#donglemadness 

Just wanted to say thanks for the reccomendation on the DC03 Pro! Absolutely loving it so far!

You are doing great work! You are what the RU-vid hifi-world needed.

Thanks for the reviews!

Purchased the dc04 pro based on this review. Excellent recommendation, clear improvement over my previous dac amps. Thank you.

Thanks a lot for this very comprehensive review ! 👌 I am delighted with this dongle : powerful and strictly neutral (which is very important to me). The UAC app is also quite handy and effective. Tested only in SE 3.5 mm, with Beyerdynamic DT 990 32 ohm. This dongle is pretty affordable compared to others, good job Ibasso !

I just got this the other day, and I am already in love. This is an amazing piece of gear. It is both a simple device and a multi layered playback device. Very clean and dynamic. Does not add it's own spin, but replays the source as it was recorded. The volume steps are very much appreciated, as some are way too notchy--- volume steps up in large jumps on some. This is a very good dongle.

you sold it! Thanks for the great comparisons Andy

Purchased the dc04 pro based on this review , i love you man , you are a life saver , good reviewer

Great review as always Andy... thanks:) Already have the dco3 pro and like it a lot....will give a chance to its big brother for sure.

Great review, I've been using IBasso dc05 for the last 18 months. Now I switched to Tanchjim Space and I'm quite happy with sound, power output and build quality.

I was planning to get the Qudelix 5k but after watching this video and previous one, I think will get the DC04 pro. Being able to fine tuned the volume level is a top priority for me, and also the neutral & organic sound it can produce . Thank u for the review.😊

Bought this on Prime Day based on your rec, $ well spent, thanks.

Thanks to this man, before I was considering getting the Moonriver 2 for more power and headroom for future headphones. Now I think I can save my money by just getting the DC04 PRO ♥️

I love your review. ❤

Mine came in today. This paired with my FH7 and Tidal is incredible!!!

Nice one Andy 👍🏻

Hi Andy, thanks to your review I bought the ibasso dc04 pro and I am enjoying it. 🎧

Congratulations bro nice review

Muy buena reseña con todas sus comparaciones.

I’ve come to you whilst searching for a dongle to pair with my new MP145. I have a MOJO2 but haven’t got it working without the right cable which I have ordered and waiting for. Nevertheless, I still wanted a smaller dac and I have to say I really enjoy your approach. Sound language is a funny thing and talking about stuff being granular, having decay, sibilants etc is something only we audiophiles would wish to judge. Having said that, I am not a hardened audiophile and wanted someone to give me the options and you have done that so well with so many. I wish I could afford the HIBY or the Ru6/7 but I’ve gone with the dc04pro for now. Thanks for your good work

you are the most accurate audio reviewer, I have been reading and watching reviews for 10 years, and your reviews are spot on. I'm sad I haven't learned about you till this week.

How do you activate the Turbo part or the filter parts if one is gonna mainly use this with HD600 and PC? Good review thanks (:

fuhhh RU6 lvl of SQ! I would to have to a minitour of FC6 and DC04pro...just to decide which one to get... Im already loving DC03pro but 04pro had me curious...Great in-depth review as always~!

Many companys from will follow iBasso's path which is making excellent budget DACs

Great DAC using it mainly on my pc with dt 900 pro X and focal elegia. I could have spent more and got the FiiO k5 Pro but the dc04 pro does the headphones I have justice ❤will just probably save up on the fiio k7 instead and use the dc04 pro on the upcoming iphone 15 since it has type C now

sick shirt dude

Received my DC04 pro yesterday n for juz using it for one day, i already notice a improvement on the soundstage, details and also as u mentioned is indeed neutral. Comparing this with my UA3. N also i notice ur voice in this video sometimes is loud sometimes is soft.

Mines taking so long to ship. Can't wait!

hi! a realy great video

I can confirm your findings here, got the Ibasso 4 pro due to your pro3 review. And I must say it’s the best dac dongle in your list here. The DAC has studio quality playback capabilities, I can master and mix any record on the go using this dac. It’s astonishing how analog musical depth it is providing without sounding harsh or digital. The transient response above 5k is smooth which allow you to listen extremely loud with no artifacts or any distortion.

I was kinda turned off by the huge price leap from DC03Pro, but seeing it competes with those dongles, sheesh 🥶

Wow it has the same chip set up as the new FiiO KA13, hope you review that one soon too!! 😮😮😮

Cool series on dongle DACs! I have several and it's interesting to see someone else's point of view on them. #burzum #dunkleheit

Great review as always Andy, I am looking forward to your review of the new Xduoo Link2 Bal Max which has significant improvements from the original Link2 Bal and it outputs a whopping 200mw in single ended! And the price is still the same :) Dongles are just getting better and better everyday. ^_^

Best T-shirt ever. Burzum. True Norwegian black metal!

