iFi Audio Pro iDSD discussion thread

[Tom Blake]

If it's taking this long how about adding an input for the AOIP standards like Ravenna? This will be an expensive DAC and it would be nice to have some measure of future-proofing.

 

[iFi audio]

We aren't immortal...

Oh my, that changes everything!

Jokes aside, fear not, we're on the case

 

[iFi audio]

If it's taking this long how about adding an input for the AOIP standards like Ravenna? This will be an expensive DAC and it would be nice to have some measure of future-proofing.

The project is far past early stage, hence we don't think that's possible at this point. And we're into USB and other wireless solutions.

 

[Tom Blake]

The project is far past early stage, hence we don't think that's possible at this point. And we're into USB and other wireless solutions.

Understood. However, if the release drags out much longer I am going to have to carefully consider this very promising future technology before dropping $2K on a new DAC that could be obsolete soon. I am an iFI fan and am planning to get the iESL to mate with my iCAN Pro. A DAC is a different beast than an amp though.

 

[iFi audio]

Understood. However, if the release drags out much longer I am going to have to carefully consider this very promising future technology before dropping $2K on a new DAC that could be obsolete soon. I am an iFI fan and am planning to get the iESL to mate with my iCAN Pro. A DAC is a different beast than an amp though.

And that's perfectly understandable. We jump in our customers' shoes and we understand you. Though in case of USB we're safe at least for 'a while'.

 

[Tom Blake]

@iFi audio - I am happy with my USB performance now with a dedicated RoonServer feeding a mircroRendu and ISO Regen. That required a lot of money though! Before those additions USB sounded terrible in my system. USB is certainly still an option but when iDSD comes to market I will evaluate the AOIP landscape. The only DAC I'm aware of now in the consumer space that supports it (Ravenna) is the Merging+NADAC which is $10.5K for 2 ch or $11.5K for multichannel. So it would likely be a while until the technology is available in DACs at the iDSD price point. The Merging Zman card could accelerate that though. Please look into that technology! VERY promising.

Also it would be HIGHLY desirable if the iDSD Pro had Roon Endpoint support.

Thanks for the open communication - it is appreciated!

 

[Esprit]

Jokes aside, fear not, we're on the case

Can I use the Pro iDSD without a preamp?

 

[iFi audio]

Can I use the Pro iDSD without a preamp?

It has a volume control built-in, so yes.

 

[iFi audio]

And I'll leave it here...

The Pro iESL
First among energizers

The Pro series iESL is an unsurpassed energiser for electrostatic headphones (and transformer-coupled stage for flagship dynamic headphones too).

The Pro iESL driven by either the iFi Pro iCAN or a powerful amplifier takes electrostatic headphones to an unprecedented level of performance.

Its defining characteristic is a transparency and an ultra-wide dynamic range that is totally natural. The Pro iESL works with Stax, Sennheiser Orpheus and many more.

Classic & Cutting Edge Technology

The Pro iESL’s three key elements combine the very best in classical approaches with the latest in cutting-edge technology AND superb component quality to deliver the ‘perfectly matched’ headphone experience.

• Atypical Pinstripe Permalloy Core transformer
• Bias voltage generator
• Capacitive Battery Power Supply


Outstanding Component Quality

• One-off, hand-wound, Pinstripe Permalloy Core Transformer
• Wima Capacitors
• Vishay MELF resistors
• Gold-plated silver and sealed-silver alloy contact relays

Specifications
Maximum Output voltage: 640V RMS (16Ω/20V in)
320V RMS (64Ω/20V in)
Frequency Response: 5Hz – 50kHz (-3dB)
Input Voltage (Pro iESL): 5V – 9V/1A max
Input Voltage (iPower): AC 85 – 265V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption: < 1W
Dimensions: 213(l) x 206(w) x 63.3(h) mm
Weight: 2.5kg (5.5 lbs)

The retail price of the Pro iESL is US$1,399 (ex-tax) or €1,575/£1,395 (incl VAT).

Stay tuned, tech stuff coming up shortly!

 

[bidn]

And I'll leave it here...

The Pro iESL
First among energizers

The Pro series iESL is an unsurpassed energiser for electrostatic headphones (and transformer-coupled stage for flagship dynamic headphones too).

The Pro iESL driven by either the iFi Pro iCAN or a powerful amplifier takes electrostatic headphones to an unprecedented level of performance.

Its defining characteristic is a transparency and an ultra-wide dynamic range that is totally natural. The Pro iESL works with Stax, Sennheiser Orpheus and many more.

Classic & Cutting Edge Technology

The Pro iESL’s three key elements combine the very best in classical approaches with the latest in cutting-edge technology AND superb component quality to deliver the ‘perfectly matched’ headphone experience.

• Atypical Pinstripe Permalloy Core transformer
• Bias voltage generator
• Capacitive Battery Power Supply


Outstanding Component Quality

• One-off, hand-wound, Pinstripe Permalloy Core Transformer
• Wima Capacitors
• Vishay MELF resistors
• Gold-plated silver and sealed-silver alloy contact relays

Specifications
Maximum Output voltage: 640V RMS (16Ω/20V in)
320V RMS (64Ω/20V in)
Frequency Response: 5Hz – 50kHz (-3dB)
Input Voltage (Pro iESL): 5V – 9V/1A max
Input Voltage (iPower): AC 85 – 265V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption: < 1W
Dimensions: 213(l) x 206(w) x 63.3(h) mm
Weight: 2.5kg (5.5 lbs)

The retail price of the Pro iESL is US$1,399 (ex-tax) or €1,575/£1,395 (incl VAT).

Stay tuned, tech stuff coming up shortly!

Congratulations!

I have one question : the top of the Ican pro has openings to let the heat go, but the bottom has this big plastic surface and no feet on the side.
So if I put another Ican pro or an iesl on top of a first ican pro I assume that would be wrong re. heat flow, isn't it?

What (which rack system ) would you recommend?

 

[h1f1add1cted]

Stay tuned, tech stuff coming up shortly!

Nice can't wait for more details, but could you consider a iESL "nano/mirco" edition too? Like a modern current version of the Stax SRD-7 MK2? Would be awesome!

 

[Tom Blake]

Congratulations!

I have one question : the top of the Ican pro has openings to let the heat go, but the bottom has this big plastic surface and no feet on the side.
So if I put another Ican pro or an iesl on top of a first ican pro I assume that would be wrong re. heat flow, isn't it?

What (which rack system ) would you recommend?

I have asked the exact same question in several of the other iFi Pro threads. It is important that we get an answer to the Pro iCAN + iESL stacking question ASAP as the iESL seems to be shipping now. It also seems like the Pro iRack is not available yet. From YouTube videos I have seen of the Pro series components at shows it appears that the provided HDMI cable will be very short. If that is the case we will have to stack the 2 boxes until the iRack is released. Please provide some stacking guidance @iFi audio as it is not addressed in the iESL manual. Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

Congratulations!

I have one question : the top of the Ican pro has openings to let the heat go, but the bottom has this big plastic surface and no feet on the side.
So if I put another Ican pro or an iesl on top of a first ican pro I assume that would be wrong re. heat flow, isn't it?

What (which rack system ) would you recommend?

We would recommend to place the iCAN Pro on top of any stack.

If placed below other equipment leave sufficient space for ventilation at sides and top.

 

[Tom Blake]

We would recommend to place the iCAN Pro on top of any stack.

If placed below other equipment leave sufficient space for ventilation at sides and top.

Can you place the Pro iCAN directly on top of the iESL???

 

[tf1216]

Check this out you guys

Pro iDSD on top, Pro ICAN in the middle and the Pro iESL at the bottom.