iFi Audio Unveils Flagship iDSD Phantom DAC, Streamer & Headphone Amp

British brand iFi Audio has unveiled the iDSD Phantom. It’s the company’s new flagship DAC designed for high-end home listening and brings together more than a decade of digital and analog research by the brand in a single component aimed at music lovers. iFi has produced a reference-class DAC, ultra-resolution network and high-end headphone amplifier in one device, which is being billed as the company’s most accomplished listening experience yet. Compared with iFi’s previous flagship Pro iDSD, the new Phantom has a rebuilt streaming engine, higher-precision conversion, greater output headroom plus more granular user control. Beneath its quirky two-tone exterior is some clever new circuitry and professional-grade technologies that provide DSD Remastering up to DSD2048 and K2HD Technology, which was once the preserve of elite mastering studios. There are also XBass Pro, XSpace Pro digital filters and real-time circuitry switching providing deeper levels of personalization. The Latest Evolution “Each stage of development involved re-examining the circuit, measuring performance, and making improvements to cement it as the most accomplished iFi listening experience to date,” says Colin Farch, iFi’s chief engineer. MORE FOR YOU The iDSD Phantom is the latest evolution of iFi’s ultra-resolution streaming engine and includes support for Qobuz Connect, Tidal and Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2 and more. It features lots of refinements, including enhanced stability, smoother web radio performance with a more intuitive interface and advanced settings. The result, claims iFi, is a true all-in-one audio device that can be the heart of a home audio system with support for native 768kHz PCM and DSD512. The Phantom can also access music stored on a local network, giving access ultra-res digital audio files stored locally on external hard drives and NAS units. Exclusive Modes To preserve signal purity, the Phantom uses galvanic isolation on its Ethernet, S/PDIF, and AES/EBU inputs to separate from sources at a circuit level, while blocking electrical noise and allowing audio data to pass through. The Phantom also offers iFi’s signature Exclusive Modes, which shut down unused system processes when streaming for improved operating efficiency and reducing potential signal noise. The iFi Nexis companion app has also been upgraded and now supports Wi-Fi linking, making it easier to connect and queue music to the Phantom from anywhere in the home. Native DSD is great for low-level resolution and time-domain behavior. Now iFi has further customized its technology to bring studio-grade DSD2048 conversion into people’s living rooms. iFi uses FPGA to apply proprietary remastering algorithms and reduce jitter so the DSD signal is clean, stable and ready for the conversion stage. Three Voices. One Phantom At the heart of the Phantom are four Burr-Brown DSD1793 DACs arranged in a custom interleaved configuration. In ‘Normal’ mode, DSD signals pass directly to the DAC while PCM signals go through a user-selected digital filter. In ‘Remastered’ mode, each DAC chipset processes up to DSD1024, and in their custom configuration, achieves the native decoding that allows for DSD512, DSD1024 or the new pinnacle of DSD2048. Real-time operation modes inside the Phantom can deliver three DAC/amps in one. These options use two entirely separate output topologies — one is solid state and the other uses tubes or valves. The concept was taken from iFi’s previous Pro iDSD, although it’s been re-engineered at every level. At the flick of a switch, listeners can listen to a dual-mono solid-state mode, where discrete J-FETs deliver precision and ultra-low distortion. Alternatively, they can listen to a dual-mono Tube mode, where hand-matched NOS GE5670 valves provide warmth and smoothness. Finally, there is Tube+, which reduces overall loop-gain to enhance the second harmonic by +6dB, pushing the tube character further still. These three modes let listeners shape the character of their audio system or they can be paired with the iDSD Phantom’s 7,747mW peak output to drive a favorite pair of wired headphones. Studio-Inspired Restoration The digital masters streamed by music platforms can often lose the warmth and richness of their analog counterparts. In collaboration with JVC Kenwood, the Phantom uses K2HD Technology to restore harmonic content that’s sometimes lost during post-production or digital encoding. iFi says K2HD can revive the depth, nuance and musicality of the original analog masters. The Phantom offers two forms of the technology. There is K2 mode, which preserves the file’s original resolution, while K2HD mode upscales the music to 192kHz/24-bit. Developed by JVC’s engineers, K2HD Technology was designed to restore music close to the original master by replacing the rich and natural harmonics that can be lost during digitization. To achieve this, JVC Kenwood’s engineers analyzed countless analog master tapes using K2HD. They shaped its algorithm by ear and it’s this human approach that gives the technology an organic quality. While open-back headphones are often favored by audiophiles, they can sacrifice bass extension for spatial openness. Even closed-back headphones can suffer from low-end performance compromises depending on their driver size and tuning. Extending Technology The Phantom has XBass Pro, a fully analog variable shelving EQ in 10, 20 and 40Hz options. It’s designed for restoring the impact and bass response that’s sometimes lost when listening through open-back headphones. The process lifts the low frequencies without clouding the midrange, tailoring the sound to the headphones and the listener’s personal preference. XSpace is another technology offered by the Phantom and it enhances the audio by creating a more spacious sound field that sounds more like you are listening to a pair of loudspeakers instead of a more two-dimensional headphone sound. There is plenty more on offer with the new iFi Phantom. iFi has lots of information on the science behind the product and how it can turn the sometimes cold and clinical digital sound from a streaming service into a warmer and more musical experience. Pricing & Availability: The iFi iDSD PHANTOM is available to purchase at ifi-audio.com and select elite dealers for £4,499/$4,499 USD/€4,695 EUR/$6,999 CAD. Tech Specs: Model: iDSD PHANTOM Hi-Res support: PCM 768kHz; DSD512 (DSD2048 with Remastering). Streaming: Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon, Airplay, DLNA, UPnP. Output Power Balanced headphones (RMS): ≥4,676mW/17.3V (@64Ω); ≥564mW/18.4V (@600Ω). Single-ended headphones (RMS): ≥2,311mW/8.6V (@32Ω); ≥144mW/9.3V (@600Ω). Balanced line outputs (Vrms): 0-4.5V (Hi-Fi); 0-18V (Pro). Single-ended line outputs (Vrms): 0-2.2V (Hi-Fi); 0-9V (Pro). SNR (Max output, 20-20kHz): ≥116dBA @ 600Ω Balanced; ≥114dBA @ 600Ω single-ended. DNR (10-20kHz): ≥116dBA @ 600Ω Balanced; ≥115dBA @ 600Ω single-ended. THD+N: <0.005% @ 16Ω Balanced (2.4V, 20-20kHz); <0.01% @ 16Ω (1.27V, 20-20kHz). Output noise (Max output, 20-20kHz): <30uV(A) @ 600Ω Balanced; <20uV(A) @ 600Ω single-ended. General Power: DC 12V/4A; 15V/3.5A. Dimensions: 256 x 185 x 120mm. Weight: 3.6kg. Connectivity