iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2 Ultimate Portable DAC / Headphone Amp

iDSD Diablo 2, by iFi Audio. Your ultimate portable DAC / Amp for home and mobile.

The Diablo 2, dressed in Devilish Red, succeeds the Diablo-X, boasting a slew of enhancements such as increased headphone output power, support for lossless Bluetooth codecs, xMEMS technology, iEMatch, a USB-C input, improved circuitry, and more.

As an audiophile, you likely use different systems for home and mobile setups. The Diablo 2 offers the best of both worlds with its powerful 5,180 mW output and balanced dual-mono circuitry, making it the most powerful headphone amplifier of its size.

The Diablo 2 is the world’s first portable DAC/Amp with Bluetooth 5.4, it supports aptX Lossless, the only Bluetooth codec for lossless CD-quality streaming without sacrificing audio quality. The predecessor of Diablo 2 pioneered support for xMEMS solid-state micro-speaker technology, enhancing IEM and headphone performance with several unique benefits:

1. A 15 µsec mechanical response, 150 times faster than typical drivers.
2. A 2-degree flat phase response for precise sound and precise +/- 1-degree phase matching for enhanced spatial sound accuracy.
3. A speaker diaphragm made of silicon, 95 times stiffer than plastic, reducing speaker break-up and delivering clearer mid-high frequencies.

Struggling with your power-hungry headphones? Press the NOS button, and our Diablo goes into beast mode. The Diablo 2 offers three power modes: Normal for IEMs, Turbo for mid-sensitivity headphones, and Nitro for demanding headphones, boasting a 19.2V maximum output.

A switch underneath activates iFi’s iEMatch technology. This feature is tailored for high-sensitivity headphones and earphones, greatly benefiting your in-ear monitors (IEMs). It removes background noise and increases the usable volume range.

The Diablo 2 accommodates a wide range of headphones, from IEMs to power-hungry over-ears. It features a 6.3 mm single-ended headphone socket and a 4.4mm balanced output. Additionally, a 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm adapter is included for versatile connectivity.

Due to the high voltage requirements of xMEMS, iFi has partnered with them to integrate this technology into the new Diablo 2. It utilises the piezoelectric effect to create paper-thin solid-state speakers by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, exciting an integrated silicon membrane to generate powerful acoustic sound waves for enhanced audio output.

Diablo 2 features the latest Bluetooth 5.4 technology, supporting the new aptX Lossless codec, which provides a maximum bitrate of 1,200kbps. In comparison, aptX Adaptive has a maximum bitrate of 420kbps, while LDAC offers a higher bitrate of 990 kbps. The Diablo 2 used Qualcomm’s new QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip, is qualified to Bluetooth 5.4, supported all* Bluetooth formats including: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC.

Diablo 2 features PureWave, Servoless DirectDrive, OptimaLoop, and Advanced Jitter Reduction Technology, delivering exceptionally pure, detailed, and emotionally touching sound, these technologies elevate performance to unparalleled heights, even challenging desktop DAC/amps.

PureWave’s full balanced dual-mono circuitry elevates clarity by separating channels and reducing noise. DirectDrive removes the need for coupling capacitors, ensuring purer audio. OptimaLoop employs tailored multiple feedback paths in amplifiers, refining gain control and reducing distortion. The enhanced GMT femto-precision clock with Smart storage cache minimises phase noise for cleaner sound.

Diablo 2 is the most formidable DAC/Amp on the planet. Your headphones should be scared.

Features

• XMOS 16-Core Chip.
• GMT Global Master Timing.
• Burr-Brown True Native Chipset.
• DirectDrive®.
• MQA Full Decoding.
• OptimaLoop Negative Feedback Technology.
• PureWave Balanced Symmetrical Dual-Mono Topology.

Specifications

• Hi-Res Support: 768 kHz, DSD512, Full MQA
• Bluetooth Formats: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC, SBC
• Output Impedance: ≤200 Ω
• SNR: ≥114 dB (A)
• DNR: ≥114 dB (A)
• THD+N: 0.002 % @ 0 dBFS 200 kΩ
• Power Consumption: Nitro 12 W, Turbo 5 W, Normal 2 W, xMEMS 8 W
• Battery: Lithium-Polymer 4800 mAh
• Charging: Via USB-C – BC v1.2 compliant up to 1900 mA
• Dimensions: 166 x 85 x 28.5 mm
• Net Weight: 455 g
• Digital Inputs: 1 x USB-C, 1 x S/PDIF (optical/coaxial), Bluetooth 5.4
• Headphone Outputs: 1 x Balanced 4.4 mm, 1 x 6.3 mm
• Line Output: 1 x Balanced 4.4 mm
• Power / Charging: 1 x USB-C

Included

• 1 x iDSD Diablo 2
• 1 x iTraveller Carrying Case
• 1 x iPower2 Power Supply
• 1 x USB-C Cable
• 1 x USB-C to USB-A Adaptor
• 1 x TOSlink Optical Adaptor
• 1 x 3.5mm to 6.3mm Headphone Adaptor

More Information

• Diablo 2, by iFi Audio