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iFi iDSD Micro DSD512 / PCM768 DAC and Headphone Amp. Impressions, Reviews and Comments.
Jan 20, 2015 at 10:00 AM Post #2,416 of 9,047
triodemode said:
 
Absolutely...  FB2K is referenced in many professional audio forums like Hydrogenaudio and Gearslutz.  Maybe it is due to my desire to tweak, but I have no issues with the customizable FB2K GUI and the plethora of other settings (via a huge array of plugins).  Does JRiver measure dynamic range or the ability to downmix mutichannel recordings?  Can it covert DSD to PCM using selectable cuttoff filters to any lossless encoder including monkey audio?
 
I especially like and use extensively this dynamic range plugin, as it is a quick way to compare the amount of compression used between two versions of a song.  This coupled with the spectrum analyzer in Audacity, allows me to make sure I am getting the real deal in all high resolution recordings and not just an upsampled Redbook master that some labels pawn off to consumers.  I lost count on how many remasters there are floating around (particularly on classic rock and pop titles).
 
Below is a great website tool to check if music in your collection is from the original master recording, and reveals just how much manipulation to the original recordings take place.
 
http://dr.loudness-war.info/
Click to expand...

 
Alright, I think you guys have convinced me to at least take a look at this FooBar2K.
etysmile.gif

 
Jan 20, 2015 at 11:54 AM Post #2,418 of 9,047
imperialblade said:
  Thanks to everyone for all the replies! Much appreciated!
I think I am going to go with the iFi iDSD Micro. Since I will have this primarilyhooked up to my Mac, is Audiovana + or JRiver the way to go? 
 
Regards,

Eric
Click to expand...


I personally use Audrvina Plus with my Micro iDSD as it has great iTunes integration as well its on playlist maker. Also, I have no use for upsampling as the iDSD makes both DSD and PCM sound good as it is.
 
Jan 20, 2015 at 2:05 PM Post #2,420 of 9,047
evolvist said:
Say, have you tried the firmware update that's supposed to get rid of the DSD "pops?"
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is there an software update for ifi dsd where is that
 
Jan 20, 2015 at 5:57 PM Post #2,422 of 9,047
Following the Q&A about the iDSD consumption in USB mode, I have an interrogation to submit to you :
 
I use mine in USB power only (disclaimer : don't have golden ears I guess :/   +  no use for portable music this size..., am a long time user of a (some) rockboxed Sansa Clip+), primarily getting the line out (in preamp mode / normal power / pot around 1-2 o'clock) to a tube preamp line in (the Garage1217 Project Ember), the output of this one going to powered speakers.
 
Sound is excellent, thank you iFi and Garage1217, but after a couple days running nonstop (and without using iDSD amp section) I get the low battery symptoms i.e. no more music, then a succession of plops every 5-15 seconds or so accompanied by the led turning blue then 'light green' (? am color blind), the transition from blue to green producing the plop (kind of the same one you get when turning the iDSD on, but louder thanks to the pot's position). Low battery state is verified by the time needed for the blue led to shut off (> 10 hours).
 
So the question is, how come I am draining the battery using the line out and powering the iDSD with an USB 3.0 port from a tower computer that never shuts down?
I have to add that I'm using a nice (as in expensive for a non-audiophile graded) 5 meters long USB 3.0 cable. I thought about voltage drop on such a length but I guess the iDSD wouldn't work if it didn't get the required 5V?
 
Same story goes when plugging the iDSD line out to the line in of the powered speakers.
 
Any idea would be appreciated :)
 
 
 
 
SIDENOTE: The addition of the Ember between the iDSD (in direct mode) and AKG K712, HifiMan RE400 brings a nice touch, difference is noticeable, albeit not night and day (through my kinda old and not pristine anymore ears, YMMV); I've been using it mainly with a Westinghouse 12AU7A carbon plates valve.
Shame there isn't a way to get 3D for headphones through the line out...
 
Jan 20, 2015 at 6:13 PM Post #2,423 of 9,047
evolvist said:
Say, have you tried the firmware update that's supposed to get rid of the DSD "pops?"
Click to expand...


