[Ficcion2]

Yes - stop using them please... like xDSD, Gryphon, Neo iDSD...

None of those suffer from this problem. Please pass this comment to the engineers.

You can also dig out all the old iDSD threads and collate all the same complaints and pass that to the engineers too, as feedback.

At this price point of Diablo, why channel imbalance is still a thing in 2022 is bizzare.

I received a message over a year ago from one of the designers of the Diablo. The imbalance was noted and had an alleged fix (along with other improvements) but it seems like the company and the engineers couldn’t come to a mutual agreement about their pay for such a project.

So, IE it’s just iFi saving their pennies.

Other than the imbalance; every planar I’ve thrown at it sounds great including my Tin P1 Max which I can use the normal mode one without it being too loud.

 

[BS5711]

Yes - stop using them please... like xDSD, Gryphon, Neo iDSD...

None of those suffer from this problem. Please pass this comment to the engineers.

You can also dig out all the old iDSD threads and collate all the same complaints and pass that to the engineers too, as feedback.

At this price point of Diablo, why channel imbalance is still a thing in 2022 is bizzare.

As I touched on before, ifi make their design choices for their own reasons and it would seem that overall their customers are happy. If they weren’t the thing wouldn’t sell and ifi would be forced to change.

As ifi and others have said, there are pros and cons for the use of a pot and imbalance is the con. Based on sales I would have to guess it isn’t a con that ifi see as hurting them.

I prefer the volume pot on Diablo to the approach used on the Gryphon. Maybe I got a bit lucky but mine doesn’t have any problem with imbalance that matters in real world listening even with IEM.

I think the negative feedback on this matter on forums such is this is very much the vocal minority and not at all representative of the overall mass market.

Frankly, if you don’t like the product due to a certain design choice, and there doesn’t seem to be a plan for future changes that would make you happier, you should just move on and choose something else. It isn’t like there aren’t options. Pick one that on overall balance suits you best and use that instead and let ifi decide what they do with their products rather than keep insisting they listen to complaints that they are obviously well aware of.

 

[flyte3333]

I received a message over a year ago from one of the designers of the Diablo. The imbalance was noted and had an alleged fix (along with other improvements) but it seems like the company and the engineers couldn’t come to a mutual agreement about their pay for such a project.

Thanks for sharing this.

As usual, there can be more than what we are told.

Frankly, if you don’t like the product due to a certain design choice, and there doesn’t seem to be a plan for future changes that would make you happier, you should just move on and choose something else. It isn’t like there aren’t options.

Well twice now I've mentioned that I've had all iDSD models incl Diablo and returned or sold them - but I also mentioned I will try out future transportables because I like the SQ.

I also own a Neo iDSD...

I think people need to not take things personally and getting offended on behalf of iFi.

 

[BS5711]

Thanks for sharing this.

As usual, there can be more than what we are told.


Well twice now I've mentioned that I've had all iDSD models incl Diablo and returned or sold them - but I also mentioned I will try out future transportables because I like the SQ.

I also own a Neo iDSD...

I think people need to not take things personally and getting offended on behalf of iFi.

I am not talking anything you said personally in the slightest, why would I, none of it was aimed at me.

I am just saying that that I think it is a bit rich more or less insisting they listen to you. That seems a little rude to be honest but hey, that’s your prerogative and this is only an internet forum right, we can say whatever we like, courtesy doesn’t apply on the internet.

 

[flyte3333]

I am just saying that that I think it is a bit rich more or less insisting they listen to you. That seems a little rude to be honest but hey, that’s your prerogative and this is only an internet forum right, we can say whatever we like, courtesy doesn’t apply on the internet.

It is an internet forum but I was engaging directly with iFi Audio.

I also engaged with others having the same issue (I'm sure you read their comments too?)

I asked them questions, they asked me questions, I answered.

If you don't like the questions and answers, simply ignore it - nobody is forcing you to read and/or agree with anything.

 

[BS5711]

It is an internet forum but I was engaging directly with iFi Audio.

I also engaged with others having the same issue (I'm sure you read their comments too?)

I asked them questions, they asked me questions, I answered.

If you don't like the questions and answers, simply ignore it - nobody is forcing you to read and/or agree with anything.

It was the manner of your “engagement” that I was commenting on. You were quite insistent, borderline rude, that they listen to you despite that it is apparent they are already aware of this matter and for their own reasons choose to stick with their preferred design. Banging on about it is obviously not going to change that.

Good advice, I will ignore your comments, but please by all means, feel free to keep flogging the dead horse.

 

[iFi audio]

As I touched on before, ifi make their design choices for their own reasons and it would seem that overall their customers are happy. If they weren’t the thing wouldn’t sell and ifi would be forced to change.

This. We have our own ways of doing things and as much as we'd like to make everyone happy, we can't. As for channel imbalance, this subject discussed here on HF and other places too might seem very serious, but in reality it affects (as in, up to a point where a product is unusable) very few people. On our end, we're aware that it exists and we'll address it, thanks!

 

[CH23]

personally I believe using an analog potmeter is not the issue, but using one with an on/off switch within it. it's not an alps potmeter either, so not sure what brand it is.

 

[flyte3333]

On our end, we're aware that it exists and we'll address it, thanks!

Great ! Thanks!

 

[KaOs492]

Slightly off topic, I've tried buying a 4.4 iematch direct from ifi website, but no luck. Are yall still making them @iFi audio ?

 

[mekap]

Slightly off topic, I've tried buying a 4.4 iematch direct from ifi website, but no luck. Are yall still making them @iFi audio ?

https://bloomaudio.com/collections/ifi-audio/products/ifi-iematch-4-4mm

 

[iFi audio]

Slightly off topic, I've tried buying a 4.4 iematch direct from ifi website, but no luck. Are yall still making them @iFi audio ?

We do!

 

[justsomesonyfan]

I wonder if ifi audio will ever make a device like the diablo, but with the capability of playing local music using card controlled with a phone, that would be pretty awesome, seems that hifiman already did it and that shanling is on following that idea, but those are no diablo

 

[iFi audio]

I wonder if ifi audio will ever make a device like the diablo, but with the capability of playing local music using card controlled with a phone, that would be pretty awesome, seems that hifiman already did it and that shanling is on following that idea, but those are no diablo

Who knows, maybe one day we'll make something along those lines. We never say never after all

 

[801evan]

Well I got to make a trip to my dealer today and check out the 'claims' on Focal being driven by Diablo being 'unusable'.

Diablo on eco mode 6.3 with the Clear, there's imbalance from 10:30 and down. But man, if you need to listen at this level, go get a dongle and have fun listening at 60dB. My normal listening is 12:00 and max is 2 o'clock.

So since 4.4 would be louder, I figure the imbalance would be a bigger issue....but guess what, zero imbalance to my surprise. And to think I just used Susvara stock cables. Normal listening is around 10:30-11:00. The sound is better, deeper, bigger Soundstage and more centered.

Another customer who I see occasionally at the store popped by and I have him give a listen, then I mentioned the claims the people here are making and we both had a good laugh. He was quite impressed with the focal clear on 4.4 with the Diablo that he has put his sights on this combo as his next purchase.