iFi Audio iDSD Diablo X

The Diablo-X is the first DAC/amplifier on the market to support the revolutionary xMEMS solid-state monolithic speaker technology. 

This unique technology features:

• Ultra-fast mechanical response (~15µsec; 150 times faster than a typical dynamic driver)
• 2° flat phase response for more accurate sound reproduction
• +/- 1° phase adaptation (piece by piece) for more precise spatial sound
• Silicone speaker diaphragm (95 times stiffer than plastic) to reduce speaker breakup (less muddy mids/treble)
• 8-time Grammy Mastery Engineer winner Brian Lucey calls it “truly disruptive” with “phase performance like no other speaker technology.”  Find out why in 3 minutes.

This level of performance requires a high voltage solution to control it, so iFi has teamed up with XMEMs to produce the Diablo-X - the first to control a first!

xMEMS microspeaker technology uses the piezoelectonic effect to create an ultra-thin solid-state speaker. These micro speakers offer great potential to push the boundaries of IEM and headphone performance.

As xMEMS themselves say: "The reverse piezoelectric effect is created by applying electrical voltage to cause the piezoMEMS to contract or expand, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. This energy excites an integrated silicon membrane to move air and generate sound waves acoustics....xMEMS piezoMEMs actuators offer a greater range of motion enabling rich, loud audio."

The Diablo-X can also be used with your favorite IEMs/headphones and, like the original, uses two Burr-Brown DAC chips and the 16-core XMOS chip to process data received via the USB and S/ digital inputs. PDIF. This means that the Diablo-X can handle up to PCM 768, DSD 512, 2xDXD. Both PCM and DSD remain 'bit-perfect'. Provides full MQA decoding.

The balanced differential analog circuit design reduces noise and interference in the signal path by completely separating the left and right channels. The Diablo-X features our PureWave technology, a refinement of our symmetrical and balanced dual mono topologies with short, direct signal paths.

Negative feedback is used in amplifier circuits to compare the output signal with the input signal and correct errors. But there are drawbacks. iFi turns negatives into positives with OptimaLoop.

Able to drive all types of headphones with ease, including those incorporating the new XMEMs technology, the Diablo-X has fully balanced 4.4 mm outputs with 4,100 mW of power.

Three modes are used to adjust power and gain.

• xMEMS - use with compatible IEMs/earphones
• Turbo: Increases the power level for headphones that draw a lot of current.
• Normal - for most earbuds or over-ear headphones

While we were working on the Diablo-X, two companies were pushing the limits to offer headphones compatible with XMEMs.

Singularity has created ONI. This sleek, minimalist-looking IEM contains two xMEMS drivers to deliver superior sound.

For its part, Soranik has gone one step further by combining xMEMS and USOUND technologies in its new MEMS-2. Available in 21 days.

The Diablo-X focuses on pure, unadulterated performance, means much attention has been applied to the power supply circuity.

Battery power provides ultra-clean and stable DC current avoiding the issues of mains electricity – dips, spikes and noise-inducing RFI/EMI pollution. 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.  We use a step-up converter running at 1.2MHz – a frequency far beyond audibility that is easier to filter than a typical switch-mode supply, enabling high linearity and ultra-low noise.

Whether you use your favorite IEMs/earphones or a pair of xMEMS compatible IEMs, Diablo-X connections have you covered.

On the front of the unit, next to a standard 6.3mm headphone jack, is a 4.4mm balanced output for headphones with a balanced connection.

On the back there are two digital audio inputs: USB-A and an S/PDIF socket that accepts electrical and optical signals, the first via a 3.5mm jack and the second via a supplied adapter.

The USB-A input features a "male" connector, rather than the typical "female" port for greater mechanical integrity.  A separate USB-C charging port is also provided, along with a 4.4mm balanced output for connecting to an external amplifier.