What the $^&# heck is it?.........iFi iEMatch!

[iFi audio]

I bought the IEMatch and hey, this thing is really good: it actually improves the sound quality since it "opens" the sound much more than without… it is much clearer.

Thanks and enjoy!

 

[Avenida]

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[glassmonkey]

Hey. I've tried all the iFi products I can get my hands on - IEMatch, iSilencer 3, iPurifier 3, AC Purifier... Running a few of them right now. IEMatch works well, but I feel it crushes dynamic range a little in return for less hiss. It would be great for the IEMatch be able to match the impedance output of the amp/DAC/headphones as closely as possible in order for the product to become more of a passthrough. What I've found with iFi products is they do the job that's advertised but the result isn't the most neutral and modifies the original sound.

I've heard changes in sound with IEMatch on some but not all IEMs (Campfire Atlas was one). I use it not just to bust hiss, but to fix amp/iem frequency distortions. The Questyle QP2R can cause some elevated warmth and when comparing the same IEM on the Soundaware M2Pro, the IEMatch makes them sound more similar to the M2Pro when using the QP2R in terms of warmth. The M2Pro is still brighter, but with IEMatch, the QP2R thumb on warmth is mitigated.

With regards to hiss-busting, whether it changes dynamic range depends on the IEM and source. Could you tell us some of what you are using?

 

[Avenida]

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[glassmonkey]

Sure!

XI Code motherboard -> iFi iSilencer3.0 -> AudioQuest Cinnamon -> iFi iPurifier3 -> Mytek Liberty -> Roon with no DSP -> iFi IEMatch -> JH Roxanne Pro

Interesting combo. I'm surprised the Liberty hisses given its 0.1 ohm output impedance. Could be from the power, maybe. Have you tried a power conditioner?

 

[Avenida]

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[Avenida]

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[iFi audio]

I honestly think the two do the same thing, just at different price points and with different sound characteristics.

In principle, audible input of iPurifier and iSilencer is quite similar. Their action means less junk in music, hence it's less grainy and arfiticial, but more flowing and vivid. The difference is in measures used in both products to do that, but on the basic level you got it right.

With regards to hiss-busting, whether it changes dynamic range depends on the IEM and source.

I agree. As a manufacturer we did our best to make iEMatch as universal as possible. Still there are so many products it can work with that we can't exclude unusual interactions once in a while.

 

[Avenida]

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[iFi audio]

It makes sense that if your gear is properly designed, you won't need any sort of conditioning product.

... or it depends on how much junk goes into your audio rig and how clearly it shows that it's there

I don't feel like the USB conditioning products do much after swapping to the correct IEC cable for my DAC, which cleared up the source of issues that products like the iPurifier are trying to solve.

Power conditioners, cables and USB products fundamentally reduce incoming noise and they stack. If you need only one to have this base covered, that's great as you don't have to spend money on extra cleaners!

 

[Avenida]

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[iFi audio]

In the end I bought the iPurifier3 because I heard an audible difference in clarity. It's a really cool product!

Much appreciated! For its size it really does a lot and yes, improved clarity and cleaner background are its specialties.

 

[HaBo]

What are the drawbacks of using 2 ie-match (not only 1) with an amp wich is very powerfull and sensitive iems ?

 

[iFi audio]

What are the drawbacks of using 2 ie-match (not only 1) with an amp wich is very powerfull and sensitive iems ?

You have two extra items in your audio chain, so extra connections in-between and potential drawbacks that come along with them. But other than this, if you need to stack multiple iEMatch devices, I see no issues.

 

[mattris]

The Geshelli Labs Erish headphone amplifier only has a balanced 4-pin XLR out. Used in conjunction with a 4-Pin XLR to 3.5mm balanced female 4-pole adapter, will the iFi iEMatch 3.5mm convert the balanced signal to SE so that I can listen to my SE (3.5mm cable) headphones with the Erish?