iFi audio iDSD Diablo - A portable reference done our way!

[ianjturner]

iDSD Diablo naturally took more expenses and longer R&D to complete.

The cost of development is a problem for the iFi business to manage. I think what we are trying to determine is whether the value to the consumer is worth the cost.
If it is best (sound wise) in price band then I’ll pay that. For others it might depend more on portability requirements. I keep my fingers crossed!

 

[Bob Parish]

The cost of development is a problem for the iFi business to manage. I think what we are trying to determine is whether the value to the consumer is worth the cost.
If it is best sound wise in price band then I’ll pay that. For others it might depend more on portability requirements. I keep my fingers crossed!

Sounds as the signature is a much better value dac/amp!

 

[dbturbo2]

Exactly.



Our GTO is a filter and as such it prevents bit-perfect data transfer, yes. But it remains to be seen whether we'll introduce a GTO firmware version for iDSD Diablo, as an alternative to the bit-perfect firmware version now installed in this product.

Tried the GTO filter on my BL and absolutely love it. The lack of a GTO filter option on the Diablo would be a deal breaker for me with regards to a future purchase, so I hope iFi makes this firmware available to allow those who enjoy it to have an upgrade path.

 

[justanut]

Hi, does anyone know if they would drive the EX1000 properly or blow them out??

 

[xand]

Size vs a credit card for reference.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Tried the GTO filter on my BL and absolutely love it. The lack of a GTO filter option on the Diablo would be a deal breaker for me with regards to a future purchase, so I hope iFi makes this firmware available to allow those who enjoy it to have an upgrade path.

We understand! And you all will be the first to know if that becomes an options, we know it;s been requested!

Hi, does anyone know if they would drive the EX1000 properly or blow them out??

Hi there, just wanted to re-iterate you should not have to worry about the Diablo blowing the EX1000s out. You will have the eco and normal power modes to switch between.

Size vs a credit card for reference.

Size references like this are more helpful than you think for folks here, thanks for posting up!

 

[iFi audio]

1) Why the power x wasn't included if performance was the goal?

Considering that iDSD Diablo relies on internal batteries and its power supply circuit is different than in our other products, our regular iPower will do just fine.

2) Why not an usb adapter for I can use my high end regular cable, as the one included with signature?

Although limited, the first batch features iPurifiers that allow to do just that.

The cost of development is a problem for the iFi business to manage.

It sure is, but it also affects pretty much every product's retail price whether we like it or not

I think what we are trying to determine is whether the value to the consumer is worth the cost.

That's understandable and in my last post I simply explained why, from our perspective of course, iDSD Diablo had to be pricier than micro iDSD Signature. What folks able to compare the two products will find and how this feedback might affect decisions of others is a totally different thing

 

[ianjturner]

in my last post I simply explained why, from our perspective of course, iDSD Diablo had to be pricier than micro iDSD Signature.

How a product is priced and how it is developed are (or should be) separated by the way the business is operated. Surely this is how you’ve done it since you’ve survived in business since 2012 or something! (Which is awesome btw.)
But facts remain - a product will be bought if its price tag represents its value. The Diablo is a very premium product (says my bank account!) and so I hope it is the winner in its price bracket. If it is the best sounding I’ll buy it and if it isn’t I won’t, independent of how hard it may or may not have been to develop internally to iFi.
In short - development costs should not be our concern. Build us kit that is great value for the price please!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

In short - development costs should not be our concern. Build us kit that is great value for the price please!

I'm not really sure what you're reaching at here ~ folks asked for our perspective, and Rob kindly provided a little insight into the long term process as to why pricing works out the way it does.

The reason why iFi has been around so long is that it's well known in the community that we always do our best to deliver a great kit that brings value+price together with quality.

 

[milkdudd]

Size vs a credit card for reference.

I know this request proves once and for all that some people are never satisfied, but is there any chance we could see a photo of the Diablo, the iDSD signature and a Chord Mojo all together?

 

[Sonic Defender]

Is iFi going to send Amir at Audiosciencereview a sample to measure? I hope so. It would be nice to see if the engineering matches the features and marketing. I like iFi and would like to see you take that next step and be able to satisfy outside, third party verification of technical engineering. I have confidence in you iFi!!

 

[driftingbunnies]

Please not ASR. The bias there is way too strong against non-chifi.

 

[seamon]

Is iFi going to send Amir at Audiosciencereview a sample to measure? I hope so. It would be nice to see if the engineering matches the features and marketing. I like iFi and would like to see you take that next step and be able to satisfy outside, third party verification of technical engineering. I have confidence in you iFi!!

With the DAC chip inside the diablo, this is probably gonna get destroyed at ASR.

 

[Sonic Defender]

With the DAC chip inside the diablo, this is probably gonna get destroyed at ASR.

Not for sure, if it is implemented well the device will still be capable of audible transparency. It may not measure as state of the art for example, but it should still measure well enough to be free of engineering issues that introduce undesirable/avoidable audible artifacts. That is the real issue and what I want to know before I sink money into a product. There is no excuse for sloppy engineering anymore, even with affordable, feature rich devices. A manufacturer that doesn't want their device measured by qualified third-party agents, has something to hide, IMO. I hope iFi is going to volunteer a unit for measurement. If not, somebody will send it into Amir anyway.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Please not ASR. The bias there is way too strong against non-chifi.

Not at all. I spend a great deal of time there as well as here and I do not at all feel that is the case. The Chinese companies are just doing what it takes and destroying the competition because they have the in-house expertise, the drive and the measuring gear to produce superior gear. If the other companies can't take the heat they need to get out of the kitchen.