iFi audio
iFi audio ZEN Blue
Enlightened audio at a down-to-earth price
First of a new range of audio components priced at just £129, US$129 and €149, iFi’s ZEN Blue delivers hi-res Bluetooth streaming to any audio system
Southport, England – iFi kicks off a new range of high-quality, super-affordable, desktop-sized audio products with the ZEN Blue – the world’s first Bluetooth receiver supporting all the latest hi-res codecs for the best-quality music streaming from smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs to any audio system.
The ZEN Blue immediately impresses with its sturdy aluminium enclosure, unusual at such a low price. But what really sets it apart is the circuitry within – as always, iFi has gone to great lengths to ensure that sound quality over Bluetooth is the best it can be, even if it has to be designed from the ground up.
Bluetooth reception represents a mere convenience for many audio manufacturers, enabled in the simplest and cheapest way to ‘tick a box’ on the features list. But the manner in which Bluetooth is implemented – the quality of signal processing and the circuitry that surrounds it – has a big impact on performance. Not all Bluetooth sounds the same, and iFi engineers its products to obtain the best possible performance from every audio source – Bluetooth streaming included.
With the ZEN Blue, this starts with a state-of-the-art Qualcomm QCC5100 chip to process the incoming data – the ZEN Blue is the first product of its kind to benefit from this new-generation Bluetooth IC.
All the latest 24-bit-capable Bluetooth audio formats are supported, including Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and aptX HD, Sony’s LDAC and Huawei’s HWA – no other Bluetooth streamer boasts this cutting-edge hi-res specification. Other codecs covered include regular aptX and aptX Low Latency, AAC (the favoured format of Apple iOS devices) and SBC (the ‘plain vanilla’ Bluetooth codec). This means that every possible source device is covered at the highest audio resolution its Bluetooth specification allows.
The Qualcomm QCC5100 offers a ‘system-on-a-chip’ Bluetooth solution, with all functions covered including D-to-A conversion. Many manufacturers would simply rely on this chip to deliver the DAC function, but this is not the iFi way. The ZEN Blue has separate digital and analogue stages; to feed the analogue stage, the processed digital signal is routed from the QCC5100 to a specialised DAC chip from ESS Technology’s Sabre family to convert the signal from digital to analogue.
One of the key advantages of the ESS Sabre DAC chip is its Hyperstream architecture with integrated Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, which helps to deliver vanishingly low distortion and high dynamic range. iFi has found that this allies perfectly with the Qualcomm chip to deliver Bluetooth audio that sounds far better than the norm.
None of this would mean much if the rest of the ZEN Blue’s circuitry were not up to scratch. This is the first iFi product to benefit from the input of legendary audio designer John Curl, who has teamed up with the iFi electronics design team, led by Technical Director Thorsten Loesch, to ensure the circuit design of every product is fully optimised.
The ZEN Blue’s analogue output stage is a balanced design – highly unusual in a DAC anywhere near this price point. It incorporates a range of high-quality circuit components, carefully selected for their performance in an audio context, including professional-grade balanced line drivers, C0G capacitors from TDK and a precision low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments. It all adds up to a highly affordable Bluetooth streamer with a sound that punches well above its weight.
It’s all connected
The ZEN Blue adds high-quality Bluetooth reception to any audio system via analogue or digital cable connections. A switch at the back dictates how the digital signal is routed; either through the DAC and analogue output stage, or directly to the digital outputs. On the analogue side, RCA stereo outputs allow connection to amplifiers, active speakers and the like, while a 4.4mm Pentaconn output enables balanced signal transfer to amps/speakers equipped with a balanced input – either a 4.4mm input, or XLR inputs via a 4.4mm-to-XLR cable. For digital connections, optical and coaxial outputs are provided – these allow connection to anything with a built-in DAC and corresponding digital input, such as an AV amp or an external hi-fi DAC.
The ZEN Blue ‘remembers’ up to seven paired Bluetooth source devices, making it easy to switch from one device to another, with impressive reception range thanks to the latest Bluetooth 5 specification. The DAC stage handles sampling rates well in excess of the maximum delivered by current hi-res Bluetooth formats – of the 24-bit-capable codecs, aptX Adaptive and aptX HD support up to 48kHz, while LDAC and HWA reach 96kHz.
The LED at the centre of the ZEN Blue’s front panel changes colour to identify the Bluetooth codec being received, while another LED to the right indicates the sample rate. Qualcomm’s QCC5100 chip can be updated over-the-air, enabling future Bluetooth codecs to be added to the ZEN Blue’s specification.
Find your ZEN
Available from October, the ZEN Blue hi-res Bluetooth streamer is the first of a range of ZEN Series products, all of which share the same 158x35x100mm (WxHxD) aluminium case. It will be followed swiftly by the ZEN DAC, which swaps Bluetooth reception for a USB input and adds an integrated headphone amp. Further ZEN Series products will arrive in the coming months.
iFi audio ZEN DAC
Be at one with your music with ZEN DAC
Highly specified, super-affordable and simple to use, iFi’s ZEN DAC elevates your digital audio experience to a higher plane
Southport, England – Hot on the heels of the ZEN Blue hi-res Bluetooth streamer, iFi expands the ZEN family of desktop-sized audio products with the ZEN DAC – a USB DAC/headphone amp offering a level of specification and performance that belies its eminently affordable £129 price tag.
