DX260 Uses the Latest DAP Innovations to Deliver Next-level Performance

Octa DAC Chip Matrix using Flagship Cirrus Logic CS43198 (x8)
Maintains optimum signal integrity and low jitter with iBasso’s FPGA Master 2.0
Android 11 and MangoOS give you a choice between a wide-open app-centric experience, or a pure player with nothing in the way
Removable back cover with battery access and serviceability
5.0″ 1080×1920 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 leather case available separately

Bloom’s Take

With the DX2xx series, iBasso set its sights on more expensive competitor DAPs to bring flagship-level performance at a fraction of the cost. They were largely successful with the DX220 and DX240 providing excellent performance for the dough. Enter the new DX260 with its 8x DAC matrix and enhanced FPGA Master, the most impressive DAP in the series to date.

It’s got a new, unique look with artistic flair and lines in its aluminum body, and it boasts a sturdy, solid construction. You get a nice goodie package with cables, interconnects and clear plastic case (upgrade leather case is available.) Interestingly, they ditched the interchangeable AMP cards, but you get 3.5mm and 4.4mm stock outputs which can be toggled between headphone and line out in the UI, a custom Android 11 build. The DX260 isn’t off-the-charts fast, but is very snappy – you can install the player-only Mango OS which strips it down and bumps both UI and sound performance. You also get about 14 hours of battery life per iBasso which is in line with our tests, and both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity were solid.

Sound-wise, the DX260 maintains and strengthens the series’ detailed, resolving reference tunings with wonderful imaging and holographic presentation that surpasses other similarly priced DAPs. iBasso has succeeded with bumping the sound quality and technology without bumping the price tag and offers a stellar bang for your buck at under a grand.

Read our full review here.

Octa DAC Chip Matrix

The CS43198, a Cirrus Logic flagship DAC chip, has an excellent dynamic range, outstanding resolution of micro details, and an impressively low noise floor, adding up to exceptional performance. The Octa DAC Chip Matrix with our implementation guarantees both superb sound quality and DAP leading measurements. THD+N hits -123dB, the best among portable players. This groundbreaking achievement sets a new standard in the industry. The more the merrier. Taking the advantage of quantity to achieve better quality and achieving extraordinary results.

Evolved Audio System Controller

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 haspicosecond-level precise control and adjusts the DAC clock, data, and constructs the FIR filter.

The DAC Matrix Magician

Thanks to the new algorithm of FPGA-MASTER 2.0, the potential of the Octa CS43198 DAC chip can be further explored and developed. Synchronous parallel output mode reduces discrete distortion between DACs to improve overall performance.

FIR 2x mode, FIR 4x 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 4 DACs, the DACs form a hardware analog FIR filter, which averages the differences between multiple DACs, reducing distortion and effectively improving sound details and realism.

Android 11 + Mango OS

The DX260 comes with the latest Android 11 system, allowing you to easily install streaming APPs for a seamless Android experience. The DX260 efficiently bypasses the SRC at the system level. Whether it’s Mango Player or a third-party streaming APP, you can take advantage of the system-level “Non-SRC” feature giving you the highest quality sound from the recording.

The DX260 features the Mango OS, a Linux-based audio system that has been meticulously designed for exceptional audio playback. It has accumulated a lot of optimization to the underlying driver algorithms, which focuses on audio playback. This pure sound system has no WiFi or Bluetooth interference, it has lower EMI, and a purer listening experience.

New Design + User Removable Cover

Introducing the new ID design, complete with the return of volume control guards and a more industrial look. Conveniently, the rear cover is easily removable with total battery access making replacement of the battery simple.

Specifications

Screen: Sharp 5.0″ | 1080 x 1920 | on-cell capacitive touch panel
Audio Format: APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, ACC, ALAC, AIFF, OGG, MP3, DFF, DSF, DXD, and DST
USB: Type C (3.0)
Output Port: 4.4mm balanced phone out/ 3.5mm single ended phone out/ 4.4mm line out/ 3.5mm line out/ 3.5mm coaxial output/ USB OTG output
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: 4G LPDDR4X | 64G ROM
Battery: 4400mAh 3.8V li-polymer battery
Charge Time: 2.5 hours
Average Play Time: 14 hours (varies pending resolution, volume, and headphone/IEM load usage)
Size: 4.8″ x 2.9″ x 0.7″
Weight: 8 oz
iBasso 1 Year Product Warranty

4.4mm BAL Headphone Out:

Max Output Level: 6Vrms
Output Power: 1015mW + 1015mW @32Ω, THD＜0.5%
Frequency Response: 10Hz~75kHz -1dB
SNR: 133dB
Dynamic Range: 133dB
THD+N: -121dB (A-wt, 600Ω) | -114dB (A-wt, 32Ω)
Crosstalk: 145dB
Noise Floor: < 930nV (Low-Gain)

3.5mm SE Headphone Out:

Max Output Level: 3Vrms
Output Power: 280mW + 280mW@32Ω | 586mW + 586mW@16Ω, THD＜0.1%
Frequency Response: 10Hz~75kHz -1dB
SNR: 128dB
Dynamic Range: 128dB
THD+N: -115dB (A-wt, 600Ω) | -110dB (A-wt, 32Ω)
Crosstalk: 118dB
Noise Floor: < 850nV (Low-Gain)

4.4mm BAL Line Out:

Max Output Level: 4Vrms
Frequency Response: 10Hz~75kHz -1dB
SNR: 133dB
Dynamic Range: 134dB
THD+N: -123dB
Crosstalk: 145dB

3.5mm SE Line Out:

Max Output Level: 2Vrms
Frequency Response: 10Hz~75kHz -1dB
SNR: 128dB
Dynamic Range: 128dB
THD+N: -112dB
Crosstalk: 115dB

In the Box

DX260 Player
USB-C cable
Coaxial cable
TPU case
Screen protector
Warranty card
Quick start guide

iBasso DX260 | Digital Audio Player