GEEKS AND MUSIC LOVERS REJOICE
How to combine a geek nature of endless seeking for the
ultimate tweak along with the passion for music? You'll need the medium that
can transparently sets it pace and transcend any reservations of typical
overused technology and deja vu's. Combining all mentioned with the affordable
price seems like some utopian distant future dream, where technology is finally
a servant of humanity and not the other way around.
It feels great not being in a 'must' stress scheme that
demands for a total reset of values and acquiring funds in the most primal
barbarian way to get the greatest and the latest’.
In the age where digital audio is becoming a lifestyle and
not just a luxury, iTube finds it's spot in the universe of Mobile Phones,
iPads, Laptops, PC's, DAC's, portable players, turntables and nonetheless in
high-end audio rig. Diverse nature of this new i-Fi offerings combine such a
large appeal, that their pocket size almost demands a dedicated socket for
constant take around. Its urges you to use and contemplate not only why, but
where and how to be implemented.
THE AGE OF DIGITALIS AND DIGITITIS
I'm a analog and vinyl fan by heart. Not because I hate
digital. I actually love it and being a part of it's revolution from 80's, but
I simply cannot stand to listen to it for prolonged time. Digitalis or
digititis kicks in in the interval of 2-15 minutes and my perception of music
became a thing of hubris nature. It's not like I'm on the electric chair or
something, but my nerves start to unsettle and my mind/inner feeling gets
disturbed quite easy and quickly.
STRAIGHT TO THE VEIN
We all remember the digital antidote from years back. It
shook some ground when it appeared. Now in it's third revival Thorsten managed
to bring it up to the the 21st century and more important in the package, that
won't stress either out your wallet or mind. This translates to easy to use and
affordable.
At it's current refinement Digital Antidote is ready for
DSD, DXD and high-rez PCM files. So no quirky frequency limits or so called
mellow "tube traps." Its ready to be used now and with it's analog
nature it feels future proof.
As I written many times, in the present age a skilled
electronic audio designer can make both solid state or tube circuit sound
transparent. Going further and deeper... Combining transparency with the
musicality demands quite an effort and know how. Let me put it in this way.
Almost anyone can "create" a reasonably good sounding tube
preamplifier, but when it comes to the speed, transparency and especially to
unrestrained musicality things becomes complicated and complex. Like the difference
between operational phono preamplifier and state of the art one. The difference
is in soul of the music and in it's musical life energy.
Connected with vinyl replay there is always that natural
like feel of space; the atmosphere. Along with the harshness of hit hats,
rides, cymbals and squeaking harshness of upper frequency the sibilance’s of
womanly and man voices really makes all the differences when played by vinyl or
in general analog domain. The harshness produced by the digital audio can
quickly come to the point of unbearable.
There are ways of dealing with hubrises of digital audio. It
can be done ITB (in the box). This means, that you treat your digital audio
signal with some sort of AU, VST or other software plugins. Results can range
from not worthy of mentioning to impressive. But, you'll have to know what to
do and use at some point a digital EQ that models the analog one etc. While
relatively easily easy to implement, you deal with another DSP (digital sound
processing). This adds additional set of complications and modifying of audio
signal. It adds unwanted things.
I prefer to deal with these things in analog domain if
possible. One of the best devices I had pleasure to use of such nature was FM
Acoustics Linearizer. You can read about it here. Its not cheap device by any
means, but the results were really instant and in true service of music. No
squashing of frequency band, no narrowing of sound stage and no killing of the
music.
While i-Fi iTube operate in a different way, the effect is
as mesmerising as 12.000 EUR golden FM rather small box. Thanks to the efforts
of Thorsten and i-Fi team, we've being blessed with another device that rivals
anything out there.
THE REAL DEAL
i-Fi might give impression, that the product line represents
is of budget nature and operation. Let me assure you again. There is nothing
budget about iPhono iDac and iTube, but the mindsets of certain people. If some
large corporation or luxury high-end audio brand name company would produce such
a device such, there would be a crazy sticker price on them without a
doubt.
