[qsk78]

What has more bass impact: Diablo or Signature with bass boost enabled? I like the bass boost effect of my iDSD Micro BL with Aeon closed 1 and ETHER headphones. However I’m also interested in the reported improved dynamics from the Diablo.

Also, how are transients with the Diablo? Transients on the micro BL seem a bit slow or smoothed vs. faster amps like Gillmore Lite, THX 789, and Zen Can. I like both sound signatures, again just curious.

Finally, does anyone know if you can connect these to an iPad Pro via USB-c directly or need some daisy chained USB-c to USB B then Apple CCK?

Diablo gives you more bass quality and not quantity.
It sounds deeper, more layered with a higher dynamic range (IMHO)
I use it with Aeon C Flow and this pair is excellent to my taste since I prefer more neutral and linear sound.
So if you need more bass your choice is Signature with bass boost.

 

[justanut]

Finally, does anyone know if you can connect these to an iPad Pro via USB-c directly or need some daisy chained USB-c to USB B then Apple CCK?

Direct.. Apple's not THAT idiotic.. Yet..

 

[531412]

What has more bass impact: Diablo or Signature with bass boost enabled? I like the bass boost effect of my iDSD Micro BL with Aeon closed 1 and ETHER headphones. However I’m also interested in the reported improved dynamics from the Diablo.

Also, how are transients with the Diablo? Transients on the micro BL seem a bit slow or smoothed vs. faster amps like Gillmore Lite, THX 789, and Zen Can. I like both sound signatures, again just curious.

Finally, does anyone know if you can connect these to an iPad Pro via USB-c directly or need some daisy chained USB-c to USB B then Apple CCK?

The Xbass of the Signature is better implemented compaired to the Black Label. I really like the Xbass on the Signature. Out of the box the bass on the diablo is a bit better (equal quantity, but a bit better quality)

 

[tcellguy]

Direct.. Apple's not THAT idiotic.. Yet..

OK thanks. I read somewhere on the iFI website that bitrate was limited to 44 kHz using USB-c to USB-b connector as the iPad thinks the device is a headphone. Can't confirm.

 

[justanut]

OK thanks. I read somewhere on the iFI website that bitrate was limited to 44 kHz using USB-c to USB-b connector as the iPad thinks the device is a headphone. Can't confirm.

I use Amarra and it shows a higher bit rate than 44k so I HOPE it’s working…

 

[tcellguy]

I use Amarra and it shows a higher bit rate than 44k so I HOPE it’s working…

Cool, so you are just using the Apple USB-c to USB-b connector then?

 

[Bob Parish]

I use Amarra and it shows a higher bit rate than 44k so I HOPE it’s working…

BTW, is 4.3.510-208 the latest Amarra version? What happened with them?

 

[justanut]

BTW, is 4.3.510-208 the latest Amarra version? What happened with them?

Oh I meant Amarra Play for iOS V1.25

 

[justanut]

Cool, so you are just using the Apple USB-c to USB-b connector then?

I’m just using a generic USB C OTG cable.

 

[CH23]

I want to thank @iFi audio for their support. I had my unit replaced because of the LED thing, and they've been very helpful from beginning to end. Now happily listening and already tested, everything works great!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

I want to thank @iFi audio for their support. I had my unit replaced because of the LED thing, and they've been very helpful from beginning to end. Now happily listening and already tested, everything works great!

Happy to help mate! Glad we could be there for you.

 

[Rence]

Long time lurker here, have been interested in upgrading from a chord mojo. Thinking about the diablo. Current Iems are Sony ier z1r and Shure kse 1200. I also have s Grado rs2e (which is easy to drive). Now for this set up probably the signature would make more sense (?) but I am considering the next step on open headphones, which likely would be the Arya. If diablo is no reco, any other tip? Should I go for a used Hugo 2?

 

[mammal]

Should I go for a used Hugo 2?

I used to own Mojo and loved it. Then thought where should I go from there? I bought Hugo 2 and iFi Diablo for direct comparison. Diablo wins on power delivery, very dynamic. Hugo 2 wins on sound quality (feels much more natural). I sold Diablo and kept Hugo 2, and then to drive more power hungry headphones I bought a portable amplifier Romi Audio BX-2 Plus, that is very transparent and fixed Hugo 2’s lack of power.

 

[Rence]

I used to own Mojo and loved it. Then thought where should I go from there? I bought Hugo 2 and iFi Diablo for direct comparison. Diablo wins on power delivery, very dynamic. Hugo 2 wins on sound quality (feels much more natural). I sold Diablo and kept Hugo 2, and then to drive more power hungry headphones I bought a portable amplifier Romi Audio BX-2 Plus, that is very transparent and fixed Hugo 2’s lack of power.

Damn, that makes all a lot of sense. Somehow I hoped that the diablo could just do it all but guess that is wishful thinking. If I get a chance maybe I can audition both to see how they compare on the mentioned iems at least.
Do you have any Iems or just the Abbys?

 

[mammal]

Do you have any Iems or just the Abbys?

Not anymore, but I did test Diablo and Hugo 2 with Custom Art Harmony 8.2 CIEMs (before I sold them). Diablo had left channel imbalance on low volume levels, Hugo 2 did not. However, I did not hear the noise floor, was black/dead quiet. However, these CIEMs are not the most sensitive ones, so not sure how applicable to your use case.