[h1f1add1cted]

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

Sure, Audio-GD NFB 10.33 the headphone output maximum is rated at 19V RMS (~ 10 Watts @ 25 Ohm load) with 2 ohm output impedance at 4-Pin XLR socket.

 

[iFi audio]

Sure, Audio-GD NFB 10.33 the headphone output maximum is rated at 19V RMS (~ 10 Watts @ 25 Ohm load) with 2 ohm output impedance at 4-Pin XLR socket.

Alright, I'll pass on the info to one of our tech staff. Stay tuned!

 

[Zblarg]

Hi,

I was wondering one thing and didn't find the answer: what is the impedance of the XLR 4 pins output ?
From what I understood after reading the user manual, the impedance setting on the IESL allows to change the impedance "seen" by the amplifier connected to the IESL, but it's not related to the impedance provided by the XLR output, to the headphones. But maybe I'm wrong.

 

[h1f1add1cted]

It depends on the setting you choose at iESL. One thing which is clear, If you use the "16 ohm" setting at iESL, the output impedance on the 4-Pin XLR headphone output will be the same as your source amp headphone output impedance (for example 1 ohm is your source, the iESL will also 1 ohm, but this depends on your amp itself and not iESL), for the other iESL settings (24,64 and 96 ohm) I already waiting for iFi Audio to reply. If you check the last posts here in the thread I've asked the same question already.

 

[h1f1add1cted]

Alright, I'll pass on the info to one of our tech staff. Stay tuned!

Hi, any news from your tech staff?

Cheers

 

[iFi audio]

Hi, any news from your tech staff?

Not yet, but your question isn't forgotten

 

[alexdemaet]

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.



Yesterday, I connected the Iesl to monoblocks. There was more power available for the electrostatic headphones. Unfortunately, I was not able to adjust the volume with the Rme Adi 2 pro.
There is a method to adjust the output in the i/o menu:
Ref level 4dbu: 1.23v
Ref level 13dbu: 2.85v
Ref level 19dbu: 5.00v
Ref level 24dbu: 5.22v

 

[Panthalassa]

Hi Folks.

I have read through this thread and found some reference to my problem but no appropriate advice on solutions so I thought I would ask again. I have a Pro iESL connected to the speaker outputs of an Accuphase E-350 integrated; sound quality is top notch but it is afflicted by a low level buzz which varies in annoyance level depending on the impedance of the attached headphones. Beyerdynamic T1 (600 ohm) are fine - the buzz is not noticeable. Sennheiser HD800S (300 ohm) are OK but the buzz is present - once music is playing it’s not really an issue. Audeze LCD-XC (20 ohms) and the buzz is loud enough that the ‘phones are not usable - a slight irony as Audeze is specifically mentioned in the documentation as a suitable partner.

Could anyone suggest a possible solution? The problem is the same whether I use speaker cable between the two sets of taps or a custom made 4mm plug to 4 pin XLR cable (currently I am using this option). I don’t think it’s a grounding issue as there’s no change when touching any of the units. I have opened a ticket with the help desk but quite frankly they are not being super helpful - just coming out with stuff about making sure it’s not near any other components and not addressing the fact that the problem depends on which ‘phones are in use.

Any suggestions gratefully received - thanks in advance.

 

[saudio7]

You can try to connect iESL case to the ground, I am using AC Purifier to do that. You can also change the place where your iESL is standing, as suggested by iFi, it could be that big transformer from Accu causing the problem.

 

[Zblarg]

Same problem as Panthalassa.
I wrote an e-mail to Ifi, they replied me that they didn't know the problem, would talk to the tech staff and come back to me. It was about two months ago, never got another reply.

The background noise varies according to the impedance selected, and to the position of the AC wire. When you touch the wire or the IESL with your hand the noise changes. Had this problem in various places and on various systems.

Like Panthalassa I noticed the noise even on headphones suggested as a good pairing by Ifi, like the Utopia.
I live with it but it is a disappointment.
Don't want to spend more than $100 on a new device built by Ifi to correct the mistakes made on the build of the IESL by Ifi themselves.

Sad because the sound is indeed excellent: probably the best I have ever heard from my headphones when connected to big amps.

 

[Panthalassa]

I totally agree with Zblarg. I am loathe to spend more money to fix a problem that shouldn’t be there; any position on the impedance selector dial other than the 16 ohm position is much more noisy even with high impedance phones. Also it is definitely not due to the proximity of other components. All of the equipment is on separate shelves of a purpose built rack and there is plenty of distance between them; altering the physical position makes absolutely no difference.

 

[alexdemaet]

I changed the Rme Adi 2 pro settings to non-dsd direct mode. Now i can use the volume knob of the Adi dac .

 

[iFi audio]

I wrote an e-mail to Ifi, they replied me that they didn't know the problem, would talk to the tech staff and come back to me. It was about two months ago, never got another reply.

Have you opened a ticket at our support platform by any chance? If so, can you send it to me via PM? I'll personally check where it got stuck. If it was handled via mail, your address would do as well.

I totally agree with Zblarg. I am loathe to spend more money to fix a problem that shouldn’t be there; any position on the impedance selector dial other than the 16 ohm position is much more noisy even with high impedance phones. Also it is definitely not due to the proximity of other components. All of the equipment is on separate shelves of a purpose built rack and there is plenty of distance between them; altering the physical position makes absolutely no difference.

Can I ask you to let us know about your issue here: https://support.ifi-audio.com

That would be the fastest way for us to help you out

 

[Panthalassa]

Thanks for replying; however as I pointed out in my first post I have already opened a support ticket which seemed to be going nowhere. The support reference is #664231.

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks for replying; however as I pointed out in my first post I have already opened a support ticket which seemed to be going nowhere. The support reference is #664231.

Alright, I'll take a look into this.