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I just got the iBasso T4 amplifier which is designed for to pair with IEM (though you can used it with bigger headphone if you like). Last few years iBasso has made itself a name as The bang for the bucks in portable amp market. Naturally I am quite interested in getting one of their lower model to try out with my IEM.
I am by no mean an amp guy so here is a quick impression of the new T4 in comparison with FiiO E5, which is my main on-the-go portable amp at the moment. The source is iriver clix2's headphone-out on 80% volume. Music of choice are various album ripped as >256kbps LAME mp3 or WMA. The earphone of choice is Head-Direct RE0.
In very rough and subjective term, I'll say E5 is about 70% of a T4. The main improvements are bigger soundstage, slightly better instruments separation, slightly better treble and better bass (fuller, warmer body) if you switch both to bass mode. In comparison, E5 sounds more mid centric while T4 is better on extending to both end.
Regarding hiss, I chose to use UM2 for the test. For E5, hiss is most noticeable in max volume, and decreases to none as the volume approaching minimum setting (about less than 1/4 of total). For T4 in low gain with lowest volume, a constant hiss is detected but the volume is very low, roughly the same as E5's hiss on 1/4 volume setting (which is when E5 just starts to hiss). For T4 in high gain with lowest volume, the level of hiss about about E5's hiss b/w 1/2~3/5 volume. The good news is, T4's hiss doesn't increase a lot even when the volume is turn to max. The increase of hiss b/w lowest and highest volume is perhaps less than 50% of that in lowest setting. [EDIT] For those who wonder, the hiss test mentioned above were carried out without the source plugged in.
In picture, FiiO E3, E5, Travagan's Colors (dogbone), and T4.Spec:
4ch Architecture Design
Gain and Bass Booster switches
ALPS Potentiometer
Stainless Steel Case With Chrome Color Anodized Finish
Rechargeable Li-Polymer Battery with integrated charging system
Charging is accomplished with either the USB cable or AC adapter
Up to 24 hours of play time
Measures 64.5L x 37W x 10H (mm), and weighs only 29g
13 comments to [Quick Impression] iBasso T4:
Hi, thx for the first impressions.
I have used E3 a few days and wanted to upgrade to E5 or ibasso T4.
With Creative Zen + E3 + Sennheiser HD 495 (32 ohm) I hear absolutely no hiss at max volume (music paused). I have now sold the E3 to get E5/T4 and got Sennheiser HD 555 (50 ohm) for christmas.
So i'm interested in any other info as soon as you find more in comparing the two amps.
What do you think would be the difference for me with Sennh. HD 555 if I take T4 compared to E5?
HD555 most likely will benefit more from T4 for its better treble, but you should also consider E5 for its much higher price/performance ratio. You might also look into Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 as an alternative to HD555. For $20 more, AD700 should be a better buy than HD555.
Too late for the ATH-AD700, cuz i have started to use the S. HD 555, also the 555 was expensive enugh (got it as a christmas present).
You wrote "E5 is 70% of T4". E5 is only 20% of the price, so it most certanly is a good price/performance ratio.
1) What does "bigger soundstage" means?
2) what does "4ch Architecture Design" means?
3) and what is my benefit of i?
I'm confused as to whether I should get E5 or T4.
4) Is it only subtle differences I get in the T4 compared to the E5?
It seems that T4 has 300mw amplification in 32 ohm, where as E5 has aprox. 75 mw in 32 ohm. (150 mw 16 ohm).
5) Is that to any use with the 555? (and what)?
1) Soundstage is the perceived space between your ears and what you think the music is coming from. Generally, the bigger the soundstage, the more you feel it is played in live.
2 & 3)IIRC, 4ch refers to how the power is supplied differently to the pre and power-amp sections of left and right channels. Basically it means this type of design theoretically will result in better SQ. In the real world, there are a lot of others variables that must be takes into account.
4 & 5) The power difference b/w the two will be most obvious in power demanding headphone.In short, T4 is more versatile when it comes to difficult-to-drive headphone while E5 might not have the necessary power. In more practical term, it means T4 will be louder than E5. Generally, more power is better.
First of all thx for all the info. (Really appreciate it :)
From looking at the pictures:
T4:
http://www.snatchbank.co.uk/filehost/raven/t4a.jpg
http://www.snatchbank.co.uk/filehost/raven/t4b.jpg
http://www.snatchbank.co.uk/filehost/raven/t4c.jpg
E5:
http://wap32.homeunix.org/pics/fiioe5/DSCF0130.jpg
http://wap32.homeunix.org/pics/fiioe5/DSCF0132.jpg
http://wap32.homeunix.org/pics/fiioe5/DSCF0135s.jpg
There seems to a big difference in design, few big components in T4 and a lot of small in E5. Can we conclude anything based on that?
What is the BIG 6.3V 1200 uf in T4 used for ?
The big capacity (which actually is quite small in real life) is most likely part of the power supply regulatory circuit.
Though more (and bigger) components usually means better SQ, it is not always the case. It really depends on the implementation.
Are you going to make a review of the T4 or more comparison to the E5 later?
Could it be that there was more difference between E5 and T4, when used with full-sized headphones?
Do you have the opportunity to try it out?
My full size headphone are all very easy to drive so I don't use them with amp. Even if I do, the improvement will be minimum.
I won't be doing a full review, but if you are interested in more T4 reviews and impressions, I'll suggest you have a read at the following thread on Head-fi.org.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/ibasso-t4-tinier-than-t2-better-more-new-images-page-5-a-379055/
Thx, now read it all, but not much on comparing E5 with T4.
Found some grafs about Fiio E3, headsix, pa2v2 and T4 that I dont understand. Can you tell anything based on them?
http://rmaa.elektrokrishna.com/Various/D2%20-%20Fiio,%20Headsix,%20PA2V2,%20Unamped%20(Vol.%2050).htm
http://rmaa.elektrokrishna.com/Various/iBasso%20T4%20-%20Comparison%20-%20No%20Load.htm
http://rmaa.elektrokrishna.com/Various/D2%20-%20Fiio,%20Headsix,%20PA2V2,%20Unamped%20(Vol.%2050).htm
sry, link ends like:
(Vol.%2050).htm
For the one with only T4 in it, I'll say the number is really good. Unfortunately there isn't a baseline to refer to so I can't tell anything further.
For the one with E5 comparison, you want the one closest to the purple, unamped D2. In general, E5 isn't a match of RA2V2 or Headsix, but that is expected.
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