Less that a year after releasing the iBasso DX260mk2, iBasso is back with the DX270. Positioned at $1,299, the DX270 is an Android-based DAP built around a proprietary R2R DAC architecture, with a design that has some similarities to its most recent predecessor, but also some differences. Are the differences big enough to justify this new release, and how does it hold up in comparison to the rest of the current DAP market?

Build and Design

In terms of build, DX270 follows the design language that iBasso established with the DX180 and DX340: clean lines carved into aluminum, with a design that blends sleek modern elements with a touch of vintage HiFi. DX270 features 5.5-inch, 1080p in-cell capacitive touchscreen, housed in a pocketable chassis. The relatively light weight of 265 grams (about 9 ounces) lends to its portability.

For connections, you have a 3.5mm single-ended output which can be configured for headphones (PO) or line out (LO) via software, along with two 4.4mm outputs, one dedicated for headphones, and one dedicated for line out. There’s also a miniCoax output for S/PDIF, and the USB-C port can function as an output, for using the device as a digital transport, or an input, for using the device in DAC mode. There’s also a 12V DC input for desktop mode.

The package includes a leatherette case with a velcro closure, a USB-C charge cable, a 4.4mm burn-in cable, a 12V DC power adapter, and screen protectors for the front and back of the unit. The case is similar to many other recent DAP cases I’ve seen – bundled both with iBasso’s devices and their competitors – and functionally works well. I would have preferred a magnetic clasp to velcro, but it gets the job done.

Using DX270

If you’ve used a smartphone before, the general operation of DX270 should feel pretty familiar, but there are some quirks. DX270 comes with a barebones Android 13 installation, with only their Mango Player app and two extra app stores being included in addition to the core Android apps and Google Play Store. The one app store is in Chinese, so I didn't test that thoroughly, and the other is Aptiode, an independent app store that lets you download most of the apps you’ll need without having to connect your device to the Google service ecosystem. You can also bypass Android entirely with iBasso’s MangoOS: a player-only system you can load into instead of the standard Android system. If all you need is basic library management and playback, MangoOS offers better battery life and some small improvements in sound quality over the Android system.

DX270 uses the Snapdragon 665 SoC with 4GB of RAM, and provides good overall system performance. App load times are fast, and the touch screen feels responsive. While it may not keep up with the latest flagship smartphones, it can handle non-audio related tasks – like watching YouTube or basic gaming – pretty well too.

The official battery life spec indicates that you’ll get up to 13.5 hours of music playback time, but in practical use, you get closer to 8-12 hours of pure playback more like 24-36 hours of light use and standby time. If you connect the DC 12V adapter, you’ll put DX270 into “desktop” mode, which provides additional power, enabling Super Gain mode which provided up to 1.5W of output power at 32ohms.

For storing your apps and music, DX270 has 128GB of internal storage expandable via microSD with support up to 2TB. You can copy music directly to the device from a PC, transfer via the microSD, or use apps like Qobuz and TIDAL to stream and download music. The included Mango Player is a solid option for high res music playback, but you can also download other players like PowerAmp. All in all, as an Android-based music player, the experience is very good, but pretty typical at this point. Sound performance is where DX270 it really shines.

Sound Characteristics

The DX270’s defining feature is its unique DAC architecture. While R2R DACs are becoming more common, the specific setup of a 20-bit R2R plus 4-bit string DAC design, combined with an 8-channel, fully differential discrete R2R implementation using FPGA Master is unique to DX270. The resulting sound combines the lush presentation of an R2R DAC with a crisp technical element that offers more resolution and detail than typical R2R implementations.

DX270 provides a wide soundstage, with weighty holographic imaging, but also clean separation and definition. The presentation is three-dimensional and lifelike, offering an immersive listening experience that can provide the necessary imaging information to take advantage of the advanced characteristics of many flagship IEMs. You might also feel some extra low end dynamics, with good punch in the bass and strong bass quality.

In terms of power, DX270 offers sufficient power output for a decent range of headphones using battery power, but really excels in desktop mode, delivering sufficient power for 90% of headphones out there. It’s good with IEMs as well, offering a clean black background whether running plugged in or on battery.

Comparison: iBasso DX260mk2, Cayin N6iii R202

At first glance, DX270 looks like a lot of other DAPs out there. The visual design and general heritage is owed to its predecessor, the iBasso DX260mk2, while the R2R design with strong technical elements may seem similar to the Cayin N6iii with the R202 motherboard. Is DX270 really something new and different?

Between the three devices, the OS and user experience is nearly identical. All three use the Snapdragon 665 SoC with iBasso using Android 13 and Cayin Android 12. I find that the general usability of the iBasso devices is stronger, but prefer Cayin’s player software. For the most part, the UI, interface, and performance differences are fairly negligible.

In terms of the basic hardware design and OS, DX270 is nearly identical to the DX260mk2, with DX270’s main advantage being the addition of the DC power input. The sonic differences are much larger though. Where DX260 is highly detailed and technical, its incisive nature can also leave it sounding a little dry. DX270 adds body and warmth to the sound for something that’s on the same level of technical prowess, but with more natural timbre and a more inviting sound.

N6ii with R202 is on the other side, offering a warm sound accompanied by an impressive soundstage and imaging. DX270 has some similarities, but feels cleaner and more strongly separated, with better treble extension and stronger definition. While N6iii offers more of the traditional R2R sound, DX270 has a more unique balance to the sound that appeals to listeners who want something “a little warmer” but not as warm as the R202.

The Bottom Line

At first glance, DX270 isn’t anything revolutionary – largely delivering the same user experience as other DAPs in its class, but its sound offers a unique blend of warmth and detail. iBasso’s R2R DAC design feels like a true “best of both worlds” between traditional R2R sounds and the more common chip based DACs. In the end, DX270 delivers a sound in in the space between technicality and musicality that’s truly one of a kind.