[tonyo442]

I can't see there is anything special about iFI power supply that another good quality low output noise power supply cannot accomplish.



I happened to be using this exact power supply with good results, and improved SQ in both detail level and dynamic.

hello, I think we must give time to ifi pro to improve their diet, yet professionals like Naim think about it for a long time and took seriously their external power supplies, adapting them to the improvements and accessible to all bugets,
tong

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, it's that time of a year, you know... eggs and all that jazz. Hence please allow us to leave our critter here:



... aaaaand that's it! Right? RIGHT?!?

Well, nope.

We have something very special to share with you tomorrow. Very, very special.

Stay tuned!

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, you probably know already that our big MQA update is here already. We still have some aces left up in our sleeves, but for the sake of spreading the good word, we'll post our official release here as well:

Extra Ordinary MQA Easter Egg

Introduction

With Easter just around the corner, iFi audio has delivered an eagerly anticipated upgrade option as a very special Easter gift.

iFi first introduced MQA into its product mix with the nano iDSD Black Label in November 2017. Since then, iFi customers across the globe have been asking when this option would be available in other iFi products. The good news is that the latest improvements to the nano Black Label firmware version 5.30, ‘Cookies & Cream’, does just that.

Mqa for all

This latest firmware flavour not only adds the latest scoop to the nano iDSD Black Label sundae but it also dishes out MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio to the full range* of iFi audio products going back to 2013!

This ‘legacy’ update means that you can now download the MQA upgrade (PC and Mac) straight from the Support section of iFi’s website at no extra cost.

Mqa optimised

Firmware version 5.30 will optimise your device for MQA and can handle up to DSD256 and PCM384. Enjoy the MQA magic like never before.



And Finally…

None of the above would have been possible without the MQA software engineers who worked tirelessly alongside the iFi software team to make this unique opportunity happen. Thank you.

Go to https://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/mqa-firmware/ to enjoy your upgrade.

This firmware provides MQA rendering as this is the ideal solution for portable products and those with power considerations. This means the workload is shared between the host (the computer) and the client (the DAC). The listener will still enjoy full MQA experience.

For more information on MQA, go to http://www.mqa.co.uk/customer/how-it-works

Legacy

*The only exception is the original iDAC.

 

[iFi audio]

Easter ‘Bug Bounty’ Hunt.
Hunt 'em, wherever they are...



Introduction

Our just announced firmware v5.30 is MQA capable and in one fell swoop, elevates legacy iFi products* with MQA capability for even more sonic enjoyment.

The MQA integration was a little difficult. It involved:

1. Totally replacing the customised core code
2. Re-apply tuning/core loading and
3. Further fine tuning the firmware for even more precise allocated resource use in order to allow us to support MQA and 384kHz.

To bring all this to fruition required the combined efforts of the MQA and iFi software developers or a total of +1,000 programming hours to deliver firmware v5.30 (excluding testing on all iFi legacy units).

Notwithstanding, there may still be one or two software bugs we have not quashed – hence we would like to involve you, the customer – in the Easter Bug Hunt.

More details are to be found in this thread:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-easter-‘bug-bounty’-hunt.876057/

 

[dcguy73]

Aww, you guys are great! I like manufacturers that continue to support their older products with upgrades.

 

[Katie88]

Folks, you probably know already that our big MQA update is here already. We still have some aces left up in our sleeves, but for the sake of spreading the good word, we'll post our official release here as well:

Extra Ordinary MQA Easter Egg

Introduction

With Easter just around the corner, iFi audio has delivered an eagerly anticipated upgrade option as a very special Easter gift.

iFi first introduced MQA into its product mix with the nano iDSD Black Label in November 2017. Since then, iFi customers across the globe have been asking when this option would be available in other iFi products. The good news is that the latest improvements to the nano Black Label firmware version 5.30, ‘Cookies & Cream’, does just that.

Mqa for all

This latest firmware flavour not only adds the latest scoop to the nano iDSD Black Label sundae but it also dishes out MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio to the full range* of iFi audio products going back to 2013!

This ‘legacy’ update means that you can now download the MQA upgrade (PC and Mac) straight from the Support section of iFi’s website at no extra cost.

Mqa optimised

Firmware version 5.30 will optimise your device for MQA and can handle up to DSD256 and PCM384. Enjoy the MQA magic like never before.



And Finally…

None of the above would have been possible without the MQA software engineers who worked tirelessly alongside the iFi software team to make this unique opportunity happen. Thank you.

Go to https://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/mqa-firmware/ to enjoy your upgrade.

This firmware provides MQA rendering as this is the ideal solution for portable products and those with power considerations. This means the workload is shared between the host (the computer) and the client (the DAC). The listener will still enjoy full MQA experience.

For more information on MQA, go to http://www.mqa.co.uk/customer/how-it-works

Legacy

*The only exception is the original iDAC.

Thanks!

 

[Beolab]

Got the IFi iCan Pro home for testing and comparison to my reference amp; Moon 600i by SimAudio.



