[dcguy73]

I just want to be clear that opening up and changing the tubes in the iCan Pro most likely invalidates your warranty.

 

[Skooks]

Just to add to the what we are using with the iFi Pro iCan... I have a 2014 27" iMac with 36 GB RAM and 251 GB Flash drive. I use an external HD to keep my music files on, and connect it via Thunderbolt connectors. I have an Auralic Vega DAC/DSD. And, I have Audeze LCD-3F Headphones with a balanced Norne Audio Draug 3 Headphone Cable. All are balanced.

 

[dcguy73]

While the new WE 2C51 tubes are still burning in, I have a good impression of their sound. They are very linear and accurate sounding, a lot like the solid state mode of the iCan but a little relaxed in comparison with a little more warmth and a little more body. If you like the "tubey"/euphoric sound of the stock tubes, then stick with those. That's probably part of the reason that iFi used the GE 5670s as the stock tubes.

 

[FarPoint]

I too have opened up my Pro iCan. Reason, the songs started dropping for a few seconds then it would be back. Repeating several times before working great again. But 5 minutes later it would drop again, red power light on each time it dropped. I did email ifs support (This is my second iCan, first had a tube problem after a month in December), they asked the standard troubleshooting questions, (I have been a electronic technician since 1972). All this to say I put in another pair of GE 5670 tubes (warranty bye, bye), these from Tube World Inc. All Problems went away.
Since then I collected some Sylvania 5670. Another pair of GE and a pair of RCA JRC 5670. I've got a pair of Bendix 2C51 coming from Brent Jessee of Audio Tubes. Let the tube rolling begin.

 

[gto88]

I too have opened up my Pro iCan. Reason, the songs started dropping for a few seconds then it would be back. Repeating several times before working great again. But 5 minutes later it would drop again, red power light on each time it dropped. I did email ifs support (This is my second iCan, first had a tube problem after a month in December), they asked the standard troubleshooting questions, (I have been a electronic technician since 1972). All this to say I put in another pair of GE 5670 tubes (warranty bye, bye), these from Tube World Inc. All Problems went away.
Since then I collected some Sylvania 5670. Another pair of GE and a pair of RCA JRC 5670. I've got a pair of Bendix 2C51 coming from Brent Jessee of Audio Tubes. Let the tube rolling begin.

I thought that iCan Pro is not able to swap tubes.
Looks like some are doing it now.

Is it easy to swap? ( I meant to replacing manual work, is it easy?)
And I see you have gathered some compatible tubes, care to share the list.

Thanks.

 

[FarPoint]

goto88

The tubes I've purchased are;

Pair of 5670 Sylvania gray plates square getter halo NOS around 1960 and a pair of GE NOS JG-5670 black plates triple mica D getter halo 1950. Both from Tube World, INC
Pair GE JAN 5670 black plates (in iCan now) and a pair of RCA JRC 5670 grey plates. These from TcTubes.
Last is the Bendix Red Bank labeled 2C51 coming from Audio Tubes.
Take care.

 

[gto88]

goto88

The tubes I've purchased are;

Pair of 5670 Sylvania gray plates square getter halo NOS around 1960 and a pair of GE NOS JG-5670 black plates triple mica D getter halo 1950. Both from Tube World, INC
Pair GE JAN 5670 black plates (in iCan now) and a pair of RCA JRC 5670 grey plates. These from TcTubes.
Last is the Bendix Red Bank labeled 2C51 coming from Audio Tubes.
Take care.

@FarPoint , that are many to begin with, thanks for the information.
When you have time, maybe you can give us your comparison of those tubes.

Cheer,

 

[FarPoint]

goto88

I'll try, but you must understand that I plan on retiring soon and am taking my time on my electronics. So, I'll be working on the honey-do-lists.

 

[iFi audio]

Let us just leave this here....

The Sound & Vision Bristol Show 2018 is in the past now. Things happened there, oh yes they did!



Yup, that's our full Pro rig on the Pro iRack.



Some people were impressed more than just 'mildly'....



And we had someone (aka The Cap'n) in there to answer the most technical questions there are.

 

[bfmcosta]

Let us just leave this here....

The Sound & Vision Bristol Show 2018 is in the past now. Things happened there, oh yes they did!



Yup, that's our full Pro rig on the Pro iRack.



Some people were impressed more than just 'mildly'....