Designed for home use – on a desk, perhaps, or in the living room – the ZEN DAC connects to PCs and Macs, or smart devices such as tablets or phones, via USB. Its hi-res digital-to-analogue conversation technology processes all forms of digital audio to a super-high standard, while the integrated analogue headphone amplifier delivers superb sound with all headphone types, from in-ear monitors to larger on- and over-ear designs.
Compared to simply plugging headphones directly into a computer or smart device, the ZEN DAC transforms the listening experience – sound is clearer, more detailed, more expansive and engaging, making the most of whichever headphones are connected.
As well as driving headphones, the ZEN DAC can be used as a USB DAC in a home audio system, with or without its volume control engaged. What’s more, whether you’re hooking up headphones, an external amp or active speakers, you have a choice of single-ended or balanced connection – a remarkable facility at the price.
Digital stage
The DAC section is based around a Burr-Brown DAC chip that iFi uses extensively, selected for its fluid, highly ‘musical’ sound quality and ‘True Native’ architecture. This, together with the XMOS chip used for input processing, enables iFi to deliver excellent sound quality across all manner of digital audio formats including hi-res PCM, ‘bit-perfect’ DSD and MQA *– the hi-res streaming codec, as used by Tidal’s ‘Masters’ tier. Given the diminutive asking price, the ZEN DAC’s digital audio credentials are highly impressive.
PCM and DXD audio data is supported up to 24-bit/384kHz, alongside DSD sampling rates from 2.8MHz to 12.4MHz (DSD256). Thanks to the Burr-Brown chip’s True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways – this enables DSD to remain ‘bit-perfect’ in its native form, right through to analogue conversion. Many DACs that claim DSD compatibility accept DSD data but then convert it to PCM; for DSD purists, the ZEN DAC is a fantastic affordable solution.
Another circuit feature that separates this and other DACs made by iFi from competing designs is iFi’s in-house programming of the XMOS chip. While other manufacturers simply use the firmware that comes with the chip off-the-shelf, which is not typically optimised for audiophile-grade sound, iFi programs its own bespoke firmware to boost audio processing power.
iFi’s continuous software development allows features to be added or optimised via firmware updates, enabling the ZEN DAC to be tailored to the user’s playback priorities and ensuring it stays cutting-edge over time. Users can even download and install different versions of iFi firmware to experiment with different digital filters should they so desire.
Extensive clock-locking is used throughout the digital stage to eradicate jitter, maintaining the integrity of the digital signal until conversion.
Analogue stage
The ZEN DAC’s analogue stage is a balanced design – highly unusual in a DAC/headphone amp anywhere near this price point. It incorporates a range of high-quality circuit components, carefully selected for their performance in an audio context, including C0G capacitors from TDK, a precision low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments and a high-quality analogue volume pot.
The headphone amp stage has switchable gain, which iFi terms PowerMatch. This matches the level of drive to the load presented by the headphones, by adjusting input sensitivity and thereby signal strength. With high-sensitivity headphone types such as in-ear monitors, leave PowerMatch at its lower setting for ultra-low-noise performance. But if your headphones require more drive – most on/over-ear types, for example – press the PowerMatch button on the front panel to increase gain.
TrueBass is another user-selectable feature. An evolution of iFi’s established XBass circuit, TrueBass is a sophisticated form of ‘bass boost’ that subtly enhances low frequencies without muddying the midrange – particularly useful with earphones and open-back headphones that may lack deep bass. It operates entirely in the analogue domain rather than messing with the digital signal via DSP and may be switched in or out via another button on the front panel.
Well connected
The ZEN DAC sports Pentaconn 4.4mm balanced outputs, both front and back – this is a relatively new interface type, designed to enable balanced signal transfer between compact products that cannot accommodate traditional XLR connections. The front-mounted 4.4mm output sits alongside a standard, single-ended 6.3mm headphone socket – thus, the benefits of balanced headphone designs are fully utilised, whilst also accommodating every type of headphone, both balanced and single-ended.
The 4.4mm output to the rear enables connection to amps and active speakers equipped with a balanced input – either a Pentaconn 4.4mm input, or XLR inputs via a 4.4mm-to-XLR cable. Single-ended RCA outputs are also provided.
These line-level outputs – both balanced and single-ended – can be switched between ‘variable’ and ‘fixed’, enhancing the ZEN DAC’s versatility. The variable setting applies volume control to the audio signal, enabling the ZEN DAC to perform as a preamp feeding a power amp or active speakers. The fixed option bypasses the volume control, fixing the output at 4.2V (balanced) or 2.1V (single-ended) for connection to an external preamp or integrated amp.
