DAP Review

iBasso DX150 with AMP6, AMP7, and AMP8 modules

GUI & Lurker’s fw.

I usually go into extra details describing the user interface and all the features/settings under the main audio playback app. In case of DX150 which runs on Android 6.0 and uses Mango audio app as its default audio player, it makes no sense to go over everything again since it’s identical to DX200. Thus, please refer to GUI section of my DX200 review. The only additional option in DX150 is Sound Styles in Android Settings menu which I’m going to talk about in Sound Analysis section. But the main difference here is that DX200 comes with Android (Mango app) and Mango native modes, while DX150 has only Android (Mango app) mode. And even that’s not a showstopper since the latest Lurker’s ROM for DX150 adds it.

I already mentioned Lurker’s ROM for iBasso DAPs many times, and there is a good reason why I think it’s a must have upgrade for DX150 and DX200. By default, these Android DAPs don’t come with a Google Play store, meaning to install the apps you need to find corresponding apk files and side-load it manually. Lurker’s ROM, which is FREE, gives you access to Google Play, along with additional optimizations and other goodies.

To find out more about it, visit his page at: https://github.com/Lurker00 with a direct links to the latest DX150 fw here and DX200 fw here. He is usually very good with updates, and his firmware becomes available the same or the next day after iBasso releases their own official update.

But before you start with Lurker’s custom ROM, please visit the official link from iBasso to download their Factory Tool which includes in a zip file a very detailed instructions how to install drivers and use batch tool to update the fw manually (instructions for DX200 are the same for DX150). You don’t need this tool to install regular iBasso fw updates, those are usually downloaded, copied, and installed from within DX150/200 DAPs. But to install Lurker’s ROM, you will need this batch tool for a manual ROM flashing. It’s a very simple procedure, and included instructions are easy to follow. Plus, once you install the driver, after that you just run the tool, load image file, and quickly flash the DAP. Once it’s done (get confirmation within a tool), disconnect the DAP, reboot it, and the update starts automatically. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your songs on internal and external storage, they will not be erased. And even if you do need to run Factory reset (recommended after FW updates), you can select option not to erase internal storage media files.

ibasso_dx150-53

Sound Analysis.

This is usually the shortest section of my DAP reviews since Pair Up and Comparison sections are where you will find more details to get a better feel for the sound of a DAP in a relative comparison. The sound analysis of a DAP is based on the description of how you hear it through various headphones, so you are describing the sound of the synergy between headphones and the source.

I went through many IEMs and full-size headphones to find a common sound-performance denominator. In a summary, I hear DX150 w/stock AMP6 to have a neutral sound signature with a warmish natural analog tonality. That natural tonality with good retrieval of details especially shines through in mids when listening to vocals. Another thing that stood out was an excellent low-end punch. The soundstage expands wide and it scales up going from 3.5mm SE to 2.5mm BAL outputs (AMP6). Furthermore, I find DX150 to have a very good expansion of dynamics as well as layering and separation of the sounds which also scales up going to AMP7 and AMP8.

Based on the stock AMP6, when going from 3.5mm to 2.5mm ports, balanced output has noticeably more power (better efficiency with 12 less volume clicks), a little wider soundstage, and a slight improvement in dynamic range, while the tonality is nearly the same.

Also, DX150 offers a Sound Style mode available in Settings menu under Sound & Notification, where you have a choice between Standard and Full Sound modes. After going back’n’forth, I found Full mode to have a slightly wider soundstage and a little tighter sound. The effect is subtle and does vary between different headphones, depending on their sound signature and technical performance.

Furthermore, based on Digital filters of AKM DACs, while analyzing the sound with Sharp Roll-off I hear a faster attack and more sparkle, with Slow Roll-off I hear the attack to be a little slower while sparkle is the same, and when switching to Super Slow Roll off I hear the slower attack and less air/sparkle in comparison to other filters. The other two filters were Short Delay with either Slow or Sharp roll-off which I hear the same as corresponding filters with and without short delay.

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Page 3: AMP6 vs AMP3, AMP5, AMP7, and AMP8.

Page 4: Comparison, and Pair up.

