iBasso DC05 review after firmware updat

When listened iBasso DC05 for the first time, didn't enjoy what I heard: high frequencies were raised too much, middles almost not recognizable, low frequencies sounded like a plastic. Then I sold it and bought FiiO KA3 that didn't impress me the way I wanted — it was solid, nice, but neutral just an audiophiles love. That's not for me. Then decided to buy iBasso DC05 for the second time because I've completely switched to MQA (KA3 don't support it) and there was announced a firmware update by the iBasso team.

The box is almost the same as the previous version (DC03)

I've read opinions about the impossibility of changing the frequency response of DACs. Theoretically, it shouldn't be. But switching filters can't change the sound so drastically and in the DC05, the sound has changed from a flat-high-frequency to a kind of AKM's "Velvet Sound": the highs are very well felt, but not to the point of sibilants — i.e. everything is perfectly controlled; the middles really become more noticeable (on the previous DC05 they were almost inaudible); radical changes in low frequencies — I don't know what they screwed up there, but I recognized the Asahi Kasei basses just like it was on Hidizs S9 that came with AK4493EQ — deep, surrounded, bold and aggressive.

The cable is strengthened with an additional silicone coating 

In general, iBasso, well done! I didn't believe that such a, let's say, not the most outstanding chip like ES9219C, if doubled, would produce such a great result. I don't consider myself an ardent audiophile, do not like neutrality in music sounding. Maybe that's why I enjoyed such a "fun" sound presentation. But if you prefer a neutral one, then this is not for you. Better look towards FiiO KA3 (by the way, I've sold mine).

On a headphones with a dark pitch, it will probably turn out completely different from what I described here. I have audio-technica ATH-AVC500 headphones, in which the treble and bass are slightly raised.

I think I finally found my sound. Now I will buy something else only if something happens to DC05 or if Asahi Kasei offers something interesting with MQA support.