The ZEN DAC’s asynchronous USB Type B input supports the ‘SuperSpeed’ USB 3.0 standard and is also compatible with USB 2.0.
In common with other ZEN Series products, the ZEN DAC sports a sturdy, smartly finished aluminium enclosure, neatly sized at 158x35x100mm (WxHxD). Even the rotary volume control is aluminium, giving a reassuringly solid feel – impressive at the product’s super-affordable price. Behind the volume control resides an LED that changes colour to indicate the sampling rate of the audio data received.
The iFi ZEN DAC is available from mid-October, at an RRP of £129. Further ZEN Series products are set to follow in the coming months.
John Curl joins iFi and AMR as technical consultant
Highly respected high-end audio engineer is engaged to work across all new design projects
Southport, England – Sister-companies iFi Audio and Abbingdon Music Research (AMR) are pleased to announce that John Curl, one of the world’s most respected high-end audio engineers, has been engaged as a technical consultant.
Curl is working across all new product designs from iFi and AMR, collaborating closely with iFi’s Technical Director Thorsten Loesch to ensure that all circuit designs are fully optimised. The first products to feature his input include iFi’s forthcoming ZEN range of desktop audio products – the first of which will launch this autumn – and all-new high-end components from AMR due in 2020.
John’s status at the forefront of high-end audio’s hall of fame has been secure for many years. In 1968, whilst building a mixing console for the Grateful Dead, he developed a solid-state circuit that became a benchmark in high-performance audio – the “complimentary differential-input” circuit, which still appears in application handbooks published by transistor manufacturers to this day.
This led to Curl working with a young Mark Levinson in the early 1970s, creating the legendary Mark Levinson Audio Systems JC2 preamplifier – the first standalone product to incorporate Curl’s complementary differential-input circuit – followed by the ML-2 Class A power amplifier. He went on to work with many other luminaries of the high-end audio scene, including Dave Wilson and Jeff Roland.
Curl is unquestionably one of a select group of engineers whose influence is so great it has altered the direction of audio design. Many of us have listened to equipment he has designed, or that was inspired by his work, often without even realising it. His solid-state circuit designs are lauded as classic exemplars of the type; when asked what makes him different to other audio electronics designers, he once replied, “I have circuit sense”.
Today, Curl works with a small collection of carefully chosen manufacturers including US-based Parasound and one of high-end audio’s most lauded manufacturers in recent years – Constellation Audio. iFi Audio and AMR are delighted to reap the benefits of the exceptional experience he has gained whilst devising some of the finest audio circuits ever made.
Vincent Luke, Sales Director at iFi Audio and AMR, said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to add John’s exceptional expertise to our talented team of technical designers, led by Thorsten Loesch. His insight will help us to further raise the sonic bar with products in the pipeline from both iFi and AMR – from portable and desktop audio to the very finest high-end hi-fi components, we will continue to push the boundaries of design, functionality and performance.”
iFi audio PowerStation
Power to the people
iFi’s new PowerStation mains block uses Active Noise Cancellation to deliver a whole-system clean-power solution for high-performance audio/AV systems.
![[IMG]](https://audiophilestyle.com/uploads/monthly_2019_07/1.thumb.jpg.1a3ae4f712db7a45098c4aefb8660d7a.jpg)
Southport, England – The PowerStation is the latest addition to iFi’s collection of performance-enhancing audio essentials – a six/eight-way mains block that ensures any audio or AV system is supplied with clean, consistent electricity to unleash its full potential.
Every audio system can be tainted by poor mains quality – a problem that affects many of us, especially those living in towns and cities. The quality of our mains power is further eroded by the abundance of cheap switch-mode power supplies in typical household appliances and the sea of RFI/EMI in which we are constantly bathed. The signals that move loudspeaker drive units are electrical; if the ‘unrefined fuel’ from which these signals are formed – the power we feed our systems – is corrupted, the negative impact on sound quality is inevitable.
iFi manufactures a number of highly effective products that reduce ‘noise’ (distortion) in incoming electrical power – both directly from the mains or via USB ports – but the PowerStation is the first to offer the company’s proprietary Active Noise Cancellation in a whole-system, six/eight-outlet mains solution.
Intelligent technology to tackle a universal problem
The PowerStation’s core performance–enhancing technology is Active Noise Cancellation II – the latest version of iFi’s proprietary noise-busting tech. Most power ‘conditioning’ products engage passive noise reduction through a selection of filters and regulators. Whilst this can be effective, it has inherent disadvantages compared to iFi’s active system, which uses inverse noise current to cancel out the noise in the mains signal. The way this works is not unlike the technology in noise-cancelling headphones.
Noise in the mains supply occurs at different frequencies, depending on the cause. Passive noise reduction systems are effective at the top end of the frequency spectrum but tend to be less so at lower frequencies. In addition, passive systems need large capacitors to be truly effective, which make the best such products bulky and expensive.
