iFi Audio Pro iDSD discussion thread

[etc6849]

No problem.  Thanks for the quick response!
 
For a future revision if keeping the circuit layout and noise level as clean as possible means IR can't turn the unit on/off (understandable as sound quality should always come first), one thing to consider is an optically isolated 12V trigger as this would be a much simpler circuit to implement.  Of course, no doubt your engineers looked into this and there's a reason this too wasn't included.
 
Quote:

  Without getting too much into technicals, IR topic is closed in Pro iCAN. It has to stay the way it is now. 

 

[Franatic]

A whole new generation of DACs are coming.........The bar is constantly being raised. 
 
Here is an interesting new entry:
http://matrix-digi-usa.com/x-sabre_pro
 
At this price point and without the headphone amp section I don't need, it is stiff competition indeed.

 

[bmoura]

  A whole new generation of DACs are coming.........The bar is constantly being raised. 
 
Here is an interesting new entry:
http://matrix-digi-usa.com/x-sabre_pro
 
At this price point and without the headphone amp section I don't need, it is stiff competition indeed.

New DACs with DSD are coming out all the time. 
Almost 500 of them now.
 
As for "the bar is constantly being raised", its best to listen to them first before reaching that conclusion.
Some of the newer DAC models with new DAC chips aren't necessarily better sounding than earlier models in my experience. 
 
NativeDSD DAC List at http://www.nativedsd.com/database

 

[Franatic]

 
New DACs with DSD are coming out all the time. 
Almost 500 of them now.
 
As for "the bar is constantly being raised", its best to listen to them first before reaching that conclusion.
Some of the newer DAC models with new DAC chips aren't necessarily better sounding than earlier models in my experience. 
 
NativeDSD DAC List at http://www.nativedsd.com/database

Thanks for that list.........I'll read up and as always, wait for reviews before any purchase. Design and implementation is critical with any DAC chip. I find it best to be patient.The iFi idsd Pro is still the leading candidate for my next DAC, but it is good to shop.

 

[bmoura]

  Thanks for that list.........I'll read up and as always, wait for reviews before any purchase. Design and implementation is critical with any DAC chip. I find it best to be patient.The iFi idsd Pro is still the leading candidate for my next DAC, but it is good to shop.

I think the iDSD Pro will do well.  To me, it sounds a lot like the Pro iCAN. A very nice unit.
 
But there is more competition for the iDSD Pro now that it is competing with DACs at the $2,000 and below market - while the iDSD Micro was only taking on the DACs at $500 and under.
The fun starts soon. 

 

[LoryWiv]

  I think the iDSD Pro will do well.  To me, it sounds a lot like the Pro iCAN. A very nice unit.
 
But there is more competition for the iDSD Pro now that it is competing with DACs at the $2,000 and below market - while the iDSD Micro was only taking on the DACs at $500 and under.
The fun starts soon. 

With apologies that I have not yet reviewed the entire thread, will the iDSD pro offer true balanced topology for both DAC / Amp / headphone output?

 

[technobear]

 
I think the iDSD Pro will do well.  To me, it sounds a lot like the Pro iCAN. A very nice unit.

But there is more competition for the iDSD Pro now that it is competing with DACs at the $2,000 and below market - while the iDSD Micro was only taking on the DACs at $500 and under.
The fun starts soon. 

With apologies that I have not yet reviewed the entire thread, will the iDSD pro offer true balanced topology for both DAC / Amp / headphone output?

DAC - yes

Line Out - yes

Headphone out - unless anything has changed, that one's a 'no'


EDIT: having said that, if you have a high impedance can like the beyerdynamic T1, you could equip it with 3-pin XLRs and plug it into the line-outs

 

[gr8soundz]

DAC - yes

Line Out - yes

Headphone out - unless anything has changed, that one's a 'no'


EDIT: having said that, if you have a high impedance can like the beyerdynamic T1, you could equip it with 3-pin XLRs and plug it into the line-outs

 
Last I saw, iFi had added a balanced 3.5mm TRRS headphone out to the iDSD Pro.
 

 

[technobear]

DAC - yes

Line Out - yes

Headphone out - unless anything has changed, that one's a 'no'

EDIT: having said that, if you have a high impedance can like the beyerdynamic T1, you could equip it with 3-pin XLRs and plug it into the line-outs

Last I saw, iFi had added a balanced 3.5mm TRRS headphone out to the iDSD Pro.

Well spotted. Took me a while to find it but here it is:



The above image taken from the Pro iCAN thread shows it more clearly than the image that was posted in this thread.

 

[LoryWiv]

Well spotted. Took me a while to find it but here it is:



The above image taken from the Pro iCAN thread shows it more clearly than the image that was posted in this thread.

Beautiful stack! Encouraged there will be a headphone balanced out from the iDSD Pro.  What will the principle advantages be of running the iDSD Pro into iCAN rather then just standalone? Is it just that the iCAN amp section is superior?

 

[Maelob]

I think you are correct the ICAN pro is most likely the superior headphone amp.  But I don't think the stand alone IDSD pro will be no slouch. 

 

[iFi audio]

  I think you are correct the ICAN pro is most likely the superior headphone amp.  But I don't think the stand alone IDSD pro will be no slouch. 

That's the case exactly. Even though our upcoming Pro iDSD has a VERY decent headphone out, this device is a DAC above all else. Our Pro iCAN is a standalone amplifier, the pinnacle of what we currently can achieve for the mony. If one feels to have a setup without any compromise, two or even three Pro line products are the way to go. But if one is in need of a great d/a converter and will use headphones, yet at the same time wants to have a one box solution that covers all needs, Pro iDSD is for the taking.

 

[LoryWiv]

  That's the case exactly. Even though our upcoming Pro iDSD has a VERY decent headphone out, this device is a DAC above all else. Our Pro iCAN is a standalone amplifier, the pinnacle of what we currently can achieve for the mony. If one feels to have a setup without any compromise, two or even three Pro line products are the way to go. But if one is in need of a great d/a converter and will use headphones, yet at the same time wants to have a one box solution that covers all needs, Pro iDSD is for the taking.

Will the iDSD Pro incorporate switchable SS & GE tube state as the iCAN Pro does? I recognize it may not offer as much refinement but that is a terrific functionality even if not implemented to the pinnacle of quaity as in iCAN Pro. Tube option and the already noted 3.5 mm balanced headphone out  = I am in line for the iDSD Pro the instant it becomes available!!!

 

[iFi audio]

 
Will the iDSD Pro incorporate switchable SS & GE tube state as the iCAN Pro does? I recognize it may not offer as much refinement but that is a terrific functionality even if not implemented to the pinnacle of quaity as in iCAN Pro. Tube option and the already noted 3.5 mm balanced headphone out  = I am in line for the iDSD Pro the instant it becomes available!!!

Well, there surely are tubes and transistors involved in Pro iDSD.

 

[BarDash]

Will the IDSD be a "jack of all trades"? Does it have an amp? Basically I'm wondering if it's overkill to match with my ICAN, or should I spend my money on a similarly priced or less expensive DAC that's just a DAC?