[samandhi]

To my knowledge, the product has not been discontinued. And the Phantom was not intended as a "replacement" so to speak, kind of a new animal, lol

It is available here...

https://ifi-studio.com/

Cheers!!

It's all good... Thankfully I was able to get one. I was only surmising since they aren't available (pretty much) anywhere ATM; including your own website/store. As a matter of fact, going to that link you supplied, it is not even listed there (as well as the iDSD Sig). I wonder if they are being replaced by the "studio" version on that site???

Thank you for the reply.

From looking at the pictures, it appears to be the same thing. The faceplate even still says Signature on it. Are they just renaming it then, I wonder?!

 

[iFi audio]

It's all good... Thankfully I was able to get one. I was only surmising since they aren't available (pretty much) anywhere ATM; including your own website/store. As a matter of fact, going to that link you supplied, it is not even listed there (as well as the iDSD Sig). I wonder if they are being replaced by the "studio" version on that site???

Thank you for the reply.

Could be just a shortage for where you are at the moment.

I am in the USA and am able to put it in my basket.

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

From looking at the pictures, it appears to be the same thing. The faceplate even still says Signature on it. Are they just renaming it then, I wonder?!

Same product, As I said it just crosses over as many folks in Pro Audio have used them for years, so it is available on both sites.

Cheers!!

 

[samandhi]

Could be just a shortage for where you are at the moment.

I am in the USA and am able to put it in my basket.

Cheers!!

Could be, and I am also in the USA. If you look on this page it shows out of stock. Bloomaudio and Audio46 are also out of stock. I didn't know to look for it under "studio" rather than "Signature", and on another site altogether....

 

[iFi audio]

Could be, and I am also in the USA. If you look on this page it shows out of stock. Bloomaudio and Audio46 are also out of stock. I didn't know to look for it under "studio" rather than "Signature", and on another site altogether....

Indeed it is,

Just a branding thing, you would have to look on Pro Audio websites that sell music and recording gear for the "Studio" line.

When we started that line last year there were a few products like even the Gryphon that were also included as they fit into that category nicely.

Just branching out!

Cheers!!

 

[samandhi]

Same product, As I said it just crosses over as many folks in Pro Audio have used them for years, so it is available on both sites.

Cheers!!

Yep, I am seeing that now that you have pointed it out. I hadn't ever seen that site before, and doing a google search for the iFi site does not give that link, but instead takes you to iFi-audio.com.

Also, even after you pointed it out to me, other than the faceplate that says Signature, all the writing and labeling about it says it is the iFi Pro iCan Studio, as seen here (for example):

The Pro iCAN Studio is the flagship reference-class headphone amp and monitor controller.

You might want to reword that so as to not confuse other "newbies" like myself in the future... hahaha

Anyhow, thanks for getting it sorted out for me, and have a great day! I will post here when it arrives and I have had some time to give it some listening time.

 

[samandhi]

My amplifier came in today, and I have been listening to it (straight) for about 8 1/2 hours. First, I don't believe I am coaxing the best out of this little gem because I am stuck using an unbalanced connection between my DAC and the amp (I am still awaiting the cable to run it via balanced), and the DAC I am using (DX300) with the stock amplifier card does not have a true LO (it is called LO mode but it is not bypassing the amplifier circuit). Once I get the dual XLR connector to 4.4mm I can run it from my other amplifier card that has a true LO jack available to use, and I am sure things will sound immensely better.

Having said that, it still sounds brilliant with most of my head gear (so far). I haven't taken too much time to test out the tube and tube+ mods, but SS mode is sounding really good with the majority of my collection. I find the X-bass to be subtle in most cases all the way up to 40Hz, where it becomes a big boost (nothing subtle there). There are a couple of sets that I have that will make known the different settings though. I find the quantity very pleasing depending on my mood (though I am no bass head for the most part). The only negative I might "nitpick" is the quality and overall punch (or lack thereof) of the amplifier altogether. But, this could just be that my DX300 that I am used to has more punch and is more visceral (even with sets that lack quantity) than the iCan Sig, or that I am basically "double amping" the signal ATM. I don't find it detracts too much from the enjoyment of the amp though.

Another beautiful feature for me is the 3D Holographic feature, but not for the reasons that is explained that this feature is supposed to do. I don't find that it widens the staging at all with any of my headphones, IEMs, flathead earbuds. BUT.... where I love it is that (to my ears) it either lowers the mids a bit to sound more recessed a bit, or boosts the treble to give more perceived clarity in the overall tone of the notes, or both at the same time because it makes most of my gear (seemingly) have a bit of a V signature to them. So, for me this is more like X-Treble than 3D Holography.... Great implementation anyhow because this isn't a subtle effect either.

Man! This thing has some power to it. I have a set of flathead earbuds (Yinman 2.0 600) that are both super high impedance, and also super low sensitivity making them one of the hardest pieces of head gear that I have (600ohms @87dB/mW). I am not able to get much volume out of the 4.4mm balanced connection (as expected after reading about the output power from that jack) but coming out of the balanced XLR connection, I can get deafening volume levels in low gain. I DO think that 9dB or 18dB make them sound more dynamic though.

