[Cotnijoe]

Interesting. The micro iDSD really needs the iPurifier2 to lose that last ounce of edge and glare.

I seem to recall iFi saying the Pro iCAN would have galvanic isolation on USB but I can't find any mention in this thread. I wonder if it will still benefit from the iPurifier2. It sounds like it maybe doesn't need it.

 
Pro iCAN doesn't have any digital component. I'm guessing you're talking about the upcoming Pro iDSD, which I think is mentioned to have the iUSB and iPurifier components built in.

 

[technobear]

Interesting. The micro iDSD really needs the iPurifier2 to lose that last ounce of edge and glare.


I seem to recall iFi saying the Pro iCAN would have galvanic isolation on USB but I can't find any mention in this thread. I wonder if it will still benefit from the iPurifier2. It sounds like it maybe doesn't need it.

Pro iCAN doesn't have any digital component. I'm guessing you're talking about the upcoming Pro iDSD, which I think is mentioned to have the iUSB and iPurifier components built in.

Of course it doesn't. Doh! :rolleyes: I've confused myself because cav1sa mentioned the micro iDSD as being used in place of Pro iCAN. In my defence, morning coffee hadn't yet kicked in

So what DAC was being used with the Pro iCAN here? Was it the micro iDSD?

We already know that micro iCAN sounds better than micro iDSD headphone output so not surprising that Pro iCAN will also sound better.

 

[cav1sa]

Of course it doesn't. Doh!

I've confused myself because @cav1sa mentioned the micro iDSD as being used in place of Pro iCAN. In my defence, morning coffee hadn't yet kicked in

So what DAC was being used with the Pro iCAN here? Was it the micro iDSD?

We already know that micro iCAN sounds better than micro iDSD headphone output so not surprising that Pro iCAN will also sound better.

That's precisely it - I think the iDSD is an excellent DAC with an impressive amp section, but there's no question Pro iCAN is a better amp.
My replacement has just been delivered, it's already set up and I'm enjoying it so much. My setup right now is:
Spotify (don't laugh, my file server crashed, so no foobar for a couple of days) -> iDSD Micro -> Pro iCan -> Adam F7 / LCD2 / HD650 (since my CIEMs are being upgraded)

 

[iFi audio]

   
Pro iCAN doesn't have any digital component. I'm guessing you're talking about the upcoming Pro iDSD, which I think is mentioned to have the iUSB and iPurifier components built in.

To quickly confirm, Pro iCAN is fully analogue device.

 

[defbear]

Every time I type in iCAN, spellcheck corrects it to iDSD. Is The Machine trying to tell me something?

 

[iFi audio]

Every time I type in iCAN, spellcheck corrects it to iDSD. Is The Machine trying to tell me something?

Yes, you should have both 

 

[Allanmarcus]

 

   
Pro iCAN doesn't have any digital component. I'm guessing you're talking about the upcoming Pro iDSD, which I think is mentioned to have the iUSB and iPurifier components built in.

To quickly confirm, Pro iCAN is fully analogue device.

All the iCans are amps, not DACs. They are amplifiers. The 3D and bass boost are also analogue. There is no optical, USB, or Coax connection. 

 

[miceblue]

I might have the wrong assumption. The energizer may not be an amp at all. It may be some sort on converter.

What is the Pro iEnergiser?
[COLOR=333333]An electrostatic headphone/earspeaker cannot be just connected to any headphone amplifier.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]It needs power to 'energise' the panels, which is why there is a large five‑pin connector that looks like a valve seat along with headphone jack and XLR.[/COLOR]

The Pro iEnergiser needs very high voltage (Stax are around 100dB @ 100V, not 105dB @ 1V :eek: ).

On top of that they need a 'so-called bias voltage,' usually between 500V and 650V for modern ones.

The iEnergiser that will be at RMAF will be this.











[COLOR=333333]Yes, the top photo shows a nice vintage Stax being driven by the Pro iEnergiser![/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]The bottom is the KingSound electrostat!  Both sound very nice indeed. The vintage Stax is too rare to bring to RMAF. It is staying in the lab. The KingSound will be there though.[/COLOR]

I'll be bringing my STAX SR-207 to CanJam because of this. : o

 

[abvolt]

looks like a really cool amp sure like to hear one sometime..