Page 5: External wired/wireless connections, and Conclusion.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

45 thoughts on “iBasso DX150 with AMP6, AMP7, and AMP8 modules”

  1. Thanks for the excellent preview as always. I now find the choice of amp modules confusing. Do you think there is too much choice?

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    1. With a current selection, it’s easier to pick. Just figure out what ports you need first, based on your headphones termination. That’s a good start to make life easier.

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  2. Is the discrete circuit used in AMP7 & 8, that offers high voltage and high current outputs, anything like the SATRI circuit used in Bakoon amps?

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      2. Not quite sure about your question. $200 for which amp module? I would stay, don’t buy any new amp modules untill you spend some time with a stock amp6, to get to know its sound better. If you have balanced cables and don’t care about LineOut, you can upgrade to amp8 (4.4mm, which you can use with an adaptor from 2.5mm). It’s not amps but DX150 which is a good investment because you can upgrade its amp module later.

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  3. Excellent information and thanks for all the effort that went into it. It may also interest some to know stuff that I hardly see reported – e.g. I chose the DX150 to succeed my trusty Cowon X7 as it’s one of the few DAPS that can do all of the below:
    – handle m3u playlists with ease
    – display size shows longer file/track names readable by me in a hurry while hunting alphabetically (my eyes are getting older, large clear display is becoming a must!).
    – can be set (with Neutron or JetAudio) to play one track and stop… As I use these devices to play backing tracks for choir performances, we need to be able to cue the next track manually, not have the player dictate the timing.
    The Cowon is still kicking buut will die one day, the DX150 is waiting. Only negative is it doesn’t have anywhere near the battery life of the Cowon X7, but then again, there’s nothing much on the market – let alone suitable – that does.

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    1. not familiar with Cowon X7, but WM1Z can get your 30hrs of battery time. But in general, the average battery life on most of flagship daps is around 10hrs +/- an hour.

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      1. Thanks Twister, the WM1Z is way too pricey for my needs… The Cowon “iAudio X7” was released way back around 2010, it was the flasgship before the “Plenue” series, with 100 hrs battery, 120/160Gb HDD, resistive touch screen and less than $700 here in Aus (it was a step up from their X5 which was a fantastic alternative to the iPod released way back when A&K was still iRiver)…. The X7 is still my player of choice for our choir performances through portable PA Gear due to the large display and battery life…

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  4. I s there a foolproof way to install lurkers firmware? on windows 10 please I have tried and tried and tried and I failed and failed and failed

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  5. I have the DX200 with amp3 and use my Beyerdynamic T5p ii which I feel is a great combo. I am thinking of getting noise canceling headphones. I am more interested it best sound quality as opposed to best noise canceling so I have been looking and Sennheiser HD1 or the wireless HD2. If I got the HD1 I would need the amp7, but then I would not be able to use T5ps. Does the iBasso DX200 use the aptx bluetooth and if yes or no would sound be a big downgrade compared to HD1 and DX200 with amp7?

    My objective is to be able to travel with both headphones, the T5p ii for serious listening and the Sennheiser HD1 or 2 for on the plane.

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    1. i can never keep up with Senns wireless headphones, wireless HD1 on-ear, in-ear, over-year, Momentum, noise canceling, etc… I have their Momentum Wireless ANC from 2 years ago and really enjoy it, ONLY use it wireless, don’t even bother wired. Why do you need another amp to use them? Even wired they should be fine with the amp you have already, despite their high impedance. DX200 doesn’t have aptX. Btw, don’t think they have HD2, I can’t even find it searching. So, I think you should be fine with the amp you have and both headphones.

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  6. Hi,

    thanks for the great review.
    Just one question. I am about to use DX150 with Andromeda. And you wrote comparing AMP7 -> AMP8: that 8 has blacker background … and then in pair-up section for Andromeda ” I tried AMP8, but hissing was too strong,…AMP7 pair was excellent, lifting some veil off.” So I just wandering which of those two produces less hiss. Thanks

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  8. hello twister6.
    I have read a lot of your reviews, I highly appreciate your reviews, I bought many of the devices based on your reviews. Thank you.
    i have a question want to get your help, i am using ibasso it04 headset, am looking at dx150, cayin n5iis or dx200. Can you point me to the right path. cayin n5iis, it04 + d150 + amp8 or dx200 + amp1 i up pick which pair.
    thank you.

