iFi Audio presents iDSD Valkyrie

[RogueCrusher]

No XLR that's me out

Problem solved? Not a big deal, XLR on a portable/transportable device seems to be something manufacturers want to avoid, counterproductive to compact form factors I presume.

Are you talking XLR input or output that concerns you the most?

 

[Currawong]

TPA6120

Those will never die, I swear, no matter what electronics get released, manufacturers will keep using them.

That popped my balloon. Obviously it’s how it sounds, and no doubt sounds terrific, but this price I expected a whole new architecture.

I was told it was based on the Pro iDSD and Pro iCan. I imagine it works for them to keep re-hashing the same basic idea, if it works. A portable Pro iDSD (obviously minus the tubes) is quite a nice idea. Though thankfully it's not like the iDSD Signature (the one before the Diablo) which was not very resolving.

 

[Death_Block]

Problem solved? Not a big deal, XLR on a portable/transportable device seems to be something manufacturers want to avoid, counterproductive to compact form factors I presume.

Are you talking XLR input or output that concerns you the most?

I don’t know how to rename links. for a cheaper option maybe https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005910657615.html

 

[RONJA MESCO]

Those will never die, I swear, no matter what electronics get released, manufacturers will keep using them.

I was told it was based on the Pro iDSD and Pro iCan. I imagine it works for them to keep re-hashing the same basic idea, if it works. A portable Pro iDSD (obviously minus the tubes) is quite a nice idea. Though thankfully it's not like the iDSD Signature (the one before the Diablo) which was not very resolving.

this is a fact. Had the Signature, and I think it was slightly better than all my old OG idsd micros. I really need Ifi to have something like this Valkyrie THAT ACTUALLY BEATS a Hugo 2. In comparisons, they always get justrightthere and they never eclipse that unit. I already heard 3 reviewers already claim the Hugo 2 still beats this, and thats disappointing...and I am saying this as a Ifi fanboy that has bought well over 12 different units from them

 

[RogueCrusher]

this is a fact. Had the Signature, and I think it was slightly better than all my old OG idsd micros. I really need Ifi to have something like this Valkyrie THAT ACTUALLY BEATS a Hugo 2. In comparisons, they always get justrightthere and they never eclipse that unit. I already heard 3 reviewers already claim the Hugo 2 still beats this, and thats disappointing...and I am saying this as a Ifi fanboy that has bought well over 12 different units from them

Not taking away anything from the superb Hugo 2, but keep in mind, this Valkyrie is packed with a host of additional features that Hugo 2 does not possess.

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

Though thankfully it's not like the iDSD Signature (the one before the Diablo) which was not very resolving.

The whole line of iDSD Micro from the original via Black Label and Signature/Finale were deliberately tuned for a more "musical" sound. It is not everyone's preference, but that's fine.

This "not very resolving" is actually the TPA6120. It is paradoxically a very "tube like" sounding Amp. I have a theory. While mid band distortion is fairly low, it is still H2 dominant (like most tube gear) and no super low and distortion rises at low frequencies as a result of thermal memory distortion like Transformer coupled tube Amp's. NWAVGUY did some measurements on that.

It makes for a rather warm and slightly dark sound. Some (e.g. me who grew up with tubes) like it that way. Placing the TPA6120 into the feedback loop of a second Op-Amp's resolves this, reducing both mid-band H2 and rising distortion at low frequencies.

Thor

 

[Assationater]

Placing the TPA6120 into the feedback loop of a second Op-Amp's resolves this, reducing both mid-band H2 and rising distortion at low frequencies.

Would this be a mod one can do? :O

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

Would this be a mod one can do? :O

Well, the first "Red Label" prototype was modified from a Black Label, so in general principle, yes. But it's quite involved and some functionality is lost.

The Headphone Amplifiers in the Zen CAN And Pro CAN avoid this completely by using a discrete output stage.

Thor

 

[Assationater]

Well, the first "Red Label" prototype was modified from a Black Label, so in general principle, yes. But it's quite involved and some functionality is lost.

The Headphone Amplifiers in the Zen CAN And Pro CAN avoid this completely by using a discrete output stage.

Thor

I prefer all in one's.
If i wanted to upgrade I think id maybe, foolishly, get the valkyrie.

 

[RONJA MESCO]

It's a bit strange, but there are rather many reviews on the web already available, but no one review is making some little sound comparison with other devices like xDuoo XD05 PRO, Ibasso D16, Shanling Onix Mystic XP1 or Overure XM5, it could be interesting too with Cayin C9 II/Ibasso PB5 (though those are just AMPs without DAC) or even LOTOO Mjölnir ....

Basically, I really like the concept of this iDSD Valkyrie, it can also be worth to be used with a good smartphone (with Aptx Lossless connection), assuming there is a DC input with a passthrough battery mode, like FIIO M17 have or some other devices on the market.

because its competition, if you listen to the reviews, is the Hugo 2 (and the Ifi Diablo, which they say is a lesser version of the Valkyrie). Without saying it, theyre saying those others arent in the same league is what I got from it out the box

 

[KaiFi]

I hope to hear some comparisons with the D16 and XD05 PRO. The D16 especially, considering it is the closest in price. I had the XD05, and it was the best-sounding portable amp I'd ever heard. However, I found it to be very glitchy, and that is ultimately why I returned it. But in terms of sound, I would expect the Valkyrie to sound as good as the XD05 or better.

 

[Assationater]

I would expect the Valkyrie to sound as good as the XD05 or better.

The sheer amount of sound tuning on the valk maybe, might, make up the price difference if you were to roll all the dacs and amp chips for the XD05 trying to find your perfect sound.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

The livestream is occurring now from the Asociación de Audiófilos...



Cheers!!

 

[GoldenSound]

maybe 5.7 Watts * 0.707 = 4 watts.
It is just more of the same.

The 5.7W is not a power measurement that can be compared to other amps. It's ifi's own methodology and the actual RMS power figures are a lot lower.

This was the issue with the Diablo 2 where the power was being stated as 5W but it only had 0.8W in practice.

I appreciate ifi is being clearer this time and has put a post on how they're obtaining this figure. But still, basically all other amps have power given in RMS.

If you applied ifi's methodology to other products, a lot of 6W amps would suddenly be 10W or 12W amps

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Comparing the opening of expensive watch boxes to the opening of a DAC at the beginning is just ridiculous.
Haha funny