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

[iFi audio]

My review on iEMatch 2.5 is live now!

It is a very specific tool for a very specific job, but does exactly what it is meant to, and if you ever had hiss, now you can totally remove with with a sleek solution that won't add bulk to your listening setup.

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.com/2018/06/ifi-iematch-25-balanced-matching.html

Quality work, much appreciated!

 

[haoyuan]

I’ve been using the iematch 2.5 with my andromeda for the past few months, and I am beginning to have problems with audible static when I wiggle the iematch. I found the weak point, being the cable end of the 2.5mm connector. When I move it in specific ways it will create static and I know from experience that this is the beginning symptoms of an eventual complete disconnect.

I don’t commute or even walk around while using the iematch, as it’s always been used as a part of my stack. I’m puzzled at how this is possible but then again a device like iematch adds many more points of failure on the connection from IEM to device.

Anybody else have experience with a failing IEMatch?

 

[GREQ]

Last call!

So boneofimba can you please PM or email: press@ifi-audio.com

And also:

Larethio
mbrayf
GregQ
Justrest

You have till Monday 26 Sept 00.00 GMT to drop us a PM or an email.

This is the final time and no more names will be drawn outta the hat!

I assume @GREQ is meant.

Yes,

@GREQ

Thank you!

Amazing... I just noticed this now because of the naming error 0_o

 

[haoyuan]

I've found a solution for connector replacement that actually improves the functionality of the 2.5mm IEMatch! After the connection became loose on the connector of my iematch, I've since been looked for other connectors I can use to compliment the iematchl. Browsing Aliexpress I've found these plugs (link) that are actually swappable after soldering. I've bought a set and had since added it to the iematch 2.5. I didn't think much of how convenient it would become but now I can use the IEmatch to get balanced sound via 4.4 or 2.5 connections or single ended using the 3.5mm. All which makes it much easier as I don't need various connectors anymore to fit the IEmatch into a chain of connections.

 

[iFi audio]

I've found a solution for connector replacement that actually improves the functionality of the 2.5mm IEMatch! After the connection became loose on the connector of my iematch, I've since been looked for other connectors I can use to compliment the iematchl. Browsing Aliexpress I've found these plugs (link) that are actually swappable after soldering. I've bought a set and had since added it to the iematch 2.5. I didn't think much of how convenient it would become but now I can use the IEmatch to get balanced sound via 4.4 or 2.5 connections or single ended using the 3.5mm. All which makes it much easier as I don't need various connectors anymore to fit the IEmatch into a chain of connections.

That's clever.

Folks, just a quick bit of nfo: if you're going to attend this year's RMAF in Denver (Colorado), at our booth we'll update firmware of any non-Pro iDSD machine by iFi audio to 5.3C. Why? Most people can get this done on their own, but if you're in need of assistance and would like to get familiar with our GTO filter, we're there for you! Please bring your hardware to our booth and we'll do the rest!

 

[harpo1]

That's clever.

Folks, just a quick bit of nfo: if you're going to attend this year's RMAF in Denver (Colorado), at our booth we'll update firmware of any non-Pro iDSD machine by iFi audio to 5.3C. Why? Most people can get this done on their own, but if you're in need of assistance and would like to get familiar with our GTO filter, we're there for you! Please bring your hardware to our booth and we'll do the rest!

Since upgrading to 5.3C my led is yellow even when playing hifi songs on Tidal. This wasn't the case on 5.3. Is this the way it's suppose to be now?

Edit: This is on the Micro iDSD BL

Edit #2: I went back to 5.3 and it works like it's suppose to. Hifi tracks are green and MQA yellow so it appears there's a bug in 5.3C.

 

[iFi audio]

Since upgrading to 5.3C my led is yellow even when playing hifi songs on Tidal. This wasn't the case on 5.3. Is this the way it's suppose to be now?

Edit: This is on the Micro iDSD BL

Edit #2: I went back to 5.3 and it works like it's suppose to. Hifi tracks are green and MQA yellow so it appears there's a bug in 5.3C.

Not a bug. In case of 5.3C the GTO filter applied to PCM files = yellow colour. MQA files playback on micro iDSD BL = also yellow colour: https://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

Works as intended.

