Could I run the 4.4 to XLR Cable I use for my Zen for the iDSD to my G111 or is it a 4.4 for headphones only? Would there be a compromise in SQ and so I’m gonna have to go for the NEO if I want an iFi Balanced DAC that’s an upgrade over my Zen?
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you absolutely can. you can have a custom cable made by Hart Cables or use a couple interconnects to convert from one to the other.
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Thanks! I already have a cable I got off Amazon, the next question then becomes what sort of voltage output would come out of that 4.4 jack… A question for the day when I go to upgrade I suppose.
for voltage info, you’d want to look at the spec sheet for the DAC.
from what I see on iFi…the line out is >2v and the headphone out can be as low as 2v and as high as 10v, depending on what performance mode you have it set to perform at.
| ### Headphone Power Output | ||
|---|---|---|
| Turbo Mode | Power (max) | 10.0V/4,100 mW |
| Power (continuous) | >1,560 mW @ 64 Ohm | |
| >166 mW @ 600 Ohm | ||
| Normal mode | Power (max) | 5.5V/1,900 mW |
| Power (continuous) | >100 mW @ 300 Ohm | |
| >950 mW @ 32 Ohm | ||
| Eco mode | Power (max) | 2.0V/500 mW @ 8 Ohm |
| Power (continuous) | >250 mW @ 16 Ohm | |
| Dynamic Range (HP) | >115dB(A) (Eco Mode, 2V Out) | |
| THD &N (HP 500mW/16R) | < 0.008% | |
| Output Voltage (HP) | >10V (Turbo Mode) | |
| Output Impedance | <1Ω (iEMatch not engaged) | |
| Maximum Output Power | 4,100 mW @ 16 Ohm Load | |
| Continuous Output Power | 1,000 mW @ 64 Ohm Load |
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Jesus christ. 10V. That’s fuckin’ lit
it’s a bit of power, yeah, ain’t it?
@sebastien_chiu_iFi unless I’m having a brain fart, I don’t see the output being labeled for balanced or single ended. balanced usually has higher output capabilities, no?
Yes, usually, but the Signature used our S-balanced setup - it basically means you aren’t losing as much if you don’t use balanced, and the output power is the same.
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@Chifiguy in terms of sound quality, did you notice a significant improvement in using the 4.4-to-XLR vs the RCA output for the signature?
Sorry for the late reply and any confusion but I never owned the signature, only the regular Zen. FWIW didnt notice a difference between 4.4-xlr vs RCA other than volume
The biggest difference is volume output!
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