ELITE PORTABLE HIFI | IBASS DC-ELITE REVIEW 2024

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ELITE PORTABLE HIFI | IBASS DC-ELITE REVIEW

In recent years, the popularity of portable HiFi has skyrocketed, and as consumers’ need for better alternatives for portable audiophiles has grown., new devices with unprecedented power and sophistication have entered the market. With a long history of success in the portable audio market, iBasso’s newest offering seeks to satisfy the needs of avid portable listeners by encasing the technology from their flagship DAPs in an incredibly compact design. Will they be able to produce a dongle DAC that is really worth $449?

TOP LEVEL INFO

The DC-Elite DAC is incredibly portable and features S/PDIF and USB connections.
The DX320 Max DAP serves as the foundation for several areas of the signal chain.
The goal of DC-Elite’s design is to achieve the highest levels of component quality and signal chain integrity feasible for this form factor.

BUILD AND DESIGN

The DC-Elite comes in a very conventional box that contains OTG cables for connecting to USB-C or lighting devices, as well as a protective case.
The gadget is somewhat larger and heavier than other dongle-style DACs, yet it fits neatly in your pocket beside your phone.
The gadget itself is made of solid metal and designed in a retro manner. It comes with a leatherette case in the same recognizable green color as previous iBasso cases.
The DC-Elite has an analog volume control with a 24-position stepped attenuator that is clearly shown in the device’s profile.

The DC-Elite can output to either 3.5mm single-ended or 4.4mm balanced, and a button on the unit’s side converts the 3.5mm headphone port to S/PDIF mode. DC-Elite lacks a battery; therefore, it draws power from the connected device. As usual, this will have a noticeable influence on your phone’s battery life; however, DC-Elite manages to deliver consistent power without draining the battery much. The ROHM BD34301EKV DAC helps with this since it is intended to give the most power and dynamics with the least amount of power consumption.

iBasso has also carefully selected the components in this system to maximize sound quality; however, this may interfere with convenience at times. The size and weight are greater than many other devices in this class,. and the stepped attenuator is an excellent example of something that improves sound quality but may detract from certain people’s user experience. Do the tiny design flaws result in a better sound when everything is considered?

SOUND

While it can’t quite equal the sound of iBasso’s top-tier DAPs, DC-Elite gets very close. The imaging and soundstage are remarkable for a device in this class, and the reference sound, which is detailed, undoubtedly echoes the DX320 MAX. The well-extended treble is particularly noteworthy as it provides outstanding definition without sounding harsh. Similar to DC-Elite, it offers a well-extended bottom end and great bass quality without focusing on any specific frequencies.

The imaging from DC-Elite has a broad stage that is positioned somewhat away from the listener, giving excellent separation. The imagery of DC-Elite is less “in the room with the artist” and more “ten rows back at the arena.” You’ll get a highly clear, intensely immersive experience if you pair it with good imaging headphones or IEMs.

For an ultra-portable DAC, the DC-Elite packs a lot of punch. It performs admirably with both easy-to-drive planar magnetic headphones like the Meze Empyrean 2 or HIFIMAN Arya Organic and high-impedance dynamic headphones like the Sennheiser HD660S2. The DC-Elite is a fantastic option for IEMs and has an extremely low noise floor, even if it won’t be on the shortlist of suggestions for the Modhouse Tungsten.

COMPARISON: IFI GO BAR KENSEI ($499), DITA NAVIGATOR ($299)

Navigator has a comparable tough build, while Kensei packs a similar punch while offering a similar type of blow.

Each unit provides simple but more than enough packaging for most applications, with OTG connections all around.
Testing them with a variety of devices revealed no significant differences in basic usage or connection.

With OTG cables everywhere, each device offers a basic but more than enough kit for the majority of purposes. There wasn’t much of a difference in their fundamental use and connectivity when I tested them with a few different devices. The analog volume control and stepped attenuator on the DC-Elite are a double-edged sword: while they aren’t as easy to use as the other two, they are the only ones that provide you with a clear indication of your volume level when the music isn’t playing continuously.

Of the three, DC-Elite has the most analytical sound, while Kensei has the warmest sound—a warmth that can be enhanced even more by using the XBass option. Navigator is in the center, with a somewhat romantic sound that keeps the atmosphere neutral, . detailed, and smooth with a hint of warmth. With a variety of headphones and IEMs, all three function similarly; however, Kensei requires iEMatch to match the significantly lower noise levels of DC-Elite and Navigator.

It truly depends on exactly what you’re searching for between the three. Would you like the GO bar Kensei’s expanded feature set? The DC-Elite’s very pure signal path? the Navigator’s excellent cost-performance? But when it comes down to it, DC-Elite wins out in terms of unadulterated sound quality and detail.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Although the DC-Elite isn’t the tiniest, least expensive, or most feature-rich DAC in its class, iBasso has gone above and beyond to provide it with the greatest parts and audio quality to offer some of the highest levels of detail and resolution conceivable in this size and shape. Nothing beats the DC-Elite if you want a genuinely portable form factor without sacrificing sound quality.