Some thoughts after 1,5 week of burn in and listening test: ( 200 hours burn in with signal passing through on medium volume)

The Ican Pro ( on Tube setting ) wIth the XBass and 3D Holographic set to off, connected with balanced XLR Nordost Valhalla 2 fed buy dCS Puccini SACD/DAC + dCS Puccini Master Clock ( -0,1 ppm jitter value) i
find the the Ifi to be a extreme transient fast amp, with great control / separation. The sound is very precise and handles all sorts of complex music with a glance. It projects eveything like an big Krell FBI amp.
On these parameters the iCan Pro is one of the best headphone amps on the market, or if not the best. ( i have tested about 25 high end headphone / speaker amps the last 3 years time)

Cons:

What i miss out is the musicallity in terms of dynamics , vividness, depth, nuances , air around notes , some micro detail, and it need alot more weight on voices, drums , strings and brass instruments.
It sounds like the tonal setting is raised / elevated, so a gitarr does not sound real, more like a synthetic version for example. Frank Sinatra sounds thin and not genuine , but it is not vail either, It needs more musicallity / warmth in my taste to move your soul just.

It is probably the best headphone amp for a Pro or a amatur studio because of its up right monitor sound.

So the things it does great the Ican Pro does really good, but it needs more refinement and tuning of the musicality from iFi, is my final conclution for my taste.

The Ifi micro BL sounds more vivid, and musical with nuaces and got great warmth. The BL cannot compare with the Ican Pro’s greater aspects i have mention, but it is better in overall musicality, but not as transparent.

The Moon 600i is not that transient fast as the Ican Pro , but it is silky smooth , and calm , airy and musical, with a huge power current reserve on tap so the music sounds more dynamic and overall lifelike. A string or voice sounds very impressive lifelike and got a visceral feel to the sound, but is not that overal consequent and stable as the Ican Pro is, the 600i performance can vary slightly.

( SS , Tube , Tube+ was tested, but i find the tube mode to sound more robust than the other two modes.)


So if iFi got some recomendation to try out any tweak, i am glad to test it out to make it sound more musical.

Test equipment:


Headphones: Jps Labs Abyss Phi

Source Material: SACD and DSD , DXD , Tidal 16/44.1 - 24/48 tracks.

Streamer: dCS Network Bridge

Dac’s:
dCS Puccini SACD / DSD DAC and Transport.
Master Word.clock: dCS Puccini U-Clock PUC Ver.2

Chord Hugo 2
Chord Mojo
Chord DAVE/BluII
Ifi iDSD micro Black Lable

( Amps in comparision Ifi Micro iDSD Black Label , Moon 600i V1, Wells Audio Headtrip ,

Power: Isotek Sirius Black Ed.
CAD GC1 Ground control
AudioQuest NRG1000 cables

Other equipment used:

MIT Oracle MA-X Digital Word.Clocking BNC-BNC cables with passive articulation system.

Nordost Valhalla 2 1 meter XLR
Artisan Silver Cabels XLR
Wire World Platinum Eclipse XLR
Harmonix XLR

 

[ufospls2]

Got the IFi iCan Pro home for testing and comparison to my reference amp; Moon 600i by SimAudio.



Some thoughts after 1,5 week of burn in and listening test: ( 200 hours burn in with signal passing through on medium volume)

The Ican Pro ( on Tube setting ) wIth the XBass and 3D Holographic set to off, connected with balanced XLR Nordost Valhalla 2 fed buy dCS Puccini SACD/DAC + dCS Puccini Master Clock ( -0,1 ppm jitter value) i
find the the Ifi to be a extreme transient fast amp, with great control / separation. The sound is very precise and handles all sorts of complex music with a glance. It projects eveything like an big Krell FBI amp.
On these parameters the iCan Pro is one of the best headphone amps on the market, or if not the best. ( i have tested about 25 high end headphone / speaker amps the last 3 years time)

Cons:

What i miss out is the musicallity in terms of dynamics , vividness, depth, nuances , air around notes , some micro detail, and it need alot more weight on voices, drums , strings and brass instruments.
It sounds like the tonal setting is raised / elevated, so a gitarr does not sound real, more like a synthetic version for example. Frank Sinatra sounds thin and not genuine , but it is not vail either, It needs more musicallity / warmth in my taste to move your soul just.

It is probably the best headphone amp for a Pro or a amatur studio because of its up right monitor sound.

So the things it does great the Ican Pro does really good, but it needs more refinement and tuning of the musicality from iFi, is my final conclution for my taste.

The Ifi micro BL sounds more vivid, and musical with nuaces and got great warmth. The BL cannot compare with the Ican Pro’s greater aspects i have mention, but it is better in overall musicality, but not as transparent.

The Moon 600i is not that transient fast as the Ican Pro , but it is silky smooth , and calm , airy and musical, with a huge power current reserve on tap so the music sounds more dynamic and overall lifelike. A string or voice sounds very impressive lifelike and got a visceral feel to the sound, but is not that overal consequent and stable as the Ican Pro is, the 600i performance can vary slightly.

