GUI.
Anybody with Android phone will feel like at home once DX200 boots up, and with a little learning curve iOS users should figure it out quickly too. Just remember to pull down notification bar to reveal your common Android OS shortcuts (brightness control, WiFi and BT enabling, and a few others). The most important in there is Android Settings icon at the top in the upper right corner of the notification bar which takes you to more detailed settings of WiFi and Bluetooth, Display setting, Sound and Notification (constantly under updates, with more features added with new FW releases), Apps, Storage/USB, Battery, Memory, Security (makes sure to enable installation of apps from unknown sources to side-load apks of the apps until Google Play is added), Backup and Restore (that’s where you find Factory data reset – important after every new FW update), and other settings including About DX200 where you can access System Update menu.
By default, in Full Android mode DX200 will load all the drivers necessary to run Android OS. This way you can run various apps, including the ones which come bundled with DX200 or others which you can side-load by running corresponding apk file to install it directly. Until Google Play is enable (promised by iBasso soon), that’s the only way for now. Just keep in mind that until fw is finalized, it makes sense to keep your apk and audio files on micro-SD card since factory reset will bring device to a default factory image and will erase everything from internal memory, so I hope in the future iBasso will come up with a way to have a system reset without erasing internal content. In addition to Full Android mode, you can switch DX200 to a Pure Music “Mango OS” mode.
In Full Android mode, you have access to iBasso’s own Mango audio player app, while in Pure Music mode you switch to Mango OS by long pressing Power button and selecting “To Mango”. In Mango OS mode, you no longer have access to Android system resources and apps, and the whole interface looks a lot like DX80. Mango app mirrors the interface of Mango OS, and as of now the app is faster and more responsive in comparison to Mango OS version. I’m sure iBasso team will optimize and fix it, but in a meantime, I’m sticking to Mango app version of an audio player which I will describe next. Since Mango OS player is nearly a mirror image (with an exception of some differences in graphics), my description of one is applicable to the other.
Once you start a Mango player (Mango app), the main playback screen is very simple and has a clear layout. The top half will display the cover art, if one is embedded into the file. Tapping anywhere in the middle or the top of the cover art screen brings up a menu with an option to add song to the playlist, give you additional song info, or just to delete the song. Tapping at the bottom of the cover art screen brings up the artist name and the song title. Underneath in a playback control area you have an icon to bring up shortcuts menu, song index number (from within folder list), and Play Mode setting (to switch between Order, Loop, Shuffle, or Repeat playback). Scrub bar with a time marker is below it, allowing to fast forward to any part in the song. Then, you have brief file info below it (with a bit depth and sampling frequency), and all the way at the bottom you have Play/Pause surrounded by Skip Next/Prev button which also works as Fast FWD/BACK when you press and hold it.
To get into My Music sorting and display view, you slide the screen to the right. In there you can sort songs display by Artists, Album, Genre, as well as Directory/Folder view, or Playlist and All Music view. Since I usually listen by folders, I typically navigate from a Directory to a folder and then use Now Playing list to display the songs. Within that list, you can swipe down to reveal more sorting choices such as Title, Album, Artists, Added, and Folder to organize the list even further.
Swiping the screen from the main playback screen to the left will bring up Settings menu. In there you can select Gain (high, low), Select Digital Filter (7 are offered), change L/R balance, Enable Gapless (which works great!), change Play mode, turn on USB DAC, and access EQ. EQ is your typical 10 band (33, 63, 100, 330, 630, 1k, 3.3k, 6.3k, 10k, 16k) paragraphic EQ with a few genre specific presets. From Settings menu, you can swipe one more time to the left where you find Advanced settings with Sleep Timer, Rescan library, and System info. The Shortcut menu, accessible from within main Playback window, also has Gapless on/off, Gain high/low, and digital filter selection.
I will probably continue to use DX200 in Android mode with Mango app which I find very flexible and intuitive. Plus, with Android OS I can run apps, like Spotify (I’m using a free account), some card games, and also able to watch movies. DX200 high res display with rich colors, deep contrast, and wide viewing angle is perfect for watching movies or tv shows. To be honest, I don’t look at DX200 as a replacement of my smartphone, but rather as a dedicated DAP with extra bonuses which enable me to stream music (like Spotify), to use wireless BT headphones, and to take a break while playing some games and watching a few movies.