![[IMG]](https://audiophilestyle.com/uploads/monthly_2019_07/2.thumb.jpg.20013d19d3f6f86abb05fa135d65e382.jpg)
iFi’s Active Noise Cancellation II is effective in reducing noise consistently across the entire frequency spectrum, by approximately -40dB. This is coupled to additional passive filtering on each outlet to eradicate noise at the very highest frequencies – typically caused by wireless transmission systems. The result is an affordable mains bar that delivers highly effective reduction of both differential mode noise (caused by conventional switch-mode power supplies, for example) and common mode noise (including interference caused by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) from an affordable mains conditioning block.
Smart features to enhance and protect
The PowerStation’s smart diagnostics system helps to avoid potential issues by indicating both correct polarity and whether the system has a ground/earth in place. The lack of an effective earth can cause an audible buzz or hum through the speakers, resulting from amplified low-level mains noise; this can be rectified by attaching an optional ground cable into PowerStation’s earth socket. iFi calls this circuit Intelligent Ground because it will not create a ground loop (a common cause of buzz or hum) even if the system is already earthed.
The PowerStation not only enhances the performance of every connected audio/AV component, it also guards the connected equipment from spikes and surges in the mains supply. Instantaneous and repeatable protection ensures that damage will not occur as a result of power fluctuations, providing valuable peace of mind. If the protection circuit is triggered, the PowerStation will only reboot once it is absolutely safe to do so.
Specialised construction for optimised performance
The PowerStation’s case is solidly constructed from dark anodised aluminium, as befits a high-quality audio/AV component. Inside, each of the six/eight mains outlets is independently isolated in its own chamber to prevent differential mode cross-contamination, with the addition of strategically placed EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) to damp vibrations.
![[IMG]](https://audiophilestyle.com/uploads/monthly_2019_07/3.thumb.jpg.df1192670be5e3603ff51542965ca51d.jpg)
PurCopper – a form of 99.9999 per cent pure OFHC (Oxygen-Free High-Conductivity) continuous-cast copper – is used extensively for its superior conductivity. This includes heavy-gauge internal wiring with multi-layered polymer insulation, solid PurCopper busbars and the conductive elements of the AC outlets themselves. It all adds up to a level of functionality and performance that users will not obtain from other whole-system clean-power solutions without spending considerably more.
Sonic improvements delivered by the PowerStation include greater clarity and definition, plus enhanced dynamic and spatial qualities, avoiding the apparent softening of leading edges, timing and dynamics that can occur with lesser mains filtering products. Available from August with a choice of four outlet types to suit the UK, EU, USA/Japan and Australia, it raises the performance level of every connected component – a whole-system upgrade delivering impressive value for money.
The retail cost of the PowerStation is US$499 (ex tax) or €549/£499 (inc. VAT.)
TIDAL MQA Android Set-up (Renderer)
So, like it or loathe it, MQA is here and being adopted by lots of you guys out there.
Tidal recently brought MQA to mobile on Android. Here's a handy set-up guide featuring our Hannah, Owen and the lovely xDSD! (Not that Hannah and Owen aren't lovely, of course). This guide works for any MQA DAC. Enjoy.
iFi audio xCAN
iFi audio xCAN
Killer Bluetooth. Balanced Combo
![[IMG]](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/10188755_thumb.jpg)
Introduction
With every product release, iFi manages to surpass itself, and their latest release, the xCAN, is no exception.
The xCAN is a portable, wireless DAP amp capable of storing eight Bluetooth devices at once while delivering 1000mW of power per channel. And with in-built aptX and AAC Hi-Res streaming via Bluetooth, music has never sounded this clear.
It’s so clever it replaces two previous iFi products in one go, the micro iCAN SE and the nano iCAN.
Dynamic range
And by this we don’t just mean the music! Not only can the xCAN be used as a powerful headphone amplifier with smartphones, computers and DAPs, it can also be used at home with your smart TV.
Smart Thinking
Imagine the scenario. It’s late at night and you feel like watching a film or firing up the Xbox but you don’t want to disturb your other half. Your headphones don’t quite reach from your smart TV to your bed or comfortable place on the sofa.
The xCAN is the answer. Pair the xCAN with your smart TV via Bluetooth, plug your headphones into the xCAN at your side and you are good to go. No more untidy wires! Or problems with short cables!
Power boost
Got a digital audio player? While the DACs in most high-end DAPs are more than worthy of doing the job, their inbuilt headphone amplifiers often fall short as they lack in power. Give them the boost they deserve with the xCAN. With a 1000mW of power per channel, the difference is there to be heard. Match our power with your player for the perfect combo.
Phone freedom
Not happy with your smartphone’s amplification but don’t want wires getting in the way? Simple – plug your headphones into the xCAN, pair it with your phone and pop it into your pocket. No more wires. You are free to use your phone as you wish – to text, to take selfies or to finish that annoying game of Candy Crush – all while listing to your favourite hi-res tunes.
Sonic boom
With a pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels, the xCAN is a significant sonic step up for all smartphones, DAPs computers and TVs.