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    1. d150/amp8 vs dx200/amp1 – I would go for d150 with amp8 because it’s a great combo, and I like amp8 more than amp1. Ideally, dx200 + amp8 would be the best, but I see you are sticking to a budget 😉 N5iis is great, but brighter and I like a more natural synergy of dx150 with it04 in that pair up. Plus DX gives you flexibility of amp upgrade and you have full open android when install lurker’s ROM. Apps run smoother on DX than N5iiS.

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  9. Hi Twister 6, love your reviews and the passion you transmit!
    Question: Opus#2 or DX200 Amp 4, 8? I’m in my final hour choices, and would love your opinion…

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    1. DX200 w/amp8 will give you a better sound and a better value and more flexibility. You will need to flash it with lurker’s free rom to get Google play, but it’s much better than opus sideloading solution.

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      1. Thanks so much for the fast reply!
        While you’re here, one last one:
        I’m interested almost exclusively in sound quality and a good looking dap, to drive a CA Atlas while on the move. Was also considering the LP6, still within budget.
        Is the DX200 hardware still a winner, considering the flexibility of “modernizing” the sound through amp8, as opposed to the embedded, fixed quality of the others?

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      2. You probably meant L6, cause LP6 will have r2r dac and cost 2x. I don’t hace atlas, don’t know how it sounds, assuming probably like Vega. L6 is not the best choice due to high output impedance and cave age interface lol! For under $1.5k you have DX200 and Plenue 2mk2. DX200 is a better value cause you get a lot of features.

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    1. It all depends on which way you want to go with dt1990 tonality. To my ears these Beyers are a bit too crisp in upper frequencies, and if you want to warm up the sound – amp5 would be the choice. If you want to squeeze out max performance with more transparency and resolution, which can also make things a little crisper, then either amp7 or amp8, depending on your cable termination.

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  13. I have a n5ii, and am looking to take the next step. My my earphone is the very good CIEM RSM from Alclair (neutral with a hint of smoothness, decent punch). Looking to increase dynamics, soundstage and detail. I was thinking of just going with the n5iis, but it seems like the Dx200 would be the bigger upgrade, especially with amp8. Would you concur? Thanks!

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    1. I concur 🙂 But wait a few more weeks, DX220 is almost here. Let’s see what it brings to the table and how much it will cost. Plus, with a release of a new DX220, you can probably get a really good deal on second hand DX200 😉

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      1. and the DX220 is looking interesting. And now Cayin is throwing the N6ii into the ring. I must now engage in the most difficult act in the world of audiophilia… waiting. I look forward to reading your reviews!

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    1. Dx150 is android dap, you can run any app with it. By default you will have to sideload apps or get apps from apkpure, with Lurker fw you will get Google Play so it makes it easier to get apps.

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      1. Do you have any link or document on how to install Lurker fw ?Currently I have cowon p1 and I like it’s analogish sound signature. can you please suggest a good player which I can use with Qobuz with similar analog/smooth sound signature? My budget is between $300 to 1k

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  16. Have you tried Amp 9 with DX150? I like a neutral/warm signature in my DAPs and got a barely used DX150 for a steal. Curious how the tube amp module might sound.

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    1. not a fan of AMP9, under powered and with high level of hissing (high noise floor), so I personally don’t use it. DX150 is a warmer and less resolving DAP to begin with, so I expect the pair up with AMP9 to be not as beneficial.

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  17. Hello! I have measured with an oscilloscope and a tone of 1 Khz 0 db the 3.5 mm output of Amp 7 and 4.4 mm of amp 8 in the DX150 and they do not deliver their maximum voltage, in the case of amp 7, which should deliver 3.2 Vrms, it delivers 2.4 Vrms; I suspect that it is limited by the hardware of the dx150. regards!

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  18. It’s on high gain and I recently tried again with the same results, amp 1 that comes with the dx150 defaults to 2.4Vrms on high gain and 3.5mm unbalanced output; I did the test with my DX200 and amp7 and in this combination it delivers 3.2 Vrms, that’s why I said that it must be a hardware limitation in the dx150… I don’t know… I would like you to try it too, I love your reviews . regards!!

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