Thanks for speaking on the “balanced” vs. differential topic. Too many people get this mixed up due to UA-camrs , etc. that don’t have the knowledge to know the difference or explain it. Maybe you could do this in a video for your viewers. Great job as always! 👍🏻
Diablo owner here. There are an increasing number of IEMs in the market that are popular, mainstream and hard(er) to drive that work well with the Diablo without running into channel imbalance, etc. issues. I run my 7hz Timeless on my Diablo single ended on eco mode and the pot sits anywhere between 12-1 o clock. My CA Atlas probably 11-12. Wouldn't try Andromedas though - good bye ears, good bye kilobuck drivers lol
Can you give a basic primer on the "balanced" cables, output, and connections? Or perhaps link to an article or review that explains it in layman's terms? I've read so many conflicting articles. In my own simpleton "A-B" tests, I hear a significant difference (desktop setup: Topping A90 & D90, XLR + balanced cables for IEMs, Focal, & Sennheisers & xDuoo TA-20... I used both 4 pin XLR and 4.4mm pentacon cables) using balanced cables and connections but I read and watch reviews that touch on you point that many devices (for e.g. THX AAA 789) are not actually producing balanced output. Interestingly, the bluetooth Earstudio ES100 MK2 with 2.5mm balanced connection is far superior over 3.5mm unbalanced. Is that just due to increased voltage? So confusing. Thanks!
Love the diablo. .. all in one. Well match with my iPad pro play with Apple Music ( previous using tidal ) . I think sound better any expensive DAP i try
Excellent video mate. Could we see Burson Audio’s product range reviewed? Would like to see more Aussies reviewing Aussie audio brands (regardless of country’s manufacturing of course).
Heard it at Axpona with the Atrium. Drove it well. That middle boost switch is too close to the headphone jack. Hard to use the boost switch when there's something plugged in so close to it. Would be even worse if you put the balanced next to it. The switch itself is also not great. Hard to tell what position it's in because it's so tiny.
I agree with you about this being too loud. Probably will be with any cans under 150 Ohms, but what I'm really looking forward to is connecting my AKG K240 DF to the Diablo - sadly they're locked down out of my reach for another few weeks. It really makes my Quad ERA-1 sing in balanced mode though - this device completely takes hold of planar magnetics, and shakes out the flab and the top end rolloff.
Nonsense. I run the KPH30i (60ohms) on Turbo mode at 12 o clock and it's fine (and no, I don't listen to my music loudly). Also pairs well with planar IEMs like the 7hz Timeless (12-1 on Eco mode) and even the CA Atlas (11-12 on Eco).
I still maintain their USB connector is stupid and goes against the USB standards - USB-A is intended to be used on the downstream device (eg, the host computer), not the upstream device (the Diablo, in this case).
Sir currawong what's your general opinion of the GTO filter from a sound quality perspective, is it worse than our current filters like minimum phase or linear or brickwall?
Not a comment on ifi. It's a shame schiit has poor market saturation in Europe. They make really cool products but there's seemingly no stores that carry them so you can try things out, like that desktop setup you have for example.
Addicted to Audio are willing to resell them in Australia. It's handy to have dedicated head fi shops physically retailing and is why I always support 'bricks and mortar'.
I was thinking about swapping out for Hugo 2 but I guess it's not a good Idea to save some cash. however I have unrelated question I recently got Meze Empyrean based on your review and I am using it with Hugo 2 and some time with Topping A90 D90 stack but I am very disappointed with Empyrean the treble is very sharp and bass is bloomy on some tracks I find my Arya to be more pleasant listening with no treble sharpness or bass bloating with either Topping or Hugo 2 do it must be Empyrean I have got have bad tuning. How can I validate that or do think they are bit sharp in treble and bloomy in bass. Thank you
@@Currawong thanks Amos for your answer, may be my question was not clear what I wanted to ask is there a possibility my Empyrean have tuning defects and how I can check that do I need to send it to Meze.
