iFi iDSD Diablo-X | Transportable DAC and Amp
iDSD Diablo-X is iFi's Latest Portable USB DAC Headamp and the 1st on the Market to Support xMEMS Headphones
- Uses cutting-edge tech to work with solid-state semiconductor true MEMS headphones
- Ultra-fast mechanical response (150x faster than a typical dynamic driver)
- Custom designed bias, EQ, and amp circuits for MEMS headphones
- Supports Octa-DSD512, PCM768, and 2X DXD using Burr-Brown chipset
- Ultra-low noise and distortion
iDSD Diablo-X: Simply eXceptional
At the heart of iFi iDSD Diablo-X beats the specially selected Burr Brown® True Native chipset in a dual-core configuration, treating you to the ultra-high-resolution that is 2nd to none. The iDSD Diablo-X uses cutting-edge tech to work with MEMS headphones. The bias, equalization, and amplification have all been specifically crafted to bring out their best.
This aggressively curvaceous headphone amp spiced up with deep bass and fully balanced circuitry will take you for a ride through the world of ultimate performance you'll never forget. The pure performance iDSD Diablo-X, designed for true audiophiles, aims to keep sound as close to its natural form as possible.
Packed under the hood of this all-new model is turbocharged Bit-Perfect octa-speed DSD512 and double-speed DXD (705.6/768kHz), making iDSD Diablo-X's super-speed not mere hyperbole.
Thanks to iFi-designed, cutting-edge technological innovations such as Direct-Drive® and Headamp Turbo®, devilishly powerful iDSD Diablo-X drives ultra-sensitive IEMs just as well as the most demanding over-ears with an unswerving authority.
Matching Bi-polar transistors welcome you to the addictive symphony of natural sound with incredibly low distortion (THD+N = 0.00002%.) Equipped with iFi custom ultra-low noise Op-amps, iDSD Diablo-X will take your music to the sonic stratosphere.
xMEMS eXplained
The xMEMS microspeaker technology uses the 'piezoelectonic' effect to create a paper-thin solid-state speaker. These micro-speakers offer great potential to push the boundaries of IEM and headphone performance.
As xMEMS themselves say, “The inverse piezoelectric effect is created by applying electrical voltage to make the piezoMEMS contract or expand, converting electrical energy to mechanical energy which excites an integrated silicon membrane to move air and generate acoustic sound waves… xMEMS’ piezoMEMs actuators offer an increased range of movement enabling rich, loud audio."
Unadulterated Performance
The Diablo-X focuses on pure performance with much attention given to the power supply circuity.
Battery power provides ultra-clean and stable DC current avoiding house power issues of dips, spikes and noise-inducing RFI/EMI. BUT there are sonic downsides resulting from low output voltage and inconsistent output impedance as batteries discharge.
In order to make less efficient headphones like planar magnetics sing, the voltage needs to be stepped up from 3.7V to +/- 15V. A step-up converter running at 1.2MHz is used (a frequency far beyond audibility that is easier to filter than a typical supply), enabling high linearity and ultra-low noise.
Features
- Custom designed bias, EQ, and amp circuits for MEMS headphones
- Octa-DSD512/PCM768 and 2X DXD
- Dual-Core Native DSD/PCM Burr-Brown chipset
- Fully balanced 4.4mm output
- USB-A 3.0 and S-PDIF (3.5mm coaxial/optical) digital inputs
- 4.4mm Balanced output and 6.3mm SE
- Performance boosting 'Direct-Drive' and 'Headamp Turbo'
- Clock system upgraded for lower phase-noise
- Digital engine upgraded with iFi Op-Amp Ov2028
- Analog section upgraded with iFi Op-Amp Ov2627
- Ultra-low noise iPower 5V power supply
Specifications
-
Digital Inputs
- USB-A 3.0 (USB2.0 compatible)
- S-PDIF (3.5mm coaxial/optical)
- Formats: DSD 512 /22.6MHz | PCM 768kHz | MQA Full Decoder
- DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-80kHz (-3dB)
- SNR: -120dB (BAL) | -114dB (UnBAL)
- Dynamic Range: -120dB (BAL) | -114dB (UnBAL)
- THD+N: 0.002% (BAL) | 0.001% (UnBAL)
- Headphone Max Output Power
- BAL: >28Vpp (@xMEMS) | >19.2V/611 mW (@ 600Ω) | >12.6V/4,980 mW (@ 32Ω)
- UnBAL: >9.6V/153 mW (@ 600Ω) | >8.8V/2,417 mW (@ 32Ω)
- Fixed Audio Output: Balanced 4.4mm
- Power Consumption: Turbo 12W | Normal 5W | xMEMS 8W
- Battery: Lithium-polymer 4800mAh
- Power System: Charging via USB-C (iFi iPower included) | BC V1.2 compliant up to 1900mA charging current
- Dimensions: 6.5" x 2.8" x 1.0"
- Net Weight: 0.73 lbs
- IFi Warranty Card (1 Year)
In the Box
- iDSD Diablo-X
- iPower 5V adapter
- iEMatch 4.4
- USB-A to USB-C Cable
- USB-C to USB-C Cable
- USB-AF to USB-CF adapters | DC to USB-C Cable
- iTraveller case
- 4.4mm to Twin cable
- USB-C OTG
- Splitter Male Cable
- 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
- Fibre optic adapter
- iDSD Diablo-X Quick Start card
- iDSD Diablo-X User Manual