Android OS w/Mango app.
Mango OS.
Spotify and other apps.
Page 3: Sound analysis, Comparison, Pair up, External connections, and Conclusion.
Twister6 Reviews 
nice review, if only you equipped and compared with ak380 + wm1z then it would be perfect.
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I don’t have either AK380 or WM1z, only auditioned them at CanJam NYC, so prefer not to include in comparison based on a short listening time. But I found 1Z and 380SS to be in Opus#2 territory, smoother and with more body. DX200 with its default amp is more analytical, closer to LPG.
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Another great review! I need to stop reading your reviews because it’s draining my moolah!
Kidding aside, question, Since it’s also running on android (side loaded needed on playstore) can I assume that spotify and or apple music will run smoothly?
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just replied to you on HF in PM. I’m not familiar with this app, but if you can’t side load it and need google play store, either wait for iBasso to add it or use the free rom per link on head-fi.
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Got it! Thanks for your input mate!
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Thanks for your very detail review >If one consider all the option and adds on in this player and the price it is the best valued Player on the market . My next Player for sure .
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Excellent review! I am new to daps so the eq intrigues me, how well does this dap work with modifying eq?
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it’s a standard paragraphic EQ, like in any other DAP, works ok. BUT, iBasso promised that in one of the upcoming FW updates they will include Parametric EQ (where you can adjust the frequency and the bandwidth of every band).
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thank you for your review. i´m moving from a desktop rig to a definitive dap. i read about ibasso, fiio, etc..for review and specs seems to me that the ibasso dx200is a good choice. you confirm’
thank you
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informative review, as always, Twister…kudos….have you since had a chance to compare it to the newly released opus #3?
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if you read my Opus#3 review, in there I focused mostly on mid-tier rather than flagship DAP comparison. Opus#3 is great, but it’s somewhere between their lower level Opus#1 and higher end Opus#2. But I heard they just recently updated #3 fw with a noticeable improvement of tonality, more balanced. But in terms of technical performance, DX200 will have a more layered, more resolving sound with a higher output power. With a default amp1, DX200 is actually more analytical (though, again, the latest dx200 fw update added more “body” to the sound), but amp2 (if you read my review of amp2 as well) adds more body to the sound, and ibasso releasing now amp3 and amp4. So, DX200 is still quite fantastic for a flagship dap under $1k. and so does their IT03 hybrid, and apparently 4way IT04 upcoming hybrid going to be another killer!
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Apologies no I didn’t see that review…I’ll have a look now…thank you
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Mango lists album tracks alphabetically, not by track number. A horrible oversight by the dev! Nice player tho’. Using with Forrest Audio FLC8S.
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You have to post this feedback on Head-fi in DX200 thread so that Paul can collect it for iBasso sw team 😉
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Great review – thanks! Two quick questions: Is the battery user-replaceable? Currently have a DX80 and DX90. I like the DX90 for the slightly sharper sound and the removable battery. But I like the display on the DX80. Neither display is bright enough to use outdoors, where I do much of my listening. I’m hoping the DX200 is a bit brighter and has a replaceable battery.
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Every 3 months there is a new dap, and there hasnt been one with a removable battery like the original old dx90. In dx200 battery is replaceable but not removable. Nobody in the last few years released a dap with removable battery, there is no consumer interest in it, i guess. Besides, i heard dx90 batteries were lasting 3-4hrs, so made sense to remove and replace it. All the new daps have 9-10hr batteries… Display is as good as a smartphone.
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Thanks much! I put an aftermarket higher-capacity battery in my DX90 and get about 8 hours. My DX80 battery, just after the warranty expired, now only plays an hour so I have to figure out how I can get it replaced. First thing I ever couldn’t find a YouTube video for! Display on both the 80 and 90 are acceptable quality, but nowhere near bright enough to read outside. Keep up the good work – much appreciated.
