iBasso DC07PRO Review – A Masterpiece Dongle DAC
The DC07Pro is a dongle that combines iBasso’s extensive experience in dongle development and design elements from their audio players. It utilizes advanced technologies to create a dongle with exceptionally low THD+N at 0.000098%. Indeed, the DC07Pro has made significant advancements in its metrics, including dynamic range and output power.
FPGA: DC07Pro’s System Controller
The DC07Pro utilizes iBasso’s in-house developed FPGA technology, which integrates the audio algorithms and constructs the system controller of the dongle. As the core of the DC07Pro, the FPGA plays the role of signal regeneration and clock synchronization. The FPGA also generates ultra-low jitter clocks for the DAC and USB receiver, effectively reducing the clock jitter caused by the USB bus.
Quad (x4) CS43131, Flagship DAC Array
The DC07Pro utilizes x4 pieces of Cirrus Logic flagship CS43131 DAC chips in combination with iBasso’s exclusive FPGA technology. The results are a comprehensive leap in audio measurements. The AP measured THD+N is a remarkable -120.2dB! Utilizing the exclusive FPGA, the DC07Pro supports DSD512 and PCM 32bit/768kHz thanks to the CS43131×4 DAC array.
Impressive Power Efficiency
DC07Pro utilizes a synchronous DC-DC converter with a power conversion efficiency of up to 94%. The power consumption of the DC07Pro is as low as 80mA, 40% lower than that of the DC04Pro, and the output power is increased by 82%! The DAC power supply adopts an ultra-low noise LDO dedicated to analog circuits, with a PSRR (power supply rejection ratio) of up to 100dB to ensure the purity of the power supply.
OLED + Convenient & Intuitive Operation
The DC07Pro has a 0.96″ OLED screen and an ALPS encoder. One can browse and complete all settings using the multi-function knob. Rotate and press the multi-function knob to complete volume adjustments, digital filter settings, etc. The DC07Pro also supports the iBasso UAC Android APK app, which allows you to control all settings with your Android device.
An Attractive DAP-like Design
The shell of the DC07Pro is CNC machined Aluminum, the top is the OLED screen, and the back cover is tempered glass. Additionally, a knob has been strategically positioned on the side. The style and precision exude a sense of luxury and sophistication, reminiscent of high-end DAPs.
32bit/768kHz SPDIF Output
The DC07Pro supports SPDIF output up to 32bit/768kHz. With the DC07Pro, your smartphone can also be a top-tier SPDIF transport device.
Unboxing
- DC07Pro DAC
- USB-C to C cable
- USB-C to Lightning cable
- USB-C to A converter
- User manual + warranty card
Features
- Quad (x4) Cirrus Logic CS43131 flagship DAC chips for high-resolution audio
- High output power (430mW @32Ω) with low power consumption (as low as 80mA)
- 0.96″ OLED screen with multi-function knob (supports iBasso UAC Android APK app for smartphone control)
- Supports DSD512 + PCM 32bit/768kHz playback
- CNC machined Aluminum shell and tempered glass back cover
- Balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 3.5mm outputs
Specifications
General
- DAC Chipset: Quad Cirrus Logic CS43131
- PCM: Up to 32bit/768kHz
- DSD: Native DSD up to 512x
- Size: 2.32″ x 0.93″ x .49″
- Weight: 23g
4.4mm Balanced Output
- Output Power
- 510mW+510mW @16Ω, THD+N <0.1%
- 430mW+430mW @32Ω, THD+N <0.1%
- Output Voltage
- 2.8Vrms (low gain)
- 3.5Vrms (mid gain)
- 4Vrms (high gain)
- THD+N: -120.2dB (0.000098%) @1kHz 300Ω load
- SNR + Dynamic Range: 134 dBA
- Crosstalk: 142dB
- Noise Floor: 0.85μV
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-80kHz -0.5dB
3.5mm Single-ended Output
- Output Power
- 210mW+210mW @16Ω, THD+N <0.1%
- 118mW+118mW @32Ω, THD+N <0.1%
- Output Voltage
- 1.4Vrms (low gain)
- 1.73Vrms (mid gain)
- 2Vrms (high gain)
- THD+N: -116dB (0.00017%) @1kHz 300Ω load
- SNR + Dynamic Range: 129 dBA
- Crosstalk: 136dB
- Noise Floor: 0.76μV
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-75kHz -0.5dB
I would like to thank iBasso Audio for providing me with the review sample of the DC07PRO dongle-DAC.
Sound
I do like the DC07PRO’s clean and black background combined with its spacious and airy, yet natural presentation. The stage positioning and layering are a pleasure to the ear, especially with IEMs like the FiiO FH19.
Unlike the DC06PRO, the DC07Pro has a kind of laid-back sound character to it. The midrange is crisp and very revealing of fine details and tone textures, yet it never feels forward and in your face. The bassline is pleasantly full, with a hint of warmth, but still plenty agile when needed.
The highest frequencies are refined and informative. It’s not something you miss in isolation however because DC07Pro manages to paint a very believable and natural tonality. Play wind instruments for example and they will sound airy and rich with inner tone texture the way they sound in real life. Only truly high-pitched tones like triangle produces may have a touch less brilliance compared to some other dongle DACs with more emphasis on those highest frequencies.
The soundstage is reasonably wide and airy, with a respectable perceived depth too. Generally speaking, DC07Pro tends to paint the soundscape starting from your earphones and going behind them, not pushing leading vocals and instruments forward the way the DC06PRO does. But don’t get me wrong here – DC07Pro is not a closed-sounding or too tame-sounding DAC. Its spatially laid-back presentation doesn’t conceal fine information or inner tone detailing.
Dynamics and microdynamics are very capable too. When the fast-paced song comes along, iBasso DC07PRO will not leave you wanting. It’s a quick and lively-sounding dongle DAC, with enough mass and authority to bring the rhythm section alive.
The bass presentation is overall good. Bass is tight, easy to listen to and it shows up with plenty of authority when needed. Technically, bass also performs well with excellent speed, clarity, precision, and depth.
The DC07PRO shines in the mids and you get a natural and very musical presentation with plenty of airy and excellent precision, depth, layering, and separation. The mids sound dynamic, natural, and spacious, and with the realistic positioned vocals that are not too energetic, the mids are soft and easy on the ear.
Vocals and treble are always nicely energetic and vivid, but they never refrain from being natural. The technical level of the section is at its very best, but it’s never overly energetic. The vocals and higher frequencies are always dynamic, vivid, and exciting.
Sum-Up
The iBasso DC07PRO sounded very dynamic with all of the IEMs I connected to it. The energy level is also a pleasure to the ear depending on the earphone used. The DC07PRO is a dongle DAC that makes everything sound effortless, even with the most complex music and passages.
It’s very pleasant to listen to and easy on the ears. But it’s more than that, as it has an equally good technical strength. The resolution, clarity, separation, precision, decay, speed, layering, extension, and sound stage are all very good.