iBasso T3D Review - early impressions

[shigzeo]

Picture: iBasso T3D side view

iBasso T3 will be up for grabs in a TMA headphone amp giveaway. Follow me @shigzeo on Twitter for more details.

Review forthcoming, but let me firstly mention the important facts: the T3+ has a GREAT balanced digital volume attenuator. It also is able to spread great resolution to even the hardest to drive of IEM earphones. I did NOT expect this from a 135$ portable headphone amplifier, and one that is so small.

Both it and the T3 have a couple of problems though: one is hiss. The T3D and T3 are not horrid hissers, and hiss overall less than a lot of portable players out there, but it is noticeable if you have very sensitive iems such as the FitEar Private 333.

The T3D is perfectly balanced, but its volume doesn't go to zero. Very sensitive eared listeners may find the volume bordering on loud. I do very well with volume of about 6 steps above ground zero.

The FitEar 333 is a hard to drive earphone and can suffer high-mid suckout with a portable player like an iPod, Cowon, Meizu, Zune, and even the pretty good Fuze. But, attack this TINY amp and suddenly, the FE333 goes full on Ultrasone fun!

Full review forthcoming, but I will give my full recommendation to this amp.

Below are Right Mark Audio Analyzer (RMAA) tests to prove what I am saying. Overall, for a 135$ amp, it is great. Not as smooth as the D4 or the FiQuest, but for iems, a better amp in some ways.

The RMAA tests compare the T3+ unloaded and loaded by a FitEar Private 333 custom earphone @16Ω

I concur with the RMAA test - BASS is full, and mid-highs are lovely. This badboy outdoes a lot of amps which swear they can drive iems.

Piccies:





If you'd like to see the entire photo set, head to the iBasso T3D flickr set page.