The 3D+® and XBassⅡ® functions bring both sensitivity and power and the listener will feel the music and lyrics flowing around the room. And it delivers high-end audio quality from both Balanced and S-Balanced outputs.
Powerful stuff.
Fully-Loaded features
The xCAN is packed with advanced features, including:
- Dual-mono headphone amplifier with 1000mW of power per channel, which can unleash the full potential of both 32ohm and 600ohm headphones
- Wireless Bluetooth (aptX and AAC) for CD-quality wireless sound
- ESS Sabre DAC with time domain jitter eliminator
- Balanced 2.5mm headphone output deliver high power and all the benefits of balanced connectio
- S-Balanced compatible 3.5mm headphone output delivers the benefits of the balanced connection to single-ended headphones
- Advanced Analogue Signal Process (ASP), 3D+® and XBassⅡ® headphone optimisation circuits
- Pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels
- Large 2200mAh Lithium-Polymer battery providing six-to-eight hours of playing time
Strong and mighty
All these features have been packed into a resilient magnesium-aluminium body measuring just 95 x 66.5 x 19mm, just like the xDSD.
And coming in at a weight of just 127g, the xCAN packs a mighty punch without breaking a sweat.
Take a look at the front panel controls (left to right) below:
· 2.5mm TRRS Balanced output
· 3.5mm TRS S-Balanced output
· Stepped attenuator volume control (-95dB...+18dB gain)
· Analogue Domain 3D Matrix/ XBassⅡ® (on/off)
![[IMG]](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/10188756_thumb.png)
Rear panel controls (left to right)
· 2.5mm TRRS Balanced input (Balanced TRRS wiring ONLY)
· 3.5mm TRS input (compatible with TRS Headphones/IEMs)
· Analogue Domain XBassⅡ® iQ correction (on/off with 3 presets*)
· USB C charging input port (charging only)
*based on the Olive/Welti target response for correct natural sound with headphones and IEMs.
![[IMG]](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/10188757_thumb.png)
The xCAN gives audio the boost it needs by cutting background noise and restoring a natural, cleaner sound. Whether listening to the latest chart-topper or much-loved 60’s classic, music never grows old with the iFi xCAN.
The retail price of the xCAN is US$299 (ex-tax) or €349/£299 (incl VAT).
xDSD won EISA's the Best Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier for 2018/2019
xDSD
EISA Best Portable DAC / Headphone Amplifier.
Sounds great!
The award winner
iFi’s new portable DAC and headphone amplifier, the xDSD, has won what’s sure to be the first of many awards.
EISA, the European Sound and Imaging Association, has awarded the xDSD Best Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier for 2018-2019.
Victoria Pickles from iFi said:
“The release of the xDSD had us excited for a long time, so winning the EISA award for Best Portable DAC / Headphone Amplifier is the icing on the cake.
The xDSD packs a punch and revitalizes the way people listen to music. The award is testament to the hard work of everyone at iFi in striving to create the best audio products possible for our customers.”
Praise for the iFi xDSD
EISA was not only impressed by the xDSD’s ten-hour battery life and sleek, super-light magnesium case, but they also loved its flexibility:
“The DAC Headphone Amplifier turns smartphones, laptops and portable players into great sounding music centres. It exudes quality and is perfect for indulging in music on the move.”
They also loved its S/PDIF and USB inputs as well as switchable, digital filtering to allow the flow of unbeatable frequency balance.
With praise like this, it’s easy to see why the xDSD deserves its place on the winner’s podium.
The tech specs
The award-winning xDSD is perfect for home or portable use. But don’t let its compact size fool you, because it’s packed with some big components:
- Wireless Bluetooth - Delivers CD-Quality music wirelessly to your headphones from your smartphone, DAP, laptop or smart TV.
- S/PDIF and USB inputs - Wired, the USB type A OTG/CCK connector offers the ultimate High-Res audio performance for smartphones, laptops and USB enabled DAPs. The 3.5mm coaxial/TOSLINK combo S/PDIF input gives older DAPs and CD players a new lease of life as a transport to serve High-Resolution audio.
- Burr-Brown TrueNative - Hear music as the artist intended. The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged for the purest sound.
- MQA - For MQA tracks, simply connect to Tidal (on your computer) and check the options to stream MQA.
- S-Balanced Performance - The iFi exclusive S-Balanced technology delivers the maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.
- 3D+ & XBass+ - 3D+® creates a louder, deeper soundstage that puts the artist with you in the room with you. XBass+® corrects headphone/speaker bass response to deliver a more profound, tighter, richer bass.
- Cyberdrive - The Cyberdrive headphone amplifier stage is one of the pivotal new circuit designs in the x-series. This new design places all parameters of the analogue system under digital control for a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario.
It’s no wonder EISA was quick to award the xDSD the Best Portable DAC / Headphone Amplifier for 2018/19.
The xDSD, there’s simply nothing like it.
The retail price of the xDSD is US$399 (ex-tax) or €449 /£399 (incl. VAT).