It didn't seem quite so sensitive to source. I didn't notice a dramatic difference using the coax input from a good streamer or USB converter vs. the USB input. Using the iUSB 3.0 was a bit better than straight from the computer from memory.
I am not in the market this is aimed at, but who is ? Who walks around with something as large as this as portable, attached to a DAP or phone with Susvara’s on your head ?? Additionally, the UK price for Ifi is around 40% greater than US price- and they are a UK based company. It is cheaper to import, from USA, any of their products greater than $200.
I actually walk around my house while cooking and cleaning with the Black Label and the Aryas (sadly not Susvaras) quite often, but I guess that’s just me.
My car doesn't care if I feed the stereo from a paper thin Walkman or something noticeably larger... The space saved from handfuls of CDs holds a Digital Audio Player and external DAC quite well. As I never carry 'mini tablet' sized phones on my body, whatever sling bag I use is happy carrying phone/DAP and DAC+amp... Whether 'non critical listening environments' need the extra quality, is personal preference, but having extra amp power for better headphone driver control can be a matter of life or death! ;-)
I will keep my black label version that I paid $599 and this new one only gives me 4.4mm jack and balanced circuit for another $300 . Less value then old model.
ifi is unbelievable. They put out a product that costs around 1000 euros and it has massive imbalance problems because of a cheap volume pot. But marketing-BS will do it for them. Only ifi can do such weared things and people are happy and just buy another IEmatch.
"Balanced" refers to a type of circuit design. It is simply laziness that results in people referring to a cable with separate signal returns for left and right as "balanced". There are now reviews out there incorrectly referring to non-balanced amps as "balanced" because they have a 4-pin XLR output.
There is no such thing as balanced headphones, The only thing a “balanced” output does is split the negatives and allow more voltage to the drivers. All this does is result in more power. The internal circuit could be balanced and the output could only be a single summed 1/4 inch and the amplifier would still be balanced
Diablo owner here. There are an increasing number of IEMs in the market that are popular, mainstream and hard(er) to drive that work well with the Diablo without running into channel imbalance, etc. issues. I run my 7hz Timeless on my Diablo single ended on eco mode and the pot sits anywhere between 12-1 o clock. My CA Atlas probably 11-12. Even the Koss KPH30i (60ohm on ear headphone) can be driven on Turbo mode at 12-1 at comfortable listening levels. Currawong (and Zeos) overstates the case.
Thanks for speaking on the “balanced” vs. differential topic. Too many people get this mixed up due to UA-camrs , etc. that don’t have the knowledge to know the difference or explain it.
Maybe you could do this in a video for your viewers.
Great job as always! 👍🏻
The large gain+small volume Pot+on/off system and the removal of all the nice features renders this as a no-go from my POV.
Great review thank you. I reviewed it on my channel and bought the copy!
It actually puts out 5 Watts (12.6 Volts / 4,980 mW @ 32 Ohm)
It’s the Alphaville, Forever Young, Jennifer Connolly phenomenon 👏🍻
1:08 except most people who put those stickers on their cars would not have parts from the companies labeled on said stickers lol
The perfect tool to blow up dirty buds from nuggets!
Great review. Thanks
I was just searching for review for this and voila
Diablo owner here. There are an increasing number of IEMs in the market that are popular, mainstream and hard(er) to drive that work well with the Diablo without running into channel imbalance, etc. issues. I run my 7hz Timeless on my Diablo single ended on eco mode and the pot sits anywhere between 12-1 o clock. My CA Atlas probably 11-12. Wouldn't try Andromedas though - good bye ears, good bye kilobuck drivers lol
Can you give a basic primer on the "balanced" cables, output, and connections? Or perhaps link to an article or review that explains it in layman's terms? I've read so many conflicting articles. In my own simpleton "A-B" tests, I hear a significant difference (desktop setup: Topping A90 & D90, XLR + balanced cables for IEMs, Focal, & Sennheisers & xDuoo TA-20... I used both 4 pin XLR and 4.4mm pentacon cables) using balanced cables and connections but I read and watch reviews that touch on you point that many devices (for e.g. THX AAA 789) are not actually producing balanced output. Interestingly, the bluetooth Earstudio ES100 MK2 with 2.5mm balanced connection is far superior over 3.5mm unbalanced. Is that just due to increased voltage? So confusing. Thanks!