I own the dc03pro because of your recomendations, my next purchase is dc04pro because of your review too. 😂

Excellent Review Andy. This is how you do reviews. So detailed and yet so within reach, unlike other reviews filled with "Audhiophile Jargon" but offering way less insight.

Waiting for you to review the new Link2Bal Max. It has improved measurements and much increased power for its 3.5mm output. (200mW!)

Just got my DC04 Pro and surprisingly it came with a lightning cable too though it was not mentioned on the product page at the time of purchase Did A/B on few tracks with my DC03 Pro, both are top notch but slight differences are there. Listened to both on single ended only with Final E3000 on Filter 4 using Hiby music exclusive mode. Both seem to have more or less same power on single ended at same volume. DC04 Pro seems to very slightly sound cleaner/clearer. DC03 Pro as Andy said is slightly more energetic, has very slightly more bass and upper mids and soundstage width seems to be slightly wider on DC03 Pro but DC04 Pro seems to be slightly more cohesive sounding. Again these are slight and negligible differences and both are top notch. I just gave my perspective comparatively between both. If you have one over the other, you are not missing much in either one. Both these IBASSO dongles are far better sounding than Hidizs S9 Pro in my personal opinion. If you are going to use single ended only, then save money and get DC03 Pro, no need for DC04 Pro. I am yet to test balanced on DC04 Pro Final E3000 is a warm/dark sounding IEM that never gets into harsh territory so Balanced armature IEMs may show a bigger difference between these two dongles, not sure but just saying. I have KZ AS12 and it was already good sounding with DC03 Pro so should be good with DC04 Pro too. My dongle shopping is over and satisfied, thanks to Andy and his reviews

I am running HD660s2 with DCO3 Pro (off M1 mac laptop mainly, and occasionally on android phone as well). I quite love the soundsignature - the fullness and richness of it. and the power is fine once I realised my error and turned on high gain and turbo. But I haven't heard the DC04 pro or Cayin RU7 to see if I am missing anything on the soundscape!

I have seen some that have dual dac cs43131, but I don't know which brand implements it better. I like more the musical tone without neglecting the details, as well as the part of the sound scene.

Hi Andy, I really appreciate your perfect review. Please advise, I should choose Ibasso Dc03 pro or DC 04 pro, my music usually listens to audiophile, jazz and sometimes sports music when I need pressure on a strong bass. I'm using headphone bose qc 35ii, thank you very much🙏

Fantastic review! I got the Sennheiser HD 650 myself. How do you connect these headphones to the 4.4 m exit of the Ibasso Dc04Pro? What cable do you use?

Really nice review Andy! Does this one have UAC1 and UAC2?

Hello Andy! Thank you so much for all your reviews!So helpful! I need a "mobile" dac to power my HD 660 S2 mostly around my house while not working at my desk were my K7 BT is. I will be using iPhone & iPad. I eliminated from my choices the M15 due to RFI sensitivity I read about in reviews. I am leaning towards KA5 and I came across Basso DC04pro from your reviews and now I am even more puzzled. What is your recommendation

Told you earlier it's fantastic dongle

I use filter number 4 for sennheiser ie200 because this iem is neutral and bright hardly fatigued

Nice review Andy!! I want to ask which dongle do you prefer the most for the bravery ae? Thanks

This dongle sounds especially good with DSD files. I use Neutron on Android or Audirvanna on PC to upsample everything to DSD 128. It improves the soundstage and dynamics even more. Blacker background as well.

Awesome! I'm really interested in the Fosi DS1 review. :) Is that coming out soon? Is the DC04 pro more analogue sounding than the DS1? Thanks

I ordered Fiio KA 11 with lightning so I cancel order and I ordered ibasso DC04 pro. More expensive but good according to you.

There are so many competitions in the market now! Are you going to review the new fiio fc5? Also Moondrop is going to release moon river 3, crazy! 😂

Thanks for the review, I purchased Sennheiser HD660s and using it with Earman Eagle and it drive it with comfortable volume at 25/100, I mostly listen Hindi Songs which is mostly Vocal focused, Should I go for DC 04 pro, ifi go bar or questyle M15 does they make any difference to the sound .

Hello sir, thank you this is by far the most help channel to learn about dongles. Please I have a question, How does the balanced vs the unbalanced outputs perform in general with IEMs? Your answer will help me a lot

The issue I have with almost all dongle DACs is the unability to write settings from their respective Android apps into EEPROM from dongles. So devices will read these settings on bootup wherever plugged into. I use dongles with Windows operated notebooks and tablets most of the time while commuting. And sadly, everything (like gain, filters, and more) is set to factory default each time - and with no ability to make changes. So there's just that narrow choice left with devices like xDuoo Link2 Bal which at least offer a physical gain switch. Or the very few programmable dongles by E1DA or Qudelix which actually do write settings into EEPROM. I wish there was more choice.

