Second Variant Wins It All – iBasso DX260 MK2 Music Player DAP
iBasso DX260 MK2 is a $949 USD Music Player DAP with an Octa DAC Chip Matrix, Qualcomm 665 SoC, and with a Removable Back Cover, an upgrade from the original DX260. Today we explore the new MK 2 version of the DX260, what changed, what improved and which one to get, or when it is worth it to upgrade, in case you’re rocking the old one.
Introduction
iBasso is one of the most popular and most reliable audio companies out there, producing some of the most reliable DAPs, being the only company I know of, which makes it their mission to make those serviceable, so you never feel forced to upgrade unless you really want to for sound reasons. This includes removable back cover, easy to replace batteries and support far beyond what the competition offers.
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/40HfuOt
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oBNDMyK
Build Quality – Design – MK1 vs MK2 Differences
iBasso made both sonic, but also physical improvements to the new DX260 MK2, and while exploring everything the DAP can do is fun, I highly recommend that you read my original review exploring the iBasso DX260.
CPU Improvement – At the core, the new version comes with an improved and upgraded SoC chipset, and while the original came with a Snapdragon 660 CPU, the new DX260 MK2 comes with a Snapdragon 665 CPU, and there are quite a few key differences between them. The naming scheme is similar, but the newer chipset offers better support, and it is built on a more efficient 11nm tech, compared to the 14nm the 660 was built on, resulting in far less heat produced, less energy consumed and better battery life for the new version.
Improved Internal Storage – While for most music lovers, the Internal Storage of their DAP is not that important, as you carry most of your library on a microSD card, for streaming services and keeping some of your collection offline, you need a higher amount of internal ROM memory, so it is nice to see that the new MK2 version upgrades the ROM to 128 GB from the 64GB the original had, and it also improves the storage tech to UFS storage instead of the eMMC tech the original model used.
Android Operating System – While iBasso offers security updates and tries to upgrade the OS to the latest one available, sometimes, this is a limitation of the CPU, and the new DX260 MK2 comes with Android 13 instead of the android 11 that the original came with. This includes far better and longer app support, smoother system operation and better USB DAC support. We still have the Dual System where you can boot DX260 MKII in Mango Mode, a pure music mode, and having a newer Android version means that Tidal, Youtube and other apps will keep working for more years after you purchase the DAP.
Color options – While the original DX260 was available in the Black / Silver color, the new one can be purchased in White / Silver, a new look for the DAP. I personally went for the sleek, dark look of the original, but I have to admit, the white / silver looks really nice in photos. All design elements, display, wheel and other physical parts are the same.
Audio Upgrades – Many reviewers and buyers have reported that sound has changed considerably in the new version, so we will explore that down below. Maximum output power is 586 mW per channel, so 586 mW + 586 mW for an impedance of 16 OHMs, for the single ended output (this is 280 mW + 280 mW for an impedance of 32 OHMs), while for the balanced headphone output you will get 1015 mW + 1015 mW for an impedance of 32 OHMs.
Battery Life – While this is not directly advertised, all iBasso DAPs have a good battery life, but the one of DX260 MK2 is simply insane. I forgot it in USB DAC mode for 6 hours, and it drained less than 20%, I can forget it turned on overnight and still it won’t drain more than 30%, while most DAPs will wake up dead if treated the same. It is too good, and this super long battery life started with the MK2.
USB DAC – Subjective Usage
At the core, iBasso DX260 MK2 uses the same Octa-Core DAC powered by 8 Cirrus Logic CS43198 Chips, iBasso’s FPGA-Master 2.0 System Controller, and it allows you to bypass the internal battery and run DX260 MK2 solely on the external power supply, to extend the battery life and usage of the DAP. This helps avoid overheating and increases the longevity of the DAP. We have a dedicated USB Receiver for the USB DAC Mode, with support for both ASIO and WASAPI modes.
Subjectively, DX260 mk2 feels very similar when compared to the original, it is a bit smoother in operation, and battery life is quite a bit better. The fact that the CPU draws less power is noticeable and it stays much cooler during operation with a better power handling. The whole system is smoother, Tidal and other apps are more fluid, and everything works a bit better. Physically, it is the same, with the same display, although side by side, the brightness seems improved and the new MK2 seems to be easier to read under full sunlight.
microSD support is similar, although the new MK2 variant seems to have an easier time browsing huge playlists, indexing and processing everything. As I mentioned earlier, the two CPUs seem very similar when you just look at the name, but there’s a generational leap between them. iBasso DX260 MKII has a perfect USB DAC function, it never has any kind of delay, and it is perfect for real-time playback, including gaming and watching videos.
