SOUND
iFi’s product range is never disappointing when it comes to sound quality, and the Nano iDSD Black is no exception. iFi gives great attention to details, especially for the component side of things. They push their limits every time to get a better, more refined and clean audio signal with each new release. Fair is not enough for them, and good is not good either, they want it to be great for the price, and yes, they nailed it again.
The Nano iDSD Black Label, while very affordable, is packed to the rafters with boutique components.
Overall, the Nano iDSD Black has an open, airy and detailed sound reproduction with good enough dynamics and a top notch resolution for the price level. On the tonal aspect it sits on the neutral side, and it’s a very strong device for technicalities. Let’s get into detail with my usual order.
BASS
Deep bass notes surprised me with this device, especially for the asking price. It can go pretty low on subbass, and gives a very nice midbass which is neither boomy nor deficient. It’s very well balanced throughout and actually gives a very reference type of bass to me. You can use this bass for comparison with other devices to tell if they have something wrong with lows; which says a lot already.
iFi Nano iDSD Black Label
The bass is also nicely layered and it gives the device a nice depth. The Hyla CE-5’s dynamic bass driver just perfectly shines when plugged into it, reminding it of the amazing bass quality of itself. At that moment, I realized this DAC/AMP can uncover the good qualities of fine equipment. And that is the very thing you would look for with this type of a device for your system.
If your phones lack bass quantity and quality, the iFi will reveal it. On the other hand, if you have gear that gives great bass altogether, then I guarantee you that you’ll hear it perfectly with the Nano iDSD Black. To me this is totally exceptional quality from iFi.
MIDS
The mids are very transparent and have a high resolution with the BL, and I think it’s comparable to many high end DAPs out there. They’re positioned quite close to your ears, and they’re incredibly detailed. The ability to reveal the micro details is top notch, and the separation from the rest of the spectrum is very nice, although not perfect, which shouldn’t be criticized in my opinion for 200$.
The tonality is also very strong and mostly very correct to my ears. The texture is absolutely great with lovely timbre and the device is able to give you a very balanced and controlled experience with amazing transparency for the price. The hint of musicality is still there despite the neutral tuning, but that can also very much depend on your ear/headphones.
The dynamism for mids is very good as well, and it’s kind of addictive with musical sounding gear, such as the Oriolus MKII for instance. I personally can’t find a flaw on the mid part of the range for the BL just like the mids, and I mean it. The only small thing (nitpicking here) I could ever bring up is the “up close presentation”, but it’s a type of “personal preference” thing in the end.
TREBLE
Highs have good sparkle on top and they have good presence. This will appeal to the lovers of brighter presentation overall. The extension is very good and again impressive for the money. I wouldn’t mind a little more extension, yet it would be too much to ask for. I sometimes forgot the asking price of the device in my listening sessions; so at times I compared it to high end DAPs and devices psychologically. That should tell you something about the sound performance of this device right? Absolutely great.
iFi Nano iDSD Black Label
Once again the BL is very resolving in this area, giving the minor details all out. They’re not amazingly separated from the mids, rather they’re close in terms of positioning and I would associate this to the sound stage dimensions. They’re still very well separated for the money though, which is quite impressive yet again. Despite being a little bright, the treble is very much in control and doesn’t sound harsh to me.
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
I already mentioned the technical abilities of the Nano iDSD Black in the text, but to sum it up as a list I should say:
- Very impressive resolution
- Great transparency
- Very good separation
- Resolving mids with great amount of detail & nice tonality
- Neutral tuning
- Reference type of bass with great subbass & just enough midbass amount
- Room type of staging instead of a very wide approach, narrower than some gear but still good and depth is very impressive nevertheless
- Fantastic left/right balance with good dynamics and speed
As you can clearly see, I couldn’t criticize the BL on technical aspects. I usually find a flaw or two with many devices, but not with the Nano BL. Maybe I could say the sound stage width is not amazing but I didn’t expect a very wide staging from it either at this price range.
IEMatch
The IEMatch feature of the Nano iDSD Black works just like the standalone IEMatch product. It’s a perfect option for users who have sensitive IEMs. The IEMatch out of the BL is dead silent until the maximum volume level, which you probably will never get to with sensitive IEMs anyway, unless you want to damage your ears on purpose (does that ever happen?).
The two different outputs makes this device neatly useful and to me it’s a killer product for those who have both headphones & IEMs in their possession. You can still use the direct output with IEMs which are a little harder to drive, but that one has a higher noise floor. Thus, I recommend you to go with the IEMatch out with your IEMs unless they’re somewhat unorthodox monitors with particular impedance values.
iFi Nano iDSD Black Label
CONCLUSION
iFi has delivered marvelous work with the the BL version of the Nano iDSD. Although I’ve never had a chance to test the original version, I can easily say this is an amazing DAC/AMP for the price. I’m not sure you can ever find better technicalities from a device that costs this little. I’m sure the Micro iDSD BL is also very very good in its own price range. People say this one sounds close to the Micro version and if I ever listen to that one I will edit this review at that time.