( SS , Tube , Tube+ was tested, but i find the tube mode to sound more robust than the other two modes.)


So iFi got some recomendation to try out any tweak, i am glad to test it out to make it sound more musical.

Test equipment:


Headphones: Jps Labs Abyss Phi

Source Material: SACD and DSD , DXD , Tidal 16/44.1 - 24/48 tracks.

Streamer: dCS Network Bridge

Dac’s:
dCS Puccini SACD / DSD DAC and Transport.
Master Word.clock: dCS Puccini U-Clock PUC Ver.2

Chord Hugo 2
Chord Mojo
Chord DAVE/BluII
Ifi iDSD micro Black Lable

( Amps in comparision Ifi Micro iDSD Black Label , Moon 600i V1, Wells Audio Headtrip ,

Power: Isotek Sirius Black Ed.
CAD GC1 Ground control
AudioQuest NRG1000 cables

Other equipment used:

MIT Oracle MA-X Digital Word.Clocking BNC-BNC cables with passive articulation system.

Nordost Valhalla 2 1 meter XLR
Artisan Silver Cabels XLR
Wire World Platinum Eclipse XLR
Harmonix XLR

Wow your system really has evolved wonderfully over time. I would love to hear it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Pro iCAN. Out of curiosity, how are you connecting your Abyss Phi to the 600i these days?

 

[Beolab]

Wow your system really has evolved wonderfully over time. I would love to hear it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Pro iCAN. Out of curiosity, how are you connecting your Abyss Phi to the 600i these days?

Thanks, yes i have collected a few heavier items during the last two years.

I am using a DHC Flagella 4x Banana Iridium plugs - a 4 pin XLR Female adapter connected to the speaker taps, and the sound is like listen to a real ultra high end Mono blocks with the Dual mono 600i V2.

 

[dcguy73]

@Beolab, one thing you could try to improve the sound of the iCan Pro (especially since you like the tube setting) is to change out the tubes for a better pair. The standard tubes are not the best for showcasing its potential. It's not a very difficult task, if you're comfortable with opening up the chassis and replacing the tubes. I switched to Western Electric 2C51 tubes, and the soundstage improved and the sound was much more linear, but still with a touch of warmth.

 

[Beolab]

I only bout it for testing and reviewing it against a 5 times more expensive amp primarily, to see how it should hold up.

It is pretty linear as it is from scratch, but it is not so musically involving, that is the problem. It is to straight forward from the ground design, and that is a little strange if you compare it to the AMR 77 Amp that is from the same designers.

 

[tonyo442]

[QUOTE = "dcguy73, poste: 14152962, membre: 482877"] [USER = 423849] @Beolab [/ USER], une chose que vous pourriez essayer d'améliorer le son de l'iCan Pro (surtout que vous aimez le réglage du tube) est changer les tubes pour une meilleure paire. Les tubes standards ne sont pas les meilleurs pour mettre en valeur son potentiel. Ce n'est pas une tâche très difficile, si vous êtes à l'aise avec l'ouverture du châssis et le remplacement des tubes. Je suis passé aux tubes Western Electric 2C51, et la scène sonore s'est améliorée et le son était beaucoup plus linéaire, mais toujours avec une touche de chaleur. [/ QUOTE]

@Beolab, one thing you could try to improve the sound of the iCan Pro (especially since you like the tube setting) is to change out the tubes for a better pair. The standard tubes are not the best for showcasing its potential. It's not a very difficult task, if you're comfortable with opening up the chassis and replacing the tubes. I switched to Western Electric 2C51 tubes, and the soundstage improved and the sound was much more linear, but still with a touch of warmth.

hello, thanks for the advice on the change of tube, I think that ifi pro should be more tolerant on the change of tubes without losing the garentie, with a choice of tubes a more important that it would make them themselves, as long as the reference is the same, there is only the sonnor color that could change,

 

[Currawong]

@Beolab, one thing you could try to improve the sound of the iCan Pro (especially since you like the tube setting) is to change out the tubes for a better pair. The standard tubes are not the best for showcasing its potential. It's not a very difficult task, if you're comfortable with opening up the chassis and replacing the tubes. I switched to Western Electric 2C51 tubes, and the soundstage improved and the sound was much more linear, but still with a touch of warmth.

Don't you have to use adaptors for those? I have a pair and they are an amazing tube indeed.

 

[dcguy73]

Don't you have to use adaptors for those? I have a pair and they are an amazing tube indeed.

Nope, no adapter needed.

 

[Skooks]

Those WE tubes kick the Pro iCan up a notch... fantastic sounding amp with the tube upgrade!
And, flexibility is a strong suit for the Pro iCan... tweak it to please your taste.
Today I upgraded my DAC... I went from the PS Audio DirectStream Junior to its big brother... the full blown DirectStream. I’m a long way from having it and new XLR interconnects broken in... but this combo has already kicked the Pro iCan into another level. Great sound!!