But don’t call yourself a music-lover or an audiophile if gaps don’t bare your gaps.
Before iPods got gapless (and back when they could be flashed for rockbox), gaps between DJ Tîesto’s In Search of Sunrise were the main reason I got into Rockbox. That Roxbox also supported Musepack was the other.
There’s more:
Rockbox greatly improves the DX90’s scrobbling accuracy and speed. Speaking of speed, delays that used to stymie track changes, play/pause cycles, database searches, and more, are all but eliminated.
Thanks to Rockbox my DX90 far outpaces my Vinnie-modified AK100 and is all but on par with my iPod nano. Finally. And it’s got all of the other goodies: parametric EQ, channel balance, and more, that, over the years, have tempted people to Rockbox their gear.
What doesn’t work are dictionary, chessclock, rockpaint, and a number of other incredibly ‘useful’ utilities part and parcel to the truly geeky Rockbox experience.
Also of note: under Rockbox, the DX90’s touchscreen is a bit touchier than it should be. Its basic interaction panels can be edited, but generally, it is less accurate than scrolling with the track forward/backward keys and selecting with the play/pause button.
This isn’t an official port and headwhacker doesn’t label the current version ‘stable’. But in its current state, it is every bit as good as is the newest stock firmware for getting your files to play nice, stable, and to the match what the DX90 is able to deliver. The difference is that Rockbox is stabler, more compatible, bereft of gaps, themeable and more.
And as you know, Headfonia loves the DX90. I, in fact, consider it to be the equal of the Astell&Kern AK240 in a number of key, measurable metrics. I’ve written briefly about them and annotated my thoughts with RMAA measurements at ohm (which I admit are limited by the input hardware).
The DX90 is about as exciting-looking as a two-month-old potato. It doesn’t handle all that well in the hand. Inexplicably, it doubles the same navigation functions between touchscreen and tactile buttons.
But there’s something to be said for lack of flair. It’s a player that’s got it where it counts: super-low levels of background noise not elsewhere rivalled by any stock player out there, amazing stereo separation, low low low distortion, a great DAC, and it’s got enough power for most headphones out there.
And while Rockbox can’t fix its potato looks or its so-so hardware interface, it fills in the cracks in its software interface. And, though the DX90 is closing in on its toddler years, it really is player easy to recommend to audio-quality-only gearheads.
Rockbox makes it easy to recommend to the technically-minded music lover. And, unless size is highest on your priority list, I strongly suggest you look at the DX90 over the AK100 (all three versions).
DX90 owners: Rockbox is more than ready for prime time. Potential owners: steered by Rockbox, the Rockbox DX90 is very possibly the best DAP out there at any price.
Brian
Love some Glenfiddich myself! I would also own the DX90 as of last night, but a phone upgrade stole that money for the time being.
ohm image
I wish you luck in getting that back. My wife had her wallet stolen here in Tokyo a half year ago. Was a pain to put to rights, but we managed to get away with no false credit card charges.
digitldlnkwnt
I have been running this setup for about 4 months for the simple reason it lets me bump my bass, that’s it. I don’t need an eq- just a bit more bass.litteraly “1” bump.
Nathan I think that Glen has you ready to brawl – but I agree gaps f@@kin suck. Period – especially with any continuous mix.
Rockboxed DX90 has been great will all my phones, namely Cosmic Ears CE4p and maddog alpha primes and Senn Amperior
ohm image
Thank you digit: I’m glad we are enjoying so many similar luxuries.
vick_85
@digitldlnkwnt
Is there a bass boost option in then rockbox firmware that is separate from the eq, like sony’s clear bass.
Lurker or rockbox which provides better sound quality??
I’m new to this so if you could provide some details that would be great.
digitldlnkwnt
Vick, no nothing that does sound “enhancement” but it does have multi band EQ, and what i like, basic Bass and Treble +/- 10 step increments. I am using a build different than some of the other folks on here, but most of the features should be the same.
vick_85
Thanks for the reply.
So it has stepped bass and treble controls besides the eq??
10 band or 5 band eq??
digitldlnkwnt
Yes, you can either use the parametric eq which I think is 10 band, or do basic bass treble. Just download and give it a spin. Costs nothing but time.
Venci
damn “the best DAP out there at any price” nice
ohm image
I feel very strongly about its sound engine, even though you can ay be able to get more voltage from another player, or native DSD from another. Great-sounding, but ugly player. Rockbox makes it better.
Eli Segal
Installed rock box last night
What I miss from mango: album art in album list, usb charge only option, file info
What I miss from iPod: flow like view( albums sorted by artist/year), lyrics.
At this point I’m thinking about the ak120 just for the UI
ohm image
The AK120 is a LOT slower than rockbox on the DX90. But yes, some things may be missing.
Dreamriser Kit
I think rockbox has usb charge only option. Try General Setting > System > USB Mode
Eli Segal
Thanks, but there isn’t an option like this on the DX90
Dreamriser Kit
It has. I have DX90 and use Napka Rockbox build
Eli Segal
Also, how do I change line selector width? I see only 2 entries at a time
ohm image
What do you mean by ‘line selector width’?
Eli Segal
I meant line hight, but I managed to find that setting under touchscreen settings
ohm image
Glad to hear that you got it working.
Tronco
Nice review. I had Rockbox on my iPod Video and loved it. Never tried it on the iBasso DX50 though. I think I’ll give it a try next thursday (public holiday).
– For relaxing times, make it Suntory time.
ohm image
Here’s a copyeditor if I’ve seen one.
Hanswurst
Main credits for this port go to xzcc. For the official port it was ArgelErx who did most of the work, cholero too and napka also started to work on the DX90 specific things.
ohm image
I’ll need to update the credits.
Matthias Stuer
Amazing value for money and if on a budget I would go for this. But the streaming option in my A&K 100II has me hooked and the promise of Tidal integration and impeccable sound with in-ears pushed me in that direction. I’m just curious if anyone has properly tested the two against each other since the 100II is the last arrival.
Eli Segal
How does the sound of Rockbox compared with the original firmware? thanks!
ohm image
I can’t honestly say I detect a noticeable difference. The problem is that you can’t go back to back. The best I could do is supply measurements, but my system is currently off line. I don’t trust impressions that hinge on bootup times, etc.
Kevin Setiadi
“the Rockbox DX90 is very possibly the best DAP out there at any price.”
that’s a very strong statement. How does it hold up against the likes of AK240?
ohm image
I’ve published a small article about them back to back and linked it into this article. I think you’ll find, that if you compare their sound, the DX90 is more than an equal. It isn’t nearly as polished, nor probably as interesting a company to invest in (for stock), but for audio (as long as you don’t need balanced), DX90 is phenomenal.
Kevin Setiadi
Hmm interesting. I’m in the market for DAP+CIEM so if the DX90 can match up against AK240 it will bring down my expenses significantly. Thanks!
France Is Bacon
All them savings you’d get from settling with the DX90 can go towards some really really nice CIEMs now 😀
Anuradha Kharmate-Palve
where i get rockbox update for dx90 still i am using v2.3.0 is there any noticeable SQ change wthout any hardware damage risk ??
Haryanto Suryonoto
This post save my life. Despite of unusual GUI, I am now a happy rockboxed DX90 user. Good theme is a bonus.
ohm image
Which theme did you go with? I didn’t like using the DX90 despite loving its sound. Rockbox really turned it into a usable DAP.
Haryanto Suryonoto
I use iPod style theme as shown in the post. Simple yet beautiful. Puzzled face from several people is a bonus also. 😀
ohm image
Excellent choice.
Deskolim Cheong
So, how if dx90’s dac compare with a desktop dac. What dac(desktop) should be similar/level with?
ohm image
Some DACs will supply higher voltage levels, and some of course, are voiced to sound drier, or smoother. DX90 is neutral, detailed, clear; it is tip-top without the fuss. You’d have to hunt down something around 2vrms that is voiced similarly to get similar sound. I’m fully satisfied with the DX90.
Deskolim Cheong
Sorry, i’m not got it. Which dac(desktop) exactly has almost the same sound character/level with this? PS: My town haven’t high-end audio store, so all my stuff are bought from read reviews.
Daryl Fortney
Does it have a crossfeed option built in? That is the only DSP option I usually appreciate. I currently use an ipod touch and CanOpener for just that purpose but would prefer a dedicated music player with enough memory for my entire 20k track collection. (AAC 256kbps)
ohm image
If you install Rockbox, you have access to at least a half dozen digital filters, including crossfeed. If you get a micro SD card large enough, the DX90 surely will welcome your entire library.
Tronco
Finally I got around to install Rockbox on by DX50. Dualboot Installation to micro sd card just took about 10 Minutes. Looks great with the iBox Theme.
Great stuff.
ohm image
Delete is great, agreed.
Steven
In the previous DX90 review, it was mentioned that seeking back to the previous song meant playing a different song than the original play/sort order. For the rockbox’d DX90, is shuffle still the same or can you backtrack to previous songs?
JadeMonkee
Thanks so much for this post – I was tossing up between a DX90 and a Fiio X5ii. Knowing that Rockbox works so well on the DX90 has made it a clear winner.
I just wish it had the X5ii’s dual MicroSD card slots, though…
ohm image
I’m glad it helped you.
Sam Walker
A few months late. But the DX90 handles a dual boot Rockbox and Mango(stock) very well. It is not hard to install. I had my dog do it it was so simple.
Headfonia_L.
I’m gonna need to see the video of that
Sam Walker
Really, I’m wondering if everyone used the same installer I used. There is a manual install and an auto install out there. The manual was a bit of a pain. The auto is a simple matter of copying the rockbox file and the stock mango file to the internal memory and rebooting. Once installed it is just a matter of rebooting with the hold button in the “on” position whenever a dual boot is needed. Otherwise the DX90 will boot into the last used Rockbox or Mango. Since everyone here is usually so proficient, I wonder if the auto installer was available when this thread was started. For me I prefer Rockbox for headphone use, the stock Mango DX90 for external DAC or DAP/amp/speaker use.
digitldlnkwnt
+1 for the auto installer. However i kept getting this bug where every time i started up a new track, for about the first 20-30 second, the player would cut out. This would happen 3-4 times in a row and sometimes not reappear for the rest of the day. very random.