Pro iDSD
iFi Audio Pro iDSD
The official Launch release
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/0.thumb.jpg.7583de0487faecbf442e9baadb138160.jpg)
Having sparked a revolution with its low-cost DACs that offered music fans portable 256 stereo for less than £500 a few years ago, iFi has maintained its position at the vanguard of the audio world with the launch of the ground-breaking Pro iDSD. There is simply nothing like it.
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/1.thumb.png.ea46ccf782bfc90b8c1a76847e74148b.png)
We have paid great attention to every section of this DAC/headphone-amp/preamp – no stone has been left unturned. Tried and tested classic noise reduction techniques found in tube equipment have been combined with cutting-edge, 21st century technology to deliver a superlative performance.
The quad section uses a quad “stack” of Bit-Perfect DSD and DXD DACs by Burr-Brown in a custom “interleaved” configuration. This arrangement enables a total of eight pairs of differential signals to be used and mixed totalling four pairs of signals per channel.
In a nutshell
The iFi Pro iDSD is a revolutionary DAC that combines a number of different features to give your home audio system the best possible playback resolution and sound. It can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters.
Wireless Playback
With LINKPLAY™ WiFi/network playback, built-in Spotify and Tidal, and wide protocol support for 32-Bit/192kHz and DSD64, the Pro iDSD can directly link to a router for online music play. This gives it the option to:
• Play direct from SD card
• Link to a router and directly stream (TIDAL/MQA, Spotify etc)
• Use DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) via music stored on HDD
It’s taken a while to come to market but, boy, has it been worth it. This innovative digital engine will shape the next generation of iFi products and they will rock the digital world.
The gang of four
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/2.png.e366c2153f0e2b75b6b48a3f783e81f1.png)
A quad “stack” of Bit-Perfect DSD and DXD DACs by Burr-Brown work in a custom “interleaved” configuration so that up to eight pairs of differential signals can be used and mixed.
Digital Processing
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/3.jpg.3dee81eab8b8a44f77e6e70b8dec7be0.jpg)
The new XMOS XU216 X-Core 200 Series 16-Core processor has a maximum of 2,000 MIPS (two billion instructions per second) calculation power in dual-issue mode as a USB interface.
Crysopeia FPGA Digital Engine
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/4.png.37914faa81a9a24fcdda6cfc13210bab.png)
The FPGA excels, by handling the up-sampling duties to attain the DSD1024 audio format. In fact, the Pro iDSD can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters.
Wireless playback
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/5.png.894d3641959047d1a8f71405385edfa5.png)
With LINKPLAY™ WiFi/network playback, built-in Spotify and Tidal, and wide protocol support for 32-Bit/192kHz and DSD64, the Pro iDSD can directly link to a router for online music play.
Many format options
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/6.png.c988e3540bcb065637b9a8fd101e6490.png)
It can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters and also gives the user the option to listen to tracks via MQA.
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/7.thumb.png.f9e82d225b2970ff9792c99f58c6817d.png)
Sample Rates:
- PCM up to 768kHz
- DSD up to 24.576MHz
- DXD and double speed DXD (2xDXD)
- USB (required for DSD, DXD and sample rates above 192KHz)
- AES3 (XLR - single link)
- SPDIF (RCA/Optical combo)
- BNC multifunction In (SPDIF/AES3id In, DARS In, 10MHz In, Atomic clock in)
- BNC multifunction Sync Out (DARS out, 10MHz out)
- Balanced XLR at 4.6V (+15.5dBu - HiFi) or 10V (+22dBu - Pro)
- Single-Ended RCA at 2.3V (HiFi) or 5V (Pro)
- Headphones 6.3mm & SE 3.5mm Jack at 0.55V/2.1V/5V
- Headphones BAL 2.5mm Jack at 1.13V/4.6V/10V
- Headphones out 1,500mW RMS X 2 @ 64 ohm, 4,000mW max. 2 X @ 16 Ohm
- Balanced (quad) Alps potentiometer, motorised with IR remote control
- XLR/RCA outputs can be selected as fixed level or adjusted
- 6.3mm Headphone Jack is always adjusted
- Various digital and analogue filters can be selected for DSD and PCM up to 192KHz
- Bit perfect (no digital filter, minimal analogue filter)
- Bit perfect II (no digital filter, analogue filter corrects HF roll-off)
- Minimum Phase (Filter minimises pre- and post-ringing)
- Standard FIR (Brickwall Filter)
- Additional fixed second order analogue filter @ 80kHz
- Four different filters (selectable) with varying bandwidth
- Additional fixed second order analogue filter @ 80kHz
- US $2,499 (ex-tax)
- €2,749 (incl. VAT)
- £2,499 (incl. VAT)
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_05/8.thumb.png.d8c1d0344242af0cd2a95e8a88954e7a.png)
And lastly, Wojciech Pacuła of Polish HighFidelity.pl reviewed Pro iDSD and awarded it his Red Fingerprint. English version of this publication is to be found here:
Privacy Policy - May 2018
Privacy Policy
iFi Audio recognizes the importance of protecting the information collected from users in the operation of this Web site, and takes reasonable steps to maintain the security, integrity and privacy of any information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. By submitting your information to IFi Audio you consent to the practices described herein.
