I can't understand why people keep asking about Diablo and iems and then giving negative comments about it.
This is not designed for sensitive iems , it was released to fit another scope of use.
There are several other products from iFi or other brands that can suit both iems and some more demanding headphones.
Not to Ichos, but rather flowing on from this point raised;
Why Diablo (when wishing to use with sensitive IEMs..)?
The Diablo is fast picking up a recognition as being a very good DAC. Fair- cause, well, IT IS a
a good DAC
I bought the Diablo as a good DAC. No intention to use the balanced output, but admittedly ‘a little hope’ that it would drive my in ears (roland studio monitor/Bowers and Wilkins P3s and some Cardas ear speakers primarily)-
The DAC part has been great. Comfortably sold on kit in much higher price tiers...
It is on the loud side, or ‘comfortable’ (exciting) listening level for a couple of my ‘buds’.
For longer listening sessions with them I would no doubt prefer a touch less power to them (which gets into the ‘channel imbalance‘ zone on the analogue pot).
Don’t get me wrong - I love the analogue pot (wouldn’t have bought the Diablo without it)!
But it is ‘fair to say’ that the Diablo has a lot of power on tap, and the ECO-NORMAL-TURBO switch doesn’t switch up the ranges quite the way it could.... the fact that I can listen to my sensitive over ears on all three volume settings (obviously at different spots on the dial) says that iFi might have missed a design ideal when structuring the switch.
Given previous parts in iFis lineup have catered to all users, the range in the high end price point generally proving a ‘veritable swiss army knife‘ in terms of features.
So it is fair to say that with the billions of differences in pundits hopes for any given piece of kit, that the Diablo might not make sense - some will naturally be disappointed in the reviews stating that the Diablo
IS a step up in quality and purity, and many who spend money on head-fi kit, as a hobby, would therefore have the Diablo on their radars.
I had planned to run my IEMs from it (as some of them are the most clinical of my audio sources in many ways); but I actually found the Diablo as a
good enough DAC that it seldom leaves my favorite 2 channel rig of home hifi seperates.
(Right now jazzing out some Mingus)
I find that the XLR output (from the rear) is of a high enough quality that I am keen to buy the NEW iFi enhanced 4.4mm to XLR output cable. (not an advert, but for those who were not aware, IT LOOKS SHINY!!)
I would be disappointed if my newest purchase and
best bit of kit couldn’t power my IEMs, especially if IEMs were my better head fi, and ‘lets be fair’; the Diablo is a ‘very portable’ piece of kit, so probably sits/fits in the mind of many as ‘a match made in heaven’.
iFi ARE ONTO IT; and are no doubt working on the balanced 4.4mm IEMatch, and to me it would make sense from a sales perspective to include it with the product to catch the whole audience that might be considering the Diablo.. but of course
not everyone will need the part, and so, like the iPurifier, is likely seen as candy (sweetener) that appears to be raising the price.
Personally, my take is that, tuning being factored, the R&D than has led to the Diablo, and the licensing of the design for proven/great circuits that make use of the BurrBrown DACs in a way that makes them punch well above their typical spec sheet, whilst delivering musicality not normally associated with ‘the budget market’; is fantastic. and
a bargain
Of course we all have different perspectives, but from those multitude of opinions a consensus is building that the Diablo is budget cost (beer prices) for Champagne sound.
Quite a lot of pro reviewers will say that desktop setups for the same price ballpark might be able to outpunch it (just), but in terms of portable kit- it is the high watermark to hit right now.
Based on reading a few independents stating how great a DAC it is AS A PORTABLE; it makes sense that many would want to use their most portable kit with it..
Logically; the included bag doesn’t have space for ‘full sized’ over ears, so I can understand why a few pundits have been happily hoping that their IEMs would be in the majority that DO work with the Diablo. (basically anything that isn’t crazy high SPL per Watt, as the unit has shown itself perfectly happy being ‘hiss free’).
Since getting the Diablo I have only used my in ears ONCE from my expensive DAP, as the Diablo so massively improves the output quality it is
hard to come back from; which is why we should all show a little more compassion for those who can’t make the marriage work.
How do you feel when you are without the love of your life? (have mercy)
