[eskamobob1]

That NCore Class D power amp on the right

For some reason I saw the logo on the front and thought streamer. Makes sense

 

[iFi audio]

For some reason I saw the logo on the front and thought streamer. Makes sense

Can't blame you, class D amps are very small these days

 

[ThanatosVI]

Can't blame you, class D amps are very small these days

And since purifi they actually became REALLY good

 

[MFZZ]

Dear iFI, food for thought...without a new signature iESL why would a consumer buy the iCAN? The iDSD is a good stand alone product while the iCAN is the gateway to seamless electrostatic. Seems iFi is downsizing from selling an amp/DAC/electrostatic system into individual components that do not necessarily dovetail together. Looking forward to the soon to be released iESL Signature.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Looking forward to the soon to be released iESL Signature.

Unfortunately no such thing happening

 

[iFi audio]

Dear iFI, food for thought...without a new signature iESL why would a consumer buy the iCAN?

Because it's a great and VERY versatile headphone amp, that is more powerful than Pro iDSD's line driver and therefore will handle difficult cans better

Unfortunately no such thing happening

No plans for that as far as I can tell, but thanks for mentioning the idea!

 

[SludgeSwan]

In the manual, it is mentioned that when connecting a power amp to the iESL, its output power should not exceed 100W @8Ohm. Does anyone have experience with connecting higher-powered amps to this thing? I have an Audiophonics HPA 400ET with around 225W @8Ohm. Could this still work?

 

[basisunus]

I bought the iESL first and chose an amp accordingly (Benchmark AHB2). I think the specification comes from the fact that it's essentially a transformer. Driving power exceeding the specs of a transformer will cause it to clip. However, it usually won't need the max power to play music, especially on headphones, far lower in fact.

 

[BassicScience]

In the manual, it is mentioned that when connecting a power amp to the iESL, its output power should not exceed 100W @8Ohm. Does anyone have experience with connecting higher-powered amps to this thing? I have an Audiophonics HPA 400ET with around 225W @8Ohm. Could this still work?

I've been using a NAD M22 V2 (300 W @ 8 ohms) with my iESL for almost a year. Zero issues.

 

[SludgeSwan]

Thanks for your replies. Ifi just got back to me, recommending not to use such high-powered amps with their device... as they write in their manual

 

[robo24]

Finally got to hear the famed Blue Hawaii at Can Jam last weekend and while sounded great, there was no part of me that felt like I must have it or aspire to own in. There was no iESL to directly compare to nor the SR-009 which is the main e-stat I use with mine, though there was the 009S. Just confirmed for me that my Sonnet Morpheus to Ragnarok 2 to iESL (with or without Pendant SE as pre-amp to Ragnarok) is pretty sweet and not something I need to plan on upgrading. Also true of the 009, as I didn't feel like the X9000, 009S, or CRBN were more to my liking. If anything, the ethereal qualities I get out of the 009 weren't really there for me with the others.

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks for your replies. Ifi just got back to me, recommending not to use such high-powered amps with their device... as they write in their manual

Yup. What we have in our manual is where we stand, but it's good to know that more powerful amps work too

 

[eskamobob1]

Finally got to hear the famed Blue Hawaii at Can Jam last weekend and while sounded great, there was no part of me that felt like I must have it or aspire to own in. There was no iESL to directly compare to nor the SR-009 which is the main e-stat I use with mine, though there was the 009S. Just confirmed for me that my Sonnet Morpheus to Ragnarok 2 to iESL (with or without Pendant SE as pre-amp to Ragnarok) is pretty sweet and not something I need to plan on upgrading. Also true of the 009, as I didn't feel like the X9000, 009S, or CRBN were more to my liking. If anything, the ethereal qualities I get out of the 009 weren't really there for me with the others.

Just fwiw, bhse isn't just the end all be all of enegizers. There are lots of things our there that compete quite well and even best it in the same price range/below. If you want to try some more enegizers I would highly recomend looking into the z10e (same price as bhse) and the new es8 (much cheaper). That said, iesl is still a beast. Aic -> iesl was a wonderful combo with shang sr and I have full co fidence buying it without a direct enegizer for it. Only thing I heard all of canjam week that competed for me personaly was z10e

 

[Litlgi74]

I'm thinking of dipping my toe into the electrostatic pond...

Would I be ok using my Simaudio Moon 600i with the iESL?

It would be awesome to have one amp to drive estats as well as my 1266 TCs and SR1a.

 

[ThanatosVI]

I'm thinking of dipping my toe into the electrostatic pond...

Would I be ok using my Simaudio Moon 600i with the iESL?

It would be awesome to have one amp to drive estats as well as my 1266 TCs and SR1a.

It would be ok, if you still manage to aquire an iESL.

They are out of production with no plans of a new run