iFi audio Pro iDSD Signature and Pro iCAN Signature - The Pro range just got better!

Discussion in 'Product Announcements' started by iFi audio, Sep 24, 2021.

  1. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    iFi audio Pro iDSD Signature
    The Pro iDSD Signature is our new flagship reference class DAC and then some! The Signature edition builds on the strengths of the original, multi-award winning Pro iDSD.

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    It continues to cater for those who love good music delivered at the highest quality.

    Use the Pro iDSD Signature as a standalone unit, a DAC/preamp, a network streamer and a headphone amplifier.

    The Signature takes the original Pro iDSD and pushes it even further towards perfection. The Pro iDSD Signature has:
    • a sonically darker background and a punchier bass
    • upgraded power -supply components to lower the overall system noise by 300%
    • precisely matched NOS GE5670s tubes
    • added support for USB1.0 (PS4/PS5)
    • a new aluminium remote control
    • a top-of the range iPower Elite power supply included
    Stacked. With tech.
    The Pro iDSD Signature uses a quad-stack DAC – 4 x DACs in an interleaved configuration – to deliver exceptional resolution.

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    The powerful XMOS XU216 X-Core 200 series chipset processes incoming digital data and enables the Pro iDSD Signature to provide state of the art audio support – from MP3, 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512, 2xDXD and full MQA decoding.

    Thanks to the Crysopeia FPGA Digital Engine the Pro iDSD Signature brings studio grade DSD remastering to a wider audience. It can upconvert PCM and DSD files to DSD512 and DSD1024. And all controlled from an app in the palm of your hand.

    Power cleans. Absolute.
    The Pro iDSD Signature, ships with our flagship iPower Elite.

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    Coupled with the re-crafted power supply board which offers up to 100x lower noise, the music is buttery smooth.
    Within and without – we left no stone unturned in our quest for the cleanest, purest, power for the Pro iDSD Signature (same for Pro iCAN Signature too!)


    iFi audio Pro iCAN Signature
    The Pro iCAN Signature is our new upgraded edition of the original Pro iCAN.

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    The Signature edition builds on the strengths of the Pro iCAN and features even more ultra-grade audiophile components designed to take your listening to a higher plane than ever before.

    It is a top-of-the-line headphone amplifier that is capable of driving anything and everything from the most sensitive custom iEMs to the AKG K-1000, the most difficult to drive headphone ever made.

    Amp it up to ultra
    Enhancements to the Pro iCAN Signature include:
    • Revised circuit design incorporates even more ultra-grade audiophile components
    • Upgraded power supply circuits to eradicate even more noise and distortion
    • Top of the range iPower Elite offboard AC/DC power supply included
    • Hand-selected and matched tubes in the output stage
    • 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced-headphone output
    • New aluminium remote control
    Beautifully balanced Pro power
    The Pro iCAN Signature sports an end-to-end fully differential balanced circuit design that delivers ultra low distortion. This means extraordinary quality with minimal interference and reduced crosstalk. The sound is cleaner, deeper and more dynamic.

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    It is also exceptionally powerful and will drive any headphone on the planet. It boasts balanced output power of >14,000mW and single-ended power output of >4,800mW.

    And with variable gain, you can adjust the Pro iCAN Signature to drive your headphone of choice.

    Get connected
    The Pro iCAN Signature boasts a plethora of fully balanced and single-ended connections.

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    Headphone connections include the new 4.4mm balanced Pentaconn output as well as a fully balanced XLR, a single-ended 6.3mm and our unique S-Balanced 3.5mm output. Our S-Balanced output cuts distortion by 50% with single-ended headphones connections.

    Power is everything

    The Pro iCAN Signature, ships with our flagship iPower Elite. Coupled with the re-crafted power supply board which offers up to 100x lower noise, the music is buttery smooth.

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    Within and without – we left no stone unturned in our quest for the cleanest, purest, power for the Pro iCAN Signature (same for Pro iDSD Signature too!)
     
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  2. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    @iFi audio Time to talk to @rhythmdevils for a loaner tour. I think he would be interested in the pro ican sig for a good solid state amp. Also $3250 for iDSDpro sig def requires a listen before purchase. Love the multifunctionality and improved power supply but we are getting to higher end tier with Holo spring kte lvl 3, etc where sonics>features.
     
  3. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Did you guys change the streamer in the iDSD, or is it still the old one?
    Using Roon was a real pain with my iDSD :/

    Loved the Pro iDSD, though!
     
  4. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I’m happy to setup a loaner tour with you @iFi audio
     
  5. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Some tour loaners are going to be sent shortly to one of SBAF's mods. I can't promise that Pro iDSD Signature is going to be in that package, but we'll see.

    It's the same module :)

    Noted, thanks!
     
  6. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    How much better does the Signature sound?

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    TL; DR. Pro iCAN a good +10% but the Pro iDSD is a really nice +20%.

    You asked us – so we asked our Lead Tech: Colin F to fire up the Stax 009s+iESL and play some of his most demanding tracks and to report his findings.


