[xtr4]

Must cost an arm and a leg.

It retails for USD3.7k if I'm not mistaken (read on another site). So not exactly affordable but within reason considering you'll be getting an amp for normal cans as well as e-stats.

 

[tamleo]

 

[nojwe]

I love my iCan Pro Signature and consider it basically end game for me. I have no desire to check out the phantom. I don’t care for the design, personally (but to each their own). The SD cards to set bias seem like a ridiculously over-engineered gimmick. Why not just have a switch or dial? I’m sure replacement cards will be reasonably priced too . I also have no interest in an amp that hides features within an amp and requires Wi-Fi. What happens when there’s a bug in the app and we can’t use it correctly? Will it be fully supported for the actual lifetime of the amp? Does the app even actually provide any significant functionality, or is it just a marketing thing again?

I’m open to having my mind changed as new info comes out and we see reviews, but my initial impression is hard pass.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

With the multiple voltage setting cards and multiple earspeaker/headphone outputs, this amp is definitely not corn beginners, nor is it even designed for most experienced users. If anything, you need a lot of practice using this thing with dynamics/planars before moving onto electrostatics, just so you are familiar with the amp’s features before moving onto these voltage cards for the electrostatic outputs.

But once you get used to its features, the Phantom offers tremendous flexibility given its ability to drive any type of headphone:
planars, dynamics, IEM's and electrostatics. Especially really tough planar loads like the Susvara or HE6. Provided that
you like its sound, $3750 is not unreasonable for a headphone amplifier that really grows with your system, and may
be good enough to end the expensive gear cycling phase that many of us go through.

 

[ra990]

The SD cards to set bias seem like a ridiculously over-engineered gimmick. Why not just have a switch or dial?

I think it's a pretty cool concept. The idea is that an incorrectly set switch or dial could seriously damage very expensive headphones. The card has to be selected and inserted very intentionally before you power the amp on and can't be changed by accident when your uber expensive estats are plugged in and playing music.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Nice to see so many comments about the new Phantom!

I can agree with most of the comments on "Looks" When I first saw this I thought much the same, but in all honesty, it has really grown on me. Here is a short commercial shoot for the unit, in which it looks "super sexy"



Cheers!!

 

[TheRH]

I'm holding off judgment.

 

[betula]

Some highlighted info for folks who did not read the first post.

- It will retail at £3749 and be available to buy from the 24th June. (To my understanding it is also $3749 and €3749.)
- "When not in use the sockets at the front or back can be hidden by a neat aluminium panel that attaches magnetically. (This panel also holds the data
cards for the electrostatic bias voltage settings.)" More difficult to loose the SD cards this way and the panel might help with the unusual aesthetics, although only when the amp is not in use.
- The SD cards are to reduce the likelihood of selecting wrong bias which can damage the headphones. Compatible e-stat brands are listed on each card.
- ALPS potentiometer, custom designed, hand-made transformers.

Bonus news:
- Several new mid- and top-tier DAC/amps set to arrive later this year.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Some highlighted info for folks who did not read the first post.

- It will retail at £3749 and be available to buy from the 24th June. (To my understanding it is also $3749 and €3749.)
- "When not in use the sockets at the front or back can be hidden by a neat aluminium panel that attaches magnetically. (This panel also holds the data
cards for the electrostatic bias voltage settings.)" More difficult to loose the SD cards this way and the panel might help with the unusual aesthetics, although only when the amp is not in use.
- The SD cards are to reduce the likelihood of selecting wrong bias which can damage the headphones. Compatible e-stat brands are listed on each card.
- ALPS potentiometer, custom designed, hand-made transformers.

Bonus news:
- Several new mid- and top-tier DAC/amps set to arrive later this year.

Yes the panel that holds the SD cards, seen here attached to the back of the Top of the amp...

Can also cover the Front bottom unit when not in use, thus making the front more "uniform" when not in use!

Cheers!!

 

[Alien HP]

Nice to see so many comments about the new Phantom!

I can agree with most of the comments on "Looks" When I first saw this I thought much the same, but in all honesty, it has really grown on me. Here is a short commercial shoot for the unit, in which it looks "super sexy"



Cheers!!

You can hardly see anything in this teaser video. Too short. Too dark. Too much black background.

It's nice that iFi is trying to introduce something cool, interesting, and unique. But the features and design seem questionable.

 

[nojwe]

I think it's a pretty cool concept. The idea is that an incorrectly set switch or dial could seriously damage very expensive headphones. The card has to be selected and inserted very intentionally before you power the amp on and can't be changed by accident when your uber expensive estats are plugged in and playing music.

I guess I might be missing a bit of context since I don't have any estats, but it seems like there could be a simpler switch setup to use. I could be wrong though.

 

[pail]

That teaser video is ridiculous.

 

[BassicScience]

That teaser video is ridiculous.

Yes, when I saw the smoke machine, I awaited the dropping in of a miniature Stonehenge to complete the parody...

 

[Linntroika]

I was going to add an Mscaler to my Qutest now im wondering if it would be more beneficial upgrading the ican pro to this (rabbit hole)

 

[erics75]

Wow that's an odd looking unit. I thought the last gen iCan was a nice looking unit, but this two tone non matching stack thing is ugly. Just my opinion.

I'm torn on iFi's approach to their flagship amps. They go for a do it all, jack of all trades, master of none approach, when i'd like to see them pick a specific topology and target, and maximize the unit for it. For example, if they want to dabble in tubes, then just make a straight up tube amp, either OTL or OTC, and try to make it the best tube amp possible. Or if they want to make an electrostatic amp, do so, and forget tube and regular headphone amplification. But make that electrostatic amp the best it can possibly be.

IMO when you design something to fill all roles, it has to make compromises that lessen it's performance. I loved the iCan Pro Signature, but returned it as it was not as good as other more dedicated products i already owned. I preferred the Phonitor for straight solid state amplification, and one of my OTC tube amps for tube flavor. The Signature was great, but not as good as those other two amps. I understand some people want a one amp solution, and iFi would be an awesome choice for them. But for me, i would love to see what they could do if they focused on a more narrow design and just maximized it.

just my opinion though, worthless as it may be.