Trust me, these i-Fi devices are so different and so
specially effective. Thanks to the broadminded and good hearted nature of i-Fi
crew, we have the luxury of what is seem an constant and evolving output, that
would mind boggle audio generations a decade or two ago. Packing true NOS GE
tube with both 3D Holographic sound and Digital Antidote along with DIP switched
for additional 6 dB of gain is stunner itself for what it represent.
Performance and price wise!
Having quite some mobile music devices on hand including
Ipad, Iphone, Ipod Touch 5th generation, Blackberry Bold (that still hold my
vote for stand out sound output), world emerging Droid "smarty"
without nothing seems to be possible in last two years, interesting simple
Hisound player and just arrived Colorly C4 Audiophile player it was interesting
to put iTube under the mob(ile) pressure.
With my array of cables that sure make me feel like doctor
first and reviewer last it was nice to pair the latest with greatest. It's a
fact and mandatory that most (let us say all) mobile devices lack the proper
gain output. As written above this not only hold back the performance, but
handicap the music.
Without the matching gain you're missing the most of music
and more importantly the soul impact of it. Music is not just an audio message,
but an complex universe of little nuances, that relate to our sensible system
in most profund way.
If you're even half serious about mobile listening you'll
need a proper gain structure. All head-fier's know it and youngsters are
picking up their acknowledge fast forwarding as the times demands.
Boys, girls, yuppies and elders. i-Fi iTube not only add
need volume for a proper playback, but glazes the harshness of the digital
audio making all the train, bus and plane rides a long lasting happier musical
experience.
Thorsten turned around enough DIY and commercial projects
that knows exactly what to expect and to what point. Audio designers like
Vladimir Lamm, Thorsten Loesch etc. work within realms of unique mindsets and
mileage, that can predict the sound outcome even prior to physical prototype.
This is something that even audio CAD programs cannot simulate.
There is nothing magical or mystical above it. A straight high point knowledge and a talent combining all the dots and anchor points in a workable and best sounding circuits. Of course there are no virtual listening methods. As much as one can be able to predict results with his given talents and skills, there are always and end listening tests as a must that determines objectivity in absence of subjective speculations.
There is nothing magical or mystical above it. A straight high point knowledge and a talent combining all the dots and anchor points in a workable and best sounding circuits. Of course there are no virtual listening methods. As much as one can be able to predict results with his given talents and skills, there are always and end listening tests as a must that determines objectivity in absence of subjective speculations.
Yet, is the iTube only for the new Generation iPod and mobile devices?
THE PREAMPLIFIER, THE BUFFER
i-Fi iTube is not only a Class A Pure Tube Buffer, but fully
fledged analog preamplifier. Digital volume controls that come build into numerous
DAC and mobile devices are often of not high quality and lessen the impact of
sound and music. iTube not only adds the preamp section, but an+ 6 dB gain
boost when needed. In most cases mobile phones and digital music players offers
a lower volume/gain output. This holds back a lot of sound impact and
performance. With the lack of proper gain music can quickly become dull and the
involvement is not as desired as it can be. This neat feature of iTube adds a
mighty gain boost that raise the mentioned front ends to another performing
level.
i-Fi iTube is not a toy preamplifier or budget performer. It
packs the enriched substantial quality to the sound and it's gain stage acts as
a embodiment of a fuller more stand out sound. The performance clearly do not
relate to iTube 'budget' nature. For the similar output, you could easily swing
your wallet to a 1k + range.
i-Fi iTube packs enough bread and butter to keep you
mind and heart occupied and satisfied. Gershwin Porgy's BESS (Decca Sterero Set
609-11) vinyl carries so much sublime poetry of music, that it's hard not to
get draw in. It also quickly shows the ins and outs for any system of component
ability to portrait this classic record.
iTube pack surprising energy while carrying the duties of
preamplifier. The pace, the flow and the drama of record is unveiled with
enough impact to make it interactive.
I liked the subtle involvement that this machine could
bring. i-Fi is again not chasing the giants, but provide the musical experience
that matter for the wider spectrum audience. i-Tube performance is enough
involving to call it a stand out. What better compliment one can have with it's
given size and price?
