[iFi audio]

Maybe the outputs are meant to be used for connecting the AKG K1K through speaker connectors?

Apologies for late reply, notifications on this thread were stuck in a limbo!

iESL was designed to work in-between an amp and speakers. It takes juice from an amp via its speaker inputs, and then sends it to speakers. Then an input selector on iESL allows one to cycle through playback on speakers or connected cans without the need to change any cables.

Took the plunge on an open box model with full warranty from an authorized dealer. Can't wait to see the changes in my SR-007 & Koss ESP/95X!

Although I couldn't answer your question about iESL vs Stax, I look forward to your feedback!

 

[Njychen]

What exactly does it do differently for dynamic headphones vs the Ifi pro i-can?

 

[iFi audio]

What exactly does it do differently for dynamic headphones vs the Ifi pro i-can?

iESL and Pro iCAN are different products to begin with. iESL doesn't work on its own.

 

[Njychen]

iESL and Pro iCAN are different products to begin with. iESL doesn't work on its own.

Sorry, what I meant to ask is that are there any benefits to using iESL (with iCan) with dynamic headphones vs just using iCan? Hope that makes sense.

 

[iFi audio]

Sorry, what I meant to ask is that are there any benefits to using iESL (with iCan) with dynamic headphones vs just using iCan? Hope that makes sense.

iESL provides transformer coupling to Pro iCAN, so not only it's a product meant to work with estats, but also an upgrade to Pro iCAN with dynamic/planar cans.

 

[robo24]

iESL provides transformer coupling to Pro iCAN, so not only it's a product meant to work with estats, but also an upgrade to Pro iCAN with dynamic/planar cans.

I'm confused. Does this mean having an iESL attached improves the headphone output on the iCAN itself or are you saying it makes the iESL XLR headphone output an upgrade over the same ports on the iCAN? Is the amount of power when the 2 are connected the same from the headphone outs on each device or is the XLR headphone out on the iESL less?

 

[Njychen]

I’d like to know also because the marketing material makes the Ifi i-ESL XLR headphone out will improve dynamic headphones further.

“ PERFECT FOR DYNAMIC HEADPHONES - Elevates top of line dynamic headphones too via transformer coupled stage. The same transformer coupled stage pushes Sennheiser, AKG, Audeze, Denon, AT and other flagship headphones to the max”

Or I might be reading into it too much.

 

[iFi audio]

I'm confused. Does this mean having an iESL attached improves the headphone output on the iCAN itself or are you saying it makes the iESL XLR headphone output an upgrade over the same ports on the iCAN? Is the amount of power when the 2 are connected the same from the headphone outs on each device or is the XLR headphone out on the iESL less?

I’d like to know also because the marketing material makes the Ifi i-ESL XLR headphone out will improve dynamic headphones further.

“ PERFECT FOR DYNAMIC HEADPHONES - Elevates top of line dynamic headphones too via transformer coupled stage. The same transformer coupled stage pushes Sennheiser, AKG, Audeze, Denon, AT and other flagship headphones to the max”

Or I might be reading into it too much.

Valid questions. I'll get back to you guys shortly on this!

 

[iFi audio]

iFi audio iESL is a transformer designed to match 3-20V AC output from standard headphone amplifiers to the 100-300V AC needed by electrostatic headphones. It's also a high voltage generator that is mostly off, and charges a battery of film capacitors to bias headphones. iESL is completely passive product, with normally no active operation (not even the high voltage generator) at all during listening.

Does this mean having an iESL attached improves the headphone output on the iCAN itself or are you saying it makes the iESL XLR headphone output an upgrade over the same ports on the iCAN?

When used with dynamic headphones, iESL acts as an impedance transformer. It will cut the signal levels AND NOISE from a headphone/speaker amplifier by a factor of 2, and reduce the loading of a headphone amp by a factor of 4, lowering distortion by approximately the same amount.

In other words, (at a given listening level for X headphones), iESL acts as a "gearbox" that trades off reduced maximum SPL by 6dB for less noise (6dB) and distortion (/4) at normal listening levels in comparison to headphones connected to an amp as per usual.

Is the amount of power when the 2 are connected the same from the headphone outs on each device or is the XLR headphone out on the iESL less?

The "power" as such is preserved, however levels are adjusted. Power is MOSTLY inconsequential with headphone/speaker amplifiers. It depends on a given headphones'/speakers' impedance. Sound they produce is directly proportional to the voltage, with as much/little current drawn from an amplifier as demanded by these loads.

As long as an amplifier can deliver current connected headphones or speakers demand, iESL simply provides whatever power is used by headphones/speakers to produce a given SPL.

 

[Focux]

hello all, noticed some of you have the 009S and Susvara/HEKSE

is the Pro iCan or iESL able to provide optimal clean power for the above models and how is synergy like?
(will be using Hugo2 as DAC)

ie. 24W into 8ohm for Susvara

quite like the size and weight of this iFi series as i have limited desk space, thank you!

 

[bluesaint]

hello all, noticed some of you have the 009S and Susvara/HEKSE

is the Pro iCan or iESL able to provide optimal clean power for the above models and how is synergy like?
(will be using Hugo2 as DAC)

ie. 24W into 8ohm for Susvara

quite like the size and weight of this iFi series as i have limited desk space, thank you!

You have the wrong idea. the iESL isn't an amp. you will need an externals 2ch speaker amp to feed it. While the Pro ican is capable of feeding it for stax purposse, it does an average job, and leaves lot to be desired. Pro iCan running Susvara itself is slightly above avg, but also leaves lot to be desired.

 

[Focux]

You have the wrong idea. the iESL isn't an amp. you will need an externals 2ch speaker amp to feed it. While the Pro ican is capable of feeding it for stax purposse, it does an average job, and leaves lot to be desired. Pro iCan running Susvara itself is slightly above avg, but also leaves lot to be desired.

ohh I see, thank you for the clarification!

 

[iFi audio]

You have the wrong idea. the iESL isn't an amp. you will need an externals 2ch speaker amp to feed it.

True that, it's an energizer, yup

 

[h1f1add1cted]

@iFi audio

I have a question about output voltage via 4-pin XLR using iESL.

After reading this article: https://support.ifi-audio.com/kb/faq.php?id=969

I understand if I use a regular headphone amplifer to connect to iESL for exmample with 10V @ 16 ohm load and 2 ohm output impedance at 4-pin XLR headphone out and I choose the 16 ohm setting at iESL, I'll get from iESL 4-pin XLR output also 10V @ 16 ohm and 2 ohm output impedance. If I change to 64 ohm setting I will get 5V @ 16 Ohm and 1 ohm output impedance at iESL 4-pin XLR out is this right? What do I get in this example if I choose the 24 ohm or 96 ohm setting at iESL, can we calculate this output voltage / output impedance too?

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio

I have a question about output voltage via 4-pin XLR using iESL.

After reading this article: https://support.ifi-audio.com/kb/faq.php?id=969

I understand if I use a regular headphone amplifer to connect to iESL for exmample with 10V @ 16 ohm load and 2 ohm output impedance at 4-pin XLR headphone out and I choose the 16 ohm setting at iESL, I'll get from iESL 4-pin XLR output also 10V @ 16 ohm and 2 ohm output impedance. If I change to 64 ohm setting I will get 5V @ 16 Ohm and 1 ohm output impedance at iESL 4-pin XLR out is this right? What do I get in this example if I choose the 24 ohm or 96 ohm setting at iESL, can we calculate this output voltage / output impedance too?

Let me ask you what amp is going to feed iESL?