Hi Aero,
Quote:
Rich, I'm coming from a similar scenario as yours. Having all three modules makes your opinion pretty valuable, actually. Any thoughts on using the iDAC alone vs. with the iUSB and iCAN? What made the purchase more favorable than an alternative rig of the same cost?
Forgive me, but I do not have a lot of experience with electronics for headphones. I don't actually much like listening to headphones, but they banned us from having speakers on our desks or radios even in small offices. So headphones are the only option. Over the years I tried some amplifiers for the office (a Rega and a Creek) and they did not do much for me over just using my Laptop's headphone out. What I always have liked for headphones are Stax, but they are really not what I'd call portable, don't go that loud and they cost a lot of dosh.
I came across the iFi stuff at the Whittlesbury show in September, where they had a dedicated headphone section this year. I was only having a butchers, not looking to buy anything. I had quite a bit of a listen to different kit. Stax was impressive as ever, the rest was mostly not all that brilliant, in fact, quite a bit of stuff was pants. I fancied the Audise (that what they are called?) Headphones, but they are not well made, almost not portable and rather dear.
I also came across iFi, a quick listen with the Sennheiser phones their were showing with convinced me it was quite something else. So I had a good chinwag with Vincent from iFi about it all. After that I had a long listen with my own headphones and really liked what I heard.
The biggest thing for me is the "3D sound" switch on the headphone amp. It's totally amazing. The Stax always sounded most open and un-headphone like to me, but even with my headphones this 3D sound thing pulls the music out of my head and put's in front of me, no Stax I remember ever did quite that. Plus the way the headphone amp sounds very smooth and tube like and I fancy tubes.
I originally only wanted the headphone amp, but after listening to it from the laptop they where playing with I decided to get the full stack, it still was not all that dear, next to some of the stuff on show that was totally pants. Most frustrating was the waiting time to get the kit! As I do not have any headphone gear hear I cannot really compare to anything to make it easier for you guys, sorry. Maybe I need to ask Gazza to borrow some of his amplifiers, well another time.
I tried the iDac from my Laptop in my home system against my Naim CDS. The iDac sounded quite good, maybe it could have been even better if I had used better cables, I used the ones they bunged in the box with the iDac. The CDS was ahead on that bounce and rhythm thing it does so well and sounded maybe a bit more exciting, making me more involved with the music. The iDac sounded a tad smoother and had better depth but it was not miles different in a lot of ways. Not bad for under 300 quid. Adding the Power thing did give the iDAC better rhythm and it sound had even more depth and width, it still sounded maybe a little too smooth for my taste, in my big system, but I certainly could get used to it.
I did try the Headphone Output from the iDac, it drove my headphones well and because it can run directly from the Laptop on battery power it is an option for longer train rides or flights. I have not yet had a chance to try that way, the ride to and from Paddington is too short really, so I am just running of my Smartphone. The iDac does sound a lot better than my Smartphone, that is for sure. In the office I always use the whole stack with the amplifier. I bought it mainly for the "3D sound" (other sound quality too of course) and it sounds totally brilliant. It it's own way as enjoyable and involving as my big system at home!
I'm now looking for a much better headphone than my current Audio Technica's at a sensible price (say under 400 quid). I know the AT's ain't that great They did surprisingly well, much better than I expected, when I got try some of Gazza's headphones recently (including some lalaland priced Sennheisers). So far only the Sennheisers said "buy me now", but at that price, bloody daylight robbery! I may be called Rich, but I ain't THAT loaded!
I hope this helps.
Cheers Rich