iBasso DC-02 USB DAC review - upgrade your PC & Phone audio!

#iBasso #DC-02 #DAC
Welcome to my review of the iBasso DC-02 USB DAC. This is one of my favourite DACs.

[@bshah4831]

Gavin, I hope you're in good health. Thank you for this review if the ibasso. I'll be getting one!

[@GavinsGadgets]

Hi Bhagi. All good here thanks. Hope you are well too. 👍

[@hmm2928]

Awesome review as usual mate. Hope you and your family are safe. 😄 Btw some products to review ( a small suggestions list from me) :- Tempotec v1-a Tempotec v1 (it's the same product as a v1-a but without the dac and can be used as a transporter you could use your btr5 as a usb dac with this too) Meizu pro dac Tempotec sonata hd pro Some cheap audio products, would like a review from you. 😄 You could also go to AliExpress, and see the product and speak to the sellers about sending you a review item. You could tell them you are a reviewer by maybe sharing your videos. I could do it, but I am no reviewer nor I am good at it. 😅 Would love a review of some of the items mentioned from you. Also maybe you could do a video about comparing all the dongle dacs you have that would be nice too.

[@GavinsGadgets]

HI Akash. Everyone is safe here thanks, just in lockdown mode. Hope you are safe too and your family. Thanks for the product suggestions. At the moment it will be difficult to get stuff sent across here until the lockdown is over, but I will save your suggestions and try and get them later on. I also have 2 more videos coming out, tomorrow and the last on Wednesday.

[@hmm2928]

@@GavinsGadgets thanks for asking, as of we are all safe. Btw AliExpress has been good sending out items even during this lockdown. In india they aren't but the parcels to Europe are reaching quite normally and at time.

[@GlennsTech]

Good timing Gavin Looking at getting another for my headphones, as broke my last one Hope you are keeping well 👍🏻

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks Glenn. Surviving here atm. Hope you're keeping well too.

[@GlennsTech]

@@GavinsGadgets im used to going out doing stuff on my days off. So being curtailed like this is annoying. But if it means I stay well and healthy then it must be done. So far my family are good. 🙂

[@GavinsGadgets]

I am working from home full time so it's home and work with no divide at the moment.

[@SunsetNova]

How does this compare to the builtin DAC in the LG V series phones? Im asking because I'm thinking of buying the LG V60 when it's available in the UK. Just wanted to say I've been following you for years and really appreciate your honest detailed reviews.

[@GavinsGadgets]

If you get the LG phone with quad DAC, you won't need this dongle. The advantage of the LG Quad DAC, is that it has the use of the phone battery to drive the components in full, and therefore, headphones over 50 ohms can be driven with even more headphone amp delivery. Under 50 ohms, the difference will be minimal between the two devices.

[@markfinlay422]

We will have to import the V60 to the UK and that's if an international Vers is available at all.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Hopefully the price won't be too expensive too.

[@t.t.3753]

Thanks for the review Gavin. Do you know if these DAC works well with the Sony WH-1000X M3? Or do I need special headphones for that? Also did you test the DC-04? Is there a difference?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Not used the 04. The DAC would work with the Sony’s in wired mode only.

[@t.t.3753]

@@GavinsGadgets Thanks I'll try it out then.

[@gustavovilar6276]

Hi Gavin, Recently I got the Sonata HD II, and although the sound quality is tremendously better than my phone's internal DAC, I find the build quality to be extremely poor. I'm afraid it will not last long, so I was thinking about getting the iBasso DC-01 (the balanced version). Have you tried the DC-01? If so, how does it compare with the DC-02? Also, what's your opinion regarding the build quality of the iBasso? Thank you for your review. Take care!

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your feedback 👍. I've had the Sonata Dongle as well and know what you mean regarding build quality. The iBasso is much better built. I actually have 4 of them. The balanced version is excellent.

[@gal419]

The build quality non the iBasso is terrible IMHO. I bought the DC 02 back in April and it is dead. I have to send it in under the warranty. Sound is excellent however I'm extremely disappointed not only lasted a few months.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thats a shame. I have 2 of them. Both are still fine and have had them since they came out on amazon.

[@Oriolus1]

Hi Gavin i learn lot from you thank you!

[@GavinsGadgets]

My pleasure 😊

[@Oriolus1]

@@GavinsGadgets your the best Gavin

[@RJayRoberts]

Not on Amazon US, and UK says "Currently unavailable for delivery to your region due to high demand. We are working to resume delivery as soon as possible." Did you buy all of them, Gavin? :-)

[@GavinsGadgets]

Probably lol , they will be back in stock shortly by Friday hopefully :)

[@Tanel.]

Hi Gavin! I need your advice. I also have the Fiio FH7 Iem's with a standard cable connected to a Dragonfly Black 1.5 and I'm pretty happy with the combo so far, but I would like to try a balanced cable. So I want to upgrade to a 4.4 mm balanced cable and the iBasso DC-04 USB DAC. My question is, is it worth the upgrade? Would u recommend it? Would the balanced cable make any difference in sound? Your answer would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[@GavinsGadgets]

What’s your player?

[@Tanel.]