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Thank you for the review. Would you say that DX200 is a step up comparing to DX90, which I use currently? What the most noticeable differences in sound are (if you happen to listen to DX90)?
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didn’t hear DX90, but it was ibasso mid-fi level DAP. iBasso true flagship was DX100. DX200 is an upgrade and a step up to their previous flagship (dx100). It’s not even in the same comparison category as dx90. DX200 goes head-to-head with other flagship daps that cost twice as much.
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might be swapping out my mojo for this unit…i hear it steps things up SQ once you go balanced with this unit, esp the amp mod 2 or other.
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yeah, balanced doubles the power and improves sound. amp2 doesn’t have balanced output, only single ended. Upcoming amp3 should be like amp2 with balanced.
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Can you set me straight on balanced output? Conceptually sounds a lot like XLR microphones to me. But are there any headphones? Worthwhile to use a 2.5×3.5 adapter? Or is this primarily a replacement IEM cable tactic? I like the idea of double the output power, especially when sending output to a small amp or pre-amp, and I see there are plenty of 2.5mm to RCA cables available. Any guidance or background much appreciated.
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Single ended (3.5mm TRS) has your Left and Right channels referenced to the same common ground, while balanced (2.5mm TRRS) has L/R channels separated, referencing “hot” signal to it’s “negative”. Without referencing to a noisy ground, you have a better SNR, blacker background, and truly differential opamp output which should double the voltage swing. I mean, that’s in theory, and unfortunately not many DAPs follow this theory in their design, implementing 2.5mm TRRS as a sale gimmick. iBasso does follow it to the core, a true differential balanced architecture which doubles the voltage, gives you better L/R channel separation, and improves SNR. Some of these changes could be perceived as subtle to our ears, depending on our own hearing sensitivity, but that’s a whole different story 😉
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Great explanation on the 2.5 connection – thanks. The answer to the second part of my question is no, it doesn’t make sense to use a 2.5×3.5 adapter as that just gets you back into the same tied-to-noisy-common-ground boat.
But I’m not quite there yet on the third part of my question: What can plug into a 2.5? The only headphones a search brings up are office type with built-in microphones, and of course tons of PlayStation2 gear.
Seems to me if you have a good quality pre-amp with truly isolated l/r inputs, the 2.5xRCA adapter is well suited. The concept completely clicks with me, but where are the headphones? IEMs?
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As long as your headphones have a removable cable going to L/R earpiece or cup, all you need is a balanced terminated cable with 4 separate conductors, 2 wires per each side.
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FYI – found this tutorial on balanced cables: https://robrobinette.com/BalancedCable.htm
He offers a great explanation with schematics on balanced vs. unbalanced, in addition to the balanced cable guide.
Think the DX200 will has enough power to drive any of these?
HE400 or 500; HD580, HD600, or HD650?
Not too tough to make a balanced cable for them…
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Don’t have those full size cans, but dx200 balanced output has over a watt of output power. So you should be good.
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what are your favorite common-man-price IEMs that would pair nice with the DX200 and be easy to convert to balanced?
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Most iems I’m listening to are in $2k price bracket. Common man price iems, iBasso own it03 hybrid which comes with mmcx removable cable and they have their own high end cb12 8 conductor balanced cable (extra purchase).
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Hey twist, have you heard of sony nw-wm1a? If yes, How is this compared to dx200? I got the chance to demo the nw-wm1z and it was awesome but still can’t compare since there was no demo unit of dx200 nor nw-wm1a but was told that both by sony that nw-wm1a and nw-wm1z have the same sound signature.
I was impressed with the walkman’s built and sound signature. I just want to know if dx200 is still better than the walkman.
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Sorry, didn’t try wm1a, and only tried wm1z briefly 6 months ago, don’t even remember how it sounds. Heard from a few people whose opinion I trust that 1z sound improvement is quite noticeable when compared to 1a.
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Same…but 1z’s price is a huge price jump compared to dx200 and no way I’ll purchase it anyways… have you heard of kann by ak?
Thanks twister!
