The British brand iFi Audio has introduced a new generation of portable DAC/headphone amplifier iFi iDSD Diablo. The new product received the suffix 2 in the name and now supports wireless audio transmission with CD quality “lossless” via Bluetooth aptX Lossless . iFi iDSD Diablo 2 , positioned by the manufacturer as a top mobile device in its range, is significantly improved compared to the previous generation of the model in design, switching capabilities and technical characteristics.
The iFi iDSD Diablo 2 Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier retains the form factor of its predecessor and measures 166 x 85 x 28.5 mm. Although it falls more into the “portable” than “pocket” category, its compact size makes it suitable for both stationary and on-the-go use. The gadget is clad in an improved raspberry-colored aluminum case with 22 grooves for improved heat dissipation.
One of Diablo 2’s signature features is its use of iFi’s latest Bluetooth adapter, making it the world’s first (according to iFi) portable DAC/headphone amplifier capable of lossless Bluetooth 5.4 audio. Supporting aptX Lossless, which is part of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound platform, the device provides wireless connectivity without compromising sound quality. In addition, this version of Bluetooth offers high transmission speeds and therefore low latency. The gadget’s memory can store up to eight paired Bluetooth source devices for easy switching.
The iFi iDSD Diablo 2 features Burr-Brown DAC chips in a special “interleaved” configuration for improved performance. The device is capable of decoding music material in PCM format with parameters up to 32 bit/768 kHz and DSD up to 22.5792 MHz.
The analog part of the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 is based on the iFi PureWave concept, which includes a balanced differential circuit to reduce noise and crosstalk. The amplifier stage provides an output power of 5,180 mW/12.9 V when operating into a load with a nominal impedance of 32 Ohms, which allows the gadget to be used with a variety of headphones, from highly sensitive in-ear monitors to planar on-ear models.
The iFi iDSD Diablo 2 offers three gain levels: “Normal”, “Turbo” and “Nitro” to take into account the specifics of specific headphones. Additionally, IEMatch mode helps eliminate background noise for ultra-sensitive in-ear headphones.
The iFi iDSD Diablo 2 circuitry uses only high-quality components, including custom ultra-low distortion MOSFET op-amps and premium capacitors. The new product is equipped with a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 4,800 mAh and an additional network connection via the iPower 2 adapter.
The iFi iDSD Diablo 2 Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier comes with a full range of accessories, including various cables, adapters and a travel case. The new product is already on sale. In the UK, the recommended retail price of the gadget is £1,299.