iBasso DC-Elite | Hi-Res Balanced Portable DAC and Amp

I find myself listening to this fantastic dongle with my Monarch MK3s more than the rest of my collection as it’s a great pairing for my preferences. Build quality is awesome (as expected) and the stepped attenuator is very useful. Slight static when changing volume isn’t bothersome to me and worth the tight channel balance at any volume. Started with the Fiio Q15 which was pretty neat, but the sound signature didn’t do it for me.

Next I ordered the Questyle M15i and the DC Elite at the same time. While the M15i sounds excellent, it requires a usb OTG cable while the DC Elite works fine with a standard usb C cable and generally sounds better to my ears, for all genres I’ve tried. I find myself preferring the DC Elite to my Schiit stacks with the MK3s, but haven’t tried running anything else off it yet. That’s saying something for me because I love Schiit’s house sound in the two units mentioned. When compared to my Ifi Black Label, it’s obvious the DC Elite is a massive improvement, IMO.

I also noticed this unit was less prone to RF interference than the M15i and though I did experience some while streaming on LTE at work, the issue was solved by using a standard usb C cable and keeping my phone at least 12” from the DC Elite. Seems only prone to RF interference from some bands of LTE but not all.

I’ll list my other current gear for comparisons sake:

Amps / DACs: Schiit Jot 2 / SMSL D6S, Asgard 3 / SMSL SU-1, Ifi Micro Black label

Headphones: HE1000 Stealth, Denon D9200s, Modded HE500s (two pairs…lol) OG Anandas, XTC Opens, LCD2 Classics, LCD i4s, i3s, iSine 20s / 10s, SE846s and others not worth mentioning.

I previously used a THX Onyx which costs 200 bucks and immediately noticed a fuller, more dynamic sound with this dongle. The wow factor of the upgrade faded fast, and I'm still happy to know I have the best, but I don't think most people would say it's worth it. If you're serious about getting the best performance and aren't as concerned about "value" then you should get it.

Are there better? Yes, but they're larger and likely run off an internal battery. If you want a self-powered DAC/amp, this thing has tons of clean power.

I'm someone who, despite my better judgment, purchases audio products site unseen, or rather, ears unheard. I go by online reviews and word of mouth, and often to my utter disappointment. With the iBasso DC Elite, I read quite a bit of hype, took the bait, and bought yet another DAC dongle. Suffice it to say, my expectations were greatly exceeded and for the first time, I realized that the hype was actually real this time. It is by far and without question, the best portable DAC/amp I've ever heard. I could write an essay on all the reasons why, but I'll just say that it's the first portable solution that completely disappears and lets you forget about the hardware and just simply enjoy the music. Best purchase I've made in hifi. Period.

The iBasso DC-Elite is the best DAC/amp I have ever used. I prefer it over any other dongle I own or have tried, and it surpasses all three of my desktop combos. Priced at $450, it is worth every penny. The sound is natural, lush, and energetic without ever being harsh. It elevates every song to a new level of beauty, with a very smooth midrange and no loss of detail. If you're considering buying a desktop or portable amp/DAC, this should be your first choice. Based on all the reviews I've read, it outperforms the Mojo2, and iBasso wisely included a 4.4mm output. There's nothing I wish were different about it; it's heavy but built like a tank, and it comes with a green leather case. After two days of burn-in, it started delivering its best sound, and now it's pure magic. I find myself unplugging my Schiit stack and using the iBasso with my computer at night, and taking it with me when I'm out and about. I have no regrets about this purchase. Great job, iBasso!