Ideon Audio: The Art and Technology of Restoring Music to Its Reality
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I never use Pre from a DAC, even not that good one in MU2. So this is the DAC-only, you see it in the back of the device, no analogue ports. I've a personal, clear policy and strictly use separates
Some may argue, it is my experience in certain quality levels you get more out of separates..
Not complaining, I'll use settings once every year in a DAC like yoursWhat we have to put up with for the sake of good sound!
Thanks Gerald, we are happy to hear this! If you are around in the Munich show, stop by!
Since you like the Siren USB cable, if you have the chance, try to audition the Electra LAN cable, which can provide a very positive influence in the system.
Since you like the Siren USB cable, if you have the chance, try to audition the Electra LAN cable, which can provide a very positive influence in the system.
This is the case, I agree a bit on the UI , it takes a little time to learn...Not complaining, I'll use settings once every year in a DAC like yours
Dear George,
after 1 week intense testing, I've to say: i'm very impressed!
First I thought it may be too clinic, concerning AKM chip, but it is quiet smooth, punchy, still not over-analytic. I also understand why people reference the bass, because it is very nicely refined, but not over due (well presented with my two active subs).
I've to be honest: the combination with the Antipodes K22 (Roon-bridge only) + Ideon Siren USB + Ideon ION is beating my Grimm Audio MU2. Yes, MU2 is smoother and will not leave my house again in the main chain, but in my fullrange chain, this combi is pure-synergy. Some of my reference songs blow me away how the sound now with your DAC and yes, I'm someone had serious contenders in the house and quite critical about DACs..
Rgds
Gerald
Thanks Gerald, enjoy! The ION is a very balanced product that can work to any system!
The Epsilon comes with a remote as standard, the same for the ION +. For the ION DAC, the remote can be offered too as optional.
Hi, I thought I’d chime in with my own experience with the Settings UI. I agree it does take a bit of time to learn and get used to; but if you stick with it you’lI discover a powerful tool for shaping the sonic signature of virtually every recording, optimally, to your liking. You will find that the various filters provided in the Settings Menu can have a profound influence on how files are reproduced and presented. If, for example, you have a favorite recording that sounds a bit veiled; try a Fast Roll-Off Linear Filter. Too much? Try Fast-Minimum. If you have files ripped from old CDs that leans towards strident; try Slow Roll-Off Minimum. I think you’ll find those old Red-Book disks still a joy to listen to.
Cool idea, thanks!
I have it on fast-- linear phase, but hadn't considered to utilize the filters as pre-sets for dsp of sorts...
I like to think these Filters allow for user adjustments to tone and timbre in a similar fashion as adjustments to Phono Cartridge Loading does for vinyl playback. I change Filters mostly based on type of music and by listening preference. For example, my experience tells me older recordings of small Jazz Combos benefit from Slow Roll-Off and Minimum/Linear Phase. Similarly, but for different reasons, large Jazz groups replete with powerful driving Brass sections also benefit. As for Classical, I start with Apodizing/Hybrid; but for all types it’s only a starting point. Thereafter the fun really begins!
I managed to get a single length of Siren USB Cable for an in-home demo from my local dealer. Thank you Audio Lab, Honolulu. Initially I inserted it in the final run in my digital signal chain between my Absolute Time and DAC; replacing a Viablue USB Cable in an all Viablue signal chain. This did result in improvements to sound quality but truth be told; not by a huge margin. I did notice an improvement in clarity; tonal density; and a somewhat deeper soundstage; but the gains, in my view, were not huge. Then based on suggested guidance from this Forum’s members; thank you Gregm and Geoli, I tried it out at the opposite end of the signal chain between my Alpha Wave and Absolute Stream. The result was startling. Everything got bigger; denser; and more enveloping. I did share a more detailed account of what I experienced in another Thread in this Forum so I’ll spare you all from the redundancy but I do want to emphasize one aspect of what I found by reiterating this; the Siren Cable allowed me to immediately hear and recognize the distinct difference in sonic character each Digital Filter had on the files applied. For my listening enjoyment; this is HUGE and totally transformed how I approach and appreciate my recorded music collection. It’s a Keeper!
Hello Ideon owners,
as I've upgraded my speakers, I also now tested directly Grimm Audio MU2 versus Ideon Audio ION with the Antipodes K22 G4 (Ideon Audio USB, Roon Bridge only activated). I am shocked!!
I hate to say it, because soooo many reviewers annoy me with their "it's day and night different!" as soon the test new gear! It shows me very, very clearly: if you have very, very transparent and time coherent precision monsters, like my beloved new YG Acoustics Carmel 3, the digital source makes difference brutal obvious!!
Grimm MU2 has a very smooth and much warmer signature, opposite to the Ideon combi - sounds much more revealing, way more holographic, larger soundstage and overall fits way better to YG in my current chain.
Long text, but I just wanna encourage anyone to find the right digital electronic with your chain! Improvements can be dramatically....
Best regards
Gerald
as I've upgraded my speakers, I also now tested directly Grimm Audio MU2 versus Ideon Audio ION with the Antipodes K22 G4 (Ideon Audio USB, Roon Bridge only activated). I am shocked!!
I hate to say it, because soooo many reviewers annoy me with their "it's day and night different!" as soon the test new gear! It shows me very, very clearly: if you have very, very transparent and time coherent precision monsters, like my beloved new YG Acoustics Carmel 3, the digital source makes difference brutal obvious!!
Grimm MU2 has a very smooth and much warmer signature, opposite to the Ideon combi - sounds much more revealing, way more holographic, larger soundstage and overall fits way better to YG in my current chain.
Long text, but I just wanna encourage anyone to find the right digital electronic with your chain! Improvements can be dramatically....
Best regards
Gerald
Is that putty holding the power cable?Okay, another lucky IDEON Audio ION DAC customer and quite impressed, and I'm not someone easily convincing with DAC's ;-)
My intense DAC & Streamer testing was a bit intense the last 4y, and I've for me a clear pattern what I expect and prefer. So I was skeptical in regard to using ESS Sabre ES9028-PRO (was owning also a Weiss 501 mkII prior)
Also, using your USB Siren cables and also the new EAHibrid EAL-1000 Ethernet Filter between my PaulPang-Switch and K22. It is a very, very nice match with my Antipodes K22 (roon-bridge only, Grimm MU2 as roon core from my main chain) and even it is very enjoyable in my full-range tube-setup (even Abbas Audio Hermes Sig is hard to beat in the Tube-DAC range)!
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Well done, IDEON Team, keep going!
Gerald
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