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iFi Audio iDSD Diablo-X Portable DAC/Amp - Portable Clarity
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iFi Audio iDSD Diablo-X Portable DAC/Amp

by iFi Audio
$1,099.00
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The iDSD Diablo-X: The first DAC/Amp on the market supporting xMEMs technology

xMEMs drivers are a kind of their own, and need special technology to drive well.

Here's what an xMEMs driver does differently:

-Ultra-fast mechanical response

-More accurate sound reproduction

-Accurate spatial sound

-Less muddy mids/highs

The Diablo-X, with its specialized xMEMs support, will drive your xMEMs headphones properly - so that you can hear every detail of your music with precision.

 ifi audio diablo x portable dac amp front view

What's In The Box?

Everything you need is included with the iDSD Diablo X.

  • Diablo X Portable DAC/Amp
  • iEMatch 4.4 Noise Reduction Adapter
  • Charger with USB-C Adapter
  • Carrying Case (iTraveller)
  • USB Cables: USB3.0 / USB-A to USB-C / USB-C to USB-C / USB-C OTG 
  • 4.4mm to Twin Splitter Male Cable
  • 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
  • Fiber Optic Adapters and USB-AF to USB-CF adapters
  • Warranty Card
  • Instruction Manual
 ibasso pb5 battery detail view

Diablo-X: Not only for your xMEMs

This portable DAC/Amp can drive special xMEMs technology - but it's not a one trick pony.

It can also handle your other various headphone loads.

Continue using your current headphones and be ready for an upgrade!

Just like the original Diablo, it utilizes two Burr-Brown DAC chips and the 16-core XMOS chip to process the data received via the USB and S/PDIF digital inputs.

This means the Diablo-X can handle up to PCM 768, DSD 512, 2xDXD. Both PCM and DSD remain ‘bit-perfect’. It provides full MQA decoding.

Plenty of outputs for your listening needs.

With a 6.3mm single-ended headphone output and (2) 4.4mm outputs, you'll have plenty of options for listening.

They've got the power, too.

Both 4.4mm outputs feature 4,100mW of power.

When it comes to inputs, you can feed the Diablo-X with 3.5mm S/PDIF (balanced or coaxial/optical) or with its USB-A input for your phone, PC, or tablet.

Given this array of options, you can use the iDSD Diablo-X for any of your listening needs, both for inputs and outputs.

 pb5 osprey vacuum tube detail view

Devilishly delightful, and diabolically driven.

By toggling the switch on the front of the Diablo-X, you can switch between three different modes of power/gain.

  • xMEMS – use with compatible IEMs/headphones
  • Turbo – ramps up the level of drive for current-hungry headphones
  • Normal – for most over or on ear headphones

Performance at the forefront.

By focusing on the power supply circuitry, iFi Audio focuses their efforts on pure performance.

Battery power provides clean and stable DC current (avoiding common issues with mains electricity).

Additionally, iFi Audio steps up the voltage to +/- 15V as well as a step-up converter at 1.2MHz.

As a result, noise is decreased and the Diablo-X makes your less efficient headphones (like Planar Magnetics) sing.

 idsd diablo x portable dac and amp connections detail

Experience the best components in the industry.

High-bandwidth power supply circuitry.

Panasonic OS-CON Capacitors.

Ultra-low noise regulators in the DAC section.

Regulation/filtering on the USB-A input.

So what?

By utilizing the best components available, your music will pump out of the Diablo-X with power, precision, and control like no other DAC/Amp on the market.
idsd diablo x burr brown detail logo

Burr-Brown Chipset

The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain "bit-perfect" (unchanged). This means you are listening to music as the artist intended in the format in which it was recorded.

iFi uses Burr Brown extensively in their products because of its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture.

 ifi audio direct drive diablo x detail logo

Direct Drive

DirectDrive® makes a direct signal path which means less signal degradation.

This direct signal path makes the sound "true" - meaning your music outputs at its highest potential.

 idsd diablo x xmos detail logo

XMOS 16-Core Chip

The XMOS 16-Core chip processes the USB digital input.

This low-latency XMOS microcontroller has greatly enhanced processing power. Compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, this 16-core IC delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and four times the memory (512KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard.

 ifi diablo x purewave detail logo

PureWave Topology

PureWave is a new, balanced, symmetrical dual-mono topology with short, direct signal paths.

The name refers to the sonic purity it achieves thanks to exceptional linearity and incredibly low levels of noise and distortion.

iDSD Diablo-X Technical Specifications

Digital Inputs

USB 3.0 type 'A' (USB2.0 compatible)

S-PDIF (3.5mm coaxial/optical)

Formats supported

DSD512/22.6MHz

PCM 768kHz

MQA Full Decoder

DAC

Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown

Frequency Response

10Hz-80kHz(-3dB)

SNR

Balanced

-120dB

UnBAL

-114dB

Dynamic range

Balanced

-120dB

UnBAL

-114dB

THD + N

Balanced

0.002%

UnBAL

0.001%

Headphone Max Output

Balanced

>28Vpp (@ xMEMS)

>19.2V/611 mW (@ 600 Ω)

>12.6V/4,980 mW (@ 32 Ω)

UnBAL

>9.6V/153 mW (@ 600 Ω)

>8.8V/2,417 mW (@ 32 Ω)

Fixed Audio Output

Balanced

4.4mm

Power consumption

XMEMS - 8W

Turbo - 12W

Normal - 5W

Battery

Lithium-polymer 4800mAh approx.

Power System

Charging via USB-C

BC V1.2 compliant up to 1000mA charging current

Dimensions

166 × 72 × 25 mm

(6.5"x 2.8" × 1.0")

Net weight

330g

(0.73 Ibs)

Limited Warranty

12 months

iDSD Diablo-X Quick Set-Up Guide and Instruction Manual Downloads

Instruction Manual

Quick Set Up Guide

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Learn More

We get it. Audio gear can be subjective. That's why we offer our industry-leading 365 day return policy. Here's a quick rundown;

  • 365 Day Returns, for ANY reason.
  • ZERO Return Shipping Cost
  • You will receive your hard-earned money back in your pocket, NOT store credit.

Learn More

We get it. You've got a lot of choice when it comes to online retailers. Here's why we think you should shop with us at HiFiSoundGear.

  • 365 Day Returns. Not happy with your product? We'll buy it back.
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