    Here’s what Colin said:

    "The original Pro series is already sonically superb, with its unique sense of drive and rhythm. It’s musical, especially set to ‘Tube’ position, my favourite. The Signature version adds even better audiophile parts in critical areas and revises the input section of the amplifier section. Think of having an F1 race car but once developed (Original), you then take it round Silverstone to refine it painstakingly further to the max (Signature).

    The Pro iCAN Signature sounds a touch more resolved, especially noticeable in the midrange, and it has a slightly inkier dark background. Overall, a worthwhile improvement that draws you in before you know it!

    The star of the show for me though, is the Pro iDSD Signature.

    The team worked hard to lower the noise on the regulator circuits in the digital engine and on the analogue power supply. That translates into even lower jitter.

    The output stage has received some revision for its operating parameters, and there are even better parts than the original.

    When I first put it on it was love at first listen, the depth hits you! Transparent and musical, it’s masterful at letting you hear exactly what is in a recording without sounding like its thrusting detail at you, a nifty but difficult trick to attain. Not that the original Pro iDSD is any slouch, just that the Signature sounds like it’s taken the original design and optimised everything. Which indeed is what’s been done!"


    Music Notes

    Walking on the Moon (Police) - this track has some great hi-hats and cymbals, also the reverb added in the left channel tells quite a bit about how natural it’s sounding. At 3:12, the snare drum should ‘crack’ with a single-double hit, instant thwack on the Stax! You should be able to hear the skin of the snare. The hi-hats afterwards have their own distinguishable sound character, easily lost on lesser systems. The reverb in the left channel should sound like natural room ambience, not like it’s a swooshing hiss. The Pro iDSD Sig lets you hear it easily and suspended in limitless depth.

    Can’t Stand Losing You (Police) - shouldn’t sound metallic or flat. Proper depth lets you hear the ambience through all the compression and rolled-off top end. The voice is very forward, lesser systems put Sting about level with the drum kit.

    Blow Out (RadioHead) - distortion easily heard on multiple dubs at around 0:24. Cymbals shimmer at 1:21, they have that intense sheen easily glossed over on a 2D system, it can end up sounding like noise instead of shimmer. After 3:40 the guitar solo begins to intensify. Be careful the soundstage doesn’t collapse into a smear of distortion; it should remain clear and supporting instruments easily heard in their own separate recording chambers

    How I Made My Millions (RadioHead) - lots of stuff happening in the background, moving items, snare drum resonating, zip tinkling against the piano, piano stool creaking. Colin Greenwood is rocking on the stool. The piano itself should have clear harmonics - the Pro iDSD Sig conveys that well, it’s quite comparable to real life.

    Mahler Symphony No.2, Minnesota Orchestra, BIS The orchestra tone shouldn’t be cold or steely. The hall ambience and its dimension should be easy to attain with no extra HF noise. There is lots of depth on this recording, and a system with proper depth resolution will let you hear it.

    Bartók, String Quartet No.2, 2nd movt. Takács String Quartet, Decca. One of my references for string tone. The string positions shouldn’t be flat, they have a modicum of real space and air that’s mostly missed on solid state systems. The four players are arranged in a semicircle, and you can hear their feet tapping the wooden stage floor. The chamber ambience shouldn’t be dry, and you can hear it swirl around the players. The 1st violin tone is intensely full of harmonics. All this is virtually inaudible on lesser systems.
     
  7. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Just a quick update and something we're extremely proud of. A while ago Srajan Ebaen of 6moons.com awarded our Pro iDSD Signature with not one but TWO his badges, which happens very rarely. Here's the link to his review:

    https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/ifi6/

    ...and here's the award!

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  8. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    Hi Guys,

    Today we are taking a look at iFi Audio’s recently released update to their flagship all in one DAC/Amp, the Pro iDSD Signature. For the rest of this review, I will refer to it as the iDSD Sig.

    I reviewed the original Pro iDSD about two years ago, and really did quite enjoy it, and all the capabilities it contained. The new signature model is honestly not that different in terms of features, being more of a refinement of the overall concept, rather than a brand new product. In this sense, the new signature model feels like the obvious conclusion of this iteration of the iDSD concept. Compared to the original model, the small improvements here and there all add up to a product that feels more mature, more complete, as well as fixing little things that may have been left on the table with the original model. I would recommend reading my original review, as I think this could be considered as a long addendum to that review, rather than a stand alone review of a new product.

    In terms of looks, the iDSD Sig is actually the same. It features the same chassis, and features, with the only difference being a golden “signature” badge underneath display, and golden surrounds of the two main knobs on the front of the unit. These little bits of sparkle are actually totally welcome, and do give the product a little bit more intrigue in terms of looks. Don’t expect a massive difference though, as it is still largely the same original silver chassis in terms of size and shape.

    Funnily enough, this actually reflects the sonic changes for the new iDSD Sig also. The overall tonal balance is pretty much exactly the same I have found, but some key upgrades in terms of parts quality etc…have brought an increase to the technical performance of the unit. The changes are all incremental improvements vs. an entirely different sounding device.

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    iPower ELITE
    The first thing you will notice when unboxing the new iDSD Sig is the included iPower ELITE power supply which comes standard with the Signature edition. It is a hefty unit, being very well made, and feels great. I did try doing some switching between a generic cheap power supply unit, and the included ELITE version, and found that it brought a sense of a blacker background, which does help with perceived detail and space. It is not a huge difference, but as the ELITE unit is included stock, I think it is a welcome addition, and does bring some improvements to the overall sonic performance of the iDSD.

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    iPower ELITE
    The tonal balance of the iDSD is again largely similar to its predecessor. There is a slight warmth to the sound, and I certainly wouldn’t say the iDSD Sig is a cold sounding device. Similar to the previous model, the iDSD Sig features three modes of operation. Solid state, Tube, and Tube+. I largely settled on using the Tube mode as my favourite, but they do all have slightly different signatures. The Solid State mode is the most incisive, with a faster sound and sharper edges to the notes. The Tube mode slightly rounds off the leading edges of notes, and adds a very slight hint of harmonic richness that isn’t there in solid state mode. To be honest, the difference is very small between the two modes, which is why I ended up preferring the Tube mode. Tube+ does take it slightly more to the more relaxed and rounded off side of things, which ended up not being my overall preference. The Pro series ability to switch between all three modes is still a unique feature, and really does add to the “Swiss Army Knife” nature of the series. You can switch between modes depending on your headphones or speakers used, and also your mood and listening tastes.

    I remember that with the original iDSD I mainly used the Bit Perfect + mode, but after more time with the iDSD Sig unit, I ended up using iFi’s GTO filter. “Gibbs Transient Optimized.” I did do a lot of back and forth between the modes, but the GTO filter did seem to be the most incisive, “correct,” and overall, the most refined sounding filter. I’m not sure why I ended up preferring it over the Bit Perfect + mode I used on the original model, perhaps my hearing preferences have changed over time. Regardless, I would recommend experimenting with all the various filters and options, to see what works best for you and your ears. The iDSD Sig also features DSD512 and DSD1024 upsampling just like the original did. As with the original, I didn’t find these made massive differences, but the DSD1024 upsampling was worth trying. I found I preferred it for electronic music, and fast paced heavy metal and similar. Again, it’s something worth experimenting with, as everyone is different, and you may end up preferring your music without the DSD upsampling.

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    Rear
    The iDSD Sig is an all in one unit, just as its predecessor was. The headphone amp does have slightly more power (4200mw vs. 4000mw) from the balanced output. Also included is the 4.4mm balanced pentaconn output, vs the originals 2.5mm output (though after some time the original model did include the 4.4mm output also.) This is a welcome addition, as it is just a better, more sturdy option compared to the 2.5mm balanced jack. With 0db, 9db, and 18db gain option, the pro iDSD can drive most headphone on the market. For me, it reaches its limit with the AB1266 TC from Abyss, and I wouldn’t recommend it for the Susvara or HE6seV2 (or similarly hard to drive headphones.) Although the headphone amp is not the most competent on the market, I think it has to be taken into consideration that this is a small, and compact all in one. In that context, it is actually a very good performer, at an attractive price (again, in terms of an AIO.) The Pro iCAN Sig obviously exists for a reason, and I would recommend it for someone who wants a dedicated headphone amplifier with higher performance than the iDSD’s all in one nature. With that being said, if you are a more casual user, or perhaps you mostly listen to speakers using the iDSD as your DAC, and want to use headphones at night when its quiet, the iDSD Sig absolutely has you covered. You can also use very sensitive IEMs with the iDSD Sig from the 3.5mm output, which has iFi’s “IEMatch” feature, to help reduce any hiss.

    The overall technical performance of the iDSD Sig seems to be where most of the improvements are, vs a change in its overall tonality etc…While the ELITE power supply helping bring about a blacker background with more perceived detail, things like improved capacitors etc…and tighter matching tolerances of the components seem to have lifted the iDSD Sig’s overall performance also. Again, it’s not a vastly different sounding unit to the original iDSD, it just sounds slightly more refined, more detailed, more spacious, and improved in an overall sense on the technical side of things.

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    Front
    The Pro iDSD Signature from iFi is a seriously great all in one unit, just as its predecessor was. It has taken the sound from the original model, and built upon it in a meaningful way. Although the sound in terms of tonal balance remains very similar, it has improved its technical performance, through better components and a much better power supply unit. It retains the awesome Swiss Army knife like capabilities of the original, and thankfully also retains the same size and almost transportable nature of the original also. I think for the right customer with the right needs, the iDSD Sig is hard to beat, as it simply covers so many areas in a competent manner. If you only need a pure DAC, and have more space whilst also wanting to keep your budget in check, you may be served by better dedicated DACs. However, for those who want a multi functionary device, tubes, DSD upsampling etc…there really isn’t a better option on the market for an all in one option.

    I’m looking forward to what iFi comes up with next for their “Pro” range, but for now, the Signature iDSD and Signature iCAN certainly have people’s needs covered.
     
  9. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Awesome, thanks a lot and also big thanks for that remark about cleaner background! That is exactly what iPower Elite does and as such it noticeably improves the Pro iDSD platform in general.
     

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