iBasso

iBasso has been expanding its lineup of DAPs and portable DAC/Amps with standout models like the DX260, DX180, DC07PRO, PB5, and DC Elite. They also made waves in the IEM scene with popular, budget-friendly releases such as the IT04, AM05, and 3T-154. We previously reviewed the DX260, DC07PRO, and 3T-154 and were thoroughly impressed.

Now, iBasso is returning to the portable DAC/AMP market with the innovative D16. Priced at $1499 USD, new D16 from iBasso Audio. Powered by the FPGA-Master 2 platform, this all-to-DSD DAC/amp, named 'Taipan,' uses individual resistors, capacitors, and custom code. With DSP performance reaching nearly -174dB of THD, it's iBasso’s most innovative and proprietary creation yet.

Unlike traditional DAC/amps that rely on off-the-shelf DAC chips, the D16 converts all your audio—from CD rips and Hi-Res downloads to Spotify, Tidal, and Apple Music streams—into DSD before decoding it to analog.

Every format is processed as DSD via the D16's 1-bit decoder. For audiophiles with SACD rips or DSD64 files, the D16 offers significant improvements, specifically targeting and minimizing DSD64's notorious ultrasonic noise issues, making it the first Head-Fi product to do so effectively.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

4.4mm Line

• Output Level: 3.3Vrms (DAC Low Gain) | 4Vrms (DAC Hi Gain)
• THD+N: -120.4dB (0.000095%) @1kHz AES17-20K A-wt
• DNR/SNR: 123dB AES17-20K A-wt
• Crosstalk: 135dB
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz +/-1dB

3.5mm Line

• Output Level: 1.65Vrms (DAC Low Gain) | 2Vrms (DAC Hi Gain)
• THD+N: -118dB (0.00012%) @1kHz AES17-20K A-wt
• DNR/SNR: 120dB AES17-20K A-wt
• Crosstalk: 133dB
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz +/-1dB

4.4mm Headphone

• Output Level
  • 4.2Vrms (AMP Low Gain + DAC Hi gain)
  • 6.8Vrms (AMP Hi Gain + DAC Hi gain)
• Output Power: 1125mW+1125mW@320 THD+N<0.5%
• THD+N: -117dB(0.00014%)@1kHz AES17-20K A-wt 600Q Load
• DNR/SNR: 123dB AES17-20K A-wt
• Crosstalk: 131 dB
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz +/-1dB

3.5mm Headphone

• Output Level
  • 2.1Vrms (AMP Low Gain + DAC Hi gain)
  • 3.4Vrms (AMP Hi Gain + DAC Hi gain)
• Output Power: 640mW+640mW@160 THD+N<0.5%
• THD+N: -114dB (0.00019%) @1kHz AES17-20K A-wt 6000 Load
• DNR/SNR: 118dB AES17-20K A-wt
• Crosstalk: 130dB
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz +/-1dB

Input Interface

• USB-C: supports PCM768kHz/DSD512
• 3.5mm COAX: supports PCM768kHz/DoP256
• 3.5mm optical: supports PCM192kHz/DoP128

Output Interface

• 4.4mm BAL (or Line Out)
• 3.5mm SE (or Line Out)

Battery and Form Factor

• Charging interface: USB-C, supports 5V/2A and QC3.0 quick charging
• Charging time: 2.5 hours
• Battery life: 9 hours
• Size: 5.47" x 3.23" x 1.10"
• Weight: 11 oz

Cutting Edge Components

• 128pcs low-temperature drift 0.1% high-precision 25ppm thin film resistors
• 24 position 4 section stepped attenuator (channel tolerance less than +/-0.1dB)
• Dual Accusilicon ultra-low phase noise femtosecond oscillators (noise floor as low as -158dBc/Hz (@1kHz)
• Professional audio DSP chip, theoretical dynamic range up to 192dB, THD+N up to -174dB
• Ultra-low noise analog power supply with noise as low as 0.6μV
• 1.3" OLED display

DESIGN & BUILD QUALITY

The D16 measures approximately 139mm x 82mm x 28mm and weighs 312g. It boasts an all-aluminum construction, with a tempered glass section on top that houses a 1.3-inch OLED display for easy menu navigation. Its design features a CNC-machined grille-like pattern, creating a striking two-tone effect through the interplay of light and shadow. Notably, the D16 is 143g lighter than the iFi Audio Diablo 2.

