Dual Raytheon Flagship Tubes Delight – iBasso AMP16 Amplifier Module for DX340
iBasso AMP16 is a $219 USD Amplifier module designed for DX340, featuring Dual JAN6148 Tubes inside, and it is an AMP card made for DX340 having both Class AB and Tube Output modes. Today we will review the AMP16 and see how it compares with AMP15, the one that iBasso DX340 comes with by default.
Introduction
iBasso is one of the companies at the front of audio development, research, customer satisfaction and engineering, so it is always exciting to see a new product launched by them, usually they design DAPs, having incredible products on the market, but today we review an amplifier module, which is made to improve and refine the iBasso DX340 user experience.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to iBasso for providing us with the sample for this review.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/43tUIUx
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oDF10aC
Build Quality / Design / Subjective Usage
The design of the AMP 16 is slightly different than those of previous iBasso AMP Modules, it now has a more slim design, two headphone outputs at the bottom, one in the 4.4mm balanced format, and one in the 3.5mm single ended format, and it also comes with a DC 12V input, where you can plug a wall adapter.
This new wall adapter feature is what iBasso designed for iBasso DX340 to be able to drive headphones like HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, and AMP 16 in particular is a great source for them.
At the core, AMP16 comes with Dual Raytheon JN6418 Tubes, with 22.5V Anode Power supply, two operating modes, both Tube mode and Class AB mode, and it uses a Ti Dual OP-AMP * 4 + BUF634A * 4 setup. Maximum driving power at 32 OHMs reaches 2000mW + 2000mW, which should be enough for most headphones, including Audeze LCD-5, Audeze MM-100 and HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled.
iBasso designed AMP16 with a JRC Hardware Volume Control and the 4.4mm output is a Pentacomm output. The two Raytheon JAN6418 directly heated vacuum tubes are celebrated in the audio world for their compact size, low power consumption and exceptional stability. AMP16 might present some microphonic noise when using the TUBE mode, and tapping the chassis might result in a ringing sound. In my experience, it is free of this effect, and one of the few tube AMPs that does not suffer audibly from tube microphonics.
We also see PORON Suspension for the tubes, which has the tubes standing in a hanging installation, with the tubes not touching the chassis in any way, to mitigate the microphonic effect as much as possible.
Sound Quality
Pairings and Match-up – I am actually doing an effort to keep a similar list of IEMs and Headphones for testing both AMP15 (default) and AMP16, but as I am in the process of packing everything, I made a short list of most recent IEMs and Headphones when reviewing the AMP16. For the IEM list I have used Tin HIFI P1 MAx II, Simgot EM10, HarmonicDyne Devil, and Soundz Flame. The headphone list includes Palma DHS-1, Audeze MM-100, Erzetich Mania V2024, Crosszone CZ-8a Enhanced.
One of my favorite pairings is between AMP16 and HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, the sonic quality is simply excellent, but it can drive Audeze MM-100 as well. For IEMs, the background noise level is a bit higher, but not really audible with music playing and most of the time. I really love the pairing between DX340 + AMP16 + Moritz Dragon, Soundz Flame, iBasso Klee, and Unique Melody Maven PRO. With IEMS, you can hear a background hissing with no music playing, but it is not a loud noise, it is barely audible most of time, but I could hear it with YanYin Carmen and Campfire Ara.
Overall Signature Class AB – Class AB signature is actually slightly warm, rich and organic, but a bit less detailed than the signature of the AMP15, it is focused on projecting the lower midrange more forward, creating a bit more space between instruments, resulting in a wider, more grand sounding soundstage, but AMP15 has a more brilliant, more sharp signature that feels more holographic. Between the two, AMP15 sounds sharper, more analytical, more detailed, while AMP16 in Class AB sounds warmer and more organic, richer, but slightly less analytical.
Overall Signature Tube – Here I have to say I totally missed the point when I first auditioned AMP16, as I had it engaged in Class AB mode instead of tube mode. When you engage it in the Tube Mode, AMP16 sounds far more crisp, more detailed, and immediately reminds me of the sound that iBasso PB5 has, rich, organic, but detailed, analytical, sharp and well-defined. This being said, AMP16 has none of the downsides of PB 5, I hear zero pre or post ringing, and the microphonic effect with AMP16 is non existent in my experience, you can travel with DX340 + AMP16 in your pocket and not hear any kind of tube noise, no tsss sound, it is basically perfect and tubes are implemented in such a way that iBasso managed to cancel all tube noise, while keeping all the magic of their sound, richness and organic, perfect phase sound. The tube actual tuning is sharp and crisp, very similar to the analytical sound of AMP15, different from the Class AB mode of AMP16.
