ipod & portable audio studio - ISA Diablo Ultra Highend Portable Headphone Amp Pics & Final Specs!

ISA Diablo Ultra Highend Portable Headphone Amp Pics & Final Specs!
- by full monty 10-13-2006, 09:46 PM

The long-awaited and much anticipated ISA Diablo ultra highend portable headphone amp is now nearing completion and images and final specs have now been released. Designers, LaRocco Audio, have released the following: "I gotta tell ya,….This amplifier has proven to be the most time and emotionally intensive builds that Phil and I have worked on to date. How could that be, you might ask. I mean, what’s so big about a small amp? Well, quite a bit apparently. The concept of the Diablo was set in motion by Duncan of ipastudio.com and member feedback which teamed up with my own interest in a new Pocket amp that is competitive with current offerings in size but with the inclusion of a high fidelity amplifier circuit above what is presently offered on par with its more powerful big brother, the PRII. On the surface many of you may think this is a piece of cake. Even I was wrong in my assumptions as to the complexity of making this happen. Below you can read about functions, topology highlights in reference to the Diablo. It has been many months since anyone has heard anything about this amplifier. So long in fact that it has been referred to as “vaporware” and there is even a site devoted to the proclamation of false claims made by myself in reference to the actual creation of the amp. I am not in this to make something that just pulls money in. We have devoted many hours and much hard work to bring this amplifier into existence. Phil and I have created the most advanced pocket amp on the market in this size factor and audio circuit complexity. In audio design there is always a compromise. The question is, what do we choose to remove and keep to make room? What is possible / impossible? Instead of size and cost being our first motivators, we opted for the audio circuit and designed from there. That was the start of the headaches from the beginning but our redemption in the end." Those interested in pre-ordering one can PM me for further info. Please be aware this is a VERY limited first run and we are not sure when the second run will happen.

click the image below to enlarge

ISA Diablo

Lithium Ion Prismatic Rechargeable battery: The Diablo is NOT a single chip amp that only requires a few milliamps to power for 100+ hours of use. If it was, you could power it with a 9V NiMH or some other low mAH rechargeable battery. It is a miniature power amp like its big brother (PRII). In order for this to function for any time and have any drive capability with anything other than super efficient or sensitive IEM’s and phones, you need Voltage swing for any volume capability not to mention just keeping the Opamp turned on. This unconsidered and possible “foot in mouth” requirement of this amp design turned out to be the most frustrating and scary part of this endeavor. With these batteries, we can expect 50hrs of play time @ 3 hours of charge time.

specs:
1. 2 position Attenuator Switch (Gain)
2. Variable Bass Contour
3. Panorama: Left right - mono - right left
4. Volume
5. Power: on/off Switch
6. 2.5mm X 5.5mm: AC adaptor input for charging
7. Lithium Ion Prismatic Rechargeable battery (50 hours use on 3 hour charge)
8. Fast charge and Standby indicator LED
9. Mini In/Out
10. Internal DC Voltage Regulation
11. True Blue Power On Indicator LED
12. Dimensions 3.5” L X 2.5” W X 0.95” H
13. Custom casing and dials

links:
INFO THREAD
FULL MANUAL & SPECS
PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMPS GALLERIES
HEADPHONE AMPS GALLERIES
WORLD'S LARGEST AUDIO & PORTABLE AUDIO GALLERIES

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10-14-2006, 08:43 PM	#2
thabenksta Ipodus Incontinentus Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,379	This is awesome news, I can't wait. __________________ portable/office: iphone } larocco diablo } beyerdynamic dt250-250 home: denon dcp-100 } larocco PR } sennheiser hd580 / hd650 w/ cardas

10-15-2006, 04:14 PM	#3
LoST_InSpACe Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Humboldt Ca Posts: 15	I am extremely happy! Congratulations on your impending finished product. The wait is nothing, compaired to the product. I went out of my way and pre-purchased two of these bad boys or (bad girls). Vaporware, ha, ha , ha, ha...He who laughs last laughs the hardest. Thank you for your focus.

10-23-2007, 05:31 AM	#4
Singapura Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 0	Don't sell the hide of the bear before you shot it