And we had someone (aka The Cap'n) in there to answer the most technical questions there are.

iFi Audio,

How does the headphone amplifier in the iDSD Pro compares to the one in the iCan Pro?

Can you share the estimated launch date?

 

[iFi audio]

iFi Audio,

How does the headphone amplifier in the iDSD Pro compares to the one in the iCan Pro?

Can you share the estimated launch date?

Launch date is for the 15th of March.

I will get back to you about the comparison.

Best wishes

iFi audio team

 

[iFi audio]

iFi Audio,

How does the headphone amplifier in the iDSD Pro compares to the one in the iCan Pro?

Can you share the estimated launch date?

Hi bfmcosta

There is no "headphone amplifier" in the iDSD Pro. Just a gainstage/linedriver that is sufficient powerful to drive many headphones directly, however doing so is clearly a compromise over using a dedicated HP Amplifier. It is more than adequate for anyone occasionally using headphones while mostly using a speaker based system. However, unlike the iCAN Pro it is not optimised for every headphone it drives, it cannot drive as wide a range of headphones as the iCAN Pro and it lacks the sonic controls offered by the iCAN Pro. It should be seen as a state-of-the-art DAC, which if needed may drive headphones, not as Headphone Amplifier that accidentally had some "normal DAC" fitted.

I hope that this answers your query.

Best wishes

iFi audio team

 

[bfmcosta]

Hi bfmcosta

There is no "headphone amplifier" in the iDSD Pro. Just a gainstage/linedriver that is sufficient powerful to drive many headphones directly, however doing so is clearly a compromise over using a dedicated HP Amplifier. It is adequate for anyone occasionally using headphones while mostly using a speaker based system. However, unlike the iCAN Pro it is not optimised for headphone drives, it cannot drive as wide a range of headphones as the iCAN Pro and it lacks the sonic controls offered by the iCAN Pro. It should be seen as a state of the art DAC, which if needed may drive headphones, not as Headphone Amplifier that accidentally had some "normal DAC" fitted.

I hope that this answers your query.

Best wishes

iFi audio team

Thanks iFi team! I am not really an expert to understand those technical differences, but if I understood correctly, in that case I assume an iFi Micro iDSD will still be a better option than the new Pro iDSD if it is to be used mostly with Headphones, in this case the Sennheiser HD800. Does this make sense? Thanks!

 

[Katie88]

Thanks iFi team! I am not really an expert to understand those technical differences, but if I understood correctly, in that case I assume an iFi Micro iDSD will still be a better option than the new Pro iDSD if it is to be used mostly with Headphones, in this case the Sennheiser HD800. Does this make sense? Thanks!

Basically, the iDSD micro offers more options as a headphone amplifier than the Pro iDSD (such as XBass, 3D sound stage correction and different matching possibilities etc.), but the DAC part won’t be nearly as good as the Pro iDSD.

Also the micro is portable (with its own battery) for use with a mobile phone too, if needed

The Pro iCAN doesn’t have a DAC at all, but is an amazing headphone amp (and pre-amp too), with all the headphone options the iDSD micro offers and many more as well as valve (tube) options.

If you have the cash, I’d purchase the iDSD micro for use alongside the Pro iCAN. - and if you have tonnes of cash, then the Pro ICan and the Pro iDSD to work together.

Between the Pro iDSD and the iDSD micro, If you’re looking mainly for headphone experience, I imagine the filters the iDSD micro offer probably outweigh the benefits of the superior DAC from the PRO.

But with a good pair of headphones like the HD800s, I would be wanting somehow to include the Pro iCAN in my set-up, as I have a feeling that the valve option on this amplifier would work particularly well with the HD800s

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks iFi team! I am not really an expert to understand those technical differences, but if I understood correctly, in that case I assume an iFi Micro iDSD will still be a better option than the new Pro iDSD if it is to be used mostly with Headphones, in this case the Sennheiser HD800. Does this make sense? Thanks!

Hi bfmcosta

I would say that the micro iDSD and the Pro iDSD are two very different animals.

The micro iDSD will certainly drive the Sennheisers - I'd describe it as an excellent, luxurious family car, excellent quality and perfect for everyday use.
The Pro is the convertible from the same range with the BIG engine and certainly a showstopper.
People generally choose the one that suits their listening habits and their budget. Both are excellent depending on your needs and wants.

Best wishes

iFi audio team