iDSD micro Black Label. Tour details (page 147). Release info (page 153).

roamling said:

   
I thought ifi hinted yesterday that the cables, including the CCK cable, will be included in the package? If thats the case you wont have to worry about spending money on it.

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I don't think there will be a CCK cable included in the kit - Apple has a monopoly on those and they're quite expensive so I doubt they'd throw money at that only for their customers owning iDevices.

x838nwy said:

   
I don't think there will be a CCK cable included in the kit - Apple has a monopoly on those and they're quite expensive so I doubt they'd throw money at that only for their customers owning iDevices.

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True as well. Reread the post. I believe iFi meant these two adapter http://cdn.head-fi.org/1/1d/50x50px-ZC-1d7a783b_USBadapter1.jpeg

x838nwy said:

   
I don't think there will be a CCK cable included in the kit - Apple has a monopoly on those and they're quite expensive so I doubt they'd throw money at that only for their customers owning iDevices.

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 Business-wise, it would actually be in favour of Apple even if they'd sell in bulk to iFi at a cheaper price. iFi would be paying per iDSD Micro and the chance that it would be used with an iDevice by the consumer is relatively slim. Thus, it becomes an unnecessary cost on iFi's part. Also, there is also a decent chance that the customer buying the iFi for iDevice use already has a CCK. I honestly don't see the need but if iFi would, why not?  

maricius said:

   Business-wise, it would actually be in favour of Apple even if they'd sell in bulk to iFi at a cheaper price. ...

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Highly unlikely. They hate anybody who uses the letter "i."  In fact I'm surprised they haven't sued --- but ifi, being real professionals, must have done their homework on branding and trademarks and stuff long before we ever heard of them in the market.

thad-e-ginathom said:

   
Highly unlikely. They hate anybody who uses the letter "i."  In fact I'm surprised they haven't sued --- but ifi, being real professionals, must have done their homework on branding and trademarks and stuff long before we ever heard of them in the market.

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Hmm… I always thought Apple would support the "i"s especially with respectable companies. Then again, Apple capitalizes on brand loyalty… What I meant by my statement was completely terms in potential profit. I wonder, however, how much the buying of Beats would have changed Apple's perception of other audio companies either for better or for worse. Anyways, back to the iDSD… 

x838nwy said:

   
I don't think there will be a CCK cable included in the kit - Apple has a monopoly on those and they're quite expensive so I doubt they'd throw money at that only for their customers owning iDevices.

Click to expand...

 
Hi,
 
You are all pretty much correct.
 
Plus, there are at least:
 
CCK 30-pin
USB Adapter -9-pin
Samsung OTG
 
It is a non-started that we can purchase and put these in where only 1 of 3 are used.
 
It just makes no commercial sense.
 
When we list out the "Accessories List" next week, you see what we have for you all.

Software Design Update (5)
 
Digital and Analogue Filters - have it your way
 
High-end selectable digital and analogue filters on a portable DAC this size is very rare, let alone 6 (3 digital ones and 3 analogue ones!)
 
Most of these filters were trickled-down from AMR’s CD-77 (USD11,400) and DP-777 (USD5,000), so the development cost has already been amortised which has benefited iFi and the micro iDSD.
 
 
3 Digital Filters (for PCM)

1. Bit-Perfect
2. Minimum Phase
3. Standard

 
The Standard filter – does as its name suggests and it “measures the best.”
 
The Minimum Phase (MP) filter - greatly reduces the unwanted pre and post-ringing of the digital signal and produces a more natural sound. This is the “Super” digital filter for most high-end DACs.
 
The Bit-Perfect filter – as Jose Mourinho coined, is the “Special One.” It originated in the CD-77 (where we called it Digital Master mode), then on the DP-777 (Bit-Perfect mode).  This is the mode that gives the most organic sound.  This not only comes from just us but all the users of the CD-77, CD-777 and DP-777. After playing around with the other modes, this is the mode they settled on and don’t have any urge to alter, this mode is highly-addictive. It really does compare to vinyl done well.
 
Now the micro iDSD features all 3 of these high-end digital filter modes thanks to AMR.
 
 
3 Analogue Filters (for DSD)
Top of the range SACD players (SACD is DSD) do have selectable analogue filters, but most DSD capable DACs don’t have any selectable analogue filter, why?
 
