Tested in our VU Meter #1, the IDA-8 is being replaced 10 years later by the IDA-9.
Featuring a modernized chassis but with similar dimensions of 235 × 55 × 281 mm, the IDA-9 weighs in at no less than 4 kg. The main reason for this increase in weight is that the GaN power supply has been redesigned into two independent symmetrical blocks (75 × 30 × 25 mm) in a sophisticated two-phase interleaved GaN power factor correction (PFC) circuit. This approach provides very strong voltage regulation while maintaining minimal noise levels and achieving ultra-high efficiency. The entire PFC module now offers an output power of 600 watts, fed back to a Class A input stage and a Class D switching MOSFET circuit capable of operating at up to 600 Hz, with a 30% reduction in operating temperature compared to the previous model.
The input stage combines an ultra-linear class A module (ULCAM) with Nichicon KZ MUSE input coupling capacitors specially selected for their ability to deliver neutral, pure sound. OS-CON capacitors are used in the asymmetrical Class A modules to ensure stable, high-quality signal coupling, while the ultra-low-noise input stage also uses JFETs to achieve the lowest possible background noise and ensure signal integrity from the first amplification stage. The IDA-9 also incorporates 14 WIMA MKP and EPCOS MKP series capacitors throughout the circuit for power rail bypassing. The final power output of the unit is rated at 2 x 200 W RMS into 8 Ω and 2 x 250 W into 4 Ω.
On the preamplification side, the volume is controlled in 99 steps of 0.5 dB, and a pair of analogue inputs sits alongside four optical and coaxial digital inputs, plus two USB ports, one of which can accommodate a WiFi and Bluetooth receiver module. Via USB, files can be decoded at rates up to 384 kHz in PCM and DSD256; DoP is also supported.
Already available, the IDA-9 is launched at a retail price of 1 599 €.
08/28/2025