A superb little device, for those who are looking for a nice DAC/AMP that can give a good amount of power for not extremely hard to drive headphones, and with a competitive price. If you also like to listen to your in ear monitors with these types of devices, I just can’t recommend it enough. It’s flexible, built to last, useful and compact. Most importantly, it sounds flawless for the money. Just go for it.
Already on its way to our DAC / AMP Combo Recommendations!
Eduardo
How does this play with the HD650?
Berkhan
No idea, sorry.
Jason
It drives the HD600 strong, clean, and accurate through the direct output. I dunno about walking around with this thing because it’s quite thick but it’s great for an all-in-one desktop solution.
Ian Melville
It should be fine. I had a loan of the Nano BL and it drove my HD800s very well and very clearly. I think its one of the best devices ifi Audio have produced and at its price is a bargain.
Berkhan
Agreed. Thanks for the comment.
Albert C
mojo killer? I was considering getting a mojo for home use but should I save and get this instead?
Berkhan
If you want to save some money for other things, then yes, you can get the Nano BL.
Paola
Hi, need some help. I’m choosing between a 2nd hand ifi nano idsd black and a 2nd hand ifi hip dac, both priced at just under 80 USD.
I only have earphones that are easily driven and my music is Spotify, 320kbps mp3 and some flac (so I don’t need a lot of the bells and whistles). But I’d like to buy planars sometime next year, and I’m buying some new in ears this December.
I prefer warm-neutral tuning, and sub bass instead of over emphasized mid bass. And preferably neat treble.
Which should I choose? It’s going to be paired with my laptop or my dap, but I won’t be using it on the move. Also, how useful is the line out at the back of the idsd black?
Mont
Does this new IFI outperform DFred?
Berkhan
No idea
dale thorn
Using what source?
Tim
Does it have galvanic isolation to eliminate noise coming from USB? I want to use it with my MBP, but sadly the new MBP optical output no longer exists. So, I have to use USB instead
Berkhan
No it doesn’t have it I think
DC
By the comments people are liking it with the 600 and the 800s, how would it be with the 650s? Any idea?
For home use, how would this be in relation to O2 + Odac, since it is the same value?
dale thorn
I had the O2 a long time ago and liked it, but it had a weird power supply. I was thinking at one time to get the ODAC, but I’ve decided to add the iFi Black Label to my collection instead since it’s more modern and a mainstream design. And it looks really cool.
Berkhan
I’m using it with my new HD660S, and it sounds great. Not sure the harder to drive 650 will pair this good, but I guess it’s still be very very nice. Nano BL is a great DAC/AMP.
DC
If it is ok with the 660s, it probably should also be with the 650, even the 660s being half the impedance of the 650, the difference would be only 2db. And the dac, have you ever tested how it works with a solid amp or amp otl?
Thomas
Hi, I’m thinking about a combination of Beyerdynamic T5P (2. Gen.), Lehmann Drachenfels and ifi nano bl. Do you think, that this could be a good pairing? Thanks, Thomas
Berkhan
That would be a very nice pair indeed.
Ramin chamani
Can everyone compare:
iFi-Audio Nano iDSD Black Labe
dragonfly red
Topping nx4 dsd
?
Which one is better for audio technica ckr9?
Which is the best in sound processing?
I want to use one of them with ckr9 and home integrated amplifier with AUX-RCA cable.
Berkhan
No idea, I only listened the Nano among those three.
John
I would also like to know.
Bhavin Lakdawala
Hello @Berkhan.
ifi company claim tht “TI Burr Brown 1793 DAC” chipset used in “ifi Nano BL” makes it only DAC Amp in the market who converts DSD file formats to Native DSD without convert it to PCM first.
ifi claim tht other DAC chipset & other DAC first converst DSD to PCM & then give DSD output.
Is this claim of ifi company right? Also did u get better sound through ifi Nano BL than other DAC Amp while u used it for listen DSD files?
Pls replay. Thanks & regards,
~ Bhavin
Berkhan
I didn’t hear any special performance with DSD files compared to other DACs. Sure it sounds very good with DSD, but it’s not very different to other DSD capable DACs.
Mike
Yes, there is an organic tonality to DACs that don’t convert DSD to PCM and I noticed this with the iDSD micro. The DSD to PCM conversion loses the magic DSD is known for.
Shreeram Bhat
How will it perform with my Shure SE425 IEMs and Samsung S10 Lite mobile?
Berkhan
It will perform well, but I suggest you to check out the Earmen TR-Amp.
Shreeram Bhat
Is this available in India?
Berkhan
I don’t know, you tell me 🙂
Shreeram Bhat
I mean the Earmen TR-Amp