Sound Quality
Pairings – I have paired the new iBasso DX260 MK2 with a selection of earphones and headphones including KBEar Cepheus, Xenns Mangird Top Pro, Punch Audio Martilo, Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced, TanchJim Origin, NFAudio NE4, NfAudio NA2+, Rose Technics QT-X, Palma DHS-1, and RAPTGO LEAF D01. To test harder to drive headphones, I have also paired the DX260 mk2 with Sendy Audio Aiva 2, Sivga Peng, Audeze MM-100, HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, Erzetich Mania V2024, and HarmonicDyne Baroque.
It has more than enough power for all the IEMS in this list, even on low gain, but on high gain it drives the CZ-10 Enhanced and Palma DHS-1 with ease. In fact, DX260 MK2 is perfect even for HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, although Susvara Original is not drivable from any portable in particular. The new variant seems to handle harder to drive headphones better, lower distortion, better control. But there’s an even bigger change with IEMs and portable headphones, where the new version has a lower background noise, and better micro dynamics and a finer resolution.
Overall Signature – Starting from the bottom, DX260 MK2 has a fuller, more dynamic, more engaging sound than the original, it comes with far improved resolution and details, but a more organic and cohesive sound. iBasso went from a mostly neutral, clean sound and reference presentation on the original DX260, which at times felt a bit flat, to a sound that’s engaging, holographic, wide, dynamic, punchy and vivid on the new DX260 MKii. Everything has more life, more color, without a particular coloration, outside of the punchier, stronger bass, and more brilliant treble, wider soundstage expansion.
Bass – Bottom end on the original iBasso dX260 has always been considered to be quite neutral and reference, but MK2 comes to bring more substance, weight and life into the mix, to give you a fuller, deeper bass, more impact, more punch and more kick. You can say that MK2 brings in more bass, a deeper, more rounded presentation, and has better control, with a smoother, more rounded and more realistic bass. In fact, it is so nice in the low-end that it can power up and put some real kick into headphones that are otherwise too flat and neutral. It really brings everything to life, giving a full and groovy bassline to bass guitars in jazz, rock, metal, EDM, Dubstep and Pop.
Midrange – MK2 is like a true winner in resolution and clarity, while keeping the sound engaging, dynamic and organic, it is different, more realistic, less flat, deeper and more holographic. Both male and female voices are enhanced equally, both sound more real via DX260 MK2. All sound is more vivid, more colorful, female voices sound more brilliant, more present and forward, while male voices are deeper and more present. It makes the original sound much flatter, while MK2 sounds true-to-life, alive and can render the energy and power of a live concert really well.
Treble – At the top, the new one is more brilliant, but less harsh, less grainy. A few readers have told me that they felt like the original DX260 was a bit too brash and revealing, bringing forward a bit too much grain, so they will be happy to hear that the new one is much more lively, but smoother, more fluid, less harsh and less grainy. There’s quite a difference in the treble presentation, basically MK1 is flat, Mk2 is engaging, lively but less fatiguing.
Dynamics / PRaT / Textures – A big part of the sonic change comes from the texture presentation, the OG DX260 went for a signature that is as fast, clean and neutral as possible, revealing everything, but this also reveals harsh and grainy textures in music, while the new DX260 MK2 sounds smoother in the textures, more fluid and less harsh. Impulse response and detail revealing abilities are similar, but MK2 renders a slightly more splashy texture, which increases the headroom for volume, and how organic the sound comes through considerably.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – While I never felt like the original struggles with volume, MK2 seems to deliver a higher headroom, connected to both the different tuning. This means that you can pump a higher volume in all headphones and IEMS, but it is a very consistent DAP, it does not stress regardless of the volume you’re listening at, always in control, authoritative and in balance.
Soundstage – I feel like this is one of the two key aspects that MK2 improves significantly above the original, the soundstage is far wider, more holographic and especially deeper. The original had a flatter sound, wide, but not very deep, while MK2 makes sound far deeper, more definition and separation between layers and instruments, better definition for each instrument. This can easily be felt in both rock, metal, but also with pop and EDM music, music is brilliant, well defined, each instrument has a wide space in which it plays, but it is separated from the others, music really comes alive with MK2.
Value and Conclusion
iBasso DX260 MK2 is a full upgrade, and for the same price as the original, it is basic perfection from a price / performance ratio. It has solid improvements and I am super happy that iBasso kept the same price point.
At the end of the day, iBasso DX260 mk2 is a full upgrade over the original, it comes for the same price, but has a more organic sound, better musicality, it is perfect, and now DX260 mkii is one of the best DAPs you can purchase at this price point.
PROs
- Beautiful and clean design
- Longer battery life than the original
- Smoother operation
- Better music playback and USB DAC stability
- Brighter, more brilliant display
- A bit warmer, more engaging, less aggressive sound
- More musical, more organic, more cohesive
- Tidal and all streaming services work much better
- Still removable batteries
- Excellent price performance ratio
Cons
- Not a single con, it even is an upgrade for the same price as the original
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/40HfuOt
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oBNDMyK
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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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