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Not familiar with KANN either. Heard it’s powerfull but only mid fi sound quality. If i go by a distant memory, dx200 with amp2 kind of reminds me of 1z sound. Full, rich, and yet still resolving.
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So up to date, do you think dx200 is still “up there” with all the new releases? Is this still one of your favorite? If this comes close to z1 then I’m sold 🙂 though, i need to get amp2 for upgrade.
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Dx200, Plenue 2, and LPG are my favorites now.
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Hi
Thanks for your review. I’m really enjoying my DX200 (Amp2), IT03 (Stock cable) combination. If I wanted to get an IEM for around £1000, that had a similar signature to the IT03, what would you shortlist?
Also, is there any good reason to change to the Plenue 2?
Thanks in advance.
Regards
Darren
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No need to switch to P2. Hmm, similar to it03, lately i have been playing with 64audio limited edition U4SE, see if you can find it. Very impressive!
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Thanks for your answer. I think I will wait until the IT04 is out and reviewed with the DX200 before I make a decision. I could also get an AMP3 and CB13 cable for my IT03’s.
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Can you please provide comparison between dx200, Plenue R and Fiio X7II for SQ, battery life and power?
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PR gonna win in battery, hands down, dx200 and x7ii will be similar in battery, and can’t match PR. Power – PR is the weakest, designed more for IEMs, X7ii with its AM3A module is good, but DX200 with its AMP3/AMP4/AMP5 high power amps wins! Sound quality, DX200 is above X7ii (I compared it already, look up that review on my blog). PR is a step below in quality when compared to dx200/x7ii.
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Crees que cómo facilitador amplificador es mejor que el chord mojo en cuanto a calidad de sonido
Me sería de gran ayuda ya que no sé si comprar el chord o ibasso
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in English, please 🙂
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He’s trying to figure out whether to buy an amp module or the Chord Mojo and would like to know if you have a comparison or opinion…
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Oh, thanks 🙂 Was looking from my laptop, no translator here 🙂 Don’t have experience with Mojo, but heard it’s on a smoother side. So, default AMP1 with DX200 which is very revealing and analytical will be far from Mojo sound sig. And, then, you can get AMP5 which is warmer and smoother, maybe closer to Mojo? So, it will be a better $200 upgrade than buying a new DAC/amp (Mojo). The flexibility of DX200 modular design is a BIG Plus!
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Hi,
Thanks for excellent review. I am planning to invest on DX 200 or Opus 2 . As IEM I have three candidates: earphonics SEM 9 or U12T or Tia trio. I am coming from D90 and velvet v1. I prefer a neutral analytical sound with a broad sound stage. Having reviewed all which combination would you recommend? Unfortunately I do not have chance to try them in my county.
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DX200 with a default amp1 and U12t with M15 apex module would be the most neutral revealing combo above.
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My good man… Can I pick your brain?
I’m wreaking my head, looking for a device to drive my active monitors.
* Runs locally stored files
* Streams SoundCloud
* Controlled remotely via an Android device
” Outputs either SPDIF coax or AES.
The DX150 and DX200 meet all those requirements. Still, is there any other alternative? SQ is top on my mind.
Many thanks!
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Hiby R6 is your other option, great DAP, the only Cons is 10 ohm output impedance which is “fixed” with iFi iEMatch impedance adapter.
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The HiBy seems to meet requirements with aplomb.
Thanks for the useful tip.
If you have the patience and knowledge, answer me this: Will sending the SPDIF signal for re-clocking improve the sound? (e.g., to Mutec MC+3 and from there AES into my monitors).
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Sound improvement is very subjective because in this case you are comparing dac/amp internal to R6 vs dac/amp of your external desktop setup or whatever you are using. In theory desktop setup should be better due to better power filtering, less noise, more output power, but then it also becomes subjective depending on pair up synergy with your headphones. I’m personally happy with my portable DAP setups 😉
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I recently picked up a DX200 and wondered which of the following amp modules in your opinion would pair best with the Andros: Amp 1, Amp 4s or Amp 8? Thanks!
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amp1 is bright, 4s looses resolution due to warmth, so go with amp8
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