The iFi iDSD Finale. I prefer the smoother and to my ears more "analog" and refined sound of the Burr Brown DAC in the iDSD to the ESS more "digital" sound signature. It is not night and day, on some songs the internal ESS sounds really good but globally I prefer the iDSD. I listen almost exclusively to vocal jazz and old progressive rock. There is the new iBasso D16 that has me intrigued lately but right now I'm really happy with the iDSD DAC, I never use the solid state amp that is in the iDSD.
Just picked up a set of Abyss Diana 2’s, I’ve been interested in the WA8 since its release but never had a chance to hear one. Is this still a highly regarded combo with the Diana V2? Worth buying in 2024? Have they updated the dac?
The iFi iDSD Finale. I prefer the smoother and to my ears more "analog" and refined sound of the Burr Brown DAC in the iDSD to the ESS more "digital" sound signature. It is not night and day, on some songs the internal ESS sounds really good but globally I prefer the iDSD. I listen almost exclusively to vocal jazz and old progressive rock. There is the new iBasso D16 that has me intrigued lately but right now I'm really happy with the iDSD DAC, I never use the solid state amp that is in the iDSD.
One thing for sure is they added a new color, GOLD is now an option that wasn't there when I bought mine. There also seems to be new stuff about the USB IN (xmos x-core audio clocking) that I don't remember reading when I bought mine but I'm not sure.
I don't use the WA8 dac anymore, I bought another transportable DAC about the same size as the WOO and that I prefer the sound to the built in ESS.
Interesting, wants the consensus on the gold, best color offering? Thanks for the info I’ll try and dig around to see what changes the could have made— It’s still USB2, my hesitation is that it’s 8 years old and there might be a refresh. Anything else I should consider in this price range specifically to drive the Diana 2s?
Interesting, wants the consensus on the gold, best color offering? Thanks for the info I’ll try and dig around to see what changes the could have made— It’s still USB2, my hesitation is that it’s 8 years old and there might be a refresh. Anything else I should consider in this price range specifically to drive the Diana 2s?
Sorry can't help you, never heard the Diana. As far as transportable tube amps, I think WA8 is in a class of its own. Sure there are a few others, using so called Korg tubes that I never heard, but I'd be surprised if any give you the real tubey sound the WA8 can produce. I wouldn't be afraid about the amp section of the WA8 even if it is 8 years old. Sure you can question the DAC section but that part who cares, there is a line in connection so if the DAC section doesn't please you then you just use another source.
Sorry can't help you, never heard the Diana. As far as transportable tube amps, I think WA8 is in a class of its own. Sure there are a few others, using so called Korg tubes that I never heard, but I'd be surprised if any give you the real tubey sound the WA8 can produce. I wouldn't be afraid about the amp section of the WA8 even if it is 8 years old. Sure you can question the DAC section but that part who cares, there is a line in connection so if the DAC section doesn't please you then you just use another source.
Never listened to WA7, it may well sound a bit better then WA8, after all it's got a power supply and bigger tubes that you can roll but to me it is of no use, I want a transportable amp I can easily carry around in the house.
Never heard WA7, it may well sound a bit better then WA8, after all it's got a power supply and bigger tubes that you can roll but to me it is of no use, I want a transportable amp I can easily carry around in the house.
Apparently the Diana v2 is easier to drive than the Phi and newer models, not sure if the extra power would be a benefit for this particular headphone.
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