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

Double-whammy today. The sun is out, we're enjoying a ginger beer ahead of the start of the world cup. 
 
Outta This World #3 and Super Duper feature 1.7
 
Super Duper feature 1.7: SmartPower
A few weeks back, we showed you this:

 
Well the answer as some of you observed, was the "lightning strike" adjacent to the USS Nimitz.
 
The lightning strike denotes this SmartPower logo on the micro iDSD:

Which means on-the-go recharging for your Smart Device.
 
The micro iDSD has a side USB port specifically for charging iPhone/Samsung/Smart devices.
 
Just like this (micro iDSD + Smartphone):
 

 

 
This is because we have a whopper of a battery onboard and it has a nifty circuit to perform charging when the iDSD is powered-off (sorry folks, cant enjoy hi-res AND recharge your device simultaneously).
 
The power supply section details are:

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Outta This World #3 Turbo Power mode
The talk of SmartPower and the mega battery neatly introduces Outta This World feature #3.
 
Last week, we gave you a picture of the Garrett Turbo charger.


Outta This World feature #3 is the MAX POWER output of the micro iDSD:
 

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This means the micro iDSD is one of the very few headphone amplifiers (that is also portable) able to drive this juggernaut of a headphone (and drive some speakers too).
 
 
On the HE-6, to 108dB which is darn loud. So these planars will be moving some air. 
 
In USB power mode, this will of course be indefinite (it will need a BC1.2 compliant "DCP" (Downstream Charging Port) which delivers USB audio and an extra Juicy 1,500mA current instead of the measily 500mA of a standard USB 2port) but in battery mode, with the HE-6, it should run for about 6 hours.

 
How to setup the micro iDSD to power the HiFi Man HE-6?
Remember this?
The red button is the 'nitro' option - officially, it has been named "Turbo" mode for headphone power output.
 
 

Hope you had as much fun reading this as we did developing these features after your Crowd-Design suggestions. 
 

You guys can't be serious… you're overkilling the competition before they even come out

With crazy power handling, I hope it manages heat better than a geek out. That thing runs HOT!

ifi audio said:

Otta This World #3 and Super Duper feature 1.6

Super Duper feature 1.6: SmartPower

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ifi audio said:

Super Duper Feature 1.6

3D Holographic for Headphones(i)/Speakers(ii)

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Does this new Super-Duper Feature 1.6 replace the previous Super-Duper Feature 1.6?

Can we have both at the same time?

Is this really Super-Duper Feature 1.7?

Enquiring minds want to know

technobear said:

Does this new Super-Duper Feature 1.6 replace the previous Super-Duper Feature 1.6?

Can we have both at the same time?

Is this really Super-Duper Feature 1.7?

Enquiring minds want to know

Click to expand...

 
Hey, good spot.
 
You can tell we are getting as excited as you guys!
 
Fixed!

x838nwy said:

With crazy power handling, I hope it manages heat better than a geek out. That thing runs HOT!

Click to expand...

 
We figured if we are putting in a powerful HP Amp, we might as well have a serious shot at the title of "most powerful portable..."
 
The iCan micro maxes out at 5.5V, the iDSD micro raises that to 8V (same undistorted output as a typical 300B SE Amp).
 
And it runs warm (a bit more than the iCan micro), but not very hot. So sorry, can't fry an egg (and the micro iDSD does not cook, clean or washup).

ifi audio said:

   
The red button is the 'nitro' option - officially, it has been named "Turbo" mode for headphone power output.
 

Click to expand...

 
 
So the Turbo Power can be switched on/off? in off mode it will have the same power ratings as the micro iCan? 

Some of you shy ones asked us directly but this is a good point so we'd share with y'all.
 
Addendum: Super Duper 1.7* SmartPower: charging details
(*credit to Technobear for the spot)
 
The battery is a 4800mAH^ (the iDSD micro is USB BC1.2 on both USB input connection and charge port).
^ We upped the battery from the prototype spec of  3000mAH to 4800mAH. So a 60% increase.
 
How many "full" charges for Android/Apple?
Assuming nil audio usage, the micro iDSD will recharge a typical Apple iPhone about ~2 times (from 5%>100%). Though this varies of course as not all Smartphones are the same.
 
 
How long to recharge the micro iDSD?
There are 3 charging options (approximate times based upon micro iDSD being off!):

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1) Normal USB port (@500mA)                                                                                          ~12 Hours 
2) High-Powered USB port/Dedicated charger (using BC1.2 compliant charger @ 1.5A)                ~4 Hours 
 
Lastly, 
3) USB powered charger (like iUSB Power Power) @1A                                                          ~7 Hours
 

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- If unit is powered on, battery is only charged to 4.05V, to max battery life ( >3 Years for 70% capacitance). This is best option.
- If unit is turned off, battery is charged to 4.2v or 100%, for cyclic use (ready for portable use).

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SmartPower has PowerSave
Also will have "power save" mode, meaning on digital, it will shut down audio and DAC if no signal for 2 minutes. Wake-up is 1 second.
 
If using line in, it will stay on, no power-save for that (sorry).
 
So you can leave the unit permanently switched on and probably need a new battery in 5-6 Years of 24/7 as this way, you max the battery life. In normal usage you would probably get 3-4 years out of it.
 
Top tip: With LiPo's voltage, extreme Heat/Cold kills. This is probably most important point to bear in mind. Just keep at normal room temperature to max its life.
 
 
Lastly, to the funny person who asked:
 
Can a micro iDSD can recharge a micro iDSD?
Yes. About 70% of full charge.
 
Can it recharge tablet?
It will recognise high-power charge ports and draw extra current and it will charge any BC1.2 compliant device at 1.5A and Apple devices at 1A. It charges the iPad mini just dandy.
 
But please bear in mind using a smaller battery to recharge a larger battery is of limited use. Will give you impulse, but no warp drive.
 
 
Thanks.

roamling said:

   
 
So the Turbo Power can be switched on/off? in off mode it will have the same power ratings as the micro iCan? 

Click to expand...

 
Can we answer you later? This is OTW#2!

iFi geniuses, wow. just wow power.  makes me want new HE-400i or HE-560 to pair up with this micro!
 
However, I am still curious about IEMs (102 SPL dB/mW, 18 ohm) usage with the micro iDSD as well. 
hiss, attenuators, gain switch, etc.
 
I think that will be covered in OTW #2..... <fingers crossed>

jexby said:

  However, I am still curious about IEMs (102 SPL dB/mW, 18 ohm) usage with the micro iDSD as well. 
hiss, attenuators, gain switch, etc.
 
I think that will be covered in OTW #2..... <fingers crossed>

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Hi,
 
No need to cross anything. 
 
Yes, we have been watching the iFi attenuators rolling out over on the nano iCAN thread. We have been are watching that very closely.

hi IFI, plan to visit singapore next month, will this micro arrive in stereosg next month . want to test the sound so curious hehehe
 

The OTW #3 raised a few questions for me:

Most importantly, How will the headphone amp compare to the ican micro?

Is the headphone amp on the micro idsd discrete or does it employ oamps?

Is the amp class A or the more common class D?

Will the Ican micro be updated to keep up with the new idsd micro? (I was planning on using it with the ifi micro stack but on paper it seems to be duplicating most of the functions)

hugoboss said:

  hi IFI, plan to visit singapore next month, will this micro arrive in stereosg next month . want to test the sound so curious hehehe
 

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Hi,
 
Global launch is early July.
 
Will finalise the date closer to the time.
 
Thanks.