This is a report for professionals with a suite of test of headphone amplifier.
You can see a simple report for "dummies" with explanations of the main characteristics for iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out

A suite of tests for a headphone amplifier can be applied to just a universal output without a formal presence of an amplifier, if in this mode you can connect headphones to this output. Based on the results of the tests, you can understand the real picture, is the output powerful enough or not, with the initial data on the circuitry as a "black box".

Line-out, differences from the output for headphones and speakers

Advantages and disadvantages of balanced amplifiers

Test report - general data iBasso DX 180 (as headphone amplifier)

Frequency response, Impedance and Frequency response with standard headphones

Voltage levels from the load at the output of the amplifier

The main parameters of the universal block diagram of the amplifier
Average value of impedance band in 40 Hz - 15 kHz	1.3	ohm
Voltage: Linear Mode / Maximum or before clipping level	15.4/15.4	dBV
	5.9/5.9	V_RMS
Current: Linear Mode / Maximum or before clipping level	33.6/43.7	dB(mA)
	47.7/152.5	mA

General data - Signal/Noise
	RMS		dBFS (C)		dBFS (A)		dBFS 22 - 22k UNW
	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right
Signal-to-noise ratio from the minimum background noise level, dB	-129.64	-130.15	-133.02	-134.10	-132.02	-133.10	-129.92	-130.70
Volume control range, dB	90.69				90.69
Noise floor level at the minimum volume level position, dBV	-114.29	-114.80	-117.67	-118.75	-116.67	-117.75	-114.57	-115.35
Noise floor level at the minimum volume level position, µV_RMS	1.93	1.82	1.31	1.16	1.47	1.30	1.87	1.71
Optimal range of volume control, dB	58.86	59.20	62.42	63.10	61.32	62.00	59.12	59.60
Maximum level at 0 dBFS, dBV	15.35				15.35
Additional information
Signal-to-noise at maximum volume level, dB	-128.86	-129.20	-132.42	-133.10	-131.32	-132.00	-129.12	-129.60
Noise floor level at maximum volume level, dBV	-113.51	-113.85	-117.07	-117.75	-115.97	-116.65	-113.77	-114.25
The difference in noise floor from the minimum and maximum volume levels, dB	0.78	0.95	0.60	1.00	0.70	1.10	0.80	1.10

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Frequency response iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out (as headphone amplifier)

Graphics setting view

Channel

Range

Channel:	Left	Right
Variation in frequency response in band from 40 Hz - 15 kHz	-0.1, +0.0	-0.1, +0.0	dB

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On the frequency response comparison page, there is an export option and additional tools for adjusting the frequency response

Impedance iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out (as headphone amplifier)

Graphics setting view

Channel

Channel:	Left	Right
Impedance average in band from 40 Hz - 15 kHz	1.3	1.3	ohm
The minimum value in band from 40 Hz - 15 kHz	1.2	1.2	ohm
The maximum value in band from 40 Hz - 15 kHz	1.3	1.3	ohm

Comparison of basic characteristics AMPs

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Crosstalk iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out (as headphone amplifier)

Graphics setting view

Channel

Range

Load

Channel:	Left	Right
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ 15.8 ohm	-106.8	-103.4	dB
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ 24.5 ohm	-110.9	-107.7	dB
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ 30.5 ohm	-107.8	-103.4	dB
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ 62.4 ohm	-102.4	-102.5	dB
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ 100.0 ohm	-104.9	-105.9	dB
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ 198.9 ohm	-102.6	-106.2	dB
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ 300.0 ohm	-103.7	-103.4	dB
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ 763.0 ohm	-105.5	-112.2	dB
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz @ Not loaded	-110.9	-104.8	dB

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Crosstalk Phase iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out (as headphone amplifier)

Graphics setting view

Channel

Load

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Frequency response iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out with resistive load

Graphics setting view

Channel

Range

Frequency response of amplifier with resistive load @ 40 Hz - 15 kHz

Channel:	Left	Right
TEST 16 ? + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.0	0.0	dB
TEST 32 ? + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.0	0.0	dB
TEST 64 ? + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.0	0.0	dB
TEST 126 ? + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.0	0.0	dB
TEST 256 ? + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.0	0.0	dB
TEST 512 ? + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.0	0.0	dB

Brief information

Clicking on the graph will take you to the comparison page of different models with advanced graph display settings.

On the frequency response comparison page, there is an export option and additional tools for adjusting the frequency response

Frequency response iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out loaded dynamic headphone type

Graphics setting view

Channel

Range

Frequency response of amplifier loaded dynamic headphone type @ 40 Hz - 15 kHz

Channel:	Left	Right
TEST 10000 ? + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.0	0.0	dB
Grado GH4 Limited Edition + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.2	0.2	dB

Brief information

Clicking on the graph will take you to the comparison page of different models with advanced graph display settings.

On the frequency response comparison page, there is an export option and additional tools for adjusting the frequency response

Frequency response iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out loaded type balance armature headphone type

Graphics setting view

Channel

Range

Frequency response of amplifier loaded type balance armature headphone type @ 40 Hz - 15 kHz

Channel:	Left	Right
TEST 10000 ? + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	0.0	0.0	dB
Campfire Audio Andromeda + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	2.1	2.1	dB
Fearless Audio S8F Freedom + iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out	1.7	1.6	dB

Brief information

Clicking on the graph will take you to the comparison page of different models with advanced graph display settings.

