iBasso D16 TAIPAN | Hi-Res Balanced Portable DAC and Amp

iBasso D16 TAIPAN Delivers Incredible Performance with Ultra-low Distortion and Class A Amplification

• Unique 1bit Discrete DAC developed in-house by iBasso
• New FPGA-MASTER achieves a leap forward in sound quality & measurements
• Class A amplification section based on the flagship DX320MAX
• Cutting edge components and construction

Bloom’s Take iBasso’s MAX series players are unique DAPs that transform all-things-standard into full-on “Beast Mode.” The D16 Taipan DAC/Amp and the PB5 Osprey portable tube amp represent parsed-out, separate devices that capture elements of the MAX limited edition experience but with some flexibility. But the D16, while incredible paired with the Osprey, is a fully functional DAC/Amp in its own right with a fairly simple interface. It’s not pocketable, but it’s definitely transportable and surprisingly light given its size. It features an industrial-looking black chassis, smooth glass window, and stepped attenuator. You get USB-C and mini-coax/optical inputs, separate USB-C charging port, and both 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone/line-outs. Taipan leans into the more analytical end of iBasso’s sound with an extraordinarily high level of detail. It’s got enough juice to manage a decent range of over-ears, but if you’re looking for a high-end portable DAC with an ultra-clean, detailed reference sound without the need for a high wattage output, Taipan’s Class A amplification is excellent. Taipan and Osprey’s pure focus on sound quality matches or exceeds the competition. Together or apart, D16 Taipan and PB5 Osprey offer excellent portable experiences individually or combined for a truly TOTL flagship transportable duo. Check out our full review on the D16 paired up with the iBasso PB5 Osprey tube amp.

New from iBasso

D16 is a DAC that utilizes iBasso’s in-house developed FPGA-Master 2.0 as the core and employs 16 sets of cascaded 8E PWM-DACs, with a total of 128 PWM-DACs (discrete) for 1bit D/A conversion. The measured THD+N is superior to 0.0001%, which is the best among current portable discrete DACs. The AMP section is a super class A transistor amplifier similar to the DX320MAX amp.

FPGA-Master 2.0

D16’s FPGA-Master 2.0 brings together iBasso’s algorithm achievements from the past three years and is the reason we have been able to accomplish breakthroughs for iBasso portable discrete DAC. FPGA plays the role of signal reorganization and recoding which generates PWM signals that can be decoded by the subsequent PWM-DAC. With the precise control of FPGA-Master 2.0, 128 independent PWM-DACs operate in FIR mode and combine to form L+, L-, R+, R- outputs. Every DAC data bit undergoes careful delay and alignment through rigorous compensation.

Cutting Edge Components

• 128pcs low-temperature drift 0.1% high-precision 25ppm thin film resistors
• 24 position 4 section stepped attenuator (channel tolerance less than +/-0.1dB)
• Dual Accusilicon ultra-low phase noise femtosecond oscillators (noise floor as low as -158dBc/Hz (@1kHz)
• Professional audio DSP chip, theoretical dynamic range up to 192dB, THD+N up to -174dB
• Ultra-low noise analog power supply with noise as low as 0.6μV
• 1.3″ OLED display

Hardware Analog FIR Filter

With FPGA-Master 2.0’s picosecond-level precise control, 128 independent PWM-DACs operate in FIR mode and combine to form L+, L-, R+, R- outputs. Each channel has 32 PWM-DACs operating in “delay parallel” mode. This configuration enables the 32 DACs to work together as a hardware analog FIR filter. By averaging the differences between multiple DACs, distortion is minimized, resulting in enhanced sound detail and density.

Super Class A Discrete Amplifier

The D16 utilizes similar architecture to the DX320MAX, a super Class A discrete AMP circuit. It incorporates 20pcs of Low VCEsat (BISS) dual transistors and boasts an impressive output current capability of up to 2A, resulting in a robust output of 1125mW+1125mW@32Ω.

Specifications

4.4mm Line

• Output Level: 3.3Vrms (DAC Low Gain) | 4Vrms (DAC Hi Gain)
• THD+N: -120.4dB (0.000095%) @1kHz AES17-20K A-wt
• DNR/SNR: 123dB AES17-20K A-wt
• Crosstalk: 135dB
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz +/-1dB

3.5mm Line

• Output Level: 1.65Vrms (DAC Low Gain) | 2Vrms (DAC Hi Gain)
• THD+N: -118dB (0.00012%) @1kHz AES17-20K A-wt
• DNR/SNR: 120dB AES17-20K A-wt
• Crosstalk: 133dB
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz +/-1dB

4.4mm Headphone

• Output Level
  • 4.2Vrms (AMP Low Gain + DAC Hi gain)
  • 6.8Vrms (AMP Hi Gain + DAC Hi gain)
• Output Power: 1125mW+1125mW@320 THD+N<0.5%
• THD+N: -117dB(0.00014%)@1kHz AES17-20K A-wt 600Q Load
• DNR/SNR: 123dB AES17-20K A-wt
• Crosstalk: 131 dB
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz +/-1dB

3.5mm Headphone

• Output Level
  • 2.1Vrms (AMP Low Gain + DAC Hi gain)
  • 3.4Vrms (AMP Hi Gain + DAC Hi gain)
• Output Power: 640mW+640mW@160 THD+N<0.5%
• THD+N: -114dB (0.00019%) @1kHz AES17-20K A-wt 6000 Load
• DNR/SNR: 118dB AES17-20K A-wt
• Crosstalk: 130dB
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz +/-1dB

Input Interface

• USB-C: supports PCM768kHz/DSD512
• 3.5mm COAX: supports PCM768kHz/DoP256
• 3.5mm optical: supports PCM192kHz/DoP128

Output Interface

• 4.4mm BAL (or Line Out)
• 3.5mm SE (or Line Out)

Battery and Form Factor

• Charging interface: USB-C, supports 5V/2A and QC3.0 quick charging
• Charging time: 2.5 hours
• Battery life: 9 hours
• Size: 5.47″ x 3.23″ x 1.10″
• Weight: 11 oz

In the Box

• D16 Taipan
• Protective Case
• USB-C to C OTG Cable
• USB-C to Lightning OTG Cable
• Digital Coax mini Connector