So how far one can expect to push the iTube, when compared
to the world above. I would say the purity is the word. Keeping it simple and
true to the nature of the tube the basic unrestrained ability to draw you in
the music is there more then avidly present. Now often people asked me how far
does the upper echelon of ultra high end have come. It's always a bit tricky to
answer this, but let me use iTube as an example of ability to engage when the
right strings are being pulled in electronics.
The Thrax Audio Dionysos (15,000 Euro) is a clear
representer of things refined and true ultra high end product. Once you step
over the entrance of ultra performance is not easy. All things starting to
count. Suddenly esoteric solutions don't fell overrated and weird. Like in F2
you squeeze the last possible nuances out gear and everything connected to a
system.
i-Fi iTube (< 400 Euro) kicks some serious metering up to
a 100 % full mark. Let me say if upper echelon starts to show their teeth at 93
%, iTube role as preamplifier hold the impressive spot of 80 to 83 %. This
should give you a clear indication of how serious and well done things are
inside of this small musical box.
TUBES R'US
You want to be a part of tube history? The part of heritage?
Entering the NOS domain, that everybody talks about?
"The iTube uses a New
Old Stock General Electric 5670 valve, which is second only to the famous
Western Electric WE396A".
Yes, this small wonder packs the mighty NOS tube fun into
it. And not only for cosmetics, but for actual benefit. 5670 tube is not there
only to look warm and muffle your sound with that unmistakable tube warmness.
It adds the needed punch and transparency to the sound. Called it a
contemporary take on the historical attributes of tubes advantages. Tubes are
know to breathe the sign of life to the music, add three dimensionality and
unmistakable natural impact to the music when they implemented in right way. No
doubt that Thorsten and i-Fi team did they homework in elaborate way as with
all i-Fi and AMR devices so far. Sonic results speak for themselves.
DO WE NEED AN ANTIDOTE?
It depends. I do think I need a shot of this audible
vaccine. Perhaps even more then others. With the material well recorded you
might even want to skip the on selector. But I urge you to give it a more subtle
and sublime listening and some time for your perception and sub conciseness to
kick in.
So where's the need of Digital Antidote. It feels and seems,
that the higher one goes in the price range of the DAC's and even CD players
the less the need of this circuit. Intriguingly from what I could spot the DXD,
SACD and DSD files seems to benefit even more then high resolution PCM files.
Digital Antidote clearly finds it's place with more entry-level
digital devices, but I wouldn’t limit their usage to them. I would leave it up
to the experimentation, as my listening notes clearly pointed to the effective
use even with bigger and meaner separated box.
As said, Digital Antidote is of subtler nature, but effect
is working. I wouldn't call it earth shaking, but I could prolong my listening
with the less "nervous" attitude. You won't experience the exact
vinyl nirvana, but do expect a noticeable improvement.
i-Fi Digital Antidote is an actual evolution of
digital audio playback. It make sense and an audible difference. Or better to
call it a changed perception.
3D RENDERING
While with Digital Antidote affect noticing you might need
to go on the subtle route 3D Holographic works in an instant way. On
the fly changing brings at once effectiveness. With the rise of the dedicated
tabletop monitoring products quality of the sound didn't really benefit as it
should. One of the things that was pushed into the second row is for sure a
wider soundstage. Usual close positioning of tabletop speakers cannot produce a
wide soundstage and a feeling of illusion and rendering of larger space in live
atmosphere. This is were 3D Holographic kicks in!
For above mentioned situation where beloved small speakers
are placed near the computer LCD monitor the most effective operational mode is
three dots selector. When used with bigger/meaner speakers one dot selector
offers the best fit.
