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

[corgifall]

I think the Diablo is meant to be their "Only sound quality matters" They dropped all the fun iFi features to make a beast of a portable/transport that gives the best "unaltered sound" they feel is possible from their own R&D. Would I personally pick the diablo over the iDSD Signature? Without testing them it's hard to tell but I can say I love the features of the iDSD Signature and would take that over the iFi NEO which lacked those features and went for an unaltered sound design.

 

[jlbrach]

Guys.. just treat them as separate products.. why is there an expectation for the Diablo to also do whatever the Signature or BL does? It’s like expecting your sports car to also carry 10 people in it like a van... and transform into Optimus Prime as well

If the Diablo doesn’t suit u then go get the Signature.. if it’s too expensive then get the Signature.. if you do not need the power get the Signature...

the signature is I believe 4 watts, the diablo is 5....hardly reason to trade up for the power...might be other reasons

 

[corgifall]

the signature is I believe 4 watts, the diablo is 5....hardly reason to trade up for the power...might be other reasons

Signature is 4.1W into 16ohm and Diablo is almost 5W into 32ohm. Quite a bit more power out of the Diablo compared to the Signature if we go simply off numbers.

 

[Nixdmon]

Well, the Diablo IS advertised as the next generation all in one device that supersedes the BL/Signature. Heck the most recent discussion is around that highlighted bit about being compatible for Sensitive IEMs so yes, there is that expectation to also do whatever it does

@mundixx true that.

If we remember when signature was released it was marketed as a limited edition unit.

"The iFi micro iDSD Signature is available later this month from selected retailers, at an RRP of £649, (€699, US$649). Only a limited number will be made, so those wishing to get hold of the Signature edition of iFi’s landmark transportable DAC/headphone amp should act fast to avoid disappointment."

Now I don't understand, when did it become an alternative to Diablo. Diablo was suppose to be the successor.

 

[ianjturner]

Now I don't understand, when did it become an alternative to Diablo. Diablo was suppose to be the successor.

I’ve come to realise this is all part of the messaging confusion. Reckon the head-fiers above are right - think of it as a different thing.

 

[corgifall]

.

@mundixx true that.

If we remember when signature was released it was marketed as a limited edition unit.

"The iFi micro iDSD Signature is available later this month from selected retailers, at an RRP of £649, (€699, US$649). Only a limited number will be made, so those wishing to get hold of the Signature edition of iFi’s landmark transportable DAC/headphone amp should act fast to avoid disappointment."

Now I don't understand, when did it become an alternative to Diablo. Diablo was suppose to be the successor.

As with most limited run products, if it sells really well it becomes permanent. Look at the Dan Clark Audio “RT” headphones. Those were gonna be a limited run but they sold like crazy and now they’re apart of his headphone line up.

 

[Baten]

@mundixx true that.

If we remember when signature was released it was marketed as a limited edition unit.

Micro BL has been phased out, so right now Signature is the available choice for micro; limited or not (might be simple marketing..)

 

[Nixdmon]

Hello friends,

Last few posts were after the initial use... It was quite a bit off from my expectations, I will clear my preconceived notions and look for positives. I am sure I will find plenty .

 

[kuehkueh]

Hello All,

So I am mainly an IEM user and I made the mistake of buying the Diablo. Yes I was aware that it may not be a good idea but I still did. Let me tell all the people who are reading the thread, Diablo is not a good fit for sensitive IEMs. With my awesome luck, my unit has a decent bit of channel imbalance and by the time it is corrected the volume is too high.

I fail to understand why ifi don't fix the imbalance issue. They have had the same problem on several products. All previous similar class products had iEmatch, so you could get around it, but this is not the case with the Diablo. I understand this is a problem with the basic design of volume pots, but if you are going to offer a premium product, I believe this should have been thought about. Especially, if you claim it can work with IEMs in eco mode.

Volume pots are inexpensive, ifi could have utilized binning and used only the pots that have minimal imbalance. iEmatch adapter should have been part of the standard accessory set. Sorry rambling at this point, just disappointed.

Question for ifi engineering, can the eco mode power output be reduced to give better resolution / control with a firmware update? Is it possible, if yes can this be implemented?

cheers,

Made the same mistake. Way too loud for my andromeda 2020. However, I must say it sounds really clean and good on my focal clear pro.

Sadly, had to return the Diablo.

 

[542775]

what about the battery life in the three different modes between diablo and signature?
the capacity is the same Lithium polymer 4800 mAh but the duration?

 

[iFi audio]

Now I don't understand, when did it become an alternative to Diablo. Diablo was suppose to be the successor.

micro iDSD Signature is the last and the most refined take on our platform that remembers times before micro iDSD BL. iDSD Diablo is our new platform that is positioned higher up in our offer, so not a substitute for micro iDSD Signature. At least as a manufacturer we don't see it as such

I think the Diablo is meant to be their "Only sound quality matters" They dropped all the fun iFi features to make a beast of a portable/transport that gives the best "unaltered sound" they feel is possible from their own R&D. Would I personally pick the diablo over the iDSD Signature? Without testing them it's hard to tell but I can say I love the features of the iDSD Signature and would take that over the iFi NEO which lacked those features and went for an unaltered sound design.

Yes, iDSD Diablo was designed as the best natural sounding portable device our R&D could make.

 

[jlbrach]

Signature is 4.1W into 16ohm and Diablo is almost 5W into 32ohm. Quite a bit more power out of the Diablo compared to the Signature if we go simply off numbers.

I stand corrected I did not realize the difference in 16-32 ohm....

 

[ianjturner]

Yes, iDSD Diablo was designed as the best natural sounding portable device our R&D could make.

This is the super exciting part - love that it’s an all-out design.

 

[BradleyM29]

Anyone know if you can bypass the battery on this one for desktop use?

 

[531412]

As I have to return the Diablo in the upcomming days (because not useable with my U12t IEM) but I really like the the grey ifi transport bag, the question to @iFi audio, if I can buy the bag somewhere for my Signature? I was checking my ifi reseller in Germany but it seems that the shop does not have this item. I can not see it on Amazon neither.
It would be cool if you can help here I am pretty sure that my Signature would love the transport bag as well