iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2 Portable DAC Amp Instructions
- June 17, 2024
- iFi Audio
Table of Contents
- Other Models
- Thank you
- Single-Ended 6.35mm output
- Balanced 4.4mm and mums analogue output
- mums Mode ON/OFF
- Power Mode
- INPUT Mode/Audio Format (kHz) /Bluetooth Format LED
- Volume lock
- ON/OFF and Analogue Volume Control
- iWatch switch
- Input mode selector/Bluetooth pairing
- Balanced 4.4mm line output/SE line input
- S/PDIF 3.5mm Coaxial/Optical input
- USB-C (5V) battery charge input
- LED for Battery Status
- USB-C data input port
- Specifications
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2 Portable DAC Amp
Other Models
Thank you
Thank you for purchasing the Diablo 2 from the Diablo series. The did Diablo 2 is a balanced USB and Bluetooth Ultra-Res portable DAC + headphone amplifier
Single-Ended 6.35mm output
Connection for 6.35 single ended headphones . Please use 3.5 to 6.35 mm
adaptor for 3.5 single ended headphones.
Tip: With a new pair of IEMs/Headphones, ALWAYS start with the volume no
higher than 9 o’ clock and with the Power Mode (item 4) set to ‘Normal’.
Balanced 4.4mm and mums analogue output
Connect balanced 4.4mm headphones. See the next section for instructions on
using the mums headset.
Tip: As did Diablo 2 is balanced, we recommend the 4.4mm output.
mums Mode ON/OFF
This mode is specifically designed for mums headphones. To use mums
headphones, please enable mums mode.
Tip: mums transducers are a piezoelectric technology that has specific drive
requirements, and can only be used when mums mode is on.
Warning: With mums mode on, please connect mums IEMs to the balanced 4.4mm headphone output only (item 2). It is not recommended to connect other types of headphones while mums mode is on. To connect those, please turn off the mums mode before connecting.
Tip: If the mode is used incorrectly, such as plugging mums headphones into the balanced 4.4mm headphone port when xMEMS mode is not turned on, or plugging regular balanced 4.4mm headphones into the balanced 4.4mm headphone port when xMEMS mode is turned on, please don’t worry about damage to your headphones or your hearing, but it will result in distorted sound.
Power Mode
There are 3 different types of power output levels to drive different headphones from the ultra-sensitive in-ear monitors to the most demanding over-ear headphones.
Normal | for high-sensitivity IEMs, up to a maximum of 12 hours |
---|---|
Turbo | for medium-sensitivity headphones, up to a maximum of 9 hours |
Nitro | for the most demanding headphones, up to a maximum 6 hours |
xMEMS mode | |
Normal | DC bias level is 10V, up to a maximum of 8 hours |
Turbo | DC bias level is 12V, up to a maximum of 7 hours |
Nitro | DC bias level is 14V, up to a maximum 6 hours |
INPUT Mode/Audio Format (kHz) /Bluetooth Format LED
INPUT LED
LED | Mode |
---|---|
White (flashing) | Wired (USB or S/PDIF or 4.4mm) |
Blue (flashing | Wireless Bluetooth (Awaiting connection |
Blue/Red (flashing) | Wireless Bluetooth (Pairing) |
Audio Format (kHz) LED
The LED colour scheme indicates the audio format and sampling frequency received by the did Diablo 2 from the music source
LED | Format (kHz) |
---|---|
Yellow | PCM 48/44.1kHz |
White | PCM 768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2k |
Cyan | DSD 128/6 |
Red | DSD 512/256 |
Green | MQA |
Blue | MQA Studio |
Magenta | Original Sample Rate* |
MQB |
Attention: Installing GTO enabled firmware may result in the LED’s on this device no longer changing in accordance with th
Bluetooth Format LED
The colors shown on the LEDs are based on the Bluetooth audio format received by the did Diablo 2.
LED | Format |
---|---|
Off | SBC |
Yellow | AAC |
Blue | apt* |
Magenta | apt H |
Green | apt Adaptive* |
White | Apt Lossless* |
Red | HWA/LHDC |
Cyan | LDAC |
Volume lock
Used to lock the volume knob in position. This prevents it from turning if touched accidentally, resulting in a sudden increase or decrease in volume. It also prevents accidentally powering the did Diablo 2 on.
ON/OFF and Analogue Volume Control
The analogue volume control in did Diablo 2 is sonically superior to any digital volume control.
Warning: Due to the high power of did Diablo 2, always start off at a low volume level so that there is no risk of damage to your headphones or your hearing. if audio is not responsible for any hearing or equipment damage from misuse.
Power ON.
Power OFF.
