iFi audio introduced the nano iDSD Black Label DAC/Amplifier. Outputting 10 times more power than a typical laptop or phone and with a built-in iEMatch, the compact nano iDSD Black Label can drive virtually any set of headphones or in-ear monitors (IEMs) with audiophile quality sound. The nano iDSD Black Label is available for immediate delivery with an MSRP of $199 USD
Following a tradition of designing compact desktop audio products with remarkable performance, iFi has raised the bar with their latest entry. Despite its light weight and compact size, the nano iDSD Black Label is not only powerful but smart as well. It includes iEMatch, a clever feature that lets the user choose how much power to apply to their headphones, so it matches sensitive IEMs as well as larger headphones. For added convenience, the nano iDSD Black Label is battery powered so it can go everywhere without draining the battery of the phone or player.
AS for its sound credentials, the nano iDSD Black Label is one of the most high resolution DACs on the market. It supports PCM up to 32/384 kHz and DSD up to 256 times the sample rate of a CD. It is also certified as ‘High-Res Audio’ by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association and Japan Audio Society.
Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) is typically found in high-end audio components yet it is on board in the nano iDSD BL. MQA technology offers studio quality sound exactly as the artist intended. Using pioneering scientific research into how people hear, MQA technology captures the full magic of the original studio performance. MQA is a revolutionary end-to-end technology that delivers master quality audio in a file that’s small enough to stream or download and because it’s fully authenticated, listeners can be sure they are hearing exactly what the artist recorded and approved in the studio. MQA is the first technology to capture this crucial timing information – to transport the listener to the original performance. And it is built in with the nano iDSD Black Label.
Other features new with the nano iDSD Black Label include an integrated iPurifier adds noise isolation for USB Input, a new OTG ‘A-Type’ USB input links seamlessly with iPhone/smartphones and tablets, analog stage features dual-mono design and a dedicated fixed level line out, and S-Balanced wiring system for the headphone outputs. This gives the full benefit of balanced outputs when used with headphones/IEMs fitted with balanced wiring with low noise and distortion. Even cuts crosstalk in half for unbalanced headphones.
“The micro iDSD has been a really popular product for iFi and the Black Label simply takes it to another level.”, said Victoria Pickles, head of global marketing for iFi audio. “iFi set out to design an affordable, great sounding DAC/Amp and we believe the nano iDSD Black Label will quickly be viewed as best in class in both performance and value.”
iFi audio designs and manufactures high performance, best-in-class portable and ultra-fidelity desktop audio products. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Southport, UK, iFi audio is the sister brand of Abbingdon Music Research (AMR), a highly-acclaimed line of high-end audio ‘home-based’ components. The combined in-house hardware and software development team enables iFi audio and AMR to bring to market advanced audio products ahead of the competition, including ‘world firsts’.