In case of say nano iDSD BL, with 5.3C MQA = purple LED and PCM = yellow LED.

 

[harpo1]

Not a bug. In case of 5.3C the GTO filter applied to PCM files = yellow colour. MQA files playback on micro iDSD BL = also yellow colour: https://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

Works as intended.

In case of say nano iDSD BL, with 5.3C MQA = purple LED and PCM = yellow LED.

Even if that filter is not selected?

 

[iFi audio]

Even if that filter is not selected?

Once you install the 5.3C firmware, the GTO filter is always ON, hence the yellow LED is also ON. The only option to switch it off is to install either 5.3 or 5.2 firmware instead.

 

[harpo1]

Once you install the 5.3C firmware, the GTO filter is always ON, hence the yellow LED is also ON. The only option to switch it off is to install either 5.3 or 5.2 firmware instead.

Thanks for the info.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

@iFi audio We are having a good deal of discussion on the Emotiva A-100 amp thread about whether or not the iEMatch is a good solution for the issues we're having with the amp. This amp, if you are unfamiliar, is a 50w per channel stereo amp that has an option to send the full power of the speaker ampplifier to the headphone output (8.5w at 50 ohms!) by installing supplied jumpers that bypass the resistors in front of the headphone out. With these jumpers installed, many headphones have noticeable hiss/white noise and very little useable range on the volume knob, which is no surprise considering the power level.

We are wondering if this would be a situation the iEMatch could help with. Are there any power handling limits of the device? Is the iEMatch suited to use with full size, high impedance cans? This is obviously an extreme case with a stereo speaker amp being used directly with headphones, so we'd like some input from iFi if possible.

P.S. I've also been asked to inquire if the Ear Buddy would be well-suited for this situation and whether the more expensive iEMatch is necessary.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio We are having a good deal of discussion on the Emotiva A-100 amp thread about whether or not the iEMatch is a good solution for the issues we're having with the amp. This amp, if you are unfamiliar, is a 50w per channel stereo amp that has an option to send the full power of the speaker ampplifier to the headphone output (8.5w at 50 ohms!) by installing supplied jumpers that bypass the resistors in front of the headphone out. With these jumpers installed, many headphones have noticeable hiss/white noise and very little useable range on the volume knob, which is no surprise considering the power level.

We are wondering if this would be a situation the iEMatch could help with. Are there any power handling limits of the device? Is the iEMatch suited to use with full size, high impedance cans? This is obviously an extreme case with a stereo speaker amp being used directly with headphones, so we'd like some input from iFi if possible.

P.S. I've also been asked to inquire if the Ear Buddy would be well-suited for this situation and whether the more expensive iEMatch is necessary.

The correct solution for the Emotiva Amp is to re-install the jumpers responsible for attenuation of the headphone outputs.

The iEMatch is designed to withstand normal use with headphone amplifiers and very low impedance headphones, it has power limits and is not suited for the use at very high power levels. The same story goes for EarBuddy.

 

[Rozzko]

Hello.
i am just new here. tell me please, whats better for me? JitterBug or this device?

I listening TIDAL (hires) from my laptop > Centrance dacport HD > Meze 99 Classics (32 om)

which device i need? Jitterbug or iEMatch?

 

[Dobrescu George]

Hello.
i am just new here. tell me please, whats better for me? JitterBug or this device?

I listening TIDAL (hires) from my laptop > Centrance dacport HD > Meze 99 Classics (32 om)

which device i need? Jitterbug or iEMatch?

For Meze 99 Classics, you shouldn't have any hiss, and iEMatch is mostly meant to reduce hiss on IEMs that are really low in impedance, 99Classics having 32 OHMs, they shouldn't be very hissy by themselves.

I do not know how centrance dacport is, and whether it is compatible with jitterbug either.

I could recommend iFi's power thingy for anyone though, that one is really useful if your device is connected directly to the power socket

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2018/02/ifi-ac-ipurifier-power-immaculate.html

 

[phiemon]

Please, can anyone tell me if the IEMatch for example with the Campfire Andromeda could decrease the overall sound quality? I mean: are there any degradations of the sound quality using the IEMatch?