Srajan, I just revisited your iFi review because I noticed that it had skipped to the front of the queue again. I've learnt that it means you added something and indeed, there they were, very interesting comments on super-hot gain and what rationale might be behind implementing it in the first place when from a utility perspective, there really seems to be no good reason. Considering the apparent sophistication of the design, it's surprising actually that Mr. Loesch would go for this cheap trick of shining up his specs. Perhaps the core market they sell to really cares about those numbers? Still, your regard for the sound doesn't seem diminished so I'm glad to hear that it's worked out for you with the network chip removed. (Name withheld by request.)
Indeed, I love the sound and just moved the piece into my Raal ribbon headfi rig whose extreme resolution really benefits the most from the Signature's 45/49MHz DSD resampling. Once I upgrade the upstairs sub to a smaller Ripol or two to clean up room interactions in the bass, the iFi will probably end up in the sound|kaos Vox3 system. Until then, it makes a bigger difference on the floating open-baffle ribbons. Its footprint also approximates the Schiit Jotunheim R amp's and the smsl SD-9's is even smaller so the lot stacks super tidy for a mini rig with very high performance. Srajan
