It is smoothly finished to match the body black color scheme and delivers decent grip during operation. With its analog design, the iDSD Nano BL does have an analog potentiometer with a resistance based on/off power control baked into the pot. Green is the default color when no audio is played. Go down further at DSD 64/128 and you get cyan. MQA gives you a purple hue. The small LED diode on the front panel also shows various color schemes to match the sample rate. Decoding at DSD256 will show blu.
Orange and black is Headfonics branding colors also, we cannot think of a better combination of coloring. Given its Black Label moniker, the Nano iDSD BL comes in black with a smattering of orange decal work front and back. Run your hand over it and you will be hard pressed to feel any bumps or sharp edges. Nothing is sharp and nothing sticks out unnecessarily. All inputs and outputs as either recessed or flush with the metal work. With a solid, slightly arched, and finely engraved main body, as well as screw tight front and side panel construction there, could well be a slither of modding potential to it for those so inclined. It is also pretty robust as most aluminum chassis designs of this type tend to be. I am quite partial to the relatively boxy tall design and there are shades of the Mojo about in terms of its volumetric dimensions. A clear pitch to audiophile preferences and for those who like a nuanced tweak to their sound now and then.įor all of this ‘up to the moment’ audio feature set the Nano iDSD BL has a surprisingly old-school form factor. If that is not enough then check out the dual tone switch at the back that flicks between “measurement” and “listening”. At the same time, a hefty 285mW into 32Ω from a non-IEMatched direct output means you should have plenty in reserve for most medium efficiency headphones.
The combination of a dedicated IEMatch output for sensitive IEMs should reduce noise to almost zero. It also looks a perfect pitch for those with a wide range of headphones and IEMs who need sensitivity as well as power.
Its OTG functionality will also mean you can stream anywhere at any time if connected to a data-capable Android or iOS phone. It will appeal to those who love to stream with MQA compatibility as well as a very high level of decoding prowess including DSD256 and PCM up to 32/384 kHz.
It is also pretty small enough to appeal to those who want something portable to take around with them but at the same time deliver solid and modern functionality to their desktop system. Price & PortabilityĪt $199, for instance, it is almost, but not quite, budget level for a DAC/Amp and will appeal to those who want something more than just a phone or PC/Mac output performance levels. Where to start is pretty much where your eye drops and what interests you the most. The Nano BL pitch is like a buffet of enticing tapas that you end up eating more from than any traditional 3-course meal can offer you. The $199 Nano iDSD BL may be a rung lower than the Micro, but as mentioned, it is not short on features that’s for sure. The feature sets are long and very enticing.ĭespite this late entry on my behalf, I know the brand pretty well actually and I do have an older Micro iDSD sitting on my desktop for a while now. If ever there is a company that can ride the wave of audio trends as quickly and handily as iFi I have yet to see it.įor proof, just check the back of any of their product boxes.
Their marketing overdrive is hard to miss and they do hit all the right notes with some of those popular audio buzz words.
You would have to be living under a rock in gadget and audio land if you have never come across the British-based iFi label. Mike, Klaus and some freelancers from around the world have all covered them before and in some detail. The iFi Nano iDSD Black Label is the first iFi Audio product I have officially reviewed for Headfonics.