Strangely on my home desktop running Windows XP I never had the popping issue that others have had however, on my Asus Zenbook laptop running windows 7 this problem did show up.  So I am running the newer firmware only because my laptop requires it to alleviate these pops.
 
Jan 20, 2015 at 6:42 PM Post #2,424 of 9,047
julez3c said:
  Following the Q&A about the iDSD consumption in USB mode, I have an interrogation to submit to you :
 
I use mine in USB power only (disclaimer : don't have golden ears I guess :/   +  no use for portable music this size..., am a long time user of a (some) rockboxed Sansa Clip+), primarily getting the line out (in preamp mode / normal power / pot around 1-2 o'clock) to a tube preamp line in (the Garage1217 Project Ember), the output of this one going to powered speakers.
 
Sound is excellent, thank you iFi and Garage1217, but after a couple days running nonstop (and without using iDSD amp section) I get the low battery symptoms i.e. no more music, then a succession of plops every 5-15 seconds or so accompanied by the led turning blue then 'light green' (? am color blind), the transition from blue to green producing the plop (kind of the same one you get when turning the iDSD on, but louder thanks to the pot's position). Low battery state is verified by the time needed for the blue led to shut off (> 10 hours).
 
So the question is, how come I am draining the battery using the line out and powering the iDSD with an USB 3.0 port from a tower computer that never shuts down?
I have to add that I'm using a nice (as in expensive for a non-audiophile graded) 5 meters long USB 3.0 cable. I thought about voltage drop on such a length but I guess the iDSD wouldn't work if it didn't get the required 5V?
 
Same story goes when plugging the iDSD line out to the line in of the powered speakers.
 
Any idea would be appreciated :)
 
 
 
 
SIDENOTE: The addition of the Ember between the iDSD (in direct mode) and AKG K712, HifiMan RE400 brings a nice touch, difference is noticeable, albeit not night and day (through my kinda old and not pristine anymore ears, YMMV); I've been using it mainly with a Westinghouse 12AU7A carbon plates valve.
Shame there isn't a way to get 3D for headphones through the line out...
Click to expand...


First... Unless you need more power on the iDSD headphone jack, I would suggest switching to ECO mode to reduce the voltage drop on your 16 foot USB cable run.  Second is to make sure to only turn on the iDSD after the USB cable has been connected (this will ensure the iDSD is powered from the USB and not the battery).  Third, make sure that your computer settings keep your USB ports active at all times (no hibernation).  Performing these steps should hopefully resolve your problem.
 
Jan 20, 2015 at 7:02 PM Post #2,425 of 9,047
Well... thanks for your reply Triodemode but
 
- using the preamp line out @ +6dB (technically very low power, as line in are generally (always?) high impedance)
- iDSD is run in USB mode
- computer is never shut down (as in  no suspend to RAM or suspend to disk, no smart USB power or things like that), and in case of power outage, it stays off when power is restored.
 
Also, the unit can get warmer at times, while the parameters (pot position, computer volume) stay the same. As if the battery was charging from time to time, and not continually.
 
Jan 20, 2015 at 7:53 PM Post #2,426 of 9,047
julez3c said:
  Well... thanks for your reply Triodemode but
 
- using the preamp line out @ +6dB (technically very low power, as line in are generally (always?) high impedance)
- iDSD is run in USB mode
- computer is never shut down (as in  no suspend to RAM or suspend to disk, no smart USB power or things like that), and in case of power outage, it stays off when power is restored.
 
Also, the unit can get warmer at times, while the parameters (pot position, computer volume) stay the same. As if the battery was charging from time to time, and not continually.
Click to expand...


I knew you were using preamp out though did not realize you needed the +6 db output.  My my setup is similar to yours other than the direct mode on the RCA outputs with a much shorter cable. My iDSD runs warmer anytime I change from eco to normal mode, so I am thinking it pulls more current regardless of volume position or charging state.
 
Jan 20, 2015 at 7:54 PM Post #2,427 of 9,047
triodemode said:
 
I knew you were using preamp out though did not realize you needed the +6 db output.  My my setup is similar to yours other than direct mode on the RCA outputs with a much shorter cable. My iDSD runs warmer anytime I change from eco to normal mode, so I am thinking it pulls more current regardless of volume position or charging state.
Click to expand...

