iFi iDSD Diablo-X | Transportable DAC and Amp

iDSD Diablo-X is iFi's Latest Portable USB DAC Headamp and the 1st 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







Bloom's Take
The Diablo-X lands at sort of the crossroads of "pricey, TOTL flagship gear" and "affordable, flexible gear for the average Joe." It weighs in at 1100 bucks which might seem hefty for a portable DAC/Amp devoid of features such as XBass, XSpace, or even Bluetooth found in more budget-friendly models.
However, it took the polished design of its big brother, along with its excellent sound and became the 1st portable DAC/Amp to offer MEMS support. And let's not forget Diablo-X's knockout punch: enormous power without the slightest hint of flinching at hungry headphones such as HiFiMAN's Susvara (comfortable listening volume with a 6.3mm connection in normal power mode, and in Turbo mode, she was singing sweet songs.)
Put Diablo’s power and portability together with forward thinking MEMS technology, and Diablo-X makes a compelling case to be the next addition in your portable lineup.
Read our full review here.




iDSD Diablo-X: Simply eXceptional
At the heart of iFi iDSD Diablo-X is a special Burr Brown® True Native chipset in a dual-core configuration, yielding superb ultra-high resolution. Diablo-X uses cutting-edge tech to work with MEMS headphones. The bias, EQ and amplification have all been crafted for maximum performance. Designed for true audiophiles, Diablo-X aims to keep sound as close to its natural form as possible.
Under the hood of this all-new model is turbocharged Bit-perfect octa-speed DSD512 and double-speed DXD (705.6/768kHz.) Diablo-X is simply super-fast. And thanks to iFi-designed technological innovations such as Direct-Drive® (direct signal path with no coupling capacitor equating to less signal degradation) and Headamp Turbo® (ramps up the level of drive for current-hungry cans), devilishly powerful Diablo-X drives ultra-sensitive IEMs as well as demanding over-ears with unswerving authority.
All of this, combined with matching Bi-Polar transistors, incredibly low distortion, and iFi custom ultra-low noise Op-amps, iDSD Diablo-X will take your music to sonic stratospheres.

xMEMS eXplained
xMEMS microspeaker technology uses the 'piezoelectonic' effect to create a paper-thin solid-state speaker, pushing the boundaries of IEM and headphone performance.
According to xMEMS, “The inverse piezoelectric effect is created by applying electrical voltage to make the piezoMEMS contract or expand, converting electrical energy to mechanical energy. This excites an integrated silicon membrane to move air and generate acoustic sound waves and an increased range of movement enabling rich, loud audio."

Unadulterated Performance
Diablo-X focuses on pure performance and 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 (an inaudible frequency that's easier to filter than a typical supply) enables high linearity and ultra-low noise.

Specifications


Digital Inputs

USB-A 3.0 (USB2.0 compatible)
S-PDIF (3.5mm coaxial/optical)



Formats: Octa-DSD 512 /22.6MHz | PCM 768kHz | MQA Full Decoder

DAC: Dual-core native Bit-Perfect DSD & 2x 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: BAL 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