It was interesting to hear i-Fi iTube with both Ologe
Acoustic ONE and FIVE speakers. With similar nature and same company DNA, they
are a reference tools for comparing small sized monitor performance with a
larger speaker of the same nature. Both position selectors fit the speakers as
expected. The benefit was not only clearly noticed, but it didn't distort the
music or any certain frequency range. No bumps so to speak. With software
plugins, that deals with widening of soundstage one can spot the digital
aliasing quite easily even with higher bits and kHz. Making the effective tool
in analog domain is trickier, costlier and more time consuming to
implement. This is where i-Fi open up the new arrays of the tools outside of
DSP.
As mentioned above the affect was not small or subtle. Even
a non trained ear will spot the difference instantly. And no worries. The
absence of modus operandi won't slow anything down. It means serious business
at once.
I loved the result for both tabletop and stand alone larger
speakers. In the modern times where our living environments are narrowing down
the dedicated listening room or space is of limited size. iTube offers an
effective tool that helps in the presentation of actual sound portraits and
work especially with lower frequency spectrum in mind.
In practical way with listening to many times we're having a
hard time in pin pointing the instruments of lower registers. Let it be the
kick drums, bass guitar, double bass etc. If you're into a critical listening
like me your to often into a constant movement in a radar like way for a
specific point of their positioning. With 3D Holographic in use the
position of their actual anchor points moves from virtual middle points more
toward the right and left speakers. It adds a substantial feeling of recognizing
more precise source of their existence. I wouldn't call it revolutionizing, but
very effective.
Along the benefits of more exact and natural positioning of
instruments there was one additional thing that capture my attention and went
into the late night listening notes. I repeatedly noted the feeling of space
and atmosphere being more pronounced or being there to simplify.
Like the benefits of headphone crossfeed function 3D
Holographic circuit acts in the same way for speakers. This works to a great
extend and adds the practical way of use not only a mere feature pack.
CONCLUSION
Like with iPhono I cannot sit around still without raving
when device as such in in my hands. Call me passionate or biased yet i-Fi iTube
brings another set of Swiss Knife like tools, that defies the audio consumer
logic and define the affordable high-end audio. Forget your DIY or small scale
operations. iTube comes in the elegancy of Apple packaging with the appeal of
the Linux like nature. Slick, easy to gasp, down earth simple to use with the
top most high-tech feeling.
Calling the iTube a simple gadget or accessory would not
only be a sin but an act of narrow mindedness. With the hidden complexity and
down to earth hands on operational nature presented in stylish way, this silver
anodized box brings again stand out features and
it's another highlight of the high-end audio God given year of 2013.
What a great feeling an marriage of technology and science for the sake of
listening pleasure. Thumbs up!
This is where the art of industrial design meets the
technology ready for the people at the reach of a value of a mobile phone.
There is no more excuses need and no jokers to cash in. In hankering for how
cruel and unhuman globalization is here is a great chance to find and use its
positives.
iTube is another 'child' of i-Fi effectiveness. Digital
music need not to be hidden with iTube. It's packed for the future and the past
right NOW!
Although it seems that i-Fi team designed iTube to be
used for devices below 1k range, I found the performance and ability to move
the right things to be of an universal use. Like said before. Don't be fooled
by the size of the device. It might be packed into the pocket fit slim size,
but don't forget we live in the 21st century, where things already operate on
miniaturisation of the nano level.
As with i-Fi iPhono I feel that iTube deserves the stand out
recognition for what it offers and represents. There is no single device in the
market that comes even close to iTube array of features and performance. For
Pure Class A preamp section + tube buffer, Digital Antidote, 3D Holographic
sound and adjustable gain levels iTube deserved to be praised. All that without
even going into a pricing scheme.
iTube without second guessing deserves another Mono &
Stereo award for what it represent. The future of affordable audio with pure
audiophile DNA and tons of features. It sends out the clear message of i-Fi: “We
are making the difference and we're here to stay.”
i-Fi products acts as an audiophile Swiss army knifes and
for many represent and affordable dream come through. I have no doubts that
iTube will sells in tons. And I don't envy a dime earned in this way.
Matej
Isak. Mono and Stereo ultra high end audio magazine. All rights reserved.
2006-2013. www.monoandstereo.com. ..:: None of the original text,
pictures, that were taken by me, links or my original files can be re-printed
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