This is a great review, I've been considering the DC04 Pro. What is your most used dongle under $300?

Professionally done man. The review and comparisons were detailed and easy to follow with your graphics. I currently have the Razer THX Onyx and am, for the most part; happy with it. However, I have recently invested in a balanced output cable for my headphones and the improvement of the sound is astounding through my IFI Zen DAC II. I didn't even realize that DAC amp dongles were offering a balanced output until I watched your video. While I am more than satisfied with my ThX Onyx, I'm going to pick up the iBasso based on your recommendation. l really prefer to listen via a balanced output, Do you get a commission on items sold in the links you provide? I'll be happy to buy from there if you do. Also, does the app for this dongle actually load your music files to be played from iit? Or will the dongle work when using something like the PulseMusic app?

Hi Andy, Have been watching many of you excellent videos on dongle madness. I am a layman as far as the technical speak is concerned but I know the sound I am looking for. I listen to a lot of EDM, would this Ibasso DC 04 be good for that type of music or the Ibasso DC03?

Great review as usual ♥️♥️ What are the scores have you given to the colorfly cda ? How does cd1 compares with dc04 pro and shio?

Hello Andy ….Just got my dc04 pro today and have been testing a/b comparison with my older Hidiz DH80s. All my testing was on unbalanced 3.5 mm ports on both and with medium gain using my apple iPad. Though the dc04 pro sounds awesome, it’s a bit neutral, thin and clinical. The DH80s which is at the same price range runs off a battery and sounds a bit richer and warmer with boost to lower frequencies. Dh80s is also more musical and fun to listen to and its kind of holographic sounding . Dc04 pro is more polite and cleaner for lack of a better word . Just wanted to share my findings with you. It would be nice if you could also review DH80s one of these days. you are the zen master of dongles😀

Thanks Sir Andy Another great review ! So this amazing dongle costs less than half of Cayin RU6 and Hiby FC6, but with the same sound signature and airy soundstage , would you choose FC04 pro ( regardless of price) ?

Thank you for a great review, was enough to convince me to get one. Arrived today and was working fine at first, but now it keeps disconnecting after a few seconds of playing any music, I'm running it from a pixel 7 pro and aren't sure what might be causing this.

Hi Andy, I found your channel best suited for my queries! I have Audio Technica M40x. Which DAC should I buy? DC04 pro, FC6, RU7, Hip DAC 3?

Hi Andy!! Which amongst Fiio ka5, Ibasso dc04 pro and earmen sparrow has the best single ended output?? Please do recommend if you have another dongle in mind.

Andy, I've just bought Ibasso DC03 Pro because of your review and based on your dongle madness ranking and wow it offers really good technical capabilities and good, rich presentation of note weight and overall tonal balance, which I must say i like it more than my previous Moondrop Dawn (which is too flat, sterile for me). Now I'm curious is it a big leap from DC03 Pro to DC04 Pro in terms of its technicalities?

Hey Andy, Which dongle synergize best with the Dunu Talos between Truthear Shio, Tanchjim Space, DC03 Pro and DC04 Pro?

Thanks for the review. Upon your recommendation I purchased it & am very happy. Can you please tell me what the output & eco mode are for on ibasso uac app? Thanks in advance

Thanks for the great review, between this and DC03 PRO, HIBY FC4 and link 2 Bal max what's best option considering the price to quality ratio?!

I really likeyour review. Would you compare Dc04pro vs lootoo paw s2 ? Does dc04pro have line-out option ?

just for pure pleasure of listening which one do you like better DC04Pro or FC6 ?

Hi Andy, if I'm looking for something lush sounding rather than Delta Sigma clean, what would U suggest? Would DC04pro or Cayin RU6 do it?

i just came here to see that Burzum shirt :D

hello Andy...for you which have better more organic sound and better power ibasso dc04pro or questyle M15...? Which is better for you in all regards?

@AndyAudioVault Compared 7hz Shio, the bass on the DC04 pro is less pronounced. I kinda like the bass on Shio. Does the Shio has boosted bass or DC04 Pro has it lowered? I am on filter 1.

Hi Andy, do you think it's worth it to get Ibasso DC04 pro if Spotify is my main source? I always want to buy a dongle but I don't know if it's worth it because I don't have access to other streaming service that have higher quality audio in my country.

hello andy, thanks for the video review, do you have any recommendations for a replacement for the default cable dc04 pro c to c in the $ 30 price range?

