iFi Audio Nano iDSD discussion + impression

[rickyleelee]

Jon Dark DAR blog mentioned the new nano Black label maybe search it yourself be see. Maybe or. Maybe not ok.

 

[scrypt]

Jon Dark DAR blog mentioned the new nano Black label maybe search it yourself be see. Maybe or. Maybe not ok.

The new BL's restricted I/O is less versatile than that of the Johnny Walker-friendly micro from iFi, n'est-ce pas? Then again, that's one of the standard differences between the two models:

That Certain iDSD nano Black Label

 

[iFi audio]

The new BL's restricted I/O is less versatile than that of the Johnny Walker-friendly micro from iFi, n'est-ce pas? Then again, that's one of the standard differences between the two models:

That Certain iDSD nano Black Label

There's rather obvious difference in size between micro iDSD BL and upcoming nano iDSD BL. The latter is much smaller, so yeah... one can't have everything in such a small package.

 

[TAREKFOUAD1]

Any plan for 2.5TRRS balanced?

 

[scrypt]

[Redacted for the benefit of society.]

 

[Kane Williams]

I still love my iDSD Nano. What does this new one bring to the table? Is the headphone amp side of it more powerful or improved?

 

[iFi audio]

I still love my iDSD Nano. What does this new one bring to the table? Is the headphone amp side of it more powerful or improved?

In a nutshell, we aimed at better sound quality and functionality. The amplifier part got improved, we've added digital filter, were able to squeeze iEMatch inside and USB socket changed to A type. We'll reveal all tasty details a bit later on, please stay tuned

 

[obsidyen]

How does Nano BL pair with Fostex headphones?

 

[iFi audio]

How does Nano BL pair with Fostex headphones?

Hi obsidian

Apologies for sending you the wrong link. I have now amended my response to you.

The iDSD nano Black Label has a much more powerful headphone amplifier compared to the original and comes equipped with iEMatch, making sure it can match a much wider range of headphones compared to the original.

To comment on compatibility with a specific headphone, one would need to know the model, not just manufacturer, as many manufacturers have wide ranging product lineups with very different characteristics.

I hope that this answers your query. Once again, sorry for sending you the wrong link.

Best wishes

iFi audio Team

 

[RedTwilight]

Any plan for 2.5TRRS balanced?

Also wondering about this. Can't wait for the Nano BL to launch to try it.

 

[h1f1add1cted]

If they would offer balanced output, than as usual 3.5mm TRRS, anything other would be curious, if you check the iFi product lineup and the focus on 3.5mm TRRS.

But from the video shown at digitalaudioreview.net you can see two 3.5mm outputs at the front, one regular output, the other output has iEMatch damping "high", I guess the same -12dB damping factor as the original iEMatch stand-alone product.

 

[iFi audio]

If they would offer balanced output, than as usual 3.5mm TRRS, anything other would be curious, if you check the iFi product lineup and the focus on 3.5mm TRRS.

But from the video shown at digitalaudioreview.net you can see two 3.5mm outputs at the front, one regular output, the other output has iEMatch damping "high", I guess the same -12dB damping factor as the original iEMatch stand-alone product.

Dear h1f1add 1cted

The iDSD nano Black Label uses single-ended amplification (we feel that the > 3.2V output available will drive most headphones very well).

However the Headphone jack is TRRS with fully balanced PCB trace routing all the way to the Dual Mono Headphone amplifiers.

So you can use headphones fitted with 3.5mm TRRS connectors and balanced wiring to gain all the true benefits of balanced wiring and balanced connections (that is reduced crosstalk/distortion due to the elimination of the common single ground connection for left/right).

The same headphones will then also work fully balanced on balanced iFi product like the iCAN Pro and the upcoming iDSD Pro.

We feel that 3.5mm TRRS Balanced connection make the most common sense, compared to forcing new and incompatible connections lacking wide availability of connectors and tooling to terminate headphone cables.

As for your comment about the video shown at digitalaudioreview.net, this is correct, with a proliferation of very high sensitivity IEM's and Headphones we feel that including iEMatch to better match the affordable IEM's / Headphones people actually own is of more practical value than theoretical benefits of balanced amplifications.

This especially holds seeing that balanced connections for portable use (be it 3.5mm TRRS, dual 3.5mm TRS, 2.5mm TRRS, Kobicon, 4.4mm TRRRS, mini-xlr etc.) are not supported by most (if any) commercially available IEM's & Headphones without replacing the wiring, which can add dramatically to the cost of a budget oriented IEM & DAC/Amp.

I hope that this answers your queries.

Best wishes

iFi audio Team

 

[RedTwilight]

@iFi audio That's awesome!! Flexibility has always been your strong suit eh? Really keen to check this out now!

 

[h1f1add1cted]

...

However the Headphone jack is TRRS with fully balanced PCB trace routing all the way to the Dual Mono Headphone amplifiers.

So you can use headphones fitted with 3.5mm TRRS connectors and balanced wiring to gain all the true benefits of balanced wiring and balanced connections (that is reduced crosstalk/distortion due to the elimination of the common single ground connection for left/right).

...

Wow I'm sold now - you got me. All my CIEMs and headphones already use true 3.5mm TRRS wiring, because I use at the moment your iEMatch with balanced setting to my 3.5mm TRRS balanced DAC/AMP combo, but I want change to the new nano iDSD BL.





When will it available in Germany? I have checked German iFi Audio dealers but hey have no news for me.

 

[cheungtsw]

Dear h1f1add 1cted

The iDSD nano Black Label uses single-ended amplification (we feel that the > 3.2V output available will drive most headphones very well).

However the Headphone jack is TRRS with fully balanced PCB trace routing all the way to the Dual Mono Headphone amplifiers.

So you can use headphones fitted with 3.5mm TRRS connectors and balanced wiring to gain all the true benefits of balanced wiring and balanced connections (that is reduced crosstalk/distortion due to the elimination of the common single ground connection for left/right).

The same headphones will then also work fully balanced on balanced iFi product like the iCAN Pro and the upcoming iDSD Pro.

We feel that 3.5mm TRRS Balanced connection make the most common sense, compared to forcing new and incompatible connections lacking wide availability of connectors and tooling to terminate headphone cables.

As for your comment about the video shown at digitalaudioreview.net, this is correct, with a proliferation of very high sensitivity IEM's and Headphones we feel that including iEMatch to better match the affordable IEM's / Headphones people actually own is of more practical value than theoretical benefits of balanced amplifications.

This especially holds seeing that balanced connections for portable use (be it 3.5mm TRRS, dual 3.5mm TRS, 2.5mm TRRS, Kobicon, 4.4mm TRRRS, mini-xlr etc.) are not supported by most (if any) commercially available IEM's & Headphones without replacing the wiring, which can add dramatically to the cost of a budget oriented IEM & DAC/Amp.

I hope that this answers your queries.

Best wishes

iFi audio Team

How does the SQ compares with iOne?

I believe most (if not all) of the iDSD are powered by the BB chip but there is no mention in the spec. if they are the same BB chip other than I think the Micro iDSD BL uses 2 BB chips.
It would help to mention if there are different BB chips used in the different product.