On the frequency response comparison page, there is an export option and additional tools for adjusting the frequency response

THD vs load vs output voltage iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out

Graphics setting view

Channel

Load

Harmonic, number

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Load

Harmonic, number

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Load

Range

Brief information

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Maximum voltage output level vs load iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out

Graphics setting view

Type of chart

RAW coordinates

Power characteristics of the	Voltage		Current
	dBV	V_RMS	dB(mA)	mA
Linear Mode	15.4	5.9	33.6	47.7
Optimal Mode	15.4	5.9	43.7	152.5
Hard Mode	15.4	5.9	43.7	152.5
Maximum mode	15.4	5.9	43.7	152.5

Volume Control Type	Digital
Optimal range of volume control	90.5	dB
Signal/Noise / Maximum	160.5/15.4	dB/dBV
Signal/Noise @ -14.9 dBV 32 ohm (1 mW)	130.54	dB
Signal/Noise @ -5.2 dBV 300 ohm (1 mW)	139.95	dB

Comparison iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out and another amplifiers by loudness (Volume Level)

Main characteristics of the iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out

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Maximum voltage output level vs load iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out

Graphics setting view

Type of chart

RAW coordinates

Maximum Amplifier Voltage Level

Load	Linear Mode		Optimal Mode		Hard Mode		Max, before clipping
	dBV	V_RMS	dBV	V_RMS	dBV	V_RMS	dBV	V_RMS
15.8 ohm	-1.3	0.9	7.6	0.9	7.6	0.9	7.6	0.9
24.5 ohm	-1.1	0.9	10.9	0.9	10.9	0.9	10.9	0.9
30.5 ohm	3.5	1.5	12.5	1.5	12.5	1.5	12.5	1.5
62.4 ohm	10.2	3.2	15.2	3.2	15.2	3.2	15.2	3.2
100 ohm	15.2	5.8	15.2	5.8	15.2	5.8	15.2	5.8
198.9 ohm	15.3	5.8	15.3	5.8	15.3	5.8	15.3	5.8
300 ohm	15.3	5.8	15.3	5.8	15.3	5.8	15.3	5.8
763 ohm	15.3	5.9	15.3	5.9	15.3	5.9	15.3	5.9
Not loaded	15.4	5.9	15.4	5.9	15.4	5.9	15.4	5.9

Maximum level of amplifier current

Load	Linear Mode		Optimal Mode		Hard Mode		Max, before clipping
	dB(mA)	mA	dB(mA)	mA	dB(mA)	mA	dB(mA)	mA
15.8 ohm	34.7	54.2	43.7	152.5	43.7	152.5	43.7	152.5
24.5 ohm	31.1	36.0	43.1	142.9	43.1	142.9	43.1	142.9
30.5 ohm	33.8	49.0	42.8	138.2	42.8	138.2	42.8	138.2
62.4 ohm	34.3	51.7	39.3	92.0	39.3	92.0	39.3	92.0
100 ohm	35.2	57.8	35.2	57.8	35.2	57.8	35.2	57.8
198.9 ohm	29.3	29.3	29.3	29.3	29.3	29.3	29.3	29.3
300 ohm	25.8	19.4	25.8	19.4	25.8	19.4	25.8	19.4
763 ohm	17.7	7.7	17.7	7.7	17.7	7.7	17.7	7.7

Power

Load	Linear Mode		Optimal Mode		Hard Mode		Max, before clipping
	dBm	mW	dBm	mW	dBm	mW	dBm	mW
15.8 ohm	16.7	46.5	25.7	367.5	25.7	367.5	25.7	367.5
24.5 ohm	15.0	31.7	27.0	500.4	27.0	500.4	27.0	500.4
30.5 ohm	18.6	73.2	27.7	582.2	27.7	582.2	27.7	582.2
62.4 ohm	22.2	167.0	27.2	527.9	27.2	527.9	27.2	527.9
100 ohm	25.2	334.6	25.2	334.6	25.2	334.6	25.2	334.6
198.9 ohm	22.3	170.4	22.3	170.4	22.3	170.4	22.3	170.4
300 ohm	20.5	113.5	20.5	113.5	20.5	113.5	20.5	113.5
763 ohm	16.5	44.9	16.5	44.9	16.5	44.9	16.5	44.9

Brief information

Clicking on the graph will take you to the comparison page of different models with advanced graph display settings.

Spectrum of Total Harmonic Distortion vs Level iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out (as headphone amplifier)

Graphics setting view

Channel

Level

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Level

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Shift

dBm

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Shift

dBV

Range

Brief information

Clicking on the graph will take you to the comparison page of different models with advanced graph display settings.

Spectrum of Multitone Distortion vs Level vs Load iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out (as headphone amplifier)

Graphics setting view

Channel

Level

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Level

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Shift

dBm

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Shift

dBV

Range

Brief information

Clicking on the graph will take you to the comparison page of different models with advanced graph display settings.

Spectrum of IMD SMPTE vs Level iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out (as headphone amplifier)

Graphics setting view

Channel

Level

Range

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Level

Range

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Shift

Range

dBm

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Shift

Range

dBV

Range

Brief information

Clicking on the graph will take you to the comparison page of different models with advanced graph display settings.

Spectrum of IMD CCIF vs Level iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out (as headphone amplifier)

Graphics setting view

Channel

Level

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Level

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Shift

dBm

Range

Graphics setting view

Channel

Shift

dBV

Range

Brief information

Clicking on the graph will take you to the comparison page of different models with advanced graph display settings.

More detailed

Measurements of iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out were carried out by Roman Kuznetsov on the hardware-software complex RAA.

The iBasso DX 180 Balanced Out test was conducted as a black box test, without regard to cost and prestige. This is the basic principle for making measurements, measurement reports and developing tests in RAA.

I believe that it is important to do not make an absolute assessment of the device, but an aggregate assessment when working together with a headphones and taking into account external factors. This allows you to effectively reveal the potential of the entire set of devices or to make a more optimal choice of components.

Kuznetsov Roman
Founder of RAA

Known by the nickname romanrex
Аuthor of articles iXBT.com

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