When I first purchased a Diablo I also ordered an ifi USB cable and a FiiO coax adapter (having just the week before handed on my X5iii with its’ adapter).
When the FiiO COAX part turned up it didn’t work with the Diablo. It was the present catalogue FiiO part being sold, and my understanding is that the part changed between the variations of the FiiO X5 lineup (I-II-III)..
From what research I did a Sony model COAX adapter was ‘the one to use’, but I never got around to ordering it.
Heck the cost of the two ifi usb cables needed AND the COAX adapter (why it wasn’t included I cannot fathom), gave me pause to consider simply not buying them all and just keeping other parts handy (like the Chord Hugo I was using at the time, that also had regular RCA/phono conectors for standard output to every stereo...).
I really hope ifi are not doing these ‘accessory required’ to up the profit margin, but the lack of easy documentation to grab the RIGHT COAX part is a hassle.
The authorised ifi dealer in my country literally sold me the wrong COAX part (with appropriate waits between order and delivery); when I returned it to them I simply left it on the counter- the cost of the part was paultry compared to my time given on the project.
COAX is definately my preferred SPDIF transport...
I have to agree.
If ifi had either included an adapter or documented the right coax this would have been very helpful, and saved me time and money buying cables that did not work. Which left me thinking that I had a mis-functioning Diablo, which I was preparing to send back.
I did contact local ifi support, that have been very helpful, however, in this case they too thought that TRRS 3.5mm coax cable would work. After so much time researching I discovered thanks to CH23 that a cheap adapter I had bought some years ago, worked. I have now ordered 3.5 adapter plug, that I am hoping will work.
I did find the same information on adapters on FiiO site -
https://www.fiio.com/newsinfo/63573.html?templateId=1133604 - that CH23 had also suggested. Which was also very helpful as I was planning to go up into the loft to drag out the coax adapter for my FiiO Q5s, which of course would not work.
Given all that came with the Diablo, and now knowing what coax is needed, it does seem strange that ifi audio did not add a coax adapter.
I guess I am still a little confused as to the best coax adapter. Would it be a two ring or one ring, the two ring appears to work, but both CH23 and FiiO are suggesting a one ring.
Maybe it would be helpful if ifi audio were to let it be known what they recommend.