The D16 features a compact yet sturdy design crafted from black anodized aluminum. Its back, sides, and part of the front panel are adorned with ribbed detailing, reminiscent of heat sinks found on stationary amplifiers. While this design choice is primarily aesthetic rather than functional, it adds a sleek, industrial look to the unit. In reality, the D16 doesn’t generate enough heat to require significant cooling. Nonetheless, it stands out as an elegant and durable device.

The D16's front panel features a control wheel alongside an analog 24-step, 4-section volume dial. Next to these controls are two output jacks - one for headphones and one for line output supporting both 3.5mm and 4.4mm connections. On the back, you'll find the power switch, SPDIF inputs (both optical and coaxial), and two USB-C ports. One is dedicated to data transfer, while the other is for charging, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously. Separating power and data lines ensures optimal performance and stability.

PACKAGING & ACCESSORIES

• D16 Taipan
• Protective Case
• USB-C to C OTG Cable
• USB-C to Lightning OTG Cable
• Digital Coax Mini connector
• Warranty card
• Quick start guide

Ensuring comprehensive connectivity straight out of the box, the package includes four low-profile cables neatly stored in a black pouch, along with a separate USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and data transfer. This setup offers versatility for various devices. Additionally, the box contains a quick guide for easy setup and an after-sales booklet, available in multiple languages. This inclusive approach enhances the user experience and reflects a strong commitment to clear communication and support for a diverse audience.

TECH INSIDE

iBasso designed the D16 with a 1-bit DSD DAC to eliminate conversion errors. The accuracy of DSD’s 1-bit conversion to analog is unmatched, relying on the simplicity of digital data being either a 1 or a 0. To convert this digital signal to analog, the bitstream is passed through a low-pass filter.

Before reaching this stage, however, the D16 processes incoming data—whether DSD or PCM—from your smart devices via USB, coaxial, or optical inputs. It applies heavy oversampling to the data, ensuring the cleanest possible 1-bit digital stream for conversion.

FPGA-Master 2.0

The D16's FPGA-Master 2.0 is the culmination of three years of algorithm development by iBasso, enabling significant breakthroughs in their portable discrete DAC technology. The FPGA handles signal reorganization and recoding, generating PWM signals that are processed by the PWM-DACs. With precise control from the FPGA-Master 2.0, the 128 independent PWM-DACs operate in FIR mode to produce L+, L-, R+, and R- outputs. Each data bit from the DACs is carefully delayed and aligned through advanced compensation, ensuring optimal audio quality.

Oversampling for Purity

One of the D16’s standout features is its ability to address the inherent noise in DSD64 and the issues with PCM, such as steep digital filtering and intersample overs. iBasso’s DSP oversamples data to extreme bit depths and sample rates, synchronized with the new FPGA-Master 2, which generates I2S signals. This high-rate data is then processed through Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) in preparation for 1-bit decoding.

Precision and Control

Each of the D16's 32 0.1% resistors per DAC phase operates at precise moments in the time domain. Managing 128 individual DAC elements could easily result in chaos, but the FPGA-Master 2 ensures precise control over each resistor-capacitor low-pass filter, optimizing outputs in both the time and frequency domains.

Exceptional Audio Clarity

The result of these finely tuned components working in harmony is a continuous, coherent waveform with enhanced detail capture and minimal errors. This precision allows the D16 to reproduce your music more accurately, delivering a listening experience that remains faithful to the original recording.

The D16’s PWM DSP pre-stage addresses common issues found in traditional noise-shaped digital signals, specifically the inconsistent rise and fall edges at the frequency level. By making precise adjustments, the D16 ensures more accurate and predictable switching. It also incorporates a digital volume control with large coefficients to fine-tune levels and expand the datastream width.

This method reduces errors by eliminating intersymbol interference. Importantly, non-linearities caused by rise and fall mismatches do not result in total harmonic distortion. iBasso's PWM DSP ensures that harmonic errors do not fluctuate with changes in digital output levels.

With its high bit-depth and sample rate headroom, the D16 avoids overload problems as the signal is converted back to a 1-bit DSD signal for low-pass filtered conversion. The signal is now operating at a bandwidth of 49Mhz, pushing DSD's white noise issues well beyond the audible range.