Many of the tools and information available on this Web site do not require you to provide personal information. To take advantage of certain features, we may ask you to provide personal information, such as your e-mail address, name, home or work address, telephone number, job title or industry in order to transact business and respond to your inquiry. We may also collect demographic information. If you choose to make a purchase, we will ask for additional information, such as your credit card number and billing address. In all cases, your decision to provide us with personal information is voluntary, and such information will only be used to help transact your business or respond to your questions.
We may collect information about your interaction with our site and services. For example, we may use Web site analytics tools on our site to retrieve information from your browser, including the site you came from, the search engine(s) and the keywords you used to find our site, the pages you view within our site, your browser add-ons, and your browser’s width and height. We may also use technologies, such as cookies and Web beacons (described below), to collect information about the pages you view, the links you click and other actions you take on our site. Additionally, we collect certain standard information that your browser sends to every website you visit, such as your IP address, browser type and language, access times and referring Web site addresses. When you receive newsletters or promotional e-mail from iFi Audio, we may use Web beacons, customized links or similar technologies to determine whether the e-mail has been opened and which links you click in order to provide you more focused e-mail communications or other information.
Use of Personal Information
Most of the tools and applications available on this Web site do not require you to provide any personal information. Examples of personal information include name, address, e-mail address, phone number, and other information that may identify you. To take advantage of certain features, however, personal information about you may be requested to:
Help transact your business
Register you for a service
Respond to your inquiry
Conduct a survey
In all cases, your decision to provide us with personal information is voluntary, and such information will only be used to help transact your business or respond to your questions. From time to time we might exchange, share and/or cross-reference information, including contact information about you with our affiliates that will enable our affiliates to contact you regarding products and services that may be of interest to you. iFi Audio and its affiliated brands does not sell or disclose any personal information obtained from our site visitors without their consent to any unaffiliated third party for purposes unrelated to servicing their requests, unless required to do so by law or other regulatory authority.
Communication Preferences
Many visitors to our site wish to remain apprised of new products and services and opportunities. In that case, you may request to receive e-mail messages from us by so indicating and providing your contact information.
You can stop the delivery of future promotional e-mail from IFi Audio sites and services by following the instructions in the e-mail you receive.
Children’s Privacy
iFi Audio does not knowingly collect information from children under the age of 13 and does not target its Web site to children under 13. We encourage parents and guardians to take an active role in their children’s online activities and interests.
Links to Third Party Sites
Our Web site may contain links to Web sites operated and maintained by third parties, over which we have no control. Privacy policies on such linked sites may be different from our privacy policy. You access such linked sites at your own risk. You should always read the privacy policy of a linked site before disclosing any personal information on such site.
Use of Cookies and Web Beacons
In order to improve our products and services and the Web site and provide more convenient, relevant experiences to our customers, we may use “cookies,” “Web beacons,” and similar devices to track your activities. A cookie is a small amount of data that is transferred to your browser by a Web server and can only be read by the server that gave it to you. It functions as your identification card. It cannot be executed as code or deliver viruses.
A Web beacon is a small transparent gif image that is embedded in an HTML page or email used to track when the page or email has been viewed. We may include Web beacons in promotional e-mail messages or our newsletters in order to determine whether messages have been opened and acted upon. This device is similar to a cookie in that it tracks your visit and the data can only be read by the server that receives the data. It is different than a cookie in that it is not browser-based, may not function as an identification card, and does not store any data on your computer.
Transfers outside the European Economic Area (“EEA”)
The information described in this section of the Privacy Policy, with respect to the transfer of data outside the EEA, applies to those individuals located in the EEA. To process information of individuals located in the EEA for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy, it is sometimes necessary for us to share your personal data outside the EEA, for example:
With our offices outside the EEA
With service providers located outside the EEA
Where we consider that the transfer is necessary for exercising, establishing or defending legal rights including, as appropriate, providing information to respond to a government, law enforcement, judicial or other legal request, or otherwise to comply with applicable law.
Non-EEA countries might not have the same legal framework for data protection as the EEA countries. In particular, the United States, which is the most common destination of our transfers of Personal Information outside the EEA, is not considered to provide a level of personal data protection equivalent to that of the EEA. We will, however, ensure the transfers comply with EU data protection law. Our standard practice is to use standard data protection contract clauses approved by the European Commission as the basis for such data transfers. You may read more about this on the European Commission Justice website at (http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/international-transfers/adequacy/index_en.htm). Financial Information Since features exist on this Web site that enable or will enable visitors to receive services and/or register for events online using their credit/debit card, the financial information collected by IFi Audio during these transactions is used solely by IFi Audio or IFi Audio’s vendors who collect this information for IFi Audio. This information is not shared with outside parties except for the purposes of finalizing the transaction.
