Name: iBasso DX180 | Digital Audio Player
Brand: iBasso
SKU: IBS-DX180-BK-128
Price: 499.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$499.00

Color

Black

Green

Blue

iBasso DX180: a Superb Digital Audio Player with a Quad DAC Array, Android 13 OS, and Extremely Black Background

Quad (x4) Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips + capable 690mW @32Ω driving power
Noticeably smoother and quicker user interface
Dedicated USB receiver for low latency USB-DAC mode
New aesthetic design, new UI (Android 13 OS), and removable back cover with battery access and serviceability
5.0" 1080x1920P screen, BT v5.0, and 802.11b/g/n/ac dual-band WiFi
3.5mm SE + 4.4mm BAL outputs (headphone / line-outs shared)
Genuine iBasso Green Case now available

iBasso DX180 blue rear, eye level with retail box

Bloom's Take

“Entry-level” means different things to different folks. But at roughly 500 bucks, DX180, iBasso’s newest budget-friendly HiFi DAP, offers everything the on-the-go audiophile typically needs at a reasonable price. It offers excellent “total package” value in terms of sound, performance, and usability for its price point, appealing to audiophile newcomers and gadget enthusiasts who want in without breaking the bank. Top mentions for the DX180 are noticeably improved user performance, impressive drive power for its size, easily the best-looking iBasso DX100 series DAP to date, pre-installed Google Play Store app, and removable back panel for easy battery swap out.

DX180 keeps in line with iBasso’s accurate, reference sound but with a twist in the form of a little bit of natural warmth, strong dynamic delivery, and decent imaging. Noteworthy and fun IEM / headphone impression pairings were DITA Project M, Moondrop Dark Saber, and Sennheiser HD660S2.

Put it all together, and DX180 makes a compelling case for anyone who wants to enhance their portable audio experience.

Check out the full review here.

(x4) CS43131 Flagship DAC Array

The CS43131, a flagship DAC chip from Cirrus Logic, boasts an impressive dynamic range of 130dB and an incredibly low THD+N of -115dB. The DX180 utilizes the same DAC matrix technology as DX260, with 4pcs CS43131 chips working in unison to exceed the theoretical technical limit of the CS43131. The AP measured THD+N reaches an impressive -121dB, demonstrating the superior technology and design concept utilized by the DX180, surpassing that of its competitors.

iBasso DX180 diagram with full feature thumbnails

FPGA-MASTER 2.0

After years of algorithm development, our FPGA-Master has entered generation 2.0. As the audio system controller, it directly requests audio data from the SoC and plays a major role in signal reproduction and maintaining signal integrity. It synchronizes and generates all audio clocks utilizing two NDK femtosecond oscillators to achieve a fully synchronized single clock source. The FPGA-Master 2.0 also has picosecond-level precise control and adjusts the DAC clock, data, and constructs the FIR filter.

iBasso DX180 rear bird's eye over vinyl record on wood table

Leading Algorithm to Achieve FIR 2x Output

The FPGA-Master 2.0 algorithm fully exploits the capabilities of the 4pcs CS43131 DAC chipsets. With the sum greatly enhancing the normal performance of the CS43131 allowing the chip set to become a super performer.

Synchronous Parallel Output Mode
This reduces "discrete distortion" between DACs to improve overall performance.

FIR 2x Mode
With FPGA-MASTER 2.0, picosecond-level precise control and adjustment of the DAC clock and data is achieved, making each DAC data stream independently adjustable. Through the "delay parallel" of DACs, the DACs form a hardware analog FIR filter, which averages the differences between multiple DACs, reducing distortion and effectively improving sound details and the quality of the bitstream.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 SoC Smooth Operator

The DX180 employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 SoC, featuring an 8-core architecture and an advanced 11nm process. This results in reduced heat generation and enhanced stability for seamless operation. With the Micro SD card expansion, the DX180 can provide an impressive 2TB of extra storage space. No matter how much music you adore, the DX180 can effortlessly accommodate it all.

closeup Snapdragon 665 CPU and circuitboard

Astonishingly True AP Measurements

The true measurements of DX170 are close to the theoretical limits of the CS43131 chipset. However, the DX180 has gone a step further, completely surpassing the obstacles and becoming an insurmountable peak in this price range. The DX180 THD+N measurement ranks second among portable audio players, with only the DX260 having a better THD+N measurement.

DX180: 133dB SNR | -121 dB THD+N
DX170: 130dB SNR | -113 dB THD+N
Competitors: 120dB SNR | -100 dB THD+N

iBasso DX180 blue rear bird's eye with connected earphones over navy silk

Blackest Background Possible

The DX180 boasts an impressively low noise floor of just 0.79uV. Even at the highest volume with high gain, the balanced port noise floor is only 1.1μV. The noise floor is significantly lower than other players in this price range and due to this, the DX180 has a distinct quietness. The black background provides an exceptionally vibrant music playback experience.

Android 13

DX180 is equipped with Android 13 system, which allows you to freely install streaming APPs and enjoy the convenience of Android. The DX180 bypasses SRC at the system level whether it is Mango Player or third-party streaming APPs, you can enjoy the system-level "Non-SRC" feature, and enjoy Hi-res music.

iBasso DX180 front bird's eye over leather couch highlighting UI

84 Minutes of Charging, 15.5 Hours Playback

The DX180 is compatible with PD3.0 and QC3.0 fast charge. The battery reaches 83% charge in just 60 minutes, and a full 100% charge is achieved in a mere 84 minutes. Additionally, the improved power management system allows for an impressive battery life of up to 15.5 hours for the balanced phone out usage and an astonishing 30 hours for Line Out playtime.

