[CH23]

Which kind of music would you like to test?

It's not about the music in this case, it's about the capability

 

[iFi audio]

Just for you, and many others, I have compiled a list of the current available iFi devices and which firmwares they use, based on serial numbers:

device name	serial number	XMOS chip	firmware version
Aurora	4100000001	XU208	5.x
Hip-DAC	5401000001	XU208	5.x
	5404000001	XU216	7.x
Diablo	2013000001	XU216	7.x
Micro iDAC2	2022000001	XU208	5.x
Micro iDSD	2011000001	XU208	5.x
Micro iDSD Black Label	2012000001	XU208	5.x
Micro iDSD Signature	2014000001	XU208	5.x
	2014001021 and up	XU216	7.x
Nano iDSD	1011000001	XU208	5.x
Nano iDSD Black Label	1013000001	XU208	5.x
Nano iDSD LE	1012000001	XU208	5.x
Nano iOne	1021000001	XU208	5.x
Retro Stereo 50	XXXXXXXXXX	XU208	5.x
xDSD	1501000001	XU208	5.x
ZEN DAC	5301000001	XU208	5.x
	5304000001	XU208	5.x
ZEN DAC Signature	5502000001	XU208	5.x
ZEN DAC V2	5307000001	XU216	7.x

Looking at https://ifi-audio.com/download-hub/ it seems that the Hip-DAC section has the most complete list of firmwares for both chipsets. This means you can find v7.2 there. You can just copy the above serial number and it'll show you the goods.

As I said before, I can not guarantee any v7.x firmware will work with the Diablo, since there might be internal differences in the way the XMOS chip interacts with the different devices PCBs.

Thanks, this should be helpful to many people

 

[CH23]

Thanks, this should be helpful to many people

Please let me know if there's any mistakes in there

 

[Bob Parish]

the mac thingie seems to be a mac os limitation, not the diablo, as the internet says the same thing about basically any and all software and hardware connected to macs.

As for the firmware: https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/iFi-7.2b-firmware-DSD512.zip
Basically all iFi devices use 1 of 2 different XMOS chips, meaning the firmware is build for either the XMOS xu216, or the xu208.

Where can I find a DSD512 testfile? I'm interested to see how my linux machine handles them.

Thank you so much for the link!
Dowloaded, installed and is working fine...

 

[Bob Parish]

It's not about the music in this case, it's about the capability

If you test https://www.signalyst.com/consumer.html you can upsample any file from your library to DSD512 and compare with original resolution.
The demo version is fully functional, the only drawback is it stops after 30 minutes, so you have to relaunch.

 

[flyte3333]

But I followed the links on iFi 'Download Hub' for Diablo and 7.0 and 7.0c is where I ended up.

Can you please check that and add 7.2 to your website?

Here is the Download Hub:

https://ifi-audio.com/download-hub/

@iFi audio ?

Can you check and fix download links please? For Diablo firmware

 

[iFi audio]

Can you check and fix download links please? For Diablo firmware

Sure, me and @Sebastien Chiu see it so we'll ask internally to address this, thanks!

 

[Soundizer]

Sure, me and @Sebastien Chiu see it so we'll ask internally to address this, thanks!

Is it important to update firmware when buying a new Diablo. What does the firmware do - enable - fix?

there should be clear notes on what the firmware delivers on iFi website.

 

[edisonwu]

Is it important to update firmware when buying a new Diablo. What does the firmware do - enable - fix?

there should be clear notes on what the firmware delivers on iFi website.

I believed the one I received is an early production with a US serial # less than 100 (weird that iPurifier is not inclued as the gift).

The stock firmware when I upgraded has shown V1.5.

 

[Soundizer]

What about all the owners who don’t know that a firmware update is required?

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

What about all the owners who don’t know that a firmware update is required?

Is it important to update firmware when buying a new Diablo. What does the firmware do - enable - fix?

there should be clear notes on what the firmware delivers on iFi website.

The firmware update for our products generally enables and disables features. There are pretty clear release notes for what is changed or added.

A firmware update is not required. We recommend trying out one or the other and seeing what people like best!

 

[Soundizer]

The firmware update for our products generally enables and disables features. There are pretty clear release notes for what is changed or added.

A firmware update is not required. We recommend trying out one or the other and seeing what people like best!

This firmware discussion is the main reason for me in holding back on buying Diablo. i listened to a loaned Diablo from iFi UK and thought it is a spectacular DAC/AMP. Best DAC/AMP i have listened to at home.

been saving up for it to drive my new Focal MG Pro.

so no need to update firmware. That is fine.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

so no need to update firmware. That is fine.

Nope! Plug and play out of the box!

 

[flyte3333]

Sure, me and @Sebastien Chiu see it so we'll ask internally to address this, thanks!

Thanks!

It's a shame the gain of Diablo (even on Eco) is so high.

Has anyone at iFi office tried any Focal headphones with Diablo?

For modern music (unfortunately produced loud), can anyone get past 11 o'clock on Eco knob? Too many channel imbalanced issues below 11 o'clock

I know iFi don't like digital volume control (and that's fair enough) but xDSD has a digitally controlled analogue volume chip.

Surely a high quality one like that exists. This eliminates channel imbalance issues that have long plagued iDSD owners. Also eliminates gain issues like described above - using at 9 oclock would be no problem.

Maybe Diablo V2

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Thanks!

It's a shame the gain of Diablo (even on Eco) is so high.

Has anyone at iFi office tried any Focal headphones with Diablo?

For modern music (unfortunately produced loud), can anyone get past 11 o'clock on Eco knob? Too many channel imbalanced issues below 11 o'clock

I know iFi don't like digital volume control (and that's fair enough) but xDSD has a digitally controlled analogue volume chip.

Surely a high quality one like that exists. This eliminates channel imbalance issues that have long plagued iDSD owners. Also eliminates gain issues like described above - using at 9 oclock would be no problem.

Maybe Diablo V2

I have the Focal Clear and Celestee and use them around 50 to 75% with the volume knob on eco. They are a bit too quiet for me before that.

What headphones are you using?

Thanks for your suggestion!