Because for most DSD capable standalone DACs, DSD is only afterthought, hence no selectable analogue filters.  However, the micro iDSD was designed ground-up as a native DSD (and native PCM) DAC, DSD is not an afterthought at all.  We even name it “iDSD” 
 
Actually, back in the nano iDSD, we already had selectable analogue filters for DSD playback.
 
In the micro iDSD, we are just bring this to another level and implemented 3 of them:

1. Ultra-wide Range
2. Extended Range
3. Standard Range

 
There is no “best” one, just pick the one that you like to listen to the most. To us, the most important thing is to have the freedom to have it your way, like that well known “foot long” sandwich.
 
Not 3 Donuts, but 3 Footlong sandwiches

 
Having said that, we do like the Ultra-wide Range one but this may not work for everyone, as some of the amplifiers out there don’t like this kind of ultra-wide band width and may produce an unpleasant noise (no damage will ensue).
 
 
Digital Filters - Reload
With iFi, even though we bring up measurements, you will often find we always say, they are more exclusive than mutual: each should be taken in their own right.
 
Which digital filter is more relevant to measurement and which one is more relevant to listening to music?
 
To answer this question, we must bear in the mind that the following:

1. A Sine wave is more useful for measurement and testing, a music signal is more impulse-like.

 
So if one wants to measure the performance of a DAC, we recommend using the Standard filter, which give the “best performance” on a sine wave signal.
 
However, for normal real-world listening, the Minimum Phase filter will be a more accurate reproduction of an impulse signal when compare to a Standard one; however the most important thing to note is that the Bit-Perfect filter will give the MOST accurate reproduction of an impulse signal.
 
i.e. for the most accurate reproduction of an impulse signal (which music signal is more akin to), in order of accuracy: Bit-Perfect > Minimum Phase > Standard.
 

Which one would you rather listen to? We do not mind. Because you can choose yourself with the micro iDSD.
 
We have our preference but the customer should always come to their own sonic conclusion.

Two questions:
 
How do I get that "bit perfect" filter on my Nano iDSD?  
How do you select analog DSD filters on the Nano?  Not covered in the "manual" (card) and I see no switches for that . . . 
 
Will probably upgrade to the Micro, anyway, but would love to see some of this goodness with my existing Nano

jhwalker said:

 
Two questions:
 
How do I get that "bit perfect" filter on my Nano iDSD?  
How do you select analog DSD filters on the Nano?  Not covered in the "manual" (card) and I see no switches for that . . . 
 
Will probably upgrade to the Micro, anyway, but would love to see some of this goodness with my existing Nano

Click to expand...

 
Hi,
 
The nano iDSD does not have Bit-Perfect.
 
It has:
 

Filter:	PCM: Standard/Minimum Phase digital (selectable)
	DSD: Standard/Extended Range analogue (selectable)
	DXD: Bit-Perfect Processing, analogue filter (fixed)

 
There is a toggle switch to the left of the USB input. Depending upon the type of audio file, when you select the filter (Up/Down) you engage the above digital/analogue filters.
 
It is documented in the manual and the tech specs.
 
Hope this clarifies.

ifi audio said:

   
Hi,
 
You are all pretty much correct.
 
Plus, there are at least:
 
CCK 30-pin
USB Adapter -9-pin
Samsung OTG
 
It is a non-started that we can purchase and put these in where only 1 of 3 are used.
 
It just makes no commercial sense.
 
When we list out the "Accessories List" next week, you see what we have for you all.

Click to expand...

so that should work, right? Apple 30pin CCK adapter for my iPad 2 with USB A female plug on the other end? Went trough my USB cable stash and iPad accessoires...
 
 

HI
We can see the digital noise performace in minimun phase filter ?
Manu

roamling said:

so that should work, right? Apple 30pin CCK adapter for my iPad 2 with USB A female plug on the other end? Went trough my USB cable stash and iPad accessoires...

Click to expand...

That should work!!

nicoch46 said:

  HI
We can see the digital noise performace in minimun phase filter ?
Manu

Click to expand...

 
Hi
 
Will submit a request to Thorsten's team.
 
A bunch of measurements are in the pipeline for you all.

