iFi Nano iOne DAC review: pure English sound!

While British politicians are going crazy, I would like to talk about the English brand iFI again. I will not lie, I fell in love with this brand as soon as I had a chance to listen to it. I liked everything: the austere design, and extensive functionality, and, of course, amazing natural sound. By the way, we have already seen it together with you when we reviewed previous DAC models –

iFI mico iDSD BL

i

iFI Pro iCAN

, remember these? Now it’s time for the iFi Nano iOne, a small stationary device for home and office with decent features: it can be connected to large audio systems, as well as – to the TV, active speakers and headphone amplifiers. So, a small “spool”, but how it plays?

Thank you online store pult for providing a sample for listening

Portable DAC iFi Nano iOne

Specifications

Type: Digital-to-analog converter

Manufacturer: iFi Audio, country of brand – UK

Series: IFI AUDIO Nano

Color: Silver

DAC: 2-Channel, Bit-Perfect DSD, DXD Burr Brown 32-bit 384 kHz

Number of channels: 2

Frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz

H/N ratio: 109dB

Harmonic coefficient: 0.0015%

Output impedance: 50 ohms

Output Voltage: 2.05V

Dynamic Range: 109dB

Supported formats: High definition audio files Hi-Res Audio PCM, DSD 64, 128, 256, 512, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, WMA, AIFF, OGG, etc.d.

Inputs: 2 x S/PDIF combined coaxial/RCA, optical/miniTos , USB USB 3.0 type B, Bluetooth aptX, AAC support Codec

Output: Analog 2 x RCA – L/R

Power supply: USB power adapter

Dimensions: 100 x 64 x 25 mm

Weight: 122 g.

The package and the exterior

The device comes in a designer’s white packaging: the sleek design seamlessly incorporates the device’s photo, logo, and colorful puzzle symbolizing the trinity of digital interfaces.

Another white box with a big silver “ifi” logo comes out from under the package. And there’s nothing else. What else?? And so it says it all..

Inside the box, besides the silver device we find a manual-warranty and a couple of white boxes with accessories: a USB cable 3.0 to connect to PC and power adapter, 2RCAx2RCA cable for line out audio , special 3.5mm adapter for optical cable and 4 silicone feet.

I pick up the new DAC – what a lightweight! On the top side is the Nano iOne logo, on the back side is full instruction for the especially “gifted”.

On the front panel there is a button to search for devices connected via Bluetooth, a round screen on which the blue iFI logo is flashing and which, like a traffic light, signals with three colors about different modes.

There are two toggle switches: for switching between digital inputs BT, USB, SPDIF and switching between two digital filters Listen, Measure , which change the sound character, but not globally: Listen sounds denser and a little wider, and Measure – more linear and refined. All in all, the difference is subtle and discernible in small nuances.

On the rear panel are: 2 xRCA line output, combined SPDIF input coaxial RCA/optical 3.5mm , and digital USB input for PC connection and connection to power adapter.

On the left and right sides of the device you can clearly see semi-transparent plastic “patches” – it is something like an antenna amplifier for wireless Bluetooth.

The device itself looks strict, modest and stylish at the same time. The shell is made of aluminum, the front and back are made of plastic.

Speaking of Bluetooth. Absolutely indispensable thing nowadays! Connects to the Nano iOne without any problems, and the range is enviable, unless, of course, you disappear with the gadget in parallel worlds outside your apartment. And the wireless sound quality is beyond praise! If you connect to the DAC via USB or SPDIF, you can find yourself in paradise with headphones on your head..

In summary I want to mention only one minus: well, why is there such a short USB cable? What was the manufacturer thinking when they made this “cut”? It seems to be enough to connect the device to your notebook, but try connecting the DAC to the power adapter which is plugged into a socket somewhere in the corner of the room, at the plinth level… In any case you will have to buy something more flexible and longer.

However, that’s the end of all my claims, there is only one music. It’s time to get a good listen to your new device!

Sound

While listening the device was connected to an iFI Pro iCAN amplifier. The following headphones were used for listening:

In-channel:

64 AUDIO A18 Tzar, Lime Ears Aether, Ambient Acoustics AM5 LAM, Etymotic ER-4S/SR, Custom ART FIBAE 2, Jomo audio HAKA

Overhead:

Hifiman HE-4, Fostex T50 RP MK-3, Beyerdynamicdt 250/250 Ohm, Beyerdynamicdt 1350, Phonon SMB-02, Meze 99 Neo Classics, Audio-Technica ATH-SX1a

Also for listening as a DAC device was connected to Microlab solo 6 acoustic system.

Let me remind you that when analyzing the sound of any digital-to-analog converter the connected amplifier has a significant impact on its signature. But, nevertheless, let’s try to highlight the key notes in the “voice” of this wonderful device.

In any ifi brand device the tonal balance is always excellent, here we have good detail and melody in one bottle. A clever approach to sound is felt in each of them. You can hear right away, professionals were working.

The new NANO iOne DAC is no exception. Paired with Pro iCAN it gives you a noble, neutral and smooth sound. It is quite natural, clear, detailed and pleasant pitch with a warm sound tinge.

Low frequencies are delivered smoothly, with good punch, accurate punch and decent speed. There’s no artificial pumping or excessive massiveness, everything is quite clear, precise and authentic.

The midrange is smooth, clear and very musical. There are no hysterical bursts, peaks or dips, everything is smooth, transparent and harmonious. A certain balance between subtle emotionality and a reasonable monitor style. Any musical genre will sound most comfortable, detailed and very melodic. I like!

High frequencies are clear, precise and extended. There is no hint of harshness or crumbliness, everything is presented quite clearly, smoothly, as much as possible comfortable.

In short, the unit is quite unique not only in terms of functionality, but also in terms of sound signature, listening to it is a pleasure.

Unfortunately I didn’t have an opportunity to listen Nano iOne with a good home acoustic system. To check the functionality just out of curiosity ! I had to use my simple active speakers Microlab solo 6.

At first I connected digital signal to DAC via SPDIF coaxial and optical , using iBasso DX200 and Cayin N3 players as transport. And then I connected wirelessly via Bluetooth to my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge smartphone, and with that I put the role of transport on “my phone. I was quite pleased with the result.

It is clear that we shouldn’t expect any revelations from such speakers, but in terms of “domestic” sound even with Bluetooth connection the sound is pretty good. When I connected via SPDIF, the sound became more noble and natural. Although, to be honest, the difference between a coaxial-optical connection and Bluetooth is not as big as it may seem. If you don’t listen very much, you won’t even notice the difference.

I won’t even say anything about the convenient control of the new DAC. Two clicks of the toggle switch, one click on the smartphone and you can do your morning exercises to your favorite tunes and rhythms. I’ll say even more, when I connected iBasso DX200 player from the line output to the same acoustics, the sound somehow sagged, became worse, but it’s a hi-fi gadget and it costs about three times more than the miniature DAC Nano iOne.

Conclusion

It’s a very nice device. iFI Nano iOne can be a good assistant at home and in the office. Small size, decent functionality, well balanced, good sound and attractive price tag makes it a very desirable purchase.

Its price in the online store pult is only 15 812 Dollars. I find that the iFi Nano iOne more than makes up for every penny.

Sound, appearance, functionality, price

The short USB cable included.