The did Diablo 2 is equipped with a memory function, after powering on, it
will automatically restore the last mode used. If the last mode used when
powering off was wireless Bluetooth mode, after powering on, the did Diablo 2
will firstly enter into the Waiting for Connection mode (item 5, INPUT: blue
light blinking), which is the mode in which it automatically searches for the
pairing device from 15 seconds ago; if it does not find the stored pairing
device is not found, it will automatically enter the waiting pairing mode
(item 5,
INPUT: blue/red light blinking alternately).
Tip: did Diablo 2 will continue to use battery power even if the USB
cable is connected afterwards.
Tip: For connection to Apple devices, an Apple Lightning to a USB Camera
Adapter is required. For connection to Android devices, a USB-C to USB-C cable
and appropriate OS support are required.
For more information, please refer to www.ifi-audio.com
iWatch switch
iWatch reduces the output level, so that even the most sensitive In-Ear-
Monitors (IEMs) can be matched to the iDSD Diablo 2.
iWatch can increase the dynamic range of sensitive IEMs by reducing background
amplifier hiss.
| 4.4| = 4.4mm headphones
---|---|---
Off| = off
6.35| = 6.3mm headphones
Tip: The did Diablo 2 or the headphone will not be damaged if the iWatch
switch is adjusted incorrectly, but the attenuation level will not be correct.
Tip: When using the 4.4mm headphone output, the 4.4 iWatch position reduces
the level by -12dB, and the 6.35 position reduces it by -6dB. Similarly, when
using the 6.35mm headphone output, the 6.35 iWatch position reduces the level
by -12dB, and the 4.4 position reduces it by -6dB.
Note: The iWatch function is not available when the driver mode is
“Nitro”, or when mums mode is turned on.
Input mode selector/Bluetooth pairing
Input Mode selector
Short press cycles between wired and wireless (Bluetooth) modes. The LED (item
5) flashes white for wired mode, or flashes blue for Bluetooth mode after a
short press.
Wired Mode (USB or S/PDIF or 4.4mm)
This mode allows you to connect the did Diablo 2 with a DAP, phone, laptop or
any other device via a Lightning to USB camera adapter (Apple) or a USB-C to
USB-C cable (Android), S/PDIF, 4.4mm.
The selection between S/PDIF and USB and 4.4mm is automatic. The USB signal
has priority over S/PDIF (USB > S/PDIF > 4.4mm) . To use the S/PDIF signal
input, please make sure there is no signal going through the USB input.
Wireless Mode (Bluetooth)
This mode allows you to connect the did Diablo 2 to a DAP, phone or any other
music source with Bluetooth wirelessly.
Bluetooth Pairing
When Bluetooth input is selected, the INPUT LED (item 5) will blink blue and
search for previously paired devices. If a stored device is not found, it
will automatically enter pairing mode and flash blue/red.
Press and hold the button (3 s) to enter pairing mode until the INPUT LED
(item 5) flashes blue/red. To pair, find the ‘iFi Lossless Audio’
Bluetooth device on your audio source device such as a mobile phone.
The did Diablo 2 can store up to 8 paired Bluetooth devices.
Tip: The did Diablo 2 receives Bluetooth signals via apt, apt Lossless, apt Adaptive*, LDAC , LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC
Balanced 4.4mm line output/SE line input
a) Output – when input mode is S/PDIF, USB or Bluetooth, etc.
b) Input – when there is no S/PDIF, USB or Bluetooth input, the 4.4mm
line input is available (Single-Ended only).
Tip: Analogue output via 4.4mm > XLR or other balanced interconnects may
be used when in fixed line output mode. You can use this to connect to active
speakers or amplifiers that have a volume control. To use this balanced output
with a single ended connection, please use the if 3.5mm to 4.4mm adapter (This
adapter does not convert an single ended connector into a balanced one – the
connection remains single ended).
Tip: The input impedance as a line input is very low when in mums mode.
Please use an analogue source with low impedance output <10 ohms when in mums
mode. During playback from a digital source using USB, S/PDIF or Bluetooth
(i.e.. when in line output mode), please unplug your analogue source.
Warning: The volume level is fixed from this 4.4mm connector in line out
mode. The volume control and headphone amp settings have no influence on it.
Do not insert 4.4mm headphones to this source as the full volume is likely to
damage your headphones or your hearing.
S/PDIF 3.5mm Coaxial/Optical input
When USB is not used, connect to a coaxial cable (3.5mm TS), or an optical cable through a Toslink to 3.5mm Mini-Plug.
Tip: a 3.5mm optical mini-plug to Toslink adaptor is included for
connecting a Toslink optical cable.
