[HeyWaj10]

Good to know, thank you!
 
Would love to hear some impressions or comparisons of this unit to the Peachtree Nova products (current gen). I'd imagine the Retro 50 walks all over it, but would be interested in some notes/confirmations.

 

[kairo]

Hi,
Finally created an account to join the discussion about the Retro 50, which looks like the amp i've always waited for...

I considered buying the i-nano but now thinking about deplacing my old amp as well, because the retro gives me tubes and a phono stage i dreamed of. I'm not quite so sure about the speakers though so please give me some comments on how they sound in a larger room if you don't sit right in front of them but in a distance of a few metres. Thanks.

The price suddenly went up in Germany, too (from 2100€ to 2250€, but the i-nano even to 225€ from 189€!). Seems to be the strong B£ compared to US$ and €, or are there other explanations?

Congratulations to the great review in the audio magazine which i read with interest. Being classified as "Referenz-Klasse" is a major achievement but it is only related to complete soundsystems ("Komplett-Anlagen") and not to be compared to the ratings of amplifiers or speakers. Take a look at the other systems placed there and you find cheaper ones scoring higher:

105 (1300€) Raumfeld by Teufel Speaker L
105 (1500€) Sonos Sub + 2 x Play 5 (Wireless)
103 (2100€) iFi Micro Retro 50 Stereo (BT, DAC, Phono, Röhre!)

...and that is still the old price!

I personally don't give too much on the ratings in audio magazine (reading it since the late 70s/early 80s!) just wanted to make this clear. It's a really nice review that expresses more than any number.

Ok. Sorry for a too long first posting...

Greetings

 

[tf1216]

Hi kairo, I love Sonos! The engineering in those is actually quite extraordinary. I have friends that work there so ice learned quite a bit about the company.

With that said, the Retro is in another playing field. It's a different sport even. I'm going to see if I can find translations of the other system reviews. I'm curious to read what gave these systems such high marks.

 

[rickyleelee]

Good to know, thank you!

Would love to hear some impressions or comparisons of this unit to the Peachtree Nova products (current gen). I'd imagine the Retro 50 walks all over it, but would be interested in some notes/confirmations.

I have the Retro but will not post a review until it has been run in. Too many reviews I see talking about run in which I think is a joke.

 

[PMath]

Hi !
On monday i did get my retro 50 from a german dealer. Sadly i can not tell something about
the sound...)-:
First it was not able to hear something with any source...after some minutes it
began to smell burnt...Now its on the way back to the dealer.
But so look is so wonderful ! I cannot till it comes back...as new, or repaired...
The next days will show the Quality of "ifi".
 
Peter

 

[iFi audio]

  Hi !
On monday i did get my retro 50 from a german dealer. Sadly i can not tell something about
the sound...)-:
First it was not able to hear something with any source...after some minutes it
began to smell burnt...Now its on the way back to the dealer.
But so look is so wonderful ! I cannot till it comes back...as new, or repaired...
The next days will show the Quality of "ifi".
 
Peter

 
Hi,
 
We spoke to WOD. They will swap out for you.
 
Thanks.

 

[iFi audio]

Thank Native DSD it's Easter weekend.

 

Head-Fi readers can download a variety of FREE DSD Tracks at NativeDSD.com.

 
 

 
Our friends at Native DSD have also made a 20% discount on a Jazz compilation and a Classical compilation.
 

 
 
The coupon code is NativeDSD - valid through May 1st.
 
Each album ends up costing about €6,50EUR / $7,00USD.
 
NativeDSD downloads are available worldwide and currently has customers with accounts from 99 different countries.
 
Happy Easter message from iFi and NativeDSD (and Floor at Native DSD also said to go easy on the Easter Eggs)

 

 

[Maelob]

Wow, great customer service, would you guys do the same in the US?

 

[PMath]

Thank you very much !
 
Peter

 

[bmoura]

Quote:

Our friends at Native DSD have also made a 20% discount on a Jazz compilation and a Classical compilation: Natural Jazz Recordings and Super Artists in Super Audio, Volume 1.
 
 
The coupon code is NativeDSD - valid through May 1st. Both albums end up costing about €6,50EUR.
 
Happy Easter message from iFi and NativeDSD (and Floor at Native DSD also said to go easy on the Easter Eggs)

 
Even at regular price (under $10 each), these are excellent additions to any iFi and DSD fan's collection.  With an Easter sale, they will be hard to pass up.  If you can only get one, I'd recommend "Natural Jazz Recordings" in Stereo DSD from Fone.
On the Super Artists album, note you can get both the Stereo and Multichannel DSD edition of the album (playable in Multichannel on an Oppo 103, 105 or exaSound e28) for a great price with the "COMBI" deal.

 

[iFi audio]

Wow, great customer service, would you guys do the same in the US?

 
Hi,
 
Floor from Native DSD Music clarified things:
 
"Each album ends up costing about €6,50EUR / $7,00USD.
 
NativeDSD downloads are available worldwide and currently has customers with accounts from 99 different countries."
 
We have edited the post. Nice spot!

 

[ted_b]

Some of you know me from reviews (esp Chord) on ComputerAudiophile and here.  I am also the US Technical Advisor for NativeDSD, so feel free to lean on me if you have any questions.  I do a number of odd jobs for Jared, including all metadata, US technical follow-up from customer service, and some label recruiting.  Jared and I will be at Axpona doing a DSD seminar, so hope to see you there, too.
 
Ted

 

[sfoclt]

Downloaded a few samples (Jazz at Pawnshop) then bought the Natural Jazz Recordings release (all in dsd64).  
 
Sounds good, and the NJR release came to just over $5 with the discount code.  

 

[iFi audio]

Beta firmware - Testing Solutions to Spotify/Tidal streaming on Android and DSD256 on MAC
 
 
Warning. 

Please try this only if you are comfortable with upgrading the firmware on your nano iDSD/micro iDSD/Retro Stereo 50 Beta firmware allows one to:
 
 
 
1) Version 4.8 Beta - Output audio for Android if you encounter lack of compatibility with Device X and Spotify/Tidal* etc., USB Host mode remains required. 
 

1. Devices tested so far Sony Xperia Z Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S4, allows system audio, including Games and Android Music Playback via iFi iDSD etc.
2. We have developed a Firmware workaround that enables this for several Android Phones in our possession, but need wider testing.

 
 
 
2) Version 4.8.4 - DSD256 via DoP for iDSD nano (and upcoming iDAC2 micro) is now supported, using a special beta firmware. This firmware is redundant on iDSD micro and Retro Stereo 50.
 

1. This is primarily for Mac, for Windows ASIO Native remains recommended.
2. Note that this Firmware unlocks 705k/768kHz sample rates on the iDSD nano and iDAC2 micro with hardware that mutes on 705/768k PCM. 
3. As Mac's default the audio to the highest rate this means there will be no audio until you lower the sample rate in the control panel to 384khz.

 
 

1. Note that on Windows either Firmware update requires the Version 2.23 iFi Driver, earlier versions are NOT supported.

 
 
Please open a support ticket here to receive this firmware
 
http://support.ifi-audio.com/
 
Or open a ticket and contact your iCLUB conciege
 
Thanks

 

[john57]

Well? I brought it!