@@GavinsGadgets I don't actually have one. I listen mostly to PC via USB and Foobar2000.

[@GavinsGadgets]

It will sound better but the extra cost may not give you a big enough difference. I would just keep to what you have.

[@Tanel.]

@@GavinsGadgets Ok, thank you for your answer.

[@GavinsGadgets]

👍

[@drocto4515]

Nice review.. I tried this with the huawei mate 20 pro with very poor results! Any suggestions please?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for feedback. With or without the iBasso UAC app?

[@drocto4515]

@@GavinsGadgets tried it with and without! Tried searching online for answers... No joy yet!

[@GavinsGadgets]

No idea why, assume on android 10 update as well?

[@al_kaloid]

@@drocto4515 I had the same problem back when I tried to decide if I wanted to keep the Mate 20 Pro or the OnePlus 7T Pro. The Mate would only address one channel through the DC02 and would recognize it as a headphone or something, don't remember exactly. I'm afraid the EMUI OS and the DC02 just don't mix. Still hope you'll be able to get it sorted.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your feedback 👍

[@Jotepian]

Hi Gavin! Would you recommend this over hip dac for Fiio FH3? I've read that hip dac has a hiss when using IEMs. Do you think this is enough to maximize the FH3?

[@GavinsGadgets]

If used in balanced there might be some hiss. Both are good DACs but I prefer the hip DAC sound

[@Jotepian]

Thanks Gavin!

[@GavinsGadgets]

No problem 👍

[@OzymandiasAlhazred]

Hi Gavin, How do you compare this with the hidizs S3??? Thanks!!!!!

[@GavinsGadgets]

Similar, not worth owning both. The iBasso is marginally better ..

[@vytautaslepeska6297]

I have ibasso balanced 2.5mm dac, and for me hidizs sound much better than ibasso . I am using, ibasso now cause I accidentally lost hidizs. But I ordered hidizs again.. The problem with ibasso for me is that you can get tired of listening for longer time. The lows and especially highs are too bright. I mean it's not very natural sound. The musicality is poor. But if your music is just drum n base then it's ok. And in some songs you feel hiss too much and its very annoying. I baught this dongle cause at first it sounded good when I tested in the shop. But more I listened to this ibasso dac, the more disappointed I became. But anyway, it's still better than your stock dongle that you get when you are buying phone.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@skeletronxxprime6277]

How you connect to iPhone 10 ?

[@GavinsGadgets]

It’s not designed for iOS.

[@dranautta1]

Hi Gavin - do headphone controls work with the Ibasso? They do with the HIDIZS - some guidance would be great

[@GavinsGadgets]

Do you mean if the wired headphones have inline controls ?

[@dranautta1]

@@GavinsGadgets Hi Gavin - yes headphones with inline controls. Thx

[@GavinsGadgets]

I tried 2 pairs of headphones with inline controls and they didn’t work.

[@dranautta1]

@@GavinsGadgets Thx Gavin - much appreciated.

[@GavinsGadgets]

No problem 😀

[@terrym540]

You quote the price as £39 yet via your Amazon link the supplier's price is £ 79.99. Which is correct?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Hi Terry. £39 is the correct price, I paid that several times, just means stock is waiting to come back again, and that some greedy third party sellers are trying to make a profit. Check in a few days time. It will be back at £39! Gavin

[@Divine.Oracle777]

Hello. SHOULD IT works with XIAOMI Mi 10 lite 5G PHone ? Thx for answers.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Not sure tbh

[@ctrangedemon]

I got Huawei p30 and running fiio fh7 iem's from the headphone jack. Will switching to ibasso make a difference? Thanks

[@GavinsGadgets]

An ibasso ?? Dac , music player. ? Yes to both vs the Huawei.

[@ctrangedemon]

@@GavinsGadgets ibasso dc02 vs headphone jack Huawei. ibasso all the way? im so close to buying the ibasso

[@tolentinokarldestinc.4734]

Hey can you use it in PA sound system?

[@GavinsGadgets]

No idea. It's designed for listening to headphones.

[@audiolover]

You can

[@francisa4973]

what is the best LG quad dac or ibasso dac?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Just different.

[@sagarmgandhi]

So this works well with PC ?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Should do.

[@HaimPeretz]

How this compared to dragonfly black DAC 1.5? Thanks

[@GavinsGadgets]

Better quality audio.

[@HaimPeretz]

@@GavinsGadgets better than the Dragonfly black?? Wow.. And how compared to Dragonfly red?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Different that's all. But the iBasso has better compatibility on Android as it has a dedicated app.

[@choitoi67]

Does this drain a big amount of battery when use in phones?

[@GavinsGadgets]

It does drain a percentage off the battery. That's never bothered me. My phone has a decent size battery. The sound quality is worth the hit on battery.

[@choitoi67]

@@GavinsGadgets have you tried the temptonic sonata hd pro ? What should i buy between this two?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Whichever works better for you in terms of features and price.

[@choitoi67]

@@GavinsGadgets soundwise which is better

[@GavinsGadgets]

@@choitoi67 I prefer the ibasso. Both have great sound.