Also, probably a bit dim on my part, but there are no instructions or diagrams showing the proper way to install a battery in the remote. I found the cap at the bottom of the remote that has to be removed, but I see no markings or an obvious installation method or markings for the battery. Am I just supposed to "shove" it in until it bottoms out, and which is plus and which is minus??? LOL

Edit: OH! Also, I am positively sure that my impressions can/will change over time as the caps are conditioned, and settle.

 

[TomekZ]

Has anyone compared the sound of the Pro iDSD Signature to a Denafrips Ares 12th-1? I know price wise completely different ballparks but I have an iCan Pro Sig and I am looking to upgrade my dac from a D30Pro. I was eyeballing the Bifrost 2/64 and the Ares 12th-1, but stumbled across a like new/open box iDSD Pro Signature for $1900. It'd be used for DAC duty only, just curious on thoughts between this and Multibit/R2R.

If only looking at it for DAC use alone is it worth twice the price of the others?

Had a Pro iDSD Signature for a couple of years, then listened to an Ares II and then a 12th-1 for a few weeks. Found the iFi cleaner with more detail for certain but more clinical, less palpable, less organic, less detailed. ...ah, I like my Geshelli J2 akm 4499 with Sparkos pro 2590 best, blending the best of the previous two. An iFi Pro iCan is one of my favorite amps though.

 

[iFi audio]

My amplifier came in today, and I have been listening to it (straight) for about 8 1/2 hours. First, I don't believe I am coaxing the best out of this little gem because I am stuck using an unbalanced connection between my DAC and the amp (I am still awaiting the cable to run it via balanced), and the DAC I am using (DX300) with the stock amplifier card does not have a true LO (it is called LO mode but it is not bypassing the amplifier circuit). Once I get the dual XLR connector to 4.4mm I can run it from my other amplifier card that has a true LO jack available to use, and I am sure things will sound immensely better.

Having said that, it still sounds brilliant with most of my head gear (so far). I haven't taken too much time to test out the tube and tube+ mods, but SS mode is sounding really good with the majority of my collection. I find the X-bass to be subtle in most cases all the way up to 40Hz, where it becomes a big boost (nothing subtle there). There are a couple of sets that I have that will make known the different settings though. I find the quantity very pleasing depending on my mood (though I am no bass head for the most part). The only negative I might "nitpick" is the quality and overall punch (or lack thereof) of the amplifier altogether. But, this could just be that my DX300 that I am used to has more punch and is more visceral (even with sets that lack quantity) than the iCan Sig, or that I am basically "double amping" the signal ATM. I don't find it detracts too much from the enjoyment of the amp though.

Another beautiful feature for me is the 3D Holographic feature, but not for the reasons that is explained that this feature is supposed to do. I don't find that it widens the staging at all with any of my headphones, IEMs, flathead earbuds. BUT.... where I love it is that (to my ears) it either lowers the mids a bit to sound more recessed a bit, or boosts the treble to give more perceived clarity in the overall tone of the notes, or both at the same time because it makes most of my gear (seemingly) have a bit of a V signature to them. So, for me this is more like X-Treble than 3D Holography.... Great implementation anyhow because this isn't a subtle effect either.

Man! This thing has some power to it. I have a set of flathead earbuds (Yinman 2.0 600) that are both super high impedance, and also super low sensitivity making them one of the hardest pieces of head gear that I have (600ohms @87dB/mW). I am not able to get much volume out of the 4.4mm balanced connection (as expected after reading about the output power from that jack) but coming out of the balanced XLR connection, I can get deafening volume levels in low gain. I DO think that 9dB or 18dB make them sound more dynamic though.

Also, probably a bit dim on my part, but there are no instructions or diagrams showing the proper way to install a battery in the remote. I found the cap at the bottom of the remote that has to be removed, but I see no markings or an obvious installation method or markings for the battery. Am I just supposed to "shove" it in until it bottoms out, and which is plus and which is minus??? LOL

Edit: OH! Also, I am positively sure that my impressions can/will change over time as the caps are conditioned, and settle.

Thanks so much for your thoughts and impressions here, we are looking forward to more of your observations!

This is great for new folks thinking about getting the unit.

Cheers!!

 

[samandhi]

Had a Pro iDSD Signature for a couple of years, then listened to an Ares II and then a 12th-1 for a few weeks. Found the iFi cleaner with more detail for certain but more clinical, less palpable, less organic, less detailed. ...ah, I like my Geshelli J2 akm 4499 with Sparkos pro 2590 best, blending the best of the previous two. An iFi Pro iCan is one of my favorite amps though.

I find that the Topping E70V pairs VERY well with the iCan Sig. I have only had it for a couple days now, so I can't say for sure that I will like it as much over time, but first impressions say that it is a fantastic DAC so far.

I have only had the amplifier for about a week now as well. There is one negative that I couldn't get around with this amp (it is a physical thing). The rubber (vibration stabilizing) base at the bottom is horrible. It is NOT sticky at all so it slides around, and it also, because of its placement in the center rather than each corner, twists easily with any sort of pressure (plugging/unplugging, switching switches, pushing the power button, etc...). Having said that, I have remedied the problem with some clear stick on feet, as can be seen in the picture.

Otherwise I am really digging this amp. It drives my earbuds better than anything I have used to this point, and I would actually consider them as hard or harder to drive (properly) than the (in)famous Susvara being 600ohms @87dB/mW.

Spoiler