iFi Elite on Diablo/Turbo/SE AryaV2. Volume 3 oclock(my max tolerance)
Already 2 minutes in I hear the lowest lows and the highest highs. Vocals, the sound from the throats of the artists….its present without effort.
The smallest things are so present it feels like there is something wrong with the AryaV2. Its a grainy/raw experience.(IMPORTANT! the distortion/saturation you will hear with this setup, in most tracks are intentional because todays music is digital and still tries to simulate/stimulate the analog/golden era, you will understand this if you have worked in producing music, and actually played with these plugins) The lowest lows are so present the smallest distortion/saturation is present.
(Elite is taking the Diablo and squeezing the last drop out of it, nothing is left behind!)
The stereo image has not changed from the balanced view, there are still some “missing” in the upper mids(recessed). Elite adds lowest low but the highest highs(after the recessed upmids) is very interesting, its from here you will notice how deep/bass it sounds.
It can feel like too much power, like a waterhose that is too tight for the pressure(soundstage) of the water, therefore not every song feels the same. Its has darker experience.
(iFi needs to perfect this DAC by 10-20% - more open soundstage - and design it around Elite and make a downsized PRO version DESKTOP!)
Overall I like the iPower X because Elite can lead to listening fatigue. iPower X is gentle and delightfull, it gives the “impression” of a better balanced image, the highest details(can be too harsh), and the lowest lows(the whole neck is covered with kicking drums and the deep bass)is not that present.
(If I was at a party and the Diablo was the source Elite would be the choise. Its soo exciting.
If I am chilling after work gaming and discord, iPower X)
The soundstage feels more compressed/tight on some tracks.
Be prepared for some listening fatigue, its impossible not to turn the volume up!
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EDIT: listening at low level volume 12 oclock is comfortable relaxed but the lows/highs still pronounced. Is sounds more stable compared to my max tolerance. The details are still effortless. Im as impressed at low volume.
Edit: As I listen more my prefered low level listening is normal mode around 1-2 oclock.
(I noticed the Diablo gets hotter with the elite charger)