@jerick70 - I can definitely see that. I typically like warmer/bassier headphones and a DAC/amp with a more neutral, reference sound, but paired with some neutral/bright headphones I could see the Diablo being a little dry compared to the Signature.
@Nixdmon the Eco mode seems to be quite well controlled when it comes to background noise on IEMs. I had both the Andromeda (old version) and EE Hero hooked up to the Diablo unbalanced in Eco mode and I didn’t pick up any noise or hum. Both sounded great too.
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@jerick70 - I can definitely see that. I typically like warmer/bassier headphones and a DAC/amp with a more neutral, reference sound, but paired with some neutral/bright headphones I could see the Diablo being a little dry compared to the Signature.
@Nixdmon the Eco mode seems to be quite well controlled when it comes to background noise on IEMs. I had both the Andromeda (old version) and EE Hero hooked up to the Diablo unbalanced in Eco mode and I didn’t pick up any noise or hum. Both sounded great too.
So that is the one problem with IEMs: the volume ramp is a bit sudden, and there can be a bit of channel imbalance below 9-10 o’clock on the dial (similar to the iDSD Signature). While they sound great, you’re a little limited in volume control, and you don’t really get the full potential of the amp.
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So that is the one problem with IEMs: the volume ramp is a bit sudden, and there can be a bit of channel imbalance below 9-10 o’clock on the dial (similar to the iDSD Signature). While they sound great, you’re a little limited in volume control, and you don’t really get the full potential of the amp.
Well, Im looking forward to hearing iPurifier 3 impressions from those who buy in the first run.
Those USB cleaning products seem to wade in snakeoil territory when it comes to the collective headfi opinion.
I used one with my Micro BL and noticed a cleaner/smoother sound. The sound became less harsh and digital
I ordered a Diablo. Damn its pricey but iFi tends to make really solid products.
During this quarantine theres nothing like taking out your tunes to the beach/forest/desert/city.
Your concerns are mine too. I think I’ll stick to the xDSD. I’m very happy with the xDSD with my Sony IER-Z1R IEMs: no channel imbalance; 3d; xBass; filter selection; multiple firmware choices (GTO, MQA, DSD512, etc, as you need); bluetooth receiver if you use that; nice size. The xDSD has been perfect for me. Too bad it looks like it’s discontinued (according to Crutchfield).
Well, Im looking forward to hearing iPurifier 3 impressions from those who buy in the first run.
Those USB cleaning products seem to wade in snakeoil territory when it comes to the collective headfi opinion.
I used one with my Micro BL and noticed a cleaner/smoother sound. The sound became less harsh and digital
I ordered a Diablo. Damn its pricey but iFi tends to make really solid products.
During this quarantine theres nothing like taking out your tunes to the beach/forest/desert/city.
They do work for me, after using a similar product from Audioquest I notice thatmy notebook has horrible USB connections. But I can understand if someone already have a clean path trough USB say that the device doesn't work. The problemis when this comment comes from nowhere or without chdcking the signal path.
Also important is the use of a high-quality analogue potentiometer to control volume – its sonic transparency compared to chip-based volume controls makes the most of the clarity and resolution of the amp stage.
Sigh. I've been dreaming all these years that the portable model that finally came above the micro iDSD would finally do away with analogue volume pot.
I guess channel imbalance issues live on with the iDSD range, now including the diablo
there can be a bit of channel imbalance below 9-10 o’clock on the dial (similar to the iDSD Signature). While they sound great, you’re a little limited in volume control, and you don’t really get the full potential of the amp.
My Black Label had the imbalance issue. Worried me at first because it was noticeable when too quiet to listen to, but I soon realised balance is perfect at normal listening volumes, so doesn't matter. Although the BL had built in IEMatch for driving those ultra sensitive IEMs.... A separate IEMatch with the Diablo might have been a nice addition but still at least it's an option if needed.
little bit louder at the same volume. Another difference is somewhat loose bass without texture bleeding into mids and giving impression of veil. I suppose Denon haven't changed specifications but it sou
My Black Label had the imbalance issue. Worried me at first because it was noticeable when too quiet to listen to, but I soon realised balance is perfect at normal listening volumes, so doesn't matter. Although the BL had built in IEMatch for driving those ultra sensitive IEMs.... A separate IEMatch with the Diablo might have been a nice addition but still at least it's an option if needed.
I had the Black label, and Now I have the signature. Both are awesome with my IEM's. Now I am investing into 4.4mm cables/adapters also. I find for IEM's without IEMatch the channel imbalance of the pot definitely becomes an issue. If they replaced the analog pot with better one like a Alps blue Velvet (like Schiit) or went to some type of digital resistor based volume control this issue would be resolved, but instead we have a TOTL unit with inferior volume control. (note we are now in the 3rd generation of these products, this channel imbalance issue has been present in all 3 generations)
One thing to note, is that IFI does not make a 4.4mm IEMatch, so if you want balanced IEMatch with the Diablo you need to use a 2.5mm cable for your Iem with a 4.4mm to 2.5mm reducer in the Diablo before the IEMatch, not exactly a clean/streamlined setup.
Now there's more balanced stuff in our portfolio so we might, who knows This is not an announcement or anything, just our awareness that such a product would come in handy for some folks
I'm having mixed feelings about this launch. Truly balanced 4.4 mm this time around is great! But I feel that should've been there on the Signature already. Cramming a 4.4 mm in the front of the Sig and having it be "S-Balanced" was a very poor decision. The all red color is not my thing. Doesn't jive with anything else I own and I think it's screaming "Look at me, I'm trying to be super special!" or something to that effect.
Implementing a new 16 Core Xmos is also good! Although doing so and actually offering Less functionality than before seems like a real missed opportunity. Full MQA decoding only and nothing else. Nowhere on the internet has there been demonstrated that it makes any differens (Sound wise) if decoding is done in software or hardware. Good if you own MQA-CDs I guess. No Bluetooth either because of product segmentation reasons, thats a shame.
The new negative feedback system is really nice to see. Love when companies innovate and think about new and different ways of doing things and iFi has generally been very good at this. We need way more of this because things get stale and regurgitated all too often in this hobby.
Having just said that, the same old Burr-Brown DSD1793 is back again. It's disappointing. Someone at iFi is madly in love with this outdated chip and I'd argue it's hurting them more than it's doing anything else. I don't think the vast majority of iFi's customers are buying in to the "takes separate pathways.. remains bit perfect all the way... natural musicality" marketing anymore. The chip converts the top 6 bits to inverted complementary offset binary code (ICOB) and the rest is sent to the Delta-Sigma Modulator. What part of that process is bit-perfect? Maybe a new first time buyer or newcomer to the sphere won't know or care, and they seem to be iFi's target group. Seems very disconnected to me. Not upgrading to a better chip, ex DSD1796, by now is absolutely nonsensical.
Already owning the iDSD Signature. Do I feel the need to have a real balanced 4.4mm in exchange for all my nice little switches, good looks and not having IEMatch for my IEMs? No... Unfortunatly. I was going to upgrade and had budget planned for it. But this is a massive sidegrade if anything. For me, at least.
I don’t like the way it looks. Also, I’m addicted to xBass and 3D. I can see 3D not being needed if it already has a bigger soundstage than signature and brighter treble (which I’m hearing), but xBass, I can’t live without it. With a neutral sound signature, it won’t have enough bass for me. Did I mention I don’t like the red? Too flashy. I may end up with one eventually, I have to read some reviews/comparisons against the signature. As a rule, I don’t use amps without some sort of hardware bass boost.
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