 

[iFi audio]

That "small" electrostats ready project from our skunkworks directly? Finally it's here. Well... almost. You know the drill - teasers first, details later on. Bear with us, please 

Enjoy!

 

[defbear]

I bought the iCAN Pro (take that spellcheck) from Kitsune HiFi dot com. Brand new but had slight shipping damage. Loose Knob damaged in shipping. I would like to thank Tim at Kitsune and Owen from Ifi replacing the unit toot-suite. New unit in less than a week. I am one real fussy SOB when it comes to customer service. If I have a bad meal in a restaurant oh-well, but if the service is horrible that is an entirely different deal. Owen responded Quickly to all my emails. Tim made sure all went smoothly. Big fan of Kitsune and Ifi. So on to the Meal (snack)
I'm no expert but I think I have heard and lived with some nice Gear. Master 11, Liquid Carbon, HDVD800, Bimby, Gumby. Holy Cow the iCAN Pro is a nice amp. I thought plugging my Holo Spring DAC Level 3 into the Master 11 was very special. But the iCAN Pro is on a whole upper level. Cleaner sound, far more detail, bigger soundstage in every direction. Did I say Far More Detail. I had started re-listening to my entire collection based on the Holo Spring DAC into the Master 11. Now I have to start all over.  The Bass boost control sounds great but is really not needed with my HD800's. I did not care for the 3D effect on the portable idsd. On the iDAC Pro it is utterly fantastic. It re-spaces the sound to appear you have a desktop, living room type placement. That is over-simplified. My Cavalli Liquid Carbon is a great amp. Love(d) it. But I tried it with the Holo Spring DAC and had to immediately put it away. I know, comparing $$ to $$$ isn't fair but the LC is no slouch at all. Lovely amp. Not selling it. I'm probably done for a while. I need to go someplace and try a big $10,000-$20,000 unit. But at this point I'm not sure how much better it can get.

 

[grizzlybeast]

That is good news. Finally some more relativity on the home front. 

 

[iFi audio]

  I bought the iCAN Pro (take that spellcheck) from Kitsune HiFi dot com. Brand new but had slight shipping damage. Loose Knob damaged in shipping. I would like to thank Tim at Kitsune and Owen from Ifi replacing the unit toot-suite. New unit in less than a week. I am one real fussy SOB when it comes to customer service. If I have a bad meal in a restaurant oh-well, but if the service is horrible that is an entirely different deal. Owen responded Quickly to all my emails. Tim made sure all went smoothly. Big fan of Kitsune and Ifi. So on to the Meal (snack)
I'm no expert but I think I have heard and lived with some nice Gear. Master 11, Liquid Carbon, HDVD800, Bimby, Gumby. Holy Cow the iCAN Pro is a nice amp. I thought plugging my Holo Spring DAC Level 3 into the Master 11 was very special. But the iCAN Pro is on a whole upper level. Cleaner sound, far more detail, bigger soundstage in every direction. Did I say Far More Detail. I had started re-listening to my entire collection based on the Holo Spring DAC into the Master 11. Now I have to start all over.  The Bass boost control sounds great but is really not needed with my HD800's. I did not care for the 3D effect on the portable idsd. On the iDAC Pro it is utterly fantastic. It re-spaces the sound to appear you have a desktop, living room type placement. That is over-simplified. My Cavalli Liquid Carbon is a great amp. Love(d) it. But I tried it with the Holo Spring DAC and had to immediately put it away. I know, comparing $$ to $$$ isn't fair but the LC is no slouch at all. Lovely amp. Not selling it. I'm probably done for a while. I need to go someplace and try a big $10,000-$20,000 unit. But at this point I'm not sure how much better it can get.

defbear, thank you for this writing. We're happy that you like Pro iCan, apparently as much as we do

 

[defbear]

defbear, thank you for this writing. We're happy that you like Pro iCan, apparently as much as we do

It's really Boss!

Awesome Possum! - Robin Henkel

 

[iFi audio]

FYI, in iFi Audio Pro line thread there's some RMAF coverage worth checking out!