Specifications

Screen: Sharp 5.0" | 1080x1920 P | on-cell capacitive touch panel
Audio Format: APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, ACC, ALAC, AIFF, OGG, MP3, DFF, DSF, DXD, and DST
USB: Type C (3.1)
Outputs
- 4.4mm balanced phone out (+ line out)
- 3.5mm SE phone out (+ line out)
- 3.5mm coaxial output
- USB OTG
WiFi: 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4Ghz/5Ghz)
Bluetooth: v5.0
- Transmitter Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX HD, LDAC
- Receiver Codecs (DAC Mode): AAC, SBC
RAM+ROM: 128GB + 4GB
Clock: Dual NDK Femtosecond Oscillators
Battery: 3200mAh 3.8V li-polymer battery
Charge Time: 1.5 hours
Average Play Time: 15.5 hours (Low), 13 hours (High), 30 hours (Line Out)
Size: 4.8" x 2.9" x 0.6"
Weight: 7.3 oz
iBasso 1 Year Product Warranty

4.4mm BAL Headphone Out:

Max Output Level: 6Vrms
* Low Gain: 4Vrms
Output Power: 690mW + 690mW @32Ω, THD+N＜0.1%
* Low Gain: 500mW + 500mW @32Ω)
Frequency Response: 10Hz~75kHz -1dB
SNR: 133dB
Dynamic Range: 133dB
THD+N: -121dB (A-wt, 600Ω)
Crosstalk: -144dB
Noise Floor: <1.1μV (High Gain)
Output Impedance: 1.1Ω

3.5mm SE Headphone Out:

Max Output Level: 3Vrms
Output Power: 281mW + 281mW@32Ω, THD＜0.1%
Frequency Response: 10Hz~75kHz -1dB
SNR: 127dB
Dynamic Range: 127dB
THD+N: -116dB (A-wt, 600Ω)
Crosstalk: -118dB
Noise Floor: <1.1μV (High Gain)
Output Impedance: 0.6Ω

4.4mm BAL Line Out:

Max Output Level: 4Vrms
Frequency Response: 10Hz~75kHz -1dB
SNR: 133dB
Dynamic Range: 133dB
THD+N: -121dB
Crosstalk: -130dB

3.5mm SE Line Out:

Max Output Level: 2Vrms
Frequency Response: 10Hz~75kHz -1dB
SNR: 125dB
Dynamic Range: 125dB
THD+N: -112dB
Crosstalk: -115dB

In the Box

DX180 Player
USB-C cable
TPU case
Screen protector
Warranty card
Quick start guide

iBasso DX180 on wood table with retail box and included accessories, bird's eye

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Sounds fantastic

Like the title says, the DX180 sounds fantastic and I am very happy with it overall. There are some polish issues with the Mango Player app, but as iBasso is still providing updates to the device, I can hope those will the fixed in the (near?) future. I've mainly been using UAPP on it. The only complaint that I have related to the device itself is that the volume knob has some play in it, but that is a very minor issue and not enough for me to not give it 5-Stars. The only shortcomings to the device are related to the Android ecosystem. There are very few music player apps that do not resample during playback, but this cannot be held against iBasso as they have provided Mango Player which is intended to be used as the main player on the device. However, if you want to venture outside of that, the options are limited. That being said, the software on the DX180 does properly support any app that is designed to not resample (Plex Amp and Qobuz, for example). The replaceable battery played a large role in my choosing this device, however it is not designed to be removed and swapped like my older iBasso device (DX90).

Bargain hi end sound

I have listened to a few higher end DAPs, I own mojo2 and poly this is as good or better in every way!
Together with my Thea audio prestige Ltd it is an end game portable rig for me.
I own a 120k stereo system and a 30k stereo system in my bedroom. Been an audio enthusiast for 45 of my 51 years of life.
I know when something sounds good!
This the best value in portable gear!

Faster than Sony

Purchased this because I was having Bluetooth and Internet connection issues with the Sony Walkman. This one boots up much faster and connects to the internet quickly once it is setup. Bluetooth disconnects still happen but less frequently than on the Sony, I think it is an Android bug where the Bluetooth earbuds try to connect to other devices within range. It’s an annoying problem in the gym. Disconnects also occur if App cache gets too full. It is weird to get a message saying the connection was interrupted by a connection to IOS when the iPhone has been turnoff.
The wheel is a very convenient way to control the volume and the sound is first rate.

Very happy with DX180

Was looking for a great sounding media player with streaming capabilities to apps other than the most popular ones. The DX180 has delivered. It’s worked great with all the Bluetooth devices I’ve used. Hook up some balanced headphones and WOW, power galore! Lastly I’ve had no issues with ejecting the micro SD card, or and battery issues. Very happy with the player.

Best DAP purchase I've made!

Bought an 'Open Box' IBasso DX180 and I have not regretted the decision! The item was shipped fast and arrived well packaged and much much earlier than I was expecting it! My first purchase from Bloom and will not be my last! The folks at Bloom deliver great products and checked all the right boxes! Well done Bloom and company!!

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iBasso DX180 | Digital Audio Player