Security
We take precautions to protect the security of your contact information that you share with us. Unfortunately, however, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect your contact information, we cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any information you transmit to or from our Web sites, and you do so at your own risk.
Questions or Comments Concerning This Privacy Policy
iFi Audio takes its Web site users’ privacy very seriously. If you have any questions or comments concerning this Privacy Policy, we invite you to contact iFi Audio at the following address:
iFi Audio
Attn: Legal Department re: Privacy Policy
139-141 Cambridge Road
Churchtown, Southport.
Merseyside
PR9 7LN
UK
Email: info@ifi-audio.com
Changes to This Privacy Policy
iFi Audio will occasionally update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our services and customer feedback. When we post changes to this Policy, we will revise the “last updated” date at the bottom of this Policy. IFi Audio encourages you to periodically review this Policy to be informed of how iFi Audio is protecting your information.
Revised May 2018
The NeXt Generation of Portable Audio
Introduction
When iFi audio launched its original micro iDSD headphone amp, preamp, and DAC back in 2014, it raised the bar for small, portable, high-performing DACs. It’s been lifting it higher ever since. Last November saw the introduction of the nano iDSD Black Label, with a host of new features including support for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio. Now, iFi has excelled itself again with the launch of xDSD – the first in the company’s next generation of portable DACs.
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_04/1.thumb.png.df928e06c4660f8822c4cbb0c523108b.png)
A sonic step up
With a pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels, the xDSD is a major sonic step up for all smartphones, digital audio players and computers. Its selectable 3D+ and XBass+ functions bring both sensitivity and power to the careful listener. The artist appears in the room with music and lyrics flowing all around.
The xDSD has pulled off the task of being ultra-portable and wireless while supporting high-resolution formats, including MQA, and delivering 500mW of power per channel. By means of aptX HD and AAC, it brings hi-res streaming to Bluetooth.
Feature laden
In terms of attributes, the xDSD is similar to the micro iDSD, though it’s more advanced:
- Burr-Brown Hi-Res True Native DSD DAC chipset for discerning listeners
- Dual-mono headphone amplifier with 500mW of power per channel, which can unleash the full potential of both 32ohm and 600ohm headphones
- High-resolution audio up to PCM768kHz and DSD512
- MQA ready for playing back all high-res MQA encoded files
- Wireless Bluetooth (aptX and AAC) for CD-quality wireless sound
- S-Balanced compatible 3.5mm headphone output brings the benefits of the balanced connection to single-ended headphones
- Advanced Analogue Signal Process (ASP), 3D+® and XBass+® headphone optimisation circuits
- Pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels
- Audiophile Digital Filter 'Measure/Listen' selectable
- Large 2200mAh Lithium-Polymer battery providing six-to-eight hours of playing time
Small is beautiful
All these features have been packed into a rugged magnesium-aluminium body measuring just 95x66.5x19mm and weighing 127g. Though it has some similarities with the micro iDSD, it’s control layout is very different because of its Bluetooth wireless capability.
Take a look at the front panel controls (left to right) below:
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_04/2.thumb.png.3f8f6d7e2a3e348d28c75578434e5e31.png)
- 3.5mm HP Jack (TRRS balanced compatible, no microphone support, switchable to line out).
- Right of the jack, two separate RGB LEDs indicate sample rate and input selection.
- Volume (Rotary with ‘push’ button) with translucent centre and volume indication backlight.
- Right of the 3D+/XBass+ button are two separate white LEDs to indicate 3D+ and XBass+.
- The 3D+/XBass+ button push button cycles between all off, 3D+, XBass+ and both.
![[IMG]](https://www.computeraudiophile.com/uploads/monthly_2018_04/3.thumb.png.3246f5f8098af26296a4fdbcf7f3e1eb.png)
Rear panel controls (left to right)
- 3.5mm SPDIF (Coax/Optical combo, 192kHz supported).
- USB A-type OTG Input mounted centrally.
- Filter switch that slides between ‘measure’ and ‘listen’.
- Micro USB connection for charging (power input only, full charger detection for fast charge).
- Below the micro USB port, an RGB LED indicates battery status.
The retail price of the xDSD is US$399 (ex-tax) or €449/£399 (incl VAT).
SPL Phonitor XE new $1700
Brand new Phonitor XE. Used for less than an hour for comparison purposes. Retail price is $2000 I'm selling it for $1700 to the first offer. I...
Be at one with your music with ZEN DAC Highly specified, super-affordable and simple to use, iFi’s ZEN DAC elevates your digital audio experience...
[Taken Back]
Taken back.
Found: iFi ieMatch 3.5mm
Please pm me if you have one you're willing to part with. Thx -Vince
iFi AC iPurifier
- 3.66667 /5,
iFi Audio xDSD
- 4.30952 /5,
iFi Audio xCAN
- 4.58333 /5,
iFi audio PowerStation
- 4.5 /5,
Yup.
We'll get back to you shortly. We need to check some numbers.
