantime I should install the last version of the firmware which doesn't have this problem. 10/10 for after sales support so far.

[Beef Oven!]

One more thing. After my initial tests, I loaded a few dozen CDs' worth of material into the SD card of this DX50, and found that it seemed not to be able to read .cue files, so that whenever one was present the unit would simply keep repeating the first track. I wrote to iBasso about this today and received a reply about two hours later, saying that this was a problem with the latest firmware and would be sorted in a forthcoming release (they seem to bring out new firmware every couple of months), but that in the meantime I should install the last version of the firmware which doesn't have this problem. 10/10 for after sales support so far.

Good to hear. Did you have to format the SD card in the device? I was thinking of preparing an SD card of music ahead of delivery, but some Fiio owners have had to start again because they had to format the card, first. I was wondering if the iBasso DX50 is the same.

[Richard Barrett]

Good to hear. Did you have to format the SD card in the device?

No. I just slotted it in, and when you connect the unit to the computer via USB, both the DX50 and the card appear as external drives (this is MacOS, I don't know what they do in Windoze). Something I'm wondering about is: once I have a few filled-up cards how am I going to work out which is which without inserting them? They're too small to write on...

Looking forward to comparing notes once yours arrives.

[Beef Oven!]

No. I just slotted it in, and when you connect the unit to the computer via USB, both the DX50 and the card appear as external drives (this is MacOS, I don't know what they do in Windoze).

That's how it should be

Something I'm wondering about is: once I have a few filled-up cards how am I going to work out which is which without inserting them? They're too small to write on...

I was thinking the same. I keep my SD cards in a little zip pouch that has slots inside so I suppose I could keep a note with them. Maybe use different brands of SD card for different music. I envisage some fiddling about in the early hours at an Eastern European airport, while my plane is delayed and I can't even have a beer because they want £11.50 a pint!

Looking forward to comparing notes once yours arrives.

Indeed. Mine arrives in three weeks while I'm abroad (good timing!) so until mid-May I can only vicariously enjoy a new DAP!!

[Beef Oven!]

Anyone know what 'Native DSD' means? And why 'native' in any case?

[Bryn]

Anyone know what 'Native DSD' means? And why 'native' in any case?

Presumably not having been converted to DSD from PCM.

[Beef Oven!]

Presumably not having been converted to DSD from PCM.

What is PCM?

[MrGongGong]

What is PCM?

Pulse Code Modulation

(What a waste of a grammar school education)

[Beef Oven!]

Pulse Code Modulation

(What a waste of a grammar school education)

I don't mean what it's an acronym for. I obviously need to know what Pulse Code Modulation is.

(What a waste of a grammar school education)

[teamsaint]

Pulse Code Modulation

(What a waste of a grammar school education)

What is Pulse Code Modulation?

actually, I think the answer would be wasted on me, but maybe not the Grammar school chaps....


Perhaps we should have asked the ticket man at Fulham Broadway station.....

[MrGongGong]

I don't mean what it's an acronym for. I obviously need to know what Pulse Code Modulation is.

(What a waste of a grammar school education)

Its a way of sampling an analogue signal digitally

[Beef Oven!]

Its a way of sampling an analogue signal digitally

Thanks