At the moment, Marcus evaluations the iBasso DX340, the newest Android 13 version of the corporate’s fashionable high-end DAP and modular amp card system. It’s priced at $1699.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank iBasso for this chance.
Click on right here to learn extra about iBasso merchandise we’ve got beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
iBasso DX340 Overview
Abstract
The iBasso DX340 takes every little thing nice in regards to the D16 Taipan and bottles it in an aesthetic wanting transportable audio participant, full with two very extremely succesful but distinct sounding AMP playing cards.
Execs
Spacious and extremely resolving sound signature
Elegant design with replaceable battery
Amp Card Modularity gives loads of sound choices.
Cons
Heavier than the earlier D3XX vary
No fast launch or sizzling swapping AMP card system.
The iBasso DX340 is the newest in a protracted line of modular digital audio participant methods, relationship again to the DX200, which was launched virtually eight years in the past.
Setting apart the Restricted Version Max collection transportable DAPs such because the DX320 MAX Ti, the DX340 must be thought-about the corporate’s flagship media participant.
It boasts an Android 13 platform, an up to date design language according to features of the latest DX260 and DX180 choices, and two new modular amp playing cards, the transistor-based AMP15 and the brand new twin tube AMP16.
The DX340 comes with AMP15 out of the field for a retail worth of $1699 with AMP16 offered individually for a not unreasonable $219.
Given its worth level and modular system, the DX340 has some worthy opponents in 2025. This consists of the HiBy’s R8 II and the brand new Cayin N6iii, which has an analogous modular strategy for its amplification but in addition consists of the DAC in every motherboard.
Options
Digital
The iBasso DX340 is an open Android 13 digital audio participant, changing the previous flagship DX320. It’s at the moment the one participant within the firm’s vary to supply a modular amplification system.
The DX340 makes use of a discrete DAC design, which attracts inspiration from an analogous D16 Taipan implementation. Its digital sign administration is dealt with by a Snapdragon 665 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an upgraded FPGA-Grasp 3.0, that includes a brand new user-controllable harmonics adjustment system.
This consists of algorithmic noise shaping to decrease the DX340 noise flooring and international clocking for jitter through 2 Accusilicon oscillators. As soon as full, a PWM or pulse wave modulation sign is shipped to the PMW DAC for decoding.
Which means it makes use of a PWM or Pulse Wave Modulation configuration in FIR Mode. There are 128 precision resistors in 16 units of 8E PWM cascades (4 units per L+, L-, R+, and R- output).
The DX340 is able to decoding as much as 32bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512 through USB with a Bluetooth 5.0 chipset offering as much as LDAC transmission do you have to select to pair the gadget with a set of wi-fi headphones or TWS.
As a result of the DX340’s open Android 13 OS is provided with system-level “Non-SRC,” you get bitperfect decoding with virtually any audio-based app you put in.
Analog
The DX340 comes with a brand new inventory modular amplification card referred to as AMP15, with the lately launched AMP16 a further buy. Because the DX340 has an up to date design language, the brand new AMP playing cards will replicate that with an up to date bracket.
I’m informed iBasso will quickly launch adaptor brackets for older suitable playing cards from the AMP1X collection, comparable to AMP12, which is a welcome bonus for these desirous to retain their funding in older fashions.
AMP15 is a balanced amplification design utilizing 8 items of TI BUF634 opamps to ship as much as 1200mW balanced and 312mW single-ended on a 32Ω load utilizing the DX340’s devoted amplification battery energy provide.
Nevertheless, AMP15 has an ace up its sleeve with a further DC12V enter socket. When related (DC plug included in equipment), it is going to enhance the voltage headroom from 8V to 12V, providing you with a most output energy score of 2150mW balanced and 550mW single-ended on a 32Ω load.
AMP16 might be the headline stealer as it’s a balanced-engineered hybrid tube and transistor amplification. It consists of a twin Raytheon JAN6418 tube with a 22.5V anode energy provide on the tube facet, 4 TI twin opamps, and 4 BUF634A on the transistor facet.
The hybrid setup additionally means the person can select between two modes through the DX340’s GUI, Tube and Class AB mode (transistor).
Every mode will ship a unique output energy degree, with Tube mode able to as much as 660mW balanced on a 32Ω load from the DX340’s battery. Class AB mode will present as much as 1W on the identical load and battery.
Like AMP15, AMP16 has the identical DC12V enter, which can improve the voltage efficiency and output headroom from 1W to 2W in Class AB mode and as much as 1.5W in Tube mode.
Design
The DX340 has much less of a smartphone aesthetic than the DX320, with a degree of engineering and 316 Stainless-steel supplies which are extra elegant and premium wanting.
iBasso has switched to a barely shorter however larger high quality 6″ 1080*2160 AMOLED display screen in comparison with the DX320’s 6.5″ capacitive 60Hz IPS display screen, which is one contributing issue to its lowered smartphone vibe.
The design language may be very according to the DX260 and, to some extent, the entry-level DX180, with some elegant machining on the facet panels and a much-improved quantity wheel system in comparison with the older DX320 dial, which I felt clashed with the in any other case easy design.
