eskamobob1
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2011
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OopI no longer see the iESL on iFi's website. Is it out of production or perhaps simply out of stock?
OopI no longer see the iESL on iFi's website. Is it out of production or perhaps simply out of stock?
Out of production. It's mentioned many times, unfortunately. Hopefully they'll reconsider and release something like an iESL Signature version (which is also available in black).I no longer see the iESL on iFi's website. Is it out of production or perhaps simply out of stock?
I have the iESL, and an amp with sufficient power, and the x9000s. What in particular is better using the iESL? I use the x9000s mostly with a Carbon CC, but I sometimes use the iESL. I don't know that I can articulate why one is better as I tend to listen at lower volumes than most. What exactly sounds better? Is the difference marginal are large?I must say iESL is the best iFi device I ever used. Simply said the sound quality that I could achieve on my estats when connected to my DIY Purifi class D amplifier was the highest, even better than Carbon and BHSE.
@iFi audio I really hope there will be even better version in the future, those transformers must be super hard fo make I imagine but the sound quality I got with Purifi into iESL into SR-X9000 is just magic.
Black label iESL please!I must say iESL is the best iFi device I ever used. Simply said the sound quality that I could achieve on my estats when connected to my DIY Purifi class D amplifier was the highest, even better than Carbon and BHSE.
@iFi audio I really hope there will be even better version in the future, those transformers must be super hard fo make I imagine but the sound quality I got with Purifi into iESL into SR-X9000 is just magic.
Yes, this! Waiting for the iESL resurrection in black and that'll be my entry to estats.Black label iESL please!
Really glad to hear this! Recently got the SR-009 and have been wondering about those very pricey Mjolnir amps and need some talking down to not spend more money I don't have when the iESL is excellent. Using Sonnet Morpheus (NOS R2R DAC) to Schiit Ragnarok 2, sometimes via Pendant SE as a pre-amp to give it some tubey flavor. I don't know what more I could want really (other than more bass but that's an 009 issue not the amp/energizer) out of this combo with the iESL. Glad I bought it when I did!I must say iESL is the best iFi device I ever used. Simply said the sound quality that I could achieve on my estats when connected to my DIY Purifi class D amplifier was the highest, even better than Carbon and BHSE.
@iFi audio I really hope there will be even better version in the future, those transformers must be super hard fo make I imagine but the sound quality I got with Purifi into iESL into SR-X9000 is just magic.
In my personal opinion when I was comparing side by side my current setup vs carbon I got a slightly deeper headstage, more layers however it was a bit more diffused than on carbon, and overall the sound was a bit cleaner but those are very subtle differences and I would be just as happy with the Carbon.I have the iESL, and an amp with sufficient power, and the x9000s. What in particular is better using the iESL? I use the x9000s mostly with a Carbon CC, but I sometimes use the iESL. I don't know that I can articulate why one is better as I tend to listen at lower volumes than most. What exactly sounds better? Is the difference marginal are large?
Great analysis. The bottom line is that the iESL is a well engineered piece of equipment and tends to be underrated.In my personal opinion when I was comparing side by side my current setup vs carbon I got a slightly deeper headstage, more layers however it was a bit more diffused than on carbon, and overall the sound was a bit cleaner but those are very subtle differences and I would be just as happy with the Carbon.
Something to be aware of is that iESL sound with vary with different amps connected to it, I went through 3 iterations before being satisfied beyond carbon.
First setup - Yamaha A-S2200 into iESL - not terrible but I would definitely pick Carbon over it.
Second setup - Flux Volot via its headphone XLR output into iESL - much better than yamaha on par with Carbon for me.
And finally my current setup - Holo Serene preamp into DIY amp based on Purifi 1ET400A and Neurochrome input buffers into iESL - slight preference compared to Carbon, incredible clarity, power and staging.
Of course that's just my opinion and I might be biased since when you build something yourself you enjoy it more. Next step I'm saving for Holo May and will be building new Hypex Nilai500 amp when it releases.
I don't think it's underrated. It received incredible praise and was sold out rather quick.Great analysis. The bottom line is that the iESL is a well engineered piece of equipment and tends to be underrated.
Yes, this! Waiting for the iESL resurrection in black and that'll be my entry to estats.
Something to be aware of is that iESL sound with vary with different amps connected to it,
I don't think it's underrated. It received incredible praise and was sold out rather quick.
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Our iESL had a rather slow start, but new estat cans surely contributed to making it more and more popular.
Call it the iESL Phoenix.
Just the iESL back in production again.
@iFi audio I'm a happy owner of an iESL, but have always wondered why it was only provided with a balanced output for dynamic/planar headphones and no single ended. Was it just due to lack of space on the front panel?
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