Review DAC Fiio i1 for iOS — ride the lightning

Not yet had time to settle down the dust from the Internet battle about the lack of a 3.5 mm socket in the iPhone, not yet the exalted citizens of those iPhone will ever buy to tell about how they can't live without it, but the wise producers have already post interesting niches. Not remained aloof and Fiio, releasing his first official Lightning-accessory i1.

In fact, Fiio i1 — this is the simplest DAC with the same simple headphone amplifier that connect via the Lightning port to any compatible iOS device and simultaneously implements the functions of the headset. As for the production of such accessories must obtain a license from Apple and buy from them of the components, the price went a bit higher than other entry-level devices Fiio. However, to call amount of $ 40, which is sold by i1, unaffordable for the iPhone owner — to be an exaggeration.

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specifications

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• Codec: NAU88L25
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• Supported resolutions: to 48 kHz (in the future possibly up to 192 kHz)
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• frequency Range: 20Hz – 20kHz
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• Recommended load impedance: 16Ω ~ 32Ω
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• output power: >30 mW @ 16Ω
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• Total harmonic distortion: <0,003%
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• Division: ≥60dB
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• Output impedance: <1Ω
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• the Ratio signal/noise: ≥105 dB
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• cable Length: 80 cm
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• Dimensions: 45.5 mm in length, 9.5 mm in diameter
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• Weight: 11.5 g

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Design and control

Here is Box standard black-and-red design and iconic other products printing pleasing to the eye. On the side is traditional for the company sticker with the verification code. Reveals packing in the manner of a matchbox, inside himself is i1, instruction and clothespin to hold the device on the clothes.

Made this mini-processor is not easy, but very simple: a thin cylinder of painted in black aluminium, with one end is a standard 3.5 mm Jack, with the other 80 cm wire to the Lightning connector. On the sides of the cylinder exactly opposite each other placed a microphone and three buttons control playback, working just like any wired headset. The microphone is surprisingly good quality, and the buttons are nice pleased with tugostyu click. In General, the design of the device is very simple and straightforward, collected all efficiently and without any flaws.

Of Course, the main gripe for i1 is the same wire. If 80 cm of the wire i1 to add 1,2 (low) meter headphone cable — get a lot. Unfortunately, to make i1 in the form of a short little adapter, as with Apple, it would be possible only at the expense of functions of the headset, so the Fiio has decided that this «feature» — more important than some inconvenience. In principle, for headphones with interchangeable cable that can be solved by using leads with shorter area below the splitter (already have these), or just cut «unnecessary» wire and put it under your shirt.

Since i1 is an official accessory, when connected to the device, the user will be prompted to install the companion app. At the moment this program can only update the firmware (although updates yet either), but Fiio say that considering Apple is a more advanced version of the app that allows you to configure i1. By the way, another restriction by Apple is that the device supports a maximum of 48 kHz, the developers hope to increase this limit to 192 kHz and release a firmware update that will allow to use a high resolution (although I personally doubt the feasibility of such).

Powered i1 from the battery iOS device, it's probably slightly reduces the time it works for a few hours, but a noticeable difference I saw in the music mode with the i1 my old iPhone 6+ has quietly worked for more than 15 hours, losing about 30% charge, and then I tired to test it further.

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Sound

To listen To the device used the following headphones: iBasso IT03, , , Audio Zenith PMx2, , , and others.

To Describe the sound of i1 itself — meaning not very much, much more interesting question: how it sounds compared to the usual yield of the old iPhone and an adapter from Apple. I am armed with a switch and three audio devices: the iPhone 6 Plus with a 3.5 mm output, the iPhone 7 with adapter and Apple iPad Air 2 c i1, driven on all three devices the same set of files and gave it a good few hours.

The Main and most audible difference i1 — this is the best study of the midrange, then Capica think that «» sound iOS devices has failed mid, although in reality the frequency response of the iPhone is smooth, and it is more about the level of study. In General, the difference is not huge, i1 does not replace a player, even entry-level devices like the Fiio X1 will be much better. But if you don't want to purchase a separate player — the hero of today's review is quite able to slightly improve the sound.

Bass remain virtually unchanged, although the background improved the mid bass also sounds more «adequately» better lying down in the flow. Treble is also a bit improved, becoming less loose, but still, this part of the range remains perhaps the most «smartphone», giving the simplicity of the codec used.

Power Reserve — approximately the same as the Apple adapter, so i1 is intended primarily for IEM and full sized headphones they only want low-resistivity and sensitive.

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Insights

I think i1 for Fiio speaks «trial balloon» on which the company rolls the basics of interaction with Apple. In the future we should expect more serious decisions with Lightning interface like the promised top-end portable DAC amplifier Q5. Reverting to i1 it is worth noting that it sounds better complete solutions from Apple and offers advanced hands-free function, but the ease of use with a standard headphone wire.

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