The second huge distinction is the load and thickness of the DX340. This can be a chunkier gadget and much heavier than the older DX320, weighing in at 463g in comparison with 310g.
You possibly can really feel the distinction in dealing with with the DX340’s sharper cornering, which is the place the older DX320’s smoother rounded curves have a bonus.
Thoughts you, most individuals will put the DX340 into its included carrying case, so how related these edges are for dealing with is debatable.
Person Replaceable Battery
The DX340’s again cowl is not any much less elegant, mirroring the marginally angular accented end of the DX260 close to the quantity dial with chrome steel and accomplished with a matte gunmetal coloration over the remainder of the plate.
Nevertheless, eagle-eyed readers will discover the dual screw design which, when eliminated, means that you can take away the again cowl to entry the battery pack in case it’s essential change them in some unspecified time in the future.
Just like the DX320, the DX340 has a cut up energy provide system with a devoted 2100mAh li-poly battery for amplification and a bigger 4000mAh rated battery for the digital facet, which incorporates the DAC and software program.
iBasso quotes a benchmark score of as much as 11 hours of battery life and a 2.5-hour cost cycle from 0%, which is okay however nothing spectacular and can range relying on how you utilize the participant.
I might say 11 hours is probably the most you possibly can anticipate from the DX340 utilizing AMP15. My real-world numbers are round 8 hours of playback time on a low acquire, low load native hi-res file playback setting.
Should you select the 80% battery saver possibility within the DX340 important settings, it may shorten the battery life somewhat extra however ought to enhance the general battery well being.
The DC12V possibility is a game-changer for the DX340. Not solely does it enhance voltage headroom and output energy, but it surely additionally bypasses the battery, that means you possibly can run it so long as you want with out worrying about operating out of battery life.
I/O
The digital I/O is all situated on the highest panel and is fastened, that means the selection of amplification card is not going to have an effect on the performance of those ports.
The one actual change from the DX320 is the switching of the microSD port from the facet panel to the highest and relabeling the 768kHz-capable coaxial output port to SPDIF, according to the DX260 digital I/O nomenclature and panel association.
The USB-C port will double for OTG and USB-DAC duties and gives a single charging level for the twin battery structure. When plugged in, each battery icons gentle up on the primary display screen, indicating % ranges.
The analog I/O is amp-specific, with AMP15 and AMP16 providing 3.5mm and 4.4mm PO outputs, however solely AMP15 gives lineout functionality at 1Vrms SE and 2Vrms balanced. AMP16 solely gives headphone output functionality (PO).
The black elongated rubber plug within the picture above (and on AMP16) is the DC port protector. You will have a small, skinny instrument to pry that off because it has no detectable lip to simply take away along with your fingers.
On both facet of every AMP card face panel are the normal tiny screws retaining the playing cards locked in place. I feel iBasso may need missed a step there questioning how Cayin did away with screwdrivers and screws with their new quick-release latch system on the N6iii.
Controls
The management system is unchanged from the DX320 however attracts closely from the DX260’s design language.
iBasso has adjusted the orientation of the playback buttons to a extra trendy angular show on the suitable panel and improved the multifunctional quantity wheel’s depth and knurling design.
The appropriate panel has additionally been prolonged outwards, making a simpler guard for the wheel than the DX300 and DX320’s uncovered dial. Mixed with the sturdy chrome steel supplies, they really feel strong and grippy.
I do have two observations, and they’re much like my DX320 bodily management button critique in that they occupy the identical place the place my hand naturally falls when holding the gadget. That may by chance activate playback when you’re not cautious.
The second is an absence of labeling, though it is a minor level. A triple playback management button system is sort of common in its software, although for first-time customers, it would imply accessing the handbook.
Packaging & Equipment
iBasso has used a cut up field package deal for the DX340 with a silver and blue design that’s comparatively much like the DX320 retail ensemble. It’s professional-looking, comparatively easy to unpack, and gives respectable safety for the contents.
Inside, you get loads of display screen protectors, though one is already pre-applied to the primary display screen, so you possibly can pack these away as backups.
Equipment are according to the earlier DX320 launch, together with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, an information switch cable, a dummy load burn-in cable, and an SPDIF to coaxial conversion brief IC.
The one main change is the included DC12V plug with swappable pin configuration, which can doubtless change in your particular area (mine is US 2-pin).
In case you might be questioning, my AMP16 pattern got here in a really stripped down white field and silver metallic tin with some padding for the cardboard, screwdriver and spare screws. It’s nothing to jot down residence about.
The desaturated, cyan-colored leather-based carry case is new, trendy, and matches the DX340 like a glove. There are many openings for the ports and simply sufficient area to grip the quantity wheel with out the case blocking your fingers.
Additionally it is tight on the chrome steel cassis with minimal journey over the playback buttons, so command responses are prompt when urgent.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my software program impressions
Click on on web page 3 beneath for my sound impressions and advisable pairings.
