[HeadManiacRu]

Adding S/PDIF Coaxial input would be very reasonable. A lot of people (including myself) like DACs from iFi, but the absence of S/PDIF Coaxial input is really holding them back from buying these DACs.
Meanwhile, I don't know anyone using S/PDIF output, and that is understood because  iDSD should be used primarily as DAC, not the DC/DC converter. In my opinion S/PDIF output is not needed.

 

[Batrutdinov]

Though the ESS Sabre is quite talked-up and it may be excellent, I think the great choice for new iDSD chip is Burr-Brown or Cirrus LOgic (CS4398 for instance). Please consider this. 

 

[CraftyClown]

   We may even have a special ones that will blow your mind.
 

 
+ 1 for the special mind blowing features

 

[iFi audio]

  Adding S/PDIF Coaxial input would be very reasonable. A lot of people (including myself) like DACs from iFi, but the absence of S/PDIF Coaxial input is really holding them back from buying these DACs.
Meanwhile, I don't know anyone using S/PDIF output, and that is understood because  iDSD should be used primarily as DAC, not the DC/DC converter. In my opinion S/PDIF output is not needed.

Hi,
 
We havent looked at it in quite that way.
 
Good to know.
 
This stuff is invaluable to us so we really appreciate it.

 

[iFi audio]

  Though the ESS Sabre is quite talked-up and it may be excellent, I think the great choice for new iDSD chip is Burr-Brown or Cirrus LOgic (CS4398 for instance). Please consider this. 

 
Hi,
 
Burr-Brown = done deal. Dual-Core configuration in the micro iDSD. This is the heart of the digital engine in the micro iDSD.

 

[iFi audio]

   
+ 1 for the special mind blowing features

 
We're so buzzed, we mucked up the typing. So you can bet your clown shoes the micro iDSD is gonna rock your world. 

 

[kugino]

Adding S/PDIF Coaxial input would be very reasonable. A lot of people (including myself) like DACs from iFi, but the absence of S/PDIF Coaxial input is really holding them back from buying these DACs.

Meanwhile, I don't know anyone using S/PDIF output, and that is understood because  iDSD should be used primarily as DAC, not the DC/DC converter. In my opinion S/PDIF output is not needed.

I agree. And even more so on the iDSD nano. When would I ever need a USB/SPDIF converter on a portable device? It's wasted space, IMHO, on the nano. The question for the micro is what percentage will people use the micro for desktop vs portable listening? For me, it's more of an inexpensive desktop source rather than a portable source skmy because it's not that small, moniker notwithstanding. The nano is what is take around with me, not the micro. But even as a primarily desktop device, I don't know if i would use the SPDIF out ever. COAX in? Maybe with a CD transport. But certainly having this as an option makes the micro a lot ore attractive.

 

[technobear]

Whilst S/P-DIF doesn't support DSD, I can nonetheless see why some folks want an S/P-DIF input on the iDSD micro. If a way could be found to make one fit, which one should it be? Most TVs, PVRs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and such like have an optical output. Not so many have a coaxial. However personal players such as those from Astell & Kern and Fiio are starting to use coaxial outputs. Ideally you would want both.

Personally I think the S/P-DIF inputs should be reserved for the iDSD-X (so called because it eXcludes everything not required to make it a great DAC ). The USB, coaxial and optical inputs can go on the rear while the filter switch (assuming this is still needed) can go on the front with the RCAs.

I say 'still needed' because I wonder if anyone does actually listen to the 'standard' filter and if so , why?

 

[john57]

Good point to change the coax out to a in. I also have CD transport that could use a coax input.

 

[roamling]

I agree. And even more so on the iDSD nano. When would I ever need a USB/SPDIF converter on a portable device? It's wasted space, IMHO, on the nano. The question for the micro is what percentage will people use the micro for desktop vs portable listening? For me, it's more of an inexpensive desktop source rather than a portable source skmy because it's not that small, moniker notwithstanding. The nano is what is take around with me, not the micro. But even as a primarily desktop device, I don't know if i would use the SPDIF out ever. COAX in? Maybe with a CD transport. But certainly having this as an option makes the micro a lot ore attractive.

 
I think that COAX out still makes more sense for this design. In my opinion the micro iDSD is primarily a high quality, bit perfect USB DAC which outputs a bit-correct signal to a headphone output, RCA Analogue output or if you wish a PCM digital out. If you have an external Dac already I would prefer to use the SPDIF out to feed that Dac with a clean digital signal and use the micro iDSD as a USB > SPDIF converter only. For the DSD signal I would use the Analog RCA out to feed to an external source.
 

Whilst S/P-DIF doesn't support DSD, I can nonetheless see why some folks want an S/P-DIF input on the iDSD micro. If a way could be found to make one fit, which one should it be? Most TVs, PVRs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and such like have an optical output. Not so many have a coaxial. However personal players such as those from Astell & Kern and Fiio are starting to use coaxial outputs. Ideally you would want both.

Personally I think the S/P-DIF inputs should be reserved for the iDSD-X (so called because it eXcludes everything not required to make it a great DAC

). The USB, coaxial and optical inputs can go on the rear while the filter switch (assuming this is still needed) can go on the front with the RCAs.

I say 'still needed' because I wonder if anyone does actually listen to the 'standard' filter and if so , why?

 
I agree with that assessment. A digital coaxial and optical in would be an option for a micro iDSD DAC only (or iDSDX!). Then you have a "complete" DAC that can convert a USB, optical or coaxial signal and transform each digital input (selected by a flick switch) into analogue.

 

[kugino]

I think that COAX out still makes more sense for this design. In my opinion the micro iDSD is primarily a high quality, bit perfect USB DAC which outputs a bit-correct signal to a headphone output, RCA Analogue output or if you wish a PCM digital out. If you have an external Dac already I would prefer to use the SPDIF out to feed that Dac with a clean digital signal and use the micro iDSD as a USB > SPDIF converter only. For the DSD signal I would use the Analog RCA out to feed to an external source.


I agree with that assessment. A digital coaxial and optical in would be an option for a micro iDSD DAC only (or iDSDX!). Then you have a "complete" DAC that can convert a USB, optical or coaxial signal and transform each digital input (selected by a flick switch) into analogue.

Isn't that what the ilink is for?

 

[roamling]

Isn't that what the ilink is for?

The iLink  does not have a Analog RCA out, so you need a external DAC to convert the digital output into analog and it does not do DSD. its not a Digital-Analog Converter

 

[Mr Creosote]

 
I have read the posts and the micro size means it has got to be firstly a very good desktop DAC. Then the headphone section comes second for me as I use a iCan for this. But it still needs to be good.
 
I think most will use ear monitors on the move as opposed to ‘phones.

 

[BillsonChang007]

Exactly why I wantwd coxial in. Houses are getting more expensive and our room is only getting smaller to the point that putting a desktop for listening may be impossible to some for bed time listening people like me xD

 

[john57]

Exactly why I wantwd coxial in. Houses are getting more expensive and our room is only getting smaller to the point that putting a desktop for listening may be impossible to some for bed time listening people like me xD

I understand that. There has been more tiny houses being made for people living in expensive real estate areas.  However I like the sleeping area to be small and only used for sleeping. I like to be wide awake and sometimes dancing to the music. I can usually put shelves in a room to use the space better.