Super Class A Discrete Amplifier

The D16 features a super Class A discrete amplifier architecture similar to that of the DX320MAX. It utilizes 20 low VCEsat (BISS) dual transistors, offering exceptional performance with an impressive output current capability of up to 2A. This results in a powerful output of 1125mW + 1125mW at 32Ω, delivering robust performance and driving power for high-end headphones and earphones.

iBasso's proprietary discrete technology sets the D16 apart from typical commercial DAC chips, where IC packages are often too limited to handle proper 1-bit DSD conversion. The D16 also avoids the errors associated with dynamic element matching found in 2-7 bit delta-sigma decoders.

The delicate analog voltage waveform, carefully decoded from DSD in the D16, is treated with great care. iBasso's extensive R&D efforts in developing their own DAC technology shine through, as the fragile small signal is adjusted by the same discrete resistor attenuator made famous by the DX320 Max TI.

This stepped attenuator ensures that the D16 maintains its resolution at any volume level, allowing it to deliver a finely detailed sound even at lower listening levels, making it perfect for pairing with flagship earphones.

SOUND

WOW, if anything deserves top marks, it's the D16! We’re genuinely impressed by the natural and immersive sound it delivers. It's rare for a portable device to impress this much, and that’s why the D16 feels more like a desktop unit in terms of performance.

The D16 offers a transparent and linear sound signature without leaning toward analytical or warm characteristics. Its tuning is neutral, with a natural, analog tonality. While the sound is smooth and organic, it doesn't feel colored but rather naturally transparent and highly resolving, making it an effortless and synergistic match with most IEMs and headphones.

BASS

The D16 is completely neutral and free from any coloration. Its sound signature remains pure and unaltered, providing a true-to-source listening experience. Even though the bass on the D16 is solid, it reaches deep with a fast resolve. Its texture and detail are highly impressive. The bass extends with a deep, textured rumble, while the mid-bass delivers a tight, fast punch. Bass decay is clean and controlled, ensuring the sound remains clear without any muddiness. The D16's bass presence is noticeable and impactful, but it never overpowers the rest of the music, striking the perfect balance for an engaging listening experience.

Overall, The D16’s bass impresses with its transparency, remarkable detail, and precision. It combines maximum depth, linearity, and a well-structured, almost rigid texture, creating a reference-quality bass experience, especially for a portable device. The bass extends deep, revealing layer upon layer of sub-bass with impressive clarity. The D16’s delicacy allows for incredible nuance and variability in the lower bass, showcasing a rich and diverse palette in this frequency range. It’s clear that the D16 would excel as a source in a tri-phonic setup with a subwoofer, delivering outstanding bass performance.

MID

The midrange on the D16 is incredibly natural, with accurate and balanced tuning from the lower to upper mids, showcasing excellent linearity. The D16 excels in delivering an organic, lifelike midrange without any hint of dryness. Its clarity and ability to retrieve micro details are exceptional. The upper midrange resolution is outstanding—hi-hats sound airy and detailed, while crashes are rich with texture. Both male and female vocals are vibrant, blooming with clarity and emotional nuance. The detailed, natural mids and organic vocals remain front and center, never overshadowed by the powerful bass.

The D16 delivers impressive technical performance while retaining a smooth and balanced sound. It doesn’t aim for an overly soft or comfortable presentation, but its attention to detail and clarity never becomes harsh or aggressive. This is a prime example of an analytical sound profile, enhanced by precise microdynamics, that remains versatile with a wide range of headphones. While bright or "sharp" models will sound true to their nature, the D16 won’t exaggerate these traits, ensuring a natural listening experience without added emphasis.

TREBLE

The treble presentation is crisp, airy, and exceptionally detailed, extending smoothly to create a sense of openness without any harshness or edginess. It delivers top-tier resolution, extension, and transparency. This expansive treble enhances the soundstage, adding significant height and perceived headroom. Acoustic music particularly shines here, with guitars displaying well-defined textures that avoid sharpness.

The treble on the D16 is carefully presented, with a restrained and balanced approach—never pushed forward or overly emotional. The focus is primarily on delivering detailed, informative sound. The same technical smoothness mentioned earlier extends to the highs as well. While not overly sharp, the D16 provides just the right amount of clarity, definition, and separation, ensuring the treble remains clear without sounding harsh.

