iBasso D2 - Three questions for your advice please! - HiFi Headphones Forum - online headphone & earphone community forums

Pipps · 08-07-2009, 03:41 PM

I am interesting in the iBasso D2. I have two questions:

1. If I plug it into a Windows XP computer via USB, will it be automatically recognised as a default sound-card?

2. For permanent desk use, can it be connected to AC power without the need for installing any battery/s?

3. Will it be compatible with Shure SE420 earphones?

Thanks.

Pipps

ShaunG · 08-09-2009, 12:54 PM

Welcome to the forum Pipps! Regarding your questions about the iBasso D2:

1) Yes, that's exactly what happens. The D2 gets recognised as a soundcard on Windows XP and Vista. I believe it's similar with the Mac.

2) The D2 is powered and/or charged via the USB port on the back. This means that while it's connected to a computer via USB it needs no additional power (it will also charge the internal battery if you flick the switch). If you are using it as a standalone headphone amp you can power it via the supplied mains USB charger.

See a photo below of the back panel of the D2 for reference:

3) Absolutely, the iBasso D2 works with a wide range of headphones and earphones. It works equally well with highly sensitive earphones or higher impedance full size headphones.

Pipps · 08-09-2009, 12:58 PM

Hi Shaun

Thank you for your kind reply.

My only remaining question is:

Is the iBasso D2 better than the Firestone Fireye II?

Regards

Pipps

ShaunG · 08-11-2009, 08:04 PM

We haven't had chance to run the two side by side, so I'm afraid I don't know.

Just doing a quick scan of the specs and I can't find that much info about the Firestone Fireye. I was particularly interested in the model of DAC used as the iBasso uses the Wolfson WM8740 DAC, which is a very high quality DAC (used in Arcam Solo, many good quality DVD players, etc).

Pipps · 08-11-2009, 10:11 PM

Hi Shaun

Thank you for the info. It is very useful to know about the precise DAC used inside the iBasso D2!

This will definitely help me make my decision.

Regards

Pipps

Pipps · 08-11-2009, 10:17 PM

Also, it would appear that the DAC in the Fireye II is the 'Cirrus - CS4344'

Source: Firestone Audio Fireye 2

Shaun, are you familiar with this particular DAC?

ShaunG · 08-25-2009, 05:58 PM

Apologies for the very slow response. We've been moving office/warehouse over the last couple of weeks and it's been hard to keep up!

I'm afraid I don't know a lot about that particular DAC. It would be worth checking what other equipment uses the DAC.

Maybe some of the guys on AVForums.com have some knowledge of that DAC. Another place to ask would be Head-fi.org.

Sorry I can't help further.

08-07-2009, 03:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pipps Headphone Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	iBasso D2 - Three questions for your advice please! I am interesting in the iBasso D2. I have two questions: 1. If I plug it into a Windows XP computer via USB, will it be automatically recognised as a default sound-card? 2. For permanent desk use, can it be connected to AC power without the need for installing any battery/s? 3. Will it be compatible with Shure SE420 earphones? Thanks. Pipps

08-09-2009, 12:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
ShaunG Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 406 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	iBasso D2 questions Welcome to the forum Pipps! Regarding your questions about the iBasso D2: 1) Yes, that's exactly what happens. The D2 gets recognised as a soundcard on Windows XP and Vista. I believe it's similar with the Mac. 2) The D2 is powered and/or charged via the USB port on the back. This means that while it's connected to a computer via USB it needs no additional power (it will also charge the internal battery if you flick the switch). If you are using it as a standalone headphone amp you can power it via the supplied mains USB charger. See a photo below of the back panel of the D2 for reference: 3) Absolutely, the iBasso D2 works with a wide range of headphones and earphones. It works equally well with highly sensitive earphones or higher impedance full size headphones. __________________ Shaun @ HiFi Headphones HiFi Headphones - the UK Headphone & Earphone Store That's Serious About Headphones Ultimate Ears, Grado, Phonak Audéo, Klipsch, Shure, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and many other high quality brands - visit our store. Join us on FaceBook

08-11-2009, 08:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
ShaunG Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 406 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Firestone Fireye II v iBasso D2 We haven't had chance to run the two side by side, so I'm afraid I don't know. Just doing a quick scan of the specs and I can't find that much info about the Firestone Fireye. I was particularly interested in the model of DAC used as the iBasso uses the Wolfson WM8740 DAC, which is a very high quality DAC (used in Arcam Solo, many good quality DVD players, etc). __________________ Shaun @ HiFi Headphones HiFi Headphones - the UK Headphone & Earphone Store That's Serious About Headphones Ultimate Ears, Grado, Phonak Audéo, Klipsch, Shure, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and many other high quality brands - visit our store. Join us on FaceBook

08-25-2009, 05:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
ShaunG Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 406 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Firestone Fireye II v iBasso D2 Apologies for the very slow response. We've been moving office/warehouse over the last couple of weeks and it's been hard to keep up! I'm afraid I don't know a lot about that particular DAC. It would be worth checking what other equipment uses the DAC. Maybe some of the guys on AVForums.com have some knowledge of that DAC. Another place to ask would be Head-fi.org. Sorry I can't help further. __________________ Shaun @ HiFi Headphones HiFi Headphones - the UK Headphone & Earphone Store That's Serious About Headphones Ultimate Ears, Grado, Phonak Audéo, Klipsch, Shure, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and many other high quality brands - visit our store. Join us on FaceBook

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08-09-2009, 12:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pipps Headphone Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Shaun Thank you for your kind reply. My only remaining question is: Is the iBasso D2 better than the Firestone Fireye II? Regards Pipps

08-11-2009, 10:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pipps Headphone Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Shaun Thank you for the info. It is very useful to know about the precise DAC used inside the iBasso D2! This will definitely help me make my decision. Regards Pipps

08-11-2009, 10:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pipps Headphone Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Also, it would appear that the DAC in the Fireye II is the 'Cirrus - CS4344' Source: Firestone Audio Fireye 2 Shaun, are you familiar with this particular DAC?