I think the perfect match for this is the Abyss Diana in terms of looks and what the kind of people who buy this Amp would use.
Yesss
Wish you'd review hip dac too. Though it's old now. 😁
HeadAmp is a video sponsor? Wow, first time I've seen that
Love the diablo. .. all in one. Well match with my iPad pro play with Apple Music ( previous using tidal ) . I think sound better any expensive DAP i try
Why do they keep using the same volume pot, especially at this price???
Excellent video mate. Could we see Burson Audio’s product range reviewed? Would like to see more Aussies reviewing Aussie audio brands (regardless of country’s manufacturing of course).
I've been thinking about reviewing Burson gear. I'd have to contact them and ask.
when I use it on Turbo, dang it gets hot as hell......
Heard it at Axpona with the Atrium. Drove it well. That middle boost switch is too close to the headphone jack. Hard to use the boost switch when there's something plugged in so close to it. Would be even worse if you put the balanced next to it. The switch itself is also not great. Hard to tell what position it's in because it's so tiny.
iFi sells an outboard IE Match that would eliminate the problems on the pot AND make IEMs easily listenable with Diablo. All problems solved!
I am curious for someone to compare this to the Dethonray Honey H1.
I agree with you about this being too loud. Probably will be with any cans under 150 Ohms, but what I'm really looking forward to is connecting my AKG K240 DF to the Diablo - sadly they're locked down out of my reach for another few weeks. It really makes my Quad ERA-1 sing in balanced mode though - this device completely takes hold of planar magnetics, and shakes out the flab and the top end rolloff.
Nonsense. I run the KPH30i (60ohms) on Turbo mode at 12 o clock and it's fine (and no, I don't listen to my music loudly). Also pairs well with planar IEMs like the 7hz Timeless (12-1 on Eco mode) and even the CA Atlas (11-12 on Eco).
I still maintain their USB connector is stupid and goes against the USB standards - USB-A is intended to be used on the downstream device (eg, the host computer), not the upstream device (the Diablo, in this case).
The gain is the only reason I didn’t buy this. It was just too loud even with full sized headphones like Focal Utopia.
Sir currawong what's your general opinion of the GTO filter from a sound quality perspective, is it worse than our current filters like minimum phase or linear or brickwall?
Check out my older Pro iDSD video where I discuss my impressions of the different filters: ua-cam.com/video/58GjjC6S_ZE/v-deo.html
I wished it was not red. Dealbreaker for me
Not a comment on ifi. It's a shame schiit has poor market saturation in Europe. They make really cool products but there's seemingly no stores that carry them so you can try things out, like that desktop setup you have for example.
They'd need a distributor/dealer network in that case, which would mean prices that were something like 3-5x higher.
Addicted to Audio are willing to resell them in Australia. It's handy to have dedicated head fi shops physically retailing and is why I always support 'bricks and mortar'.
I was thinking about swapping out for Hugo 2 but I guess it's not a good Idea to save some cash. however I have unrelated question I recently got Meze Empyrean based on your review and I am using it with Hugo 2 and some time with Topping A90 D90 stack but I am very disappointed with Empyrean the treble is very sharp and bass is bloomy on some tracks I find my Arya to be more pleasant listening with no treble sharpness or bass bloating with either Topping or Hugo 2 do it must be Empyrean I have got have bad tuning. How can I validate that or do think they are bit sharp in treble and bloomy in bass. Thank you
You don't need validation for your own opinions on what sounds good or not to you.
@@Currawong thanks Amos for your answer, may be my question was not clear what I wanted to ask is there a possibility my Empyrean have tuning defects and how I can check that do I need to send it to Meze.
Unless you can compare it to someone else's pair, no.
@@Currawong Many thanks again for your advice, this is exactly what I was thinking.
what about mqa full decoding capability?
is it sensitive to source like chord mojo. And what headphones was ur fav combo with it.