Outta This World #1 "Audio has a New Order: the micro iDSD"
 
Octa-Speed DSD512 + 768kHz
 
Over the last few weeks we kept you guessing OTW#1 but along the way, gave some clues:
i. 3 Donuts

 
ii. Mention of “Damp squid”
 
iii. Picture of Godzilla and wrestling with Gezora

 
The ANSWER was that the micro iDSD is capable of OCTA-SPEED DSD512 and not only that but also PCM768kHz and 2xDXD (it is mega on all 3 formats)
 
Capable of full DSD512 and 768kHz PCM (2xDXD) directly from the computer to the micro iDSD via USB, natively with NO conversion - we have had to bite our lip as we have been absolutely gagging to tell you but had to keep refraining from letting anything slip.
 
We have probably driven you all rabidly insane guessing OTW#1 but now it is finally out, we hope you are positively salivating as the prospect of enjoying some stonking audio quality that is not a quantum leap but an Octa-Leap!
 
OTW#1: Octa-DSD512/PC768kHz/2xDXD
 

Background
Computer audio technology is advancing at breakneck speed. AMR/iFi is at the cutting-edge of this. The upcoming micro iDSD propels our market-defining position even further ahead.
 
We have made extensive enquiries and to the best of our knowledge, the micro iDSD will be the very first DAC in the world capable of ALL 3 of the following, native: Octa-Speed DSD512, PCM768kHz and 2xDXD!!! (Up/OverSampling does not count, sorry!)
 

 
 
By comparison, even the most expensive DACs in the world costing upwards of US$50,000, are a little “old hat” as they are several format levels behind only now, attaining:

1. DSD128 (one or two at DSD 256)
2. PCM384kHz

 
The iFi micro iDSD feature set means it has blasted light years ahead to bring true high-end technology to the mass market.
 
To summarise the micro iDSD’s Outta This World features:
 
Outta This World #1                       Octa-Speed DSD512/PCM768/2xDXD
 
Outta This World #2                       Perfect-Match with Headphone Power modes and iEMatch
 
Outta This World #3                       Turbo headamp power output of 8v/4000mW
 
The micro iDSD is available in stores mid-July so you are only ~two weeks from having the Micro iDSD in the palm of your hand.
 
 
Explanation
We are all in the pursuit of ever better quality of audio playback. DSD is in resurgence and shows no signs of abating. PCM should cannot be ignored as the library of PCM vs DSD recordings is still overwhelmingly in favour of PCM.
 
For us, we don’t favour one format over the other. We enjoy both and we believe you should do too. The hard part is to source music on each format – life is too short to worry about which format is “better” we’d rather you enjoy both to the highest possible standard.
 
 
How this benefits the listener
Since we have been running this Crowd-Design project, along the way, we hope you have gathered a better sense of why we do not concern ourselves so much with each format, but offer the widest choice possible whilst making a recommendation based upon what we like, but always advising that you find what you like.
 
In this case, by being able to select the correct format for each file type, you have ensured a chain that is
 
DSD recording > DSD playback

Or
 
PCM recording > PCM playback

 
This matters because we strongly believe that the original cannot be bettered and should be retained end-to-end (i.e. not just on the playback side as we always talk about the whole chain).
 
With this OTW#1, Quad-Speed DSD256 recordings are now making a breakthrough and we have it on good authority that Pyramix and Sonoma which are already on the Quad-Speed DSD256 standard will see a revision in 3Q 2014 to enable their recording systems to handle Octa-SpeedDSD512.
 
This does not include the moves by recording studios to also move to a higher sample rate on the PCM format.
 
What this means for you, the micro iDSD customer is real, hard future-proofing for many years to come. And from day one!
 
For more information on the micro iDSD and others:
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-idsd/
 
 
We will also post links to super hi-res music downloads over the coming days. Super hi-res recordings are coming…
 
From all the staff/directors at AMR/iFi, a big THANK YOU for participating in this Crowd-Design project, you have helped make the micro iDSD one helluva "Meaty Monster!"
 

 
And more to come…
Last but not least, within the next few days, we shall outline how the upcoming first production run of micro iDSDs will be special “Octa-Adopter” units. There are extra goodies - these will be collector’s units in the years to come.
 
Watch this space!

I think it would be amusing seeing the reactions of the people who work on third party player apps such as Onkyo HF player, Audirvana, or BitPerfect once they hear that they'll be having to put a display recognizing the new formats when almost all other DACs don't even go past 192kHz.