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iFi iDSD Micro DSD512 / PCM768 DAC and Headphone Amp. Impressions, Reviews and Comments.
Jul 21, 2015 at 3:26 AM Post #4,173 of 9,047
Hi all,
 
I went to my local audio store to have the Micro iDSD demoed, and I enjoyed the sound of this little thing!
I took my Macbook PRO and my AKG Q701 to the store for the listening session.
I fired up the Audio MIDI Setup to select the output format, but I got little confused about this.
There are all possible sample rates along with the bit-depth to pick, I am now wondering if I have to
always select the appropriate settings for the media files being played (I have mixed type files, 44.1kHz/16 to 192kHz/24).
I don't want to up sampling neither down sampling, just want the true sample rate and bit depth to send to the Micro iDSD.
I assumed if I select 768kHz/32, then all files will be up sampled? I don't want that to be the case.
Any one here that have more info about this that can share with me?
 
/T
 
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:35 AM Post #4,174 of 9,047

Yes, you have to open Audio MIDI Setup and select the output sampling rate of the iDSD that match your source. Or easier, download a trial version of Audirvana. It should switch the sampling rate automatically for you. Bit depth cannot be changed, but I think it just means that the DAC can process more data and should handle 24-bit correct. If you use Audirvana, there is an option for true integer mode.
 
Jul 21, 2015 at 6:32 AM Post #4,175 of 9,047
tigerofsweden said:
  Hi all,
 
I went to my local audio store to have the Micro iDSD demoed, and I enjoyed the sound of this little thing!
I took my Macbook PRO and my AKG Q701 to the store for the listening session.
I fired up the Audio MIDI Setup to select the output format, but I got little confused about this.
There are all possible sample rates along with the bit-depth to pick, I am now wondering if I have to
always select the appropriate settings for the media files being played (I have mixed type files, 44.1kHz/16 to 192kHz/24).
I don't want to up sampling neither down sampling, just want the true sample rate and bit depth to send to the Micro iDSD.
I assumed if I select 768kHz/32, then all files will be up sampled? I don't want that to be the case.
Any one here that have more info about this that can share with me?
 
/T
Click to expand...

 
Hi,
 
OS X will always default to the highest possible bit rate.
 
So with iTunes, it requires manual adjustment to ensure Bit-Perfect playback.
 
You can either install Bit-Perfect (a payware add-on) or run something like Audirvana.
 
Cheers.
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Jul 21, 2015 at 7:00 AM Post #4,176 of 9,047
Thanks for your replies, I just installed the Audirvana Plus 2, and confirmed that the output sampling rate is matching the file being played.
Now it is only the Micro iDSD missing, I will probably return to the store and purchase one later today :)
 
/T
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 7:01 AM Post #4,177 of 9,047
Help on setting up WASAPI in Foobar micro idsd.

MY PC is self built running Win 7 64. The Cpu: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Quad-Core

Hi

I want to use WASAPI to play DSD files using foobar with my micro idsd. Currently I have set foobar Device to ASIO:foo_dsd_asio and DSD files play. If I change Device to WASAPI (event): Speakers (ifi (by AMR) HD+USB Audio) DSD tracks continue to play in foobar but output no sound. In fact if I set Device to ASIO: ifi (by AMR) HD USB Audio the sound also stops when playing DSD files.However if I change to WASAPI foobar will play other types of file such as flac or mp3.

Is there a way of getting WASAPI to work.

Many thanks

Howard
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 7:56 AM Post #4,178 of 9,047
I purchased my Micro iDSD yesterday after work. 
Tested with some free DSD files downloaded from L2 after have put the kids to bed.
I had it powered by USB during that play around session, and connected it to a iPad
charger when it was bed time.
I am looking forward to this evening as the iDSD should be fully charged (24h of
charging according the instructions), and ready to be used on battery mode!
 
/T
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 8:26 AM Post #4,179 of 9,047
hag6 said:
Is there a way of getting WASAPI to work.
Click to expand...


No.

You should be using ASIO, not WASAPI.

Step one: install foo_out_asio and foo_input_sacd:



Step two: configure the SACD plugin to play DSD natively:



Step three: configure foo_dsd_asio to use the iFi driver and to play DSD natively:



Step four: select foo_dsd_asio as the output device:



Everything should now play natively and at the correct bit-perfect sample rate.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 8:40 AM Post #4,180 of 9,047
 Many thanks TB for your response. Your instructions are really useful. I have set up foobar exactly as you suggest but I am still curious as to why WASAPI dosen't work with DSD files.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 10:30 AM Post #4,183 of 9,047
Foobar works well with DSD files set to Asio however I cant play on line audio eg youtube nor can I hear audio when playing video on vlc.
 
I checked settings in control panel>sound and when I right click to test the playback setting on ifi HD+USB Audio I get an error message :Failed to play test tone.
 
Any advice gratefully received.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 2:44 PM Post #4,184 of 9,047
You may need to exit (not just pause) FooBar before playing other media such as youtube video....that's what works for me.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 6:20 PM Post #4,185 of 9,047
hag6 said:
  Foobar works well with DSD files set to Asio however I cant play on line audio eg youtube nor can I hear audio when playing video on vlc.
 
I checked settings in control panel>sound and when I right click to test the playback setting on ifi HD+USB Audio I get an error message :Failed to play test tone.
 
Any advice gratefully received.
Click to expand...

lorywiv said:
  You may need to exit (not just pause) FooBar before playing other media such as youtube video....that's what works for me.
Click to expand...

 
Yeah, Foobar kind of highjacks whatever sound source your using while its open. If your using Windows (I mostly use Win8 Pro) look at the sound icon on the lower right of the desktop. When I open foobar the icon usually changes to a red X indicating no sound device in Windows (especially if I have Foobar set to transcode everything to DSD). It goes away after closing Foobar and I can get audio in Youtube, etc. through the Micro.
 
Also, be sure to check the sample rate in sound properties and/or change to output in Foobar to something other than foo_dsd. I noticed when its set too high (like the max 32-bit/192Khz in Windows) and/or when Foobar is set to foo_dsd (which seems to have a partial global effect) Windows sometimes doesn't acknowledge the Micro as a global sound card. Lowering the sample rate and changing the output setting in Foobar to asio (then closing Foobar) seems to make it easier for Windows to see the Micro.
 
 
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