Combining ground-breaking innovation with exceptional sound detail, the iBasso D17 Atheris is a portable DAC and headphone amp sporting a dual discrete DAC architecture of R2R and 1-Bit PWM for incredible versatility. With three playback modes, you can choose which DAC structure to send your PCM and DSD audio to, with support for up to 768 kHz PCM / DSD512.
The D17 features a balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 3.5mm headphone output, along with a diversity of digital input options including USB-C and either optical or coaxial 3.5mm via a shared input jack. The DAC can output up to a maximum of 1200mW per channel into 32 ohms, allowing it to drive the most demanding IEMs and headphones. The headphone amp sports two Nutube 6P1 tubes, backed by a BUF634A buffer amp, for warmth and musicality. Stepped analog and DSP-based digital volume controls are included. With the 3-layer anti-vibration structure, this DAC is isolated from the microphonic effect, ensuring clean, crystal-clear audio. The D17 Atheris includes 3.5mm and 4.4mm cables, a USB-C cable, a USB-C to Lightning cable, a USB-C to USB-A cable, a pouch, and protective case, and a carrying bag.
The R2R decoding provides a natural, delicate sound with a natural analog presentation, offering a unique lively listening experience. The in-house developed 1-bit DAC employs 8 sets of 8E, totaling 64 PWM-DACs, delivering a landscape of rich musical details and extremely high-resolution audio playback.
- NOS mode: PCM utilizes the R2R DAC for decoding, while DSD utilizes 1-bit DAC decoding
- OS mode: this mode sends all decoding duties to the R2R DAC and sends all audio to PCM format
- SD mode: this mode sends all decoding to 1-bit DAC structure and converts all audio to DSD format
The tube is placed on the second PCB layer using damping materials, providing a secondary reduction of microphonic effects. Actual measurements show that the microphonic effect is below the human ears’ perceptual threshold. Among all iBasso tube amplifier products, it consistently performs at the forefront.
Whether under high gain or heavy load, the D17 can consistently maintain a pure and stable output, significantly reducing distortion caused by unstable power supplies. It truly delivers a clear and pristine sound quality, capable of presenting your recordings with the utmost musical quality.
The difference between the left and right channels is less than ±0.1 dB. Digital volume adjustment is performed via a professional DSP module. The combination of analog and digital volume control allows for more precise volume output.
- 284 high-precision film resistors with a low temperature coefficient of 0.01% (25ppm)
- Two Nutube 6P1 vacuum tubes, with a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours
- Custom 24-position, 4-section stepped attenuator, with channel tolerance less than ±0.1 dB
- Two Accusilicon ultralow-phase noise femtosecond crystal oscillators
- Professional audio DSP chip, with a theoretical dynamic range of up to 192 dB and THD+N reaching -174 dB
- Ultralow-noise analog power supply, with noise as low as 0.6μV, which is lower than the 0.8μV of the LT304x by Linear Technology
- Dual-battery architecture, with separate batteries powering the digital and amplification sections
- iBasso custom film capacitors and vintage SPRAGUE capacitors
- 1.3-inch OLED display