It didn't seem quite so sensitive to source. I didn't notice a dramatic difference using the coax input from a good streamer or USB converter vs. the USB input. Using the iUSB 3.0 was a bit better than straight from the computer from memory.
The fact that they removed xbass & 3d is just dumb I love ifi because of xbass its best bass boost ever & they removed what makes ifi IFI.
I need that toslink Sony adapter. My normal ones keep slipping off. Where can I get one ? Please.
It's not Toslink, which is optical. It's S/PDIF. It's a 3.5mm TS to RCA adapter.
I am not in the market this is aimed at, but who is ? Who walks around with something as large as this as portable, attached to a DAP or phone with Susvara’s on your head ??
Additionally, the UK price for Ifi is around 40% greater than US price- and they are a UK based company. It is cheaper to import, from USA, any of their products greater than $200.
Nobody, but it's more something people park on their desk while working.
I actually walk around my house while cooking and cleaning with the Black Label and the Aryas (sadly not Susvaras) quite often, but I guess that’s just me.
My car doesn't care if I feed the stereo from a paper thin Walkman or something noticeably larger...
The space saved from handfuls of CDs holds a Digital Audio Player and external DAC quite well.
As I never carry 'mini tablet' sized phones on my body, whatever sling bag I use is happy carrying phone/DAP and DAC+amp...
Whether 'non critical listening environments' need the extra quality, is personal preference, but having extra amp power for better headphone driver control can be a matter of life or death!
;-)
@@antonristo1096 you have such a Piece of hardware already and do not appreciate it enough😉🤭
There is some amp/dac combo more powerful than the ifi diablo?
Not that's portable, as far as I know.
tiny knobs are an instant turn-off. pun intended
I'm waiting for ifi to make something as good as a Mojo.
I didn't realise it was so compact, in other videos it looks about a foot long. Maybe you have manly mitts.
I have normal-sized hands.
Maybe we need a phone or banana for scale
@@vali69 Bananas size differ, u know😄
@@mikedergalev good point but so do phones, sorry just ruined the innuendo there 🙄
I will keep my black label version that I paid $599 and this new one only gives me 4.4mm jack and balanced circuit for another $300 . Less value then old model.
Cool. It can't be used for portable applications.
Personally I see it as a device for those of us with precious little desktop real estate.
ifi is unbelievable. They put out a product that costs around 1000 euros and it has massive imbalance problems because of a cheap volume pot. But marketing-BS will do it for them. Only ifi can do such weared things and people are happy and just buy another IEmatch.
It seems like they don't provide resolution specifications.
2:50 I disagree. Isn’t a balanced cable also part of a balanced circuit?
"Balanced" refers to a type of circuit design. It is simply laziness that results in people referring to a cable with separate signal returns for left and right as "balanced". There are now reviews out there incorrectly referring to non-balanced amps as "balanced" because they have a 4-pin XLR output.
There is no such thing as balanced headphones, The only thing a “balanced” output does is split the negatives and allow more voltage to the drivers. All this does is result in more power. The internal circuit could be balanced and the output could only be a single summed 1/4 inch and the amplifier would still be balanced
@@Currawong between the amp and the headphone drivers, balanced cable also cancels out inference, right?
I was actually planning to buy it, but if it can bust my iem’s with too much power, then it might be a pass for me for the meantime.
Use an ifi iem match, problem solved
Diablo owner here. There are an increasing number of IEMs in the market that are popular, mainstream and hard(er) to drive that work well with the Diablo without running into channel imbalance, etc. issues. I run my 7hz Timeless on my Diablo single ended on eco mode and the pot sits anywhere between 12-1 o clock. My CA Atlas probably 11-12. Even the Koss KPH30i (60ohm on ear headphone) can be driven on Turbo mode at 12-1 at comfortable listening levels. Currawong (and Zeos) overstates the case.
channel imbalance at any volume is totally unacceptable in 2021 ...
Yay im third
Why didn't they put Bluetooth on it :-(
Le first?
Congratulations 👏👏👏👏👏 what would you like as a prize?