Hi Andy , between the shio and the dc03 pro which one has the better detail clarity and resolution and soundstage , also in the nos mode does the dc03 sounds more neutral than colorful

Hi there, for metal, driving the Hidizs MP145 (Whales) DC03 pro or DC04 Pro? Great review by the way

Hi, Andy. I have a Beyerdynamic DT 900 pro x in my hands and I want to purchase a dongle for it. Will dc 04 pro be a good choice? I really like the natural tone you mentioned in the video, but I am afraid using 3.5mm jack will lose the advantages. Because the headphone only has a 3.5mm jack. Since dc 04 pro is more powerful, I am also afraid it will be too loud for the headphone(it has an impedance of 48ohms). Or should I choose dc 03 pro instead? Is there any other dongle you would recommend with my headphone?

Hi I just got the DC04Pro and I will try to use the app. What filter do you recommend for Moondrop Variations? Also, will the settings be retained if I use the dongle on my PC?

I just ordered it. I have DC03 Pro too but I am using it as my desktop Dac with an external amp so DC04 Pro is for on the go usage. Andy, does it get warm or hot in balanced mode just like Hidizs S9 Pro? Also, which sounds better in single ended? DC03 Pro or DC04 Pro?

how do we select filters/gain/output when connect to Windows PC? is there a separate program or are settings saved on the device from your android UAC setup?

Hello Andy, Is the sound from the 3.5 input in ibasso weaker than in 4.4, like in Tanchjim Space? Is the second amplifier much more economical when it comes to battery?

Great detailed review Andy! I would just like to ask what would be a better deal, the iBasso DC04 Pro or the Cayin RU6? I'll be mostly using these DACs for mixing/mastering at the same time as a device to listen to music analytically and also for fun I don't really have a portable DAC yet and I'm torn between these two I appreciate your video and your help in helping me look for dongle DACs

Thanks for the review Andy. The only problem with these dongles is, we can't play/pause or change tracks when both the phone and the dongle are in the pant pocket. We need to take out the phone everytime to change tracks which is annoying. Is there no way to get around this limitation?

Andy do you recommend any anti sweat headphones? Any idea on the Soundcore q series?

Hello Andy, I ordered ibasso dc03pro with cb18 usb-c cable. How is this combo compared against dc04pro with stock usb-c cable? Im using only SE 3.5mm with my 7hz timeless. Im asking because some people said on head-fi the dc04pro sounds better, maybe because of the opamps?

H Andyi, I interested with this Ibasso CB18 cable, does CB18 makes the sound more better? like giving more refine, bigger/depth soundstage, or else? thank you and looking forward for your reply

is the ibasso uac app also available on windows/pc? or do you need a phone to open the dongle settings

Hey Andy which dongle synergize best with the tangzu zetian wu heyday ibasso dc03 pro or dc04 pro

hello andy I'm really considering to buy this dac for mp145 or should i wait for the release of dc06? In addition is the 4.4 cable considered better than the 3.5?To know which one should i order for my iem's from now on, thank you in advance

Your opinion regarding ONLY sounstage and imaging for DCO4 pro vs DC03 pro? Thanks for reviewing 👍

Hello, can You do a short manual for iBasso UAC app with explanation of filters, gain and turbo-mode?

hi andy! do you think dc04pro with xiaomi phone (series are like yours) are enough as a source? or DAP like hiby r6gen3 are better? cause i heard when DAP playing using class A it deliver better audio overall.

@andy I'm a bit confused and needs some clarity. I previously used Ibasso DC03 Pro, I loved it for analytical sound with tight slam to it. Now I'm planning to go for 4.4m Balanced. So confused between Ibasso DC04 Pro and Truthear Shio. In my place, DC04 Pro costs $138 whereas SHIO costs just $75. I want that analytical and tight slam sound. Can you please suggest which one to prefer and does it justify the difference in cost? Suggestions from others are also welcome. Thanks!

Hey Andy, between the 2-ibasso dc04 pro and tanchjim space which has a wider/bigger sound stage? And I would use balanced on both. Thanks 😀

hello Andy , can you tell of this comparsion which models have more warmer and bassy sound with less highs and no sibilance and little back midrange...which models have this signature more?

Hi Andy, I purchased AP10 recently but didn't like its signature that much. For the record, i still prefer my VE Abigail over AP10. Do you think I should try DC04 Pro or give it a pass as both it and AP10 have the same dual DAC chip from Cirrus Logic?

Hi Andy, is the shinmin li encounter review coming soon?

Thank you for your excellent reviews. Have you paired the iBasso DC04 Pro with AFUL P5?