Munich HIGH END Show Report 2017
iFi Audio iOne ER, micro iDSD Black Label, And iEMatch
High End Society Munich Germany
HIGH END 2017 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin

  iFi Audio is at HIGH END 2017 with their new iOne ($199) wireless / wired USB audiophile grade DAC. The iOne is designed with the usual iFi dedication to detail and trademark cutting-edge technology. It is versatile yet simple. It is for the Spotify listener and the dedicated audiophile. It elevates home systems to their full potential. The iOne works with stereo systems, phones, tablets, CD, DVD and Blu-ray players, TVs, gaming consoles, streamers and computers. This makes it the perfect upgrade to bring any audio configuration into the digital age.

Nano iOne has an extended range – 360° and longer reach. The iOne is the DAC for the modern homeas it combines many different digital audio devices and input options in ONE complete unit. With Bluetooth, S/PDIF or USB inputs, it upgrades the listening experience with smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs, gaming consoles, media streamers and more.

The iOne ER can be placed in any orientation as it now has a 360° Bluetooth signal. The operational range has been extended to over 10m 'line of sight.' In addition, the new iOne will include a 5v USB power supply so that customers can use it straight from the box along with a 'shorty' USB cable.

For customers of the existing iOne, if they wish to move to the ER version, there is no additional charge. Just contact your retailer and make the arrangements to have
it exchanged for the 'Extended Range' model. It is as simple as that. Features/Technologies include: 

• Bluetooth*, S/PDIF, USB input (*aptX & AAC CD-like quality)
• Galvanically-isolated S/PDIF Output with dedicated re-clocker/line driver
• ANC noise suppression system for the power supply (via USB socket)
• GMT Femto precision clock system
• Asyncronous USB audio system with Zero Jitter Memory Buffer
• Zero Jitter Memory Buffer technology for S/PDIF & Bluetooth
• Galvanically-isolated S/PDIF input with FET High Definition (FHD) circuitry
• Advanced custom Bluetooth 4.0 wireless audio system
• AAC codec allows direct Bluetooth wireless streaming from iTunes & Apple
Music in native quality
• aptX codec allows CD quality Bluetooth wireless audio streaming from
suitably equipped Android devices, PCs and Mac computers
• Advanced minimum phase (Bezier) 'Listen' digital filter optimized for sound
quality and alternatively selectable 'Measure' standard FIR phase-linear
digital filter
• Direct-Coupled analogue outputs via RCA
• 5V USB power supply included

iFi Audio's micro iDSD Black Label ($549) is claimed to be the world's most powerful DSD/PCM/DXD battery-powered DAC. The Black Label looks good on the outside and functions even better then it looks with its sonics advanced with the very latest components. Features /Technologies include:
• DAC digital signal and digital power sections upgraded
• AMR Global Master Timing femto-precision clock system upgraded for 'super low'
phase-noise/jitter
• Analogue signal and power sections revised
• 3D+ performance-tuned / XBass+ performance-tuned
• Latest Output stabilization network offers less distortion

Sonically much smoother, with more weight and with a full-bodied mid-range. The bass is deeper and cleaner. The Black Label is in every way, the 'turbo charged' version of the normally aspirated micro iDSD. Burnt orange silk print is set against new, sleek matt and gloss black anodizing. While keeping in essence the same design philosophy, we re-engineered the micro iDSD after taking on board customer suggestions and integrating the most advanced and newest components available.

iFi Audio's new iEMatch ($49) says you can kiss goodbye to the hiss, et enjoy great power to your IEMs. Many headphones, and in particular IEMs, are high-sensitivity in nature. This, coupled with the relative high-power of modern smartphones, (dedicated headphone amplifiers are even more powerful), means that listening enjoyment is heavily compromised as
'loudness and/or hiss' becomes excessive. This makes listening fatigue an all too common issue.

The solution, according to iFi Audio, is source > iEMatch > headphones. By inserting the iEMatch in between the smartphone/source and the headphones, the
result is sound quality that has greater warmth, resolution and dynamic contrast.
1. Reduced background noise/hiss
2. Improved dynamic range
3. Optimized volume control

Features/Technologies
• Ultra (-24dB)/High (-12dB) sensitivity adjustment
• S-Balanced connection for Single-Ended and Balanced operation
• 6N Copper/Silver matrix signal cabling with Final 6063-T5 aluminum-magnesium
alloy shell
• Gold-plated circuit board with premium components (e.g. MELF resistors)
• Gold-plated 3.5mm male/female connectors
• Input impedance > 16 Ohm
• Output impedance > 2.5 Ohms (High-sensitivity)
> 1 Ohm (Ultra-sensitivity)

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