Overall, the D16's treble is smooth, refined, and airy, featuring a natural timbre that elevates the overall listening experience. This makes it an excellent choice for audiophiles seeking an authentic and detailed sound.

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

The D16's separation and imaging capabilities are standout features that set a new benchmark in its price range. The soundstage is impressively wide, holographic, deep, and tall, creating a spaciousness that enhances the overall listening experience. This expansive quality draws listeners deeper into the music, fostering a sense of immersion. Its ability to deliver precise instrument separation, along with a soundstage that accurately reflects the recording's intended depth and width, is truly exceptional.

The D16 maintains a perfect tonal balance when reproducing soundstage and imaging. It presents images at a medium scale—neither overly clinical, as if viewed under a microscope, nor exaggerated in a hyperrealistic way. The balance is spot on, with weight, size, outline, and positioning all executed to a high standard, delivering an immersive and natural listening experience.

Pairing the D16 with the Dunu SA6 MK2 - The soundstage expansion is impressively holographic and quite wide, with notable depth and height that allows the sound to project vividly beyond my head. Unlike some other sources paired with the SA6 MK2, this one delivers a more balanced signature. However, you can still experience deep, powerful bass impact that feels slightly forward, enhancing the overall listening experience. The mids present a rich tapestry of detail, layered and effortlessly revealing without crossing into the realm of excessive analysis. The treble shines with a crispness that feels organic, harmonizing beautifully with the other frequencies. This creates a holographic soundstage that expands the audio beyond the confines of your head, deepening the immersive experience and pulling you into the music.

iBasso D16 VS iFi Audio Diablo 2

The Diablo 2 offers every possible connection option, including Bluetooth 5.4 and a combined Toslink/coaxial input. It also has the ability to operate directly from a power outlet. iFi includes their own proprietary power supply—not a linear one, but an ultra-quiet pulse generator. In Nitro mode, the Diablo 2 delivers an impressive 2,450 mW of power from the battery, and when plugged into an outlet, that power output jumps to an incredible 5,180 mW.

The Diablo 2 offers a slightly bright and aggressive sound, featuring a broad, detailed signature infused with warmth and dynamic range. Its midrange is exceptionally detailed and natural, making it a great match for a variety of headphones and IEMs. The treble maintains that detail with an airy quality, occasionally introducing a sharp but still natural edge. Compared to the D16, the Diablo 2 offers a more pronounced definition in the upper frequencies, while the D16 shines with purer sound, enhanced clarity, and superior resolution. Vocals on the D16 are particularly captivating, offering a pleasurable and impressive experience. While the Diablo 2 leans towards a sharper and more aggressive sound, the D16 envelops the listener in a buttery smoothness.

While the D16 positions listeners slightly further back, creating the illusion of a vast concert hall, the Diablo 2 delivers a more immediate, "in-your-face" sound that is noticeably more assertive and somewhat aggressive. It emphasizes the dynamics of the lower frequencies, while the treble carries an added intensity. The sound of the Diablo 2 is characterized by its emotional depth, energetic presence, warmth, and straightforward delivery.

The soundstage expansion is similar between the two devices, but the D16 excels in depth. Both showcase impressive detail, resolution, dynamism, and technical prowess, but the imaging is better on the Diablo 2. However, the D16 has a slight edge, particularly in the upper midrange, where it feels more resolving.

Ultimately, the D16 stands out as our preferred portable amp, especially for pairing with IEMs, where it demonstrates greater compatibility than the Diablo 2. While the D16 delivers exceptional value for audiophiles, the Diablo 2 offers a unique sound signature that emphasizes emotional expression, musicality, and a captivating presentation.

CONCLUSION

If you’re seeking a neutral, uncolored sound, under the $1500 the iBasso D16 Taipan is an outstanding choice. It stands out as a remarkable portable amp, featuring high-quality components that work seamlessly together, thanks to iBasso’s excellent engineering. Its design and build quality are impressive, complementing its exceptional sound performance. With a sleek aesthetic and multiple connectivity options, it offers practicality for a variety of setups. This makes it an excellent device for audiophiles looking for power and high-fidelity audio in a portable form factor.

We highly RECOMMEND this product!