Thank you!  This is awesome work - thanks for your dedication!

Todd, I already own the Prime, and have been enjoying its gorgeous sound for almost a month.  Do you by chance have just the Meridian Power Supply for a standalone loaner so I can test and compare with my custom made mimic of the MPS?  As you can tell from this thread, there's a lot of...

Well said, it has been my experience over the years as well.  And you are also correct that with recent fast and furious releases of inexpensive DACs with solid technical implementations, and high quality/resolution music files, we are living in an audiophile golden era.  After 35 years of being...

Wow - I have read mostly good reviews about Schiit DACs, even though I don't own one.  I'm curious to read your assessment after you listen to the iDSD, as the price point of the Gungnir is 4X the iDSD, so any comparison would have to take that into account.  It would be really Schiiti for them...

I'm afraid it is a bit of trial and error, depending on your configurations and amp.  I suggest that you connect the RCA outputs to the DAC and start with low volume levels and experiment if there's any clipping if you go all the way up to 60-80% of maximum volume.  I've had experiences with...

Can you send the link to the OT?

It should work with the iPad mini.  I don't have one, but it should work. The greatest advantage from my perspective from a portability perspective is that the Lightning to CCK adapter is much more stable than the 30 pin CCK, meaning that it would not come out dislodged as easily.

To which end of the iFi Micro are you connecting the Gemini cable?  I have read about people connect it in three different ways:  a) directly to the computer to two USB outputs and then to the iFi micro  b) from the iFi micro dual outputs to the USB DAC input. c) using two Gemini cables to make...

For the Meridian, I use a USB hub, powered via a battery pack.  Cumbersome compared to the iDSD setup.  I wrote about a compare on this other thread:   http://www.head-fi.org/t/683406/ifi-audio-nano-idsd-announced/45   The 8Player and Seagate Media stream from a NAS via DLNA.  The Seagate...

1.  I think it is user-replaceable, and the iFi does have multiple tiny screws around it, so it looks like it can be opened to perform this operation.  However, I have not been able to confirm on the iFi web site or any other place.   2.  The runtime varies depending on sampling rate and...

Cool.  I think you won't regret it.  The only issue that I've read recently is that it's backlogged at most retailers as they sold out on their first batches.  Hope you can get one soon.

As long as you use the Apple CCK to get the USB signal out from the iPad or iPhone, the 8Player app will output the signal without downsampling.  I have tested and used the 8Player, FLAC, Seagate Media and Onkyo HF Player via the CCK to both the Meridian Explorer and the iFi iDSD and the content...

Agreed on all fronts. - One the RCA output, I agree that a fixed line out would have been preferable, but even much more expensive gear like my Meridian Prime also have variable RCA out.  It is not an audiophile purist approach, but I have not found any issues using it as a pre-amp.  I tested...

That is correct, it has a digital out so you could connect it to the S/PDIF input of the FiiO E17 (this output is PCM only, not DSD).  However, it feels that it would be overkill to use the iDSD purely as a USB to S/PDIF converter.  I have owned FiiO DACs and amplifiers in the past (not the E17...

The very first batch of Meridian Explorers did have an impedance issue, but this was addressed shortly after release with the newer versions.  You just have to make sure that when you buy it, they send you the latest ones, and also apply the firmware update and you'll be fine.  I use the...

For PCM content only (not DSD), I have successfully used 8Player from the Seagate Wireless Plus server.  This works perfectly well all the way up to 24/192 content.   I have not found yet an Apple player app that supports DSD content while streaming from a server.

That's good news that you have been able to certify compatibility with Windows!   How did you like the sound?  I'm really loving my iFi iDSD, it's such a versatile and portable little product!

I did use music direct.  It is unfortunate that the wait is so long, they must have ran out of inventory.   I pre-ordered early December 2013 and got it early January 2014 when they got their first batch.

I performed today some preliminary comparisons.  My head still feels a bit clogged from the flu, so I will be performing much more thorough tests when I get better.   Observations:   1.  The difference between using Meridian's wall wart and the CI Audio power supply are indeed very subtle. ...

I am sorry I can't help in this one, as I don't have a Windows PC for personal use where I can perform tests.   I have confirmed positive results for PCM and DSD, all frequencies for: 1.  Mac Mini running Audirvana 2.  iPad 3 with 30pin CCK connector 3.  iPhone5 with Lightning to USB CCK...

Agree!   In addition, because the iFi has its own battery power, and when you connect it to an iPad or iPod (internal battery power also), the whole connection by definition is very low noise.  Without the iFi, if you use a powered hub, you are usually introducing dirty USB power from whatever...

- I agree with most aspects of the review, but the "cons" in my opinion are either not iFi's issue, or not that important for my use case. - I agree that the 30 pin CCK connector is very unstable on iPods and iPads, but this is an Apple issue. - The Lightning CCK adapter is much more stable...

My head cold unfortunately evolved to a full blown flu.  The flu is definitely a much bigger enemy to hi-fi enjoyment than wall warts... 

2.5mm power cord + the 2.1mm adapter.

I got the unit yesterday, and it's in burn-in mode at the moment.  Dusty recommended to run continuous music play for a couple of days to allow the capacitors in the unit to settle and go through multiple charge/discharge cycles.   I also have a head cold at the moment which is limiting my...