Tip: MQA can be decoded from the S/PDIF input as well as the USB input.
Tip: The S/PDIF standard supports PCM only up to 192kHz.
USB-C (5V) battery charge input
For charging only. Due to the very high-power nature of did Diablo 2, it will take ~12 hours and ~5 hours for a standard and high-powered charger, respectively, to fully recharge.
Tip: did Diablo 2 will continue to use battery power even if the USB-C
(5V) cable is connected afterwards. Tip: When the did Diablo 2 is off and a 5V
USB power supply is detected, the LED (item 13) will change colour to show the
various states of charge (see next section).
Tip: When the did Diablo 2 is off and a 5V USB power supply is detected,
the LED (item 13) will change colour to show the various states of charge (see
next section).
Tip: We recommend charging the did Diablo 2 while the machine is off,
otherwise the following two situations will occur:
- . Can listen to music while charging, but it may take longer to be fully charged, depending on the volume level and the headphones used.
- The did Diablo 2 may be slightly warm to the touch when it is simultaneously in use and being charged. This is normal, and there is no cause for concern.
Tip: The did Diablo 2 will run from battery power whilst charging.
LED for Battery Status
LED | Status |
---|---|
White* | > 75% |
Green* | > 25% |
Red* | > 10% |
Red (flashing) | ≤ 10% |
*Battery LED will flash when it is charging
USB-C data input port
Connect your phone to the did Diablo 2 with a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (Apple) or USB-C to USB-C cable (Android). When using other audio sources, please connect with a USB cable. This USB-C port is intended for data transfer only.
Tip: For use with PC it is necessary to download drivers.
Tip: For firmware optimized to run PCM768/DSD512(non-MQA) please install
corresponding firmware.
Tip: For all latest firmware updates please refer to our website here:
www.ifi-audio.com/download-hub/
Specifications
Digital Inputs:| USB-C S-PDIF (3.5mm coaxial/optical) TM Bluetooth 5.4 (apt
Lossless, apt Adaptive, apt, LDAC, HWA/LHDC, AAC and SBC)
---|---
Analogue Input:| Single-Ended 4.4mm, 2Vrms max. positive phase connection only
Formats supported| DSD 512 /22.6MHz PCM 768kHz MQA Full Decoder TM Bluetooth
5.4 Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown Qualcomm QCC 518x Series
Frequency Response:|
DAC mode| 1.5Hz-114kHz (-3dB)
Line mode| 1.5Hz-400kHz (-3dB)
Line Output Section|
Line Output:| Balanced 4.4mm
Output Level:| 4.1Vrms @ 0dBFS (Bal)
Output Impedance:| ≤210Ω
SNR:| ≥114dB(A)
DNR:| ≥114dB(A)
THD + N:| 0.002% @ 0dBFS (200kΩ load
Headphone Output Section|
Headphone Output:| Balanced 4.4mm; Single-Ended 6.35mm
Headphone Max Output power:|
Balanced (Max.)| >19.2V/611mW (@ 600Ω); >12.87V/5,180mW (@ 32Ω)
Single-Ended (Max.)| >9.6V/153mW (@ 600Ω); >8.85V/2,450mW (@ 32Ω)
Balanced (RMS)| >11.5V/2066mW (@ 64Ω)
Single-Ended (RMS)| >8.1V/2050mW (@ 32Ω)
mums| >28Vpp (Balanced 4.4mm), 22Ω, 10-14V DC bias
Output impedance:|
Balanced| < 1Ω(≤5.7Ω with iWatch engaged)
Single-Ended| <1Ω(≤5.7Ω with iWatch engaged)
SNR:|
Balanced| ≥113dB(A)
Single-End| ≥113dB(A
DNR:|
Balanced| ≥113dB(A)
Single-Ended| ≥113dB(A)
THD + N:|
Balance| 0.003% (16Ω @ 2.4V
Single-Ended| 0.003% (16Ω @ 2.4
Power consumption:|
Nitro| 12W
Turbo| 5W
Norma| 2W
mums Mode:|
Nitro| 4.1W
Turbo| 4.0W
Normal| 3.5W
Battery:| Lithium-polymer 4800mAh
Power System:| Charging via USB-C BC V1.2 compliant up to 1900mA
charging current
Dimensions:| 166 x 85 x 28.5 mm (6.5″ x 3.3″ x 1.1″)
Net Weight:| 455 g (1.0 lbs)
Limited Warranty:| 12 months*
- Qualcomm apt and Snapdragon Sound are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
- Qualcomm, Snapdragon and Snapdragon Sound are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. apt is a trademark of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd.
- 12 months typical or as permitted/required by local reseller laws.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>