[@irfanaziz1290]

will iy work with phones that doesn't have c type port

[@GavinsGadgets]

No

[@irfanaziz1290]

thank you. and can you please suggest me a good earphone to combine with this ibasso dc02. price should not be higher than this item. I'm a beginner. ta in adv

[@GavinsGadgets]

I can't recommend anything at £49

[@manjsher3094]

@@irfanaziz1290 kz zs10pros, you won't go wrong.

[@SameerGurung1975]

What about the DC01?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Just the balanced version. It's got more power but you need to make sure you have headphones that work in balanced with a 2.5mm end.

[@SameerGurung1975]

@@GavinsGadgets sennheiser hd599 will pair well then?

[@GavinsGadgets]

As I said if you have the right cable

[@Sweetaccord]

Did you test if a splitter can be used to charge phone at same time? If not you should. 😊

[@GavinsGadgets]

No I didn’t. And it won’t work either.

[@Sweetaccord]

@@GavinsGadgets If you didn't try it how do you know it won't work? Please clarify? Thank you.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Because of how it is meant to function via its app etc

[@naseralshareef3026]

hi Gavin i have the 1More Quad Drivers and would like to know if this dac is good with IEMs that are sensitive like them

[@GavinsGadgets]

Not tried those, but I do use the iBasso with the Fiio FH7

[@siddharthtandon7588]

Did you buy it? Did you like it with those iems? I have the same pair. I feel it's a bit too bassy.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Yes I bought it. I don’t mind a bit of bass sometimes.

[@siddharthtandon7588]

@@GavinsGadgets thanks for the reply. However I meant the guy who made the comment. Since he had the same gear as me.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Whoops 😬

[@ruzlan369]

Hi. Can this be used as an external sound card for laptop?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Apart from plugging in headphones, what else are you hoping to get this to do?

[@ruzlan369]

@@GavinsGadgets nothing. Just headphones, maybe bit powerful ones like 80 ohms at most. I also produce music sometimes so want to use it as the soundcard rather than using laptop's one to render files to MP3s.

[@GavinsGadgets]

It's a headphone adapter. So for that purpose it will work. Can't comment on the other aspect.

[@ruzlan369]

@@GavinsGadgets when connected to laptop, like your chromebook, does it detect and behave like an external soundcard where all the audio output is from this usb?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Yes it does

[@vytautaslepeska6297]

I have ibasso balanced 2.5mm dac, and for me hidizs sound much better than ibasso . I am using, ibasso now cause I accidentally lost hidizs. But I ordered hidizs again.. The problem with ibasso for me is that you can get tired of listening for longer time. The lows and especially highs are too bright. I mean it's not very natural sound. The musicality is poor. But if your music is just drum n base then it's ok. And in some songs you feel hiss too much and its very annoying. I baught this dongle cause at first it sounded good when I tested in the shop. But more I listened to this ibasso dac, the more disappointed I became. But anyway, it's still better than your stock dongle that you get when you are buying phone.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Thanks for your differing opinion.

[@abhilashaanil7440]

Can it run 80 ohm or 250ohm headphones

[@GavinsGadgets]

Depends on the headphone and it’s sensitivity as well. 250 ohms is probably not a good idea.

[@abhilashaanil7440]

@@GavinsGadgets beyerdynamics dt770pro 80 or 250 ohm

[@GavinsGadgets]

80 ohms ok. Definitely not 250.

[@joegarcia6276]

Will this make my phone sound better

[@GavinsGadgets]

It will make headphones attached to it sound better than if you used a cheaper dongle to connect them.

[@joegarcia6276]

@@GavinsGadgets I'll be using it in the car aux build in phone jack is not the best that's why I asked if it bypasses the phone chip

[@joegarcia6276]

@@GavinsGadgets so this has a sound chip and all that right

[@GavinsGadgets]

Yes it should. So long as phone supports usb audio

[@dreamer___frustation2889]

Hello which earphones is best for this

[@GavinsGadgets]

Huge amount. Give me some choices to decide between that are on your list.

[@510maddog]

That frequency response is garbage. 96Khz audio tracks usually get close to a 48Khz frequency response so this can't accurately reproduce those type of files.

[@GavinsGadgets]

HI Marcus, did you watch the video ?

[@510maddog]

@@GavinsGadgets I did.

[@510maddog]

@@GavinsGadgets You should try the Ztella USB DAC. That has a wider frequency response. 80KHz I believe.

[@GavinsGadgets]

Cheers for that :)

[@GavinsGadgets]

Not heard of this one, will defo check it out. Thanks for recommendation. Despite the technical data, the iBasso does sound excellent. Sometimes specs are like that.

[@pinoyxbox]

Hello! Will this drive an hd6xx?

[@GavinsGadgets]

Hello, not properly IMO

[@pinoyxbox]

@@GavinsGadgets oh damn i was planning on getting it this week. Thanks! Do you have any recommendation for a usb dac that can drive hd6xx?

[@GavinsGadgets]

At 300 ohms I would get a powered DAC like the Fiio K9 Pro.

[@pinoyxbox]

@@GavinsGadgets thanks Gavin!! Will look into this

[@GavinsGadgets]

No problem.