Usb On The Go
USB on the go tested by a buddy since I dont have Android at this point in time (curse you Blackberry!) but the feedback is much the same. Given the usb receiver tops out at 48k its no surprise then decoding is limited to 48k from Android mobile phones but as an IEM source and amp setup the D42 excels with great soundstage, clean and clear reproduciton and excellent attack. Anything remote in the headphone testing was tightened up with a better mid presence and tighter punchier bass and great articulation if somewhat sibilant on more demanding treble orientated attacks.
We have to note that USB Recorder Pro on the Samsung Note 2 was the only application we successfully got to work on the stock latest ROM and one of the homebrew alternative ROM’s. If you find other apps that work with the D42 we would like to know from you guys out there.
Final Thoughts
The D42 from Ibasso is a considered update of the older D42 with a nice fresh and light hairline metal casing and a deliberate strategy of targetting on the go commuters who enjoy plugging directly into their cellphones but want something a bit better than a headphone jack. From aural memory there is a bit more snap and better soundstage than the older D4 but it clarity and detail to many can be slightly thin or sharp to others depending on what you are using.
Relatively easy to drive cans like Marshall’s Monitor fared very well but more demanding headphones like the K550 just died a death even with high gain. IEM territotry with usb on the go or aux input (using 9v 300mah) is where the D42 Mamba is going to excite the most for many and I suspect at $188 this is going to prove to be quite tempting for many thinking of a FiiO X3 but maybe have a usb-on-the-go enabled cellphone.
Technical Specs and features
Dual Wolfson WM8740 DAC Chip
TI PCM2706 for USB signal input, provides I2S interface for decoding
Works as a DAC+AMP Combo, a standalone AMP, or a standalone DAC (Line out function)
2-Setting Gain Switch
OPAMP rollable
AMP section can be powered by either USB or 9V battery
Comes with 3.5 to 3.5 interconnect cable, pouch, USB cable, and OTG cable.
Frequency Response: 4Hz~20 KHz -0.5dB (DAC) 17Hz~100 KHz -0.5dB (AMP)
Signal to Noise Ratio：99dB (DAC), 104dB (Amp)
Crosstalk: 97dB (DAC) 101dB (AMP)
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005%@1kHz/0dB (DAC) 0.005%@1kHz/0dB (AMP)
Output power：Up to 230mW+230mW into 32Ω
Line Output: 1.5V rms
Gain: +3dB/ +10dB (AMP)
Battery Life: 9 Hours （With 300mAh battery）
Recommended Headphone Impedance: 8~300Ω
Case dimension: 60W x 92L x 20H (mm)
Weight: 102g (without batteries)
More info at Ibasso click here: http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=79
