[stephenkostas]

Hey guys, just put down some of my thoughts on the iDSD Signature. Kudos to @iFi audio for another great device!
https://bloomaudio.com/blogs/articles/ifi-micro-idsd-signature-review

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Hey guys, just put down some of my thoughts on the iDSD Signature. Kudos to @iFi audio for another great device!
https://bloomaudio.com/blogs/articles/ifi-micro-idsd-signature-review

Thanks Stephen!

 

[bandwidthbandit]

it provides an improvement in detail, resolution, and soundstage over the micro iDSD Black Label.

Thanks for the review. How dramatic is this difference, and would you say it’s worth the 650 dollar upgrade from BL to Signature?

 

[stephenkostas]

Thanks for the review. How dramatic is this difference, and would you say it’s worth the 650 dollar upgrade from BL to Signature?

I think it's a $50 improvement if you were comparing the sticker price of the two, but probably not worth replacing an existing BL straight up for a new Signature. It feels to me like they identified some areas of improvement in the BL and tuned it up a bit. Sort of like, if you can imagine dials that went 1-10 for soundstage depth and width, they got turned up 1 notch each. The changes were incremental, not massive or earth shattering.

 

[Scott526]

Thanks Stephen,
Spot on review - I totally agree.
For me the versatility and portability tipped the scale.

 

[talan7]

Yes, as I mentioned my Sig arrived today. But I I never owned a BL, so cannot compare. Also I am no audiophile (completely average hearing) and neither my new D177X and FIBAE 6 (custom IEM) have arrived yet. So for a few days we will just be staring at each other

BTW I do not doubt got one minute that you like the sound better. You have no reason to lie about it.
That was not my point.
You did mention that you can put a dollar difference on it. How much would you say? That is more in like with the question that guy was asking.

I can’t put a dollar on the improvement, but it’s there, and noticeable. I really had no intention of getting it. I went to Audio46 to look at the iESL but decided not to get it. They had the signature, I took a look and bought it. I’m glad I did. It does sound better than I expected it to.

 

[Swisshead]

That's right, I still forgot.

A very important extra is the balanced output via 4.4mm socket. The BL did not have that.

Since I equipped all headphones with new cables and XLR connectors, I ordered an adapter in France. It goes from 4.4mm to XLR. So I can fully use the advantages of the balanced supply at Signature.

https://www.audiophonics.fr/fr/adap...-vers-xlr-4-pins-femelle-neutrik-p-14218.html

 

[elira]

That's right, I still forgot.

A very important extra is the balanced output via 4.4mm socket. The BL did not have that.

Since I equipped all headphones with new cables and XLR connectors, I ordered an adapter in France. It goes from 4.4mm to XLR. So I can fully use the advantages of the balanced supply at Signature.

https://www.audiophonics.fr/fr/adap...-vers-xlr-4-pins-femelle-neutrik-p-14218.html

I wouldn't recommend that kind of adapter, it puts too much stress into the 4.4mm socket.

 

[531412]

I wouldn't recommend that kind of adapter, it puts too much stress into the 4.4mm socket.

Was my first thought too

 

[Scott526]

That's right, I still forgot.

A very important extra is the balanced output via 4.4mm socket. The BL did not have that.

Since I equipped all headphones with new cables and XLR connectors, I ordered an adapter in France. It goes from 4.4mm to XLR. So I can fully use the advantages of the balanced supply at Signature.

https://www.audiophonics.fr/fr/adap...-vers-xlr-4-pins-femelle-neutrik-p-14218.html

Remember , you are doubling that with the connector from the cable - probably too heavy. Also, if your thinking of using on the desk, I'm pretty sure you will have to lift up the signature slightly for the 4.4 to line up.

 

[Swisshead]

Adapter arrived. This works perfectly. Now symmetrical operation. Yes you can hear that! And even more power and even more bass! Ingenious!

I would also like to stress that for me this is only a stationary solution and not a mobile one. Therefore I am not worried about the plug. So it is not burdened at all. So nothing should happen. The plug also rests on the ground and does not hang in the air.

 

[talan7]

The fact that it’s a 4.4 plug definitely helps. It’s a pretty robust plug, unlike a 2.5, which would be way over stressed in this setup.

 

[pompecukor]

Adapter arrived. This works perfectly. Now symmetrical operation. Yes you can hear that! And even more power and even more bass! Ingenious!

I would also like to stress that for me this is only a stationary solution and not a mobile one. Therefore I am not worried about the plug. So it is not burdened at all. So nothing should happen. The plug also rests on the ground and does not hang in the air.

Hey. is that the ZMF? Please tell me how it sound together. It is the next on my "to buy" list. The closed one, cause I like bass

 

[Swisshead]

Hey. is that the ZMF? Please tell me how it sound together. It is the next on my "to buy" list. The closed one, cause I like bass

Yes is the ZMF Atticus. Harmonizes perfectly with the iFi. If you love bass, this is the ideal combination. I love it. It is warmer tuned, but extremely coherent! Absolutely great for trance and similar music. For classical music I prefer the Verite open. It has less bass, but more detailed, clearer and more neutral.

But I never want to miss the Atticus again. Especially with iFi it sounds best, with the Burson less. No matter if micro iDSD or iCan. With both, it works brilliantly and is extremely enjoyable. Thick buy recommendation from me!

 

[pompecukor]

Yes is the ZMF Atticus. Harmonizes perfectly with the iFi. If you love bass, this is the ideal combination. I love it. It is warmer tuned, but extremely coherent! Absolutely great for trance and similar music. For classical music I prefer the Verite open. It has less bass, but more detailed, clearer and more neutral.

But I never want to miss the Atticus again. Especially with iFi it sounds best, with the Burson less. No matter if micro iDSD or iCan. With both, it works brilliantly and is extremely enjoyable. Thick buy recommendation from me!

Awesome. I don't do classical much. And whatever I get must be closed (kids/noise). Someone that I find reliable said it was an excellent choice.

Thanks for enforcing the idea. Have you by any chance experienced the Bayer dt1770. If so how does it compare SQ and confort.