[Soundizer]

I had that channel imbalance issue on iDSD Micro BL, on iDSD Signature but it is almost non-exsitent on the Diablo with all my headphones.

What headphones you use?

 

[qsk78]

It comes down to headphones sensitivity and how gain is designed.

Well, I had the same fleet of headphones with iDSD Signature and the imbalance issue was there.

 

[qsk78]

What headphones you use?

Snorry NM-1 (40 ohm, 93 dB), Snorry SI-1 mk2 (40 ohm, 100 dB), Aeon C Flow ( 14 ohm, 92 dB)
Actually the 1st pair is the most hard to drive. Basically NM-1 are not for Diablo but for a desktop system. They perform better with a desktop system.

 

[flyte3333]

Is it not in Diablo?

No, the fact that there are reports of channel imbalance is proof Diablo is a pot.

If it had xDSD's design, there would be no reports ever again of channel imbalance.

Also mentioned on Diablo FAQ page anyway.

 

[CH23]

No, the fact that there are reports of channel imbalance is proof Diablo is a pot.

If it had xDSD's design, there would be no reports ever again of channel imbalance.

Also mentioned on Diablo FAQ page anyway.

I believe it's a clone of the alps alpine rk097 potmeter, as it looks the part but bears no alps alpine markings...

 

[iFi audio]

No, the fact that there are reports of channel imbalance is proof Diablo is a pot.

Yup.

 

[flyte3333]

I mentioned xDSD uses a digitally controlled analogue volume control (perfect channel balance) and keep forgetting Neo iDSD has it too.

https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/iFi_NEOiDSD_TechLowdown_01.pdf

Also see:

https://ifi-audio.com/faqs/its-rotary-knob-would-suggest-an-analogue-potentiometer/

This means perfect channel balance even at lowest knob position, all the way to max volume.

So if you're using really sensitive cans, being 'limited' to small range is a non issue in terms of channel imbalance.

Anyway, maybe a future portable iDSD (like many hoped for years)

Neo iDSD is great but I'm hoping for a Black Label or Diablo Red version , for my desktop

 

[CH23]

I mentioned xDSD uses a digitally controlled analogue volume control (perfect channel balance) and keep forgetting Neo iDSD has it too.

https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/iFi_NEOiDSD_TechLowdown_01.pdf

Also see:

https://ifi-audio.com/faqs/its-rotary-knob-would-suggest-an-analogue-potentiometer/

This means perfect channel balance even at lowest knob position, all the way to max volume.

So if you're using really sensitive cans, being 'limited' to small range is a non issue in terms of channel imbalance.

Anyway, maybe a future portable iDSD (like many hoped for years)

Neo iDSD is great but I'm hoping for a Black Label or Diablo Red version , for my desktop

Makes you wonder why they decided not to do this with their flagship dac/amp, being aware of the channel imbalance issue...

 

[elira]

Makes you wonder why they decided not to do this with their flagship dac/amp, being aware of the channel imbalance issue...

Those chips fix the channel balance but degrade sound quality, I guess they wanted the best sound quality.

 

[CH23]

Those chips fix the channel balance but degrade sound quality, I guess they wanted the best sound quality.

how do they degrade sound quality though? from my limited understanding the volume pot controls the voltage input into the amplifier section, in doing so the volume changes.

it isn't part of the audio section.

 

[flyte3333]

Those chips fix the channel balance but degrade sound quality, I guess they wanted the best sound quality.

Everything in the signal path degrades quality.

One could say channel imbalance due to a vol pot degrades quality.

Anyway it's not for us to argue.

It's for iFi to think about.

They've obviously thought about it for some other products and implemented.

 

[iFi audio]

They've obviously thought about it for some other products and implemented.

Suffice it to say, every volume control type has some drawbacks, and implementations is also important.

 

[KaOs492]

My unit is great with minimal channel imbalance. With the unit on, its just below 9 o'clock. I get volume at 10 o'clock, imbalance is gone barely past 10 o'clock. Mainly listen to at 12 or just barely behind it. Switch is in Normal mode 4.4 output, focal elegia ( so easy to drive ) just my personal experience, I have no issue with imbalance personally. I like the volume pot a lot, you just need to be very delicate and precise when setting your level imo

 

[starouterspace]

My unit is great with minimal channel imbalance. With the unit on, its just below 9 o'clock. I get volume at 10 o'clock, imbalance is gone barely past 10 o'clock. Mainly listen to at 12 or just barely behind it. Switch is in Normal mode 4.4 output, focal elegia ( so easy to drive ) just my personal experience, I have no issue with imbalance personally. I like the volume pot a lot, you just need to be very delicate and precise when setting your level imo

Lucky you! Mine needs to go beyond 11 o'clock to get rid of channel imbalance.

Suffice it to say, every volume control type has some drawbacks, and implementations is also important.

Would you conclude this is a good implementation? I don't feel great cause I don't listen at high spl and I didn't get a golden copy. Please seriously consider digital volume control. If you need an example of that implementation, take a look at cayin c9. That thing has a analog nob with smooth digital volume control and no channel imbalance.

 

[Soundizer]

Anyone compared sound quality between Diablo and RME ADI-2 DAC?
To drive headphones as a single dac/amp solution.