 
Jan 21, 2015 at 4:04 AM Post #2,428 of 9,047
julez3c said:
  Following the Q&A about the iDSD consumption in USB mode, I have an interrogation to submit to you :
 
I use mine in USB power only (disclaimer : don't have golden ears I guess :/   +  no use for portable music this size..., am a long time user of a (some) rockboxed Sansa Clip+), primarily getting the line out (in preamp mode / normal power / pot around 1-2 o'clock) to a tube preamp line in (the Garage1217 Project Ember), the output of this one going to powered speakers.
 
Sound is excellent, thank you iFi and Garage1217, but after a couple days running nonstop (and without using iDSD amp section) I get the low battery symptoms i.e. no more music, then a succession of plops every 5-15 seconds or so accompanied by the led turning blue then 'light green' (? am color blind), the transition from blue to green producing the plop (kind of the same one you get when turning the iDSD on, but louder thanks to the pot's position). Low battery state is verified by the time needed for the blue led to shut off (> 10 hours).
 
So the question is, how come I am draining the battery using the line out and powering the iDSD with an USB 3.0 port from a tower computer that never shuts down?
I have to add that I'm using a nice (as in expensive for a non-audiophile graded) 5 meters long USB 3.0 cable. I thought about voltage drop on such a length but I guess the iDSD wouldn't work if it didn't get the required 5V?
 
Same story goes when plugging the iDSD line out to the line in of the powered speakers.
 
Any idea would be appreciated :)
 
 
 
 
SIDENOTE: The addition of the Ember between the iDSD (in direct mode) and AKG K712, HifiMan RE400 brings a nice touch, difference is noticeable, albeit not night and day (through my kinda old and not pristine anymore ears, YMMV); I've been using it mainly with a Westinghouse 12AU7A carbon plates valve.
Shame there isn't a way to get 3D for headphones through the line out...
Click to expand...

 
Hi,
 
From your description, it seems there is too much voltage drop in the cable so the iDSD cannot charge properly.
 
If it is okay, we suggest you try:
 
1) Use Eco mode if headphone Amp is not in use
 
2) Turn off if not in use, this maximises charge current

3) Use a powered BC1.2 compatible USB Hub (Orico or similar) at the end of the 5m cable to overcome the voltage drop
 
 
 
Also important, even though a USB3.0 port can supply 0.9A, the iDSD micro will limit itself to drawing no more than 0.5A, as the port is recognised as standard USB 2.0 port.
 
In normal mode the power draw from the iDSD micro exceeds 0.5A, so as per its SmartPower, the battery is used to supply the extra current needed. If the voltage drop across the long cable is too large, the charging is very sloooooow, especially if the iDSD micro is left switched on.
 
When switched on, the iDSD micro is trying to "be nice" and will not draw charge from weak USB ports in case they are smart phones, tablets etc.
 
When switched off however (hard off, not automatic sleep mode) the iDSD micro goes into "brute force"  charging and will draw as much current up to the limit of 0.5A regardless what port it is attached to it so yes, it will suck any smartphone or tablet battery flat if you let it).
 
 
Cheers.
 
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Jan 21, 2015 at 5:27 AM Post #2,429 of 9,047
guys i was wondering if u can share ur expeirnece, I am using my ipod touch 5 with the ifi i notice that when I use the ipod with idsd the battery in the ipod drains so fast, is anyone else noticing this, this if of course when i use onkyo HF player
 
Jan 21, 2015 at 5:44 AM Post #2,430 of 9,047
sound eq said:
  guys i was wondering if u can share ur expeirnece, I am using my ipod touch 5 with the ifi i notice that when I use the ipod with idsd the battery in the ipod drains so fast, is anyone else noticing this, this if of course when i use onkyo HF player
Click to expand...

you are supposed to turn on the iDSD before connecting to the iTouch 5 so that, the iDSD will be using its own battery instead of draining from your iPod 
smily_headphones1.gif

 
Hope it helps
Billson 
 
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