As the successor of the iDSD Diablo that launched in January 2021, the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 takes things to the next level.
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.
Looking back, the iFi brought out the iDSD Diablo as the perfect solution for headphone enthusiasts who were looking for a flagship DAC that they could carry anywhere and everywhere.
While the original offered a lot to the table, it didn’t have support for wireless streaming. And that’s pretty much where the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 worked on.
With this, the new unit becomes the first portable DAC/headphone amp that can process lossless Bluetooth audio. But it’s not just the wireless streaming support that makes the new Diablo 2 a proper upgrade over its predecessor.
iFi has thoroughly redesigned the original to bring out the iFi iDSD Diablo 2. And even though it has been redesigned from the inside and out, it builds on the same performance design philosophy that the original was praised for.
As a matter of fact, the new DAC/headphone amp also follows the prodigious power of its predecessor. But iFi has made technical advancements across the board.
By keeping the size pretty much the same as the original, the new iFi iDSD Diablo 2 held up the portability and ease of transport for which the predecessor was known. Again, even though it comes with the same footprint, it enjoys enhanced versatility.
When it comes to performance, the predecessor focused a little bit too much on cable connectivity. This time, the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 features the latest iFi Bluetooth engine.
This engine brings aptX Lossless support. In addition, the iDSD Diablo 2 incorporates the Burr-Brown DAC chipset that’s present in most of the high-end offerings of iFi.
It brings a true native architecture and natural-sound musicality. Two of these chipsets are inside the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 in a custom ‘interleaved’ configuration, allowing four pairs of different signals.
This configuration reduces the noise floor, enhances the unit’s ability to resolve micro-dynamics and fine musical detail, and improves channel separation.
Moreover, the iDSD Diablo 2 incorporates a 32-bit microcontroller. This 16-core XMOS Cortex microcontroller optimizes the sound quality and unlocks the full potential of the chipsets inside.
Even the boldly-colored aluminum enclosure has a purpose in enhancing the sound performance of the new DAC/headphone amp. It comes with 22 grooves, which aid in terms of thermal dissipation.
With this configuration, the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 supports DSD and PCM. MQA is also supported, and it can handle full decoding/upsampling of MQA files right up to the highest standard of the format.
Slava is a man of mystery and no-one seems to know exactly where he is at any point in time. When he isn't enjoying writing about all things audio and technical he can be found researching his next project of interest. The man never rests.
This post was last updated on 2025-02-05 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.