ifI iDSD Micro Impressions
I have had this piece of gear for a week or so. It was passed on to me from
@nmatheis when I didn't really have anything to run the HEX off of because my desktop was being fixed. So I had it up against my desktop one it got fixed geek pulse infinity>liquid carbon not to really compare between the two but to just get my bearings.
Things I noticed:
- VERY POWERFUL
- Detailed and transparent
- Good imaging/ decent soundstage
- less meshy sounding than the JDS Labs Element if I recall right but could be wrong the Element has more bass warmth if I recall right but is more fun sounding overall.
- Good build
- tons of options!
- no noise with the iem I tried here.
- not gritty sounding
- fast transients
- not really aggressive and good balanced sound
Things I didn't like:
- bass boost is very mediocre at best, actually kinda sucks
- 3d switch is good on some recordings but really is just boosting the volume, presence region, and lower treble. I get a bit more height but that's all I can detect.
I don't really want to compare the DAC section to my infinity because it's not really fair. but the Inifinity DAC has a less prominent upper mid section and tighter bass with a more spacious sound.
AMP section vs the Liquid Carbon (with IDSD as DAC) reveals the amp is pretty strong in the presence region, possibly the dac again but also not as good at imaging and sound separation. An instant switch to the DSD and the sound flattens in depth of dimension and width but still maintains a good amount of transparency and detail retrieval. The micro dynamics flatten a bit too when I switch and the bass is less tight. The bass loses a smidgen of density and weight. While I can say that the iDSD is transparent, its def not on the same level as the Liquid carbon. Again, this is with the IDSD as the DAC feeding both and the ability to switch in between the two very easily. They are not meant to be in the same class but this is just incase someone was wondering. Also I should mention that I had to use the inferior single end of the Liquid carbon to test these two together instead of my balanced cable.
I have read the Ifi being boring but I do not understand that review on Headfonia. Imo, even though the bass isn't the star of the show, its a forthright and full sounding piece of gear with the ability to translate the musics energy properly. For a portable piece of gear I am actually impressed that I get sound this good. Very Impressed!!! Sure the instruments do not have the localization of the LC or the DAC be on the same level as the infinity plus lps but But I would be very sad if my desktop gear didn't handily beat it.
I would buy one and just might. Usually after actually hearing gear I nitpick at something and want to go and search for something else instead but not here.
This is my first audition of an Ifi product. Is it Ifi or ifI i dont know whatever it sounds good to me. You may notice the volume difference. The ifI is very powerful. More so than the other pieces of gear here.