12V DC In – You can always use the 12V DC input with AMP16, just like you could with AMP15, but results are mixed in my experience. It does not increase the noise floor in an audible way, and it is for the most part perfectly good to use, but it adds just a bit of extra volume and extra power, while making DX340 connected to a desktop and less convenient to use, I feel that even with Susvara Unveiled you’re just fine with DX340 + AMP16, you don’t really need the 12V DC Input. Using the wall adapter tends to have a slight overdrive effect, which makes sound feel a bit more overpowered.
For this audio review, I will be using iBasso DX340 + AMP16 with ideally the settings that most users are going to use, which is High gain for the DAC, High Gain for the AMP, Tube Mode, and H2 for the Harmonic settings. Those settings not only sound the best but offer the most flexibility and get the most out of DX340 + AMP16, and are similar to the settings one would use with AMP15, and the conditions in which I reviewed it too.
Bass – AMP16 has a thumpy bass, more impact, slower decay, and longer bass notes than AMP15, it sounds fuller and bigger, but it is still fairly close to reference and neutrality. There’s a clear sense of separation between bass and midrange, and there’s no strong coloration for lower or upper bass, what I like most is that it surely reaches 20 hz, and can deliver a long, lasting impact in the sub-bass, perfect for EDM and Electronic music, but this also gives a natural texture and body to classical / acoustic instruments and rock / metal.
Midrange – AMP16 sounds really magical in the midrange, it has a uniquely musical, cohesive and organic presentation of the mids, gives both male and female voices a natural tonality, and creates what I consider to be basically perfection for all styles. iBasso DX340 + AMP16 is versatile, there’s no clear favoritism for any music style, and they also as a combo work well for all headphones and IEMs.
Treble – In the top end we have a bright extension, AMP16 can totally reach 20 kHz, and has a bit of extra brilliance in the treble, with an excellent energy in the treble. Thanks to the wet character of the sound, AMP16 sounds fatigue-free, but it has a lot of treble presence, perfect for rock, metal and basically all music styles.
Dynamics / PRaT / Textures – Huge part of why AMP16 sounds so darn enjoyable is the texture, it has a wet character, which creates a splashy sound that’s natural, and intrinsic organic / cohesive for the human ear. AMP16 is incredibly crisp and sharp, revealing information and details in line with AMP15 if you’re using Tube Mode, but AMP16 has a softer, more musical presentation. It actually reminds me a lot of the way that Lotoo PAW GT2 renders music, it has a soft edge to harder textures, without sounding too soft or too laid-back, has the dynamic presentation and impact / kick / thump / punch of SS with the rich presentation of tubes.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – AMP16 has perfect loudness saturation gradient or volume control, it sounds the same regardless of the volume level. From volume 1 all the way to 100, it has the same low distortion, resolution and impact, with no added distortion if you go extremely loud. Signature and tuning also stays the same, which is ideal for any DAP / Amp.
Soundstage – AMP16 has a natural soundstage, it expands more in width and depth than AMP15, but has a more organic instrument separation, all instruments blend a bit more together than with AMP15, which has a more analytical approach and surgically separates instruments and layers. AMP16 has a sound more characteristic of tubes.
Value and Conclusion
For just 219 USD you can tweak and change the sound of the iBasso DX340 significantly, so I really urge you to test and try the new AMP16 if you have a DX 340 and love it. Even if you are not a big fan of the Tube Sound, you might discover that the way AMP16 handles music is uniquely pleasing, and different from other tubes, magical in its own way.
At the end of the day, a new AMP card is always excellent, and AMP16 does to DX340 what iBasso PB5 did to iBasso D16, it gives DX340 more life, softness of the tube, a pleasing analogue glow, and creates a magically smooth and musical presentation.
PROs
- Affordable
- Still excellent driving power
- Both balanced and SE outputs
- Very easy to replace
- You can use the 12V DC Input
- iBasso support is top notch
- Supported on the latest firmware
Cons
- Not quite as analytical as the default AMP15 Amplifier card
- Slightly higher overall noise floor, slightly higher THD characteristic for tubes
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/43tUIUx
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oDF10aC
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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