[iFi audio]

  Hey Everyone - Got the unit last week. Will hold off initial impressions until I've got to know it a little better. Quick question, do you think the Retro Stereo 50 will have enough grunt for the Abyss AB-1266?

 
Hi,
 
The Stereo 50 and the micro iDSD are very similar in terms of the headphone output specs.
 
The Abysss people demo with the micro iDSD on Turbo and iEMatch set to off.
 
You can contact them and ask them what they think and it should broadly apply to the Stereo 50.
 
As always, try first though.

 

[iFi audio]

To launch the iDAC2 with a little fanfare, a nice 'n free competition for all Head-Fi'yers.

 
All iFi and non-iFi customers are welcome to enter - good luck!
 

 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/754820/idac2-launching-with-a-bang-competition-with-mega-goodies-gotta-be-in-it-to-win-it-see-page-4-for-details/90

For all the latest iFi audio videos:

 

[XjunkieNL]

In the iDAC2 thread I came across the table below.

In which category falls the Retro?
I was understanding it had 1 DAC, but still could handle DSD512, but this doesn't fit...

This is a summary of the current iFi family of digital-to-analogue converters.

In descending order, thing of them as BMW 5 series, 3 series and 1 series.

Model

Chipset​

no of DACs​

Native​ DSD​

Native PCM​

Filters​

Zerojitter Lite​

SPDIF​

iPurifer Lite​

Battery​

Headphone Amplfiier​

XBass®​

3D Holographic®​

micro iDSD

Bit-Perfect/ Min Phase/ Standard​

Yes​

In/Out​

For Headphones and Speakers​

micro iDAC2

Bit-Perfect/ Min Phase/ Standard​

Yes​

Out​

nano iDSD

Min Phase/ Standard​

Yes​

Out​

[tr]

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD]Burr-Brown (True Native)[/TD]​

[TD]2[/TD]​

[TD]Up to Octa-DSD512[/TD]​

[TD]Up to 768kHz[/TD]​

[TD]Yes[/TD]​

[TD]Yes[/TD]​

[TD]Up to 4,000mW[/TD]​

[TD]Yes[/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD]Burr-Brown (True Native)[/TD]​

[TD]1[/TD]​

[TD]Up to Quad-DSD256[/TD]​

[TD]Up to 386kHz[/TD]​

[TD]No[/TD]​

[TD]No[/TD]​

[TD]350mW[/TD]​

[TD]No[/TD]​

[TD]No[/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD] [/TD]​

[TD]Burr-Brown (True Native)[/TD]​

[TD]1[/TD]​

[TD]Up to Quad-DSD256[/TD]​

[TD]Up to 386kHz[/TD]​

[TD]No[/TD]​

[TD]Yes[/TD]​

[TD]150mW[/TD]​

[TD]No[/TD]​

[TD]No[/TD]​

[/tr]

 

[iFi audio]

In the iDAC2 thread I came across the table below.

In which category falls the Retro?
I was understanding it had 1 DAC, but still could handle DSD512, but this doesn't fit...

 
Hi,
 
For the micro iDSD, micro iDAC2 and the nano iDSD, in descending order, think of them as BMW 5 series, 3 series and 1 series.
 
 
 
The Retro Stereo 50 falls outside of the BMW mainstay range.
 
Think of it as the Mini Countryman (which of course is still part of the BMW Group).
 
- still from the BMW stable
- Retro looks
- modern functionality
 

 
It does everything for everyone.
 
Whereas the mainstay are dedicated devices - so whilst they are similar and share the AMR/iFI platform, they aren't the same devices.
 
Cheers.

 

[iFi audio]

We hope you like this:
 
 

iDAC2 + ‘Special iFi Music Sampler’ DSD album by Sound Liaison

 
We have seen the very nice Head-Fi people leave kind comments with their entries. So we thought we should return the compliment. Well, here goes.
 
Costing you absolutely ZERO, from the great people at Sound Liasions studios, you will find three specially-selected tracks in three formats; PCM, FLAC and DSD (of course!).
 

 

iFi micro iDAC2 - Special iFi Music Sampler

01. Carmen Gomes Inc. – Thousand Shades of Blue
02. Andre Heuvelman – Oblivion
‘Oblivion’ and ‘Thousand Shades of Blue’ were performed live in the studio, recorded in multi-track PCM 96kHz. The DSD conversion was done via an analog signal chain, using state of the art professional equipment to the Tascam DA-3000 DSD recorder.
 
03. Tony Overwater & Bert van den Brink – Impromptu
‘Impromptu’ was recorded live directly to DSD using the Tascam DA-3000 DSD recorder and simultaneously to PCM with the RME UFX.
 
 
Whether you are an iFi customer or not, you are welcome to download this FREE iDAC2 PCM/DSD album courtesy of Sound Liasion in the Netherlands.
 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/754820/idac2-launching-with-a-bang-competition-with-mega-goodies-gotta-be-in-it-to-win-it-see-page-4-for-details/300#post_11749432

 

[XjunkieNL]

On my Retro50 amp I'm using an old Ipad1, running the TuneIn app, for listening to the radio.
It is connected with a USB cable, and is always connected.

The thing I notice when switching off the amp, my Ipad1 gives the message “Cannot Use Device: The connected USB device requires too much power.”.
Also my after switching off the Ipad every 15 minutes or so it switches itself on and gives this message.
This switching drains the battery.

Anyone got the same message? Got a tip to get rid of it? Thanks.

/Paul

 

[john57]

The Retro keeps the USB connection alive even when powered off. This means that it will continue to show on device manger. Maybe you ipad has a setting to turn off USB when not in use?

 

[iFi audio]

On my Retro50 amp I'm using an old Ipad1, running the TuneIn app, for listening to the radio.
It is connected with a USB cable, and is always connected.

The thing I notice when switching off the amp, my Ipad1 gives the message “Cannot Use Device: The connected USB device requires too much power.”.
Also my after switching off the Ipad every 15 minutes or so it switches itself on and gives this message.
This switching drains the battery.

Anyone got the same message? Got a tip to get rid of it? Thanks.

/Paul

 
Hi,
 
As the Retro Stereo 50 is USB Class compliant it must enumerate (read: connect) when connected to an active USB Host.
 
If the Retro Stereo 50 is switched off, the USB Section will draw power from the source to accomplish that.
 
Solutions:
 
1) Use some form of external power for the USB Port on the Retro.
 
2) Use a combined Camera Kit/Charger/USB Hub for the iPad, e.g. 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Speed-USB-Hub-Camera-Connection-Kit-Card-Reader-for-iPad-iPad-2-iPad-3-/300844902610?pt=UK_iPad_Tablet_Accessories&hash=item460bc0e8d2
 
Note, we have not tested this particular item in operation, however it is a common setup in Pro-Audio to record from external USB Sound Cards to an iPAD while powering both USB Sound Card and charging the iPAD.
 
Side note:
USB Class is most generic. Any USB Device must "enumerate" to be allowed to draw power. As we wanted to keep the USB connection alive (to minimise the potential for connection errors) when the Retro Stereo 50 is off but the Source/Host is on, we need to draw power from the Host.

We could have used standby power, but that would have consumed enough power to fall foul of the very strict EU Standby power regulations. As it stands, the Stereo 50 conforms to the very strict EU regulations.
 
Cheers.

 

[XjunkieNL]

Thanks for the tip!

I'm getting me one of those USB hubs. Would be a simple solution for the problem.
Will report back, when I get it.

/Paul

 

[iFi audio]

iFi XMOS Firmware v4.10 is a go

After having passed extensive testing, the iFi XMOS firmware version 4.10 is ready for public download.

This latest firmware v4.10 is unified (read: works on the following machines):

micro iDAC2
RETRO Stereo 50
micro iDSD
nano iDSD

 

XMOS Firmware v4.10 Improvements

• Further enhancement/improvement of DoP playback which due to the nature of DSD playback on DoP, exhibits clicks/pops during track changes. The DoP click/pop is now negligible.

• Optimisation of the ‘Star-Clocking’ technology inside the XMOS.

• Better XMOS (8 Cores) load distribution.

• Various optimisations regarding muting.

• Improved compatibility with Mac OS for smoother operation.

• Unified firmware across nano iDSD, micro iDAC2, micro iDSD, RETRO Stereo 50

Bug fixes

• Fixed various minor bugs.



iFi XMOS Firmware version 4.10 is NOT suitable for: iDAC, iLINK, AMR DP-777. So please do NOT FLASH these machines with v4.10.

Non-iFi customers should NOT download this firmware for other non-iFI XMOS devices. This firmware is proprietary XMOS firmware and is for iFi-specified products only. You risk damage to your machine if you attempt to flash your non-iFi XMOS dac with this firmware.


Link for the firmware is contained here: http://ifi-audio.com/micro-idac2-ifi-xmos-firmware/

 

[Acquire]

Anyone else experience static noise problems with this?   I've had it for about a month and a half so far.  One issue that's come up is that moving the volume knob introduces very noticeable static noise.  Every now and then I'll get some popping in the audio as well (speaker and headphones).  I also appear to have noisy tubes, which is pretty annoying.   I've submitted a ticket to ifi-audio.  Waiting on their response.

 

[technobear]

Anyone else experience static noise problems with this?   I've had it for about a month and a half so far.  One issue that's come up is that moving the volume knob introduces very noticeable static noise.  Every now and then I'll get some popping in the audio as well (speaker and headphones).  I also appear to have noisy tubes, which is pretty annoying.   I've submitted a ticket to ifi-audio.  Waiting on their response.

Have you tinkered with the iFi USB driver?



If there are any buffer settings in your player software, try increasing them.

 

[XjunkieNL]

Anyone else experience static noise problems with this?   I've had it for about a month and a half so far.  One issue that's come up is that moving the volume knob introduces very noticeable static noise.  Every now and then I'll get some popping in the audio as well (speaker and headphones).  I also appear to have noisy tubes, which is pretty annoying.   I've submitted a ticket to ifi-audio.  Waiting on their response.

The static noise I haven't experienced.
The popping noise probably comes from a faulty tube. I have had some.
It seems they are easily damaged in transport.
Sometimes you can see a blue spark in the faulty tube at the moment of the popping noise.
In my Retro the faulty tube was replaced by a new one, and everything works again.

/Paul

 

[XjunkieNL]

Another review of the retro50. This time in TONEaudio. And they like it!
They give it their "Exceptional Value Awards for 2015".

Link to the review: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/ifi-retro-50/

 

[Acquire]

The static noise I haven't experienced.
The popping noise probably comes from a faulty tube. I have had some.
It seems they are easily damaged in transport.
Sometimes you can see a blue spark in the faulty tube at the moment of the popping noise.
In my Retro the faulty tube was replaced by a new one, and everything works again.

/Paul

 
I got a response.  Sounds like the problem is a tube issue.  Hopefully I can get it replaced fast.  I have no other amp.  I've been thinking of getting the micro idsd on the side.  Looks pretty sweet for what it is.