Geben iDA-1 Portable Amp/DAC for iDevices

JoeDoe

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: SQ, Aesthetics, Accessories, Power
Cons: Limited list of compatible devices
The iDA-1 from Geben is a portable amp/DAC that shakes hands with newer iDevices only - iPhones, Touches, and iPads. It offers plenty of power, two gain settings, analog and digital audio inputs and an anodized silver look that is just killer. In a world where products from Fostex, AlgoRhythm, and Sony cost upwards of $3-4-500 for the Apple "handshake" capability, this offering from small house company Geben is just what the rest of us need. Well, almost.
 
Some tech specs:
 
USB digital input device: iPhone5 & iPhone 3G, 4, and 5, iPad (all), iPod Touch

Simulated audio input: ≤ 200mV

Max output power: 150mW +150 mW

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (± 0.5dB)

Overload source electromotive force: ≥ 2V
 
Total harmonic distortion + noise: ≤ 0.005% (1kHz)
 
Signal noise (A-weighted): ≥ 100dB
 
D / A: High end 24bit/192khz DAC (WM8741)
 
Sampling frequency: 44.1/48khz @ 16bit
 
Li battery capacity: 2500MA / h
 
Charging time: ≤ 4h (Turning off iDA-1 power)
 
Standby time: ≥ 8h (32 ohm load)
 
Dimension: 60(W) x 20(H) x 130(L)
 
Weight: about 250g
 
The Breakdown:
 
 
Test Songs (all ALAC either 16/44 or 24/96):
 
Limit to Your Love - James Blake - James Blake
What About Me, Kite, Lingus - Snarky Puppy - We Like It Here
Faith - Lake Street Dive - Fun Machine
Prelude from Cello Suite #4 - Yo Yo Ma
Hot for Teacher - Van Halen - 1984
Falling Stars - Mickey Hart - Superorganism
 
Source:
iPhone 5C > Geben iDA-1 > Sennheiser HD25-1 II or Earsonics SM64 V2
 
Sound: Powerful and clean.
 
Bass: Textured and punchy. To me, the bass on my 5C is the weakest part of the frequency range. The mid bass is there, but usually the first thing to go when it comes to using my better portable gear, is the sub bass and all around bass texture. Luckily, the resolving power and extra juice that the iDA-1 provides compensates here. The sub-bass on James Blake's version of "Limit to Your Love" is epic! Similarly, the texture on kick drums and low toms throughout my Van Halen "1984" Remaster are just killer. The 5C's lower end has been taken to a different level.
 
Mids: I didn't notice as much change here, but there are some subtle differences. Guitars on the Snarky Puppy tunes have more crunch. The ghosted snare hits on the same songs come through more cleanly - defined instead of implied. So no, the Geben isn't going to rearrange the midrange on anything, but then again well-mastered material shouldn't need that. It does however, offer better resolution of nuances and details that make the textures in this range more real. Another example is in Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud." This tune is full of little breaths, ornaments, and nuances in both Ed's voice and instrumental work. You'd never know if you weren't listening through something better than the onboard DAC on the iPhone. 
 
Treble: Clean and clear! Just like Windex baby! Intricate cymbal work comes out way more clearly than without the amp. My HD25's were doing things I hadn't heard before! The extra percussion textures (shakers, triangle, additional cymbals) in Mickey Hart's "Falling Stars" were nice and crisp. The air in Rachel's voice on the Lake Street Dive tune was just like I've heard it in concert. Loving how much more detailed the upper end is through this amp. I found the native treble decent but a little strident at times. The Geben smoothes and refines. Almost has a nice hybrid tube effect...
 
Soundstage/Imaging/Separation: Through both my HD25's and SM64's the soundstage was noticeably deeper than the sound straight from my iPhone. Not a lot of difference in width or height, but the third dimension of depth was definitely better. The musicians in Lake Street Dive and Snarky Puppy sounded like they were actually in their own space instead of jumbled together. No major changes in left-right imaging. Separation was a little better, but that's to be assumed as the details I raved about earlier have improved. Micro-detail retrieval should improve separation as sounds appear more individually rather than in clumps.
 
Aesthetics/Packaging/Accessories: Awwwww yeah.
 
Some of the sexiest silver I've seen in any portable device. Clean silver lines, slim profile, nicely-spaced inputs/outputs, and excellent build quality. Feels very sturdy in the hand without being overly heavy. Volume pot is smooth and fits within the profile of the rest of the device. Well thought-out design from an appearance standpoint. Packaging was similar. Spartan and clean. Although oddly enough, no paperwork like an owner's manual whatsoever. Bit of an oversight if you ask me. Accessories: yes! Clean blue stacking bands, charging cable, and multiple lightning- or 30-pin-to-USB cables for connecting. Nice short lengths on the cables to help keep things compact. Wish I'd known that before I picked up a Forza LOD-to-USB secondhand...
 
Qualms: Here's the device's only con. No iPod connectivity! If you ask me, this is a big oversight by the designer whose thinking is that because the click-wheel iPods have been discontinued, there is no need for this capability. We're talking about the most successful portable audio device ever. For those of you who do most of your listening through an iPhone or iPad, this won't be a problem, but for the rest of us, this makes this device all but unusable. Yes, I could still use the analog audio-in, but what's the point in picking up a amp/DAC with i-capability if I can't use it with my iPod?! (Would've received 5 stars if this wasn't an issue) As such, I've decided to sell this little guy as I use my phone for less than 10% of my portable listening.
 
Final Thoughts: Overall this is a great solution for portable DAC/amplification for compatible iDevices. Sexy, clean looks, well-implemented amp and DAC circuitry, and all the accessories you'd ever need. However, the lack of compatibility for iPods is a deal-breaker for some (myself included).
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