[Blasterinn]

I have the Sinxter and can attest to it's smoothness and the solid bass or low end control if you will. Have not tried the dc jumper mod.
I am using the Topping D70S as a dac.

 

[iFi audio]

UPDATE: Well, I'm going to embarrass myself here. It was the Schitt Pyst RCA cables ($20.00) that was the bottleneck. The Asgard3 pulls into the lead over the iDSD BL by a whisker. When I switched to a higher-end pair of Silver RCA cables ($200) between the iDSD BL and the Asgard3 the tables turned and the Asgard3 is on top in most ways. Rookie mistakes reviewing gear. I've learned something here. But, it effectively makes the Asgard 3 cost $400 to beat the iDSD BL amp section by a whisker. We must factor this cost into the equation. Now, I must do some very careful listening to determine, specifically, what and why the Asgard3 is superior in a way I can even explain it. Not sure I can pull that off.

Thanks for your feedback, it's highly entertaining and informative

And yes, cables matter!

 

[Chamade]

Yes, a reviewer compared the Jotenheim2 with the Singxer SA-1 and found the SA-1 superior only by a hair. Then after he installed the jumpers, he said the Singxer was at a whole other level higher than the Jot2 and clearly superior in almost every way.

I think I will skip the jumper mod since I’d have to break the warranty seal and also a little scared for my headphones.
Will return it or sell it here. Sticking to my transportable iFi/Dethonray setup and will probably put my money towards a pair of HE1000SE if I come across a sweet used deal.

 

[iFi audio]

will probably put my money towards a pair of HE1000SE

That's a good idea, those are great cans.

 

[Condocondor]

Keeping my iDSD BL and using it as a DAC into the Schitt Asgard 3 is a nice upgrade that only cost me $200 and sounds fantastic. It preserves the iDSD BL's strengths which are it's Burr Brown chips yet preserves the warmth and general tonality of the iDSD BL. You get better dynamics, sound stage, and detail and it still sounds luscious. That is what I've concluded. Don't sell your iDSD BL......take it with you into your next system!

 

[iFi audio]

Keeping my iDSD BL and using it as a DAC into the Schitt Asgard 3 is a nice upgrade that only cost me $200 and sounds fantastic. It preserves the iDSD BL's strengths which are it's Burr Brown chips yet preserves the warmth and general tonality of the iDSD BL. You get better dynamics, sound stage, and detail and it still sounds luscious. That is what I've concluded. Don't sell your iDSD BL......take it with you into your next system!

Those are wise words. It's always good to check how a DAC/amp product (any, not only our stuff ) works only as a DAC or amp if possible.

 

[Chamade]

Resurrecting this thread to mention how after using the Signature for weeks with the Arya I started becoming very sensitive to treble,
almost getting anxiety every time when I'd listen to a song with prominent highs.
Then went back to the Black Label...and damn...the sweet buttery warmth is back. No replacement for the Black Label!
iFi, please don't stop making warm transportable amps/dacs...they are necessary for us Hifiman users.

 

[squadgazzz]

they are necessary for us Hifiman users.

I totally agree with your statement except for the last part. I'm not a Hifiman user at all but I've also found BL much more enjoyable compared to Signature/Diablo.

 

[Condocondor]

Resurrecting this thread to mention how after using the Signature for weeks with the Arya I started becoming very sensitive to treble,
almost getting anxiety every time when I'd listen to a song with prominent highs.
Then went back to the Black Label...and damn...the sweet buttery warmth is back. No replacement for the Black Label!
iFi, please don't stop making warm transportable amps/dacs...they are necessary for us Hifiman users.

I totally agree with your statement except for the last part. I'm not a Hifiman user at all but I've also found BL much more enjoyable compared to Signature/Diablo.

Me three. I've tried using another DAC only to return to my Black Label. At this point, with the other DAC, I may see fit to acquire a Schitt Loki+ and use equalization. It appears the Black Label is like a crack addiction.

 

[iFi audio]

iFi, please don't stop making warm transportable amps/dacs...they are necessary for us Hifiman users.

Oiur house sound will remain within the same spectrum, don't worry

It appears the Black Label is like a crack addiction.

A healthy addiction it is then

 

[squadgazzz]

I've finally got iUSB 3.0 + Gemini 2.0. Going to test it with and without iGalvanic. Then will see if I still need iGalvanic in the scheme or if I should cop an iRack.
Behold, the monster...

Also, I think I need to compare it with Pro iDSD.

 

[iFi audio]

e finally got iUSB 3.0 + Gemini 2.0. Going to test it with and without iGalvanic. Then will see if I still need iGalvanic in the scheme or if I should cop an iRack.
Behold, the monster...

Also, I think I need to compare it with Pro iDSD.

It is a monster indeed! But are you using iPurifier and iUSB3.0 at the same time?

 

[squadgazzz]

It is a monster indeed! But are you using iPurifier and iUSB3.0 at the same time?

I use iPurifier only like a USB-B to USB-A adapter. Have no idea why USB-A female is used in BL.

 

[iFi audio]

Have no idea why USB-A female is used in BL.

The product was designed as a transportable device meant to work with smarthphones, and its USB inpup accepts Apple's CCK perfectly

In short, this was done for mechanical reliability.

 

[squadgazzz]

Well, few days after I have to admit that iGalvanic brings very minor changes over iUSB. I personally can't even consider these changes as improvements. It gives a bit better bass control and a less relaxed sound(more technical, like with iDSD Signature). Comparing iGalvanic and iUSB as separate standalone solutions, I'd say they both are great and brings iDSD micro BL to a completely new level. iUSB would give you more energy and air than iGalvanic but you will also lose transportability.
So for everyone I would suggest three options:
A. iGalvanic + iPurifier for those who really need transportability
B. iUSB + iPurifier if you need TOTL solution with warm sound
C. iGalvanic + iUSB + iPurifier for TOTL warm and more technical sound

I haven't decided yet to keep or sell iGalvanic, but swapping iGalvanic+Mercury3.0+Gemini2.0 to Gemini3.0 sound more attractive to me