Sweet Sound For Beginners – iBasso Jr Macaron Dongle DAC AMP
iBasso Jr Macaron is a $45 USD DAC / Headphone Amplifier made for portable usage, and today we have the pink version, compatible with Android and Windows PC computers, and based on the CS43131 DAC in a Dual Configuration.
Introduction
iBasso Jr is the sub brand of iBasso launched to allow folks on a low budget to enjoy audiophile products, and they have a more commercial, more colorful approach to our hobby than most companies, but the quality should still be the mighty iBasso quality, so even if they’re selling for a low price, iBasso Jr Products promise to still offer epic quality and make our life better.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to iBasso for providing us with the sample for this review.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4i5h8Qu
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okYmTuW
Build Quality/Aesthetics
We have the Macaron in a true Macaron color, which is pink, and it seems the least audiophile / professional looking one, and the most commercial / fun device that I’ve reviewed in a long time. We even get a reliable audiophile internal structure, with a Dual Flagship CS43131 DAC, reaching up to 210mW + 210mW driving power, and a DNR of 132 dBA, and a SNr of 132 dBA. The THD+N is ultra low at 0.00013%, while the decoding ability extends up to 32 Bit / 384 kHz, and DSD256, but at least a bit of the marketing material on the Macaron seems maybe a touch too enthusiastic.
I mean, while I agree that there are limitations to TWS, considering that “Desktops are stupid and heavy” is a bit of a stretch considering that iBasso also makes some of the best desktop devices, and even has a high-end flagship desktop DAC/AMP on the way. This being said, besides the good chuckle, most people who want a Macaron will likely not even consider a desktop DAC/AMP, so the small USB Dongle DAC AMP with a tail should be a good alternative.
Macaron is compatible with Windows, MAC, Android and iOS, and it has a lower power consumption of 80mA to make sure you still get enough battery out of your phone, and that you do not get Apple Power Supply restrictions while using the Macaron. WE get both a 3.5mm single ended output, and a 4.4mm output, although as there is no mention of a differential output, the 4.4mm output might have the same power as the 3.5mm output.
The physical unit is lightweight, at 16 grams, and the double sided glass is beautiful, and so far the unit has excellent 5/5 reviews from users and customers, all of them being happy with the Macaron. I am the most happy about the non-existent USB DAC delay, and Macaron has its own internal volume, so you need to both adjust the volume on it, and on Android / Windows. You will never use max volume with any headphones or IEMs, and I would suggest leaving the Windows / android volume at max and using the embedded volume on the Macaron for the best sound quality.
The only double sided thing I found about the Macaron is that if you use it to control the volume, you have to press once to increase or decrease one step of volume. This is bad because going from quiet to loud takes a lot of clicks, but it is also good, because at max it can easily blow up your IEMS and ears, so it is better to protect your ears and earphones than be sorry afterwards.
Sound Quality
Pairings – I have driven the Macaron out of both my S24 Ultra Smartphone and Windows PC computer as well. Despite having all the latest updates installed, it is working perfectly and seen by Windows without needing any additional drivers installed. I’ve driven a number of IEMs with the Macaron, including Simgot EM10, Letshuoer Cadenza 12, iBasso Gelato, RAPTGO Lead D01, NF Audio NE4, Rose Technics QTX, Moritz Dragon, Campfire Moon Rover, ZiiGaat Arcadia, HarmonicDyne Devil, HeartField Blanc, Soundz Flame and TinHiFi P1 Max II. It can easily drive all of those IEMS, and it even handles headphones very well, including FiiO FT1 PRO, OLLO X1, and Aune SR7000. Although the driving power won’t be enough to handle HIFIMAN HE1000 Unveiled, it easily handles all the headphones above, and manages to achieve a beautiful, warm and full sound with all of them.
Overall Signature – iBasso Jr Macaron has a warm, full sound in the lows, with a full and voluptuous voicing, but also a bright and airy treble, achieving a similar signature to iBasso Gelato, and seemingly being engineered by the same pair of ears / same team, to create a universally likable sound that works really well with commercial music.
Bass – On the low-end we have a smooth, warm and boofy bass that has a large body and strong punch / kick. Macaron manages to deliver a really pleasing low-end extension and generally a full bass. Macaron has good control and has a very low distortion both at high and low volumes.
Midrange – Following a commercially likable sound, Macaron has a slightly recessed midrange in presence, but with a clean and crisp vocal presentation. Male voices are slightly dampened, while female voices are slightly emphasized, so emotion, and sad songs are more vivid than death metal, but this gives pianos a crystalline, beautiful sound. Generally the midrange tuning works well with all music, even death metal, because Macaron has a somewhat uplifted bass that gives rock and metal a good body and cymbals sound crisp and clean.
Treble – iBasso Jr gave the Macaron a crisp, airy and sharp top end with an excellent presence, strong detail and resolution, and with a good extension, up to the audible 20 kHz, as long as your IEMs / Earphones can achieve that frequency response.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – Macaron handles both loud and low volumes equally well, it has excellent control at loud volumes, but no audible background noise at low volumes, with a very consistent signature and response across all volume levels.
PRaT / Textures – Textures are natural, on the crisp and detailed edge, and this gives a great resolution to Macaron, especially for the price point. It sounds less dynamically compressed than the vast majority of entry-level DAC/AMPs, having a beautiful sound in general.
Soundstage – If wide and holographic sounds like your cup of tea, Macaron has good instrument separation and a wide soundstage, also achieving a good depth, thanks to the strong bass extension and good forward projection of music. Good IEMS are needed for a proper soundstage though, and I am saying this with ThieAudio Origin in my ears, more spatially compressed sounding IEMS will do their thing. I’m adding this because in the entry-level range, most IEMS tend to be flatter sounding, and Macron will likely drive a pair of entry-level IEMS for most folks.
Value and Conclusion
iBasso made an affordable DAC / AMP and they still managed to have excellent resolution and clarity, making Macaron one of the easiest to recommend DAC/AMPs if you’re in the entry-level range and want a clean, detailed dongle DAC/AMP with a light weight and a strong performance.
At the end of the day, although the marketing team of the Macaron in particular is a bit over-enthusiastic, you’d be too when you knew how good it sounds and what kind of performance it can deliver for such a low price, so if you need a beautiful dongle DAC/AMP with excellent sonics, while keeping the budget low and performance high, iBasso Macaron is a fully recommended DAC AMP today and one of the most affordable options that doesn’t sacrifice the SQ in any way and delivers a beautiful sound.
PROs
- Clean output
- Excellent Price / Performance Ratio
- Warm bass
- Sparkly treble
- Excellent resolution
- Great deal all things considered
- Works without a driver in windows
- Has its own internal volume
Cons
